The kitchen might be one of few places in your home where you haven’t considered adding a rug. It might seem like a waste of time, considering the heavy amount of foot traffic, the risk of spilled food and drinks, or the easily-cleaned tile flooring that most kitchens now come with. But placing a rug in your kitchen can still have its benefits, especially if that rug is a runner.

Runner rugs are the most popular rugs for those areas of your house that can’t house a full area rug, but still need a little something extra underfoot. Runner rugs are ideal for your kitchen for a number of reasons! We at Decorsify want to make sure you’ve got all the home decor advice you need, so if you’re still on the fence about whether or not to use a rug in your kitchen, keep reading to learn more about the benefits you might not have even considered. We’ll go through several kinds of runner rugs that you could use in your kitchen, and weight the pros and cons of each.

Kitchen Runners with Intricate Patterns

If you want to inject some fresh color or a bold design into your kitchen, try placing a runner rug with a colorful and intricate pattern. This option is for those of you who want to infuse your home with a sense of whimsy or playfulness, or have a plainer kitchen that you want to add some brightness to. Intricate patterns draw the eye, and with a runner rug you’ll be adding just the right amount of flair without overwhelming the rest of your kitchen decor.

Runners with a Neutral or Solid Color

If you want your kitchen to have a more contemporary and minimalist appearance, consider getting a runner rug in a neutral or solid color. If you already have a lot of other decorative features in your kitchen that you don't want to compete with, this can be a good option for you. Or if you’re a fan of a calmer interior, then this type of runner would work best for you, too.

Rugs Made of Natural Fibers

If you want your space to have a more natural or bohemian vibe, you should think about getting a runner rug made of natural fibers like jute, sisal, or bamboo. These materials have the potential to give your kitchen more texture and warmth, or add a sense of style that feels whimsical and free.

Kitchen Runners with Traditional or Antique Patterns

Rugs with more classic patterns on them are perfect for anyone with a vintage or eclectic aesthetic. These sort of patterns, traditional or antique ones, come in a few different styles such as medallions, stripes, oriental rugs, or Persian-style rugs. These patterns can offer your kitchen a feeling of nostalgia, a classic elegance achieved in something as simple as a single rug.

Washable Runner Rugs

Since the kitchen is a high-traffic and sometimes filthy area – we've all spilled a thing or two in our kitchens – you should think about getting a washable runner rug. This will make it simple for you to wipe up any spills or stains, allowing you to maintain your rug looking brand new. Washable rugs are thinner and easier to maintain than thicker rugs, though this does mean there’s a little less padding underfoot. It all depends on what your priorities are when it comes to the rug you place in your kitchen... and for many people, being able to clean up a kitchen mess fast is priority number one!

Choosing Your Kitchen Runner Rug

It's possible to have a lot of fun while choosing a runner rug for your kitchen, but before you make your final choice, you've got a few different factors to consider. Here's a rundown of everything you need to keep in mind when you’re making your choices:

- Dimensions: Determine the length and breadth of the room that will house the runner rug that you want to purchase. Be careful to choose a size that will work well in the allotted area and won't seem too tiny or excessively large. If you need to test out any areas beforehand, use some painter’s tape in the shape and size of the rug you’re considering.

- Material: Read up on the different materials for runner rugs before you choose the one for you. Cotton, wool, jute, and synthetic materials are among possibilities that are often selected for use in the production of kitchen runners. Consider your way of life, the quantity of foot traffic that passes through your kitchen, as well as your own personal preferences about the texture and feel.

- Design: Consider the design of your kitchen before selecting a runner rug, so that the two will work well together. There is a wide variety of alternatives available for you to pick from, regardless of whether you choose an updated or classic appearance. You should also take the color scheme and patterns that are present in your kitchen into account before selecting a runner rug that will tie the space together.

- Functionality: Evaluate how the runner rug will be utilized in your kitchen. If you tend to have a lot of accidents and messes in your home, you should look for a rug that is simple to keep clean. If you spend a lot of time standing in the kitchen, you should think about getting a rug with additional padding so that you have comfort and support while you are standing. It all depends on you and your specific personal needs!

- Durability: Select a runner rug that is long-lasting and can withstand the normal usage that it will get on a daily basis without showing signs of wear and tear. If you want a rug that will last for many years, you should look for one that has a strong backing and threads that are firmly woven.

FAQ’s:

Q: What size should my kitchen runner rug be?

A: A kitchen runner rug's size will vary depending on the size and arrangement of your kitchen. It should generallybe long enough to span the length of the primary working area of your kitchen, such as the sink, stove, or countertop. This measurement tends to be about 2 to 3 feet broad and 6 to 10 feet long. This permits it to run the length of the kitchen while still allowing foot traffic to pass around it. But, if you have a smaller kitchen, a shorter runner rug might work better and wouldn’t take up too much of the space.

Again, to ensure that you choose the measurement that works best for you, it’s always a good idea to lay some tape in a few different sizes to see which one would look the best in your designated area. Better to test your options before buying a rug than to buy the wrong size.

Q: How should I clean my washable kitchen runner rug?

A: If your kitchen runner rug is washable, you may clean it as follows:

- Read the care label. Before washing your kitchen runner rug, check the care label to determine if there are any particular washing directions or limitations. This will help you make sure that you don’t do any damage to the rug while washing.

- Take the rug outdoors and shake it to get rid of any loose dirt or particles. You may also use a broom or vacuum to remove any dirt and debris.

- Pre-treat stains: If there are any stains on the rug, use a stain remover to treat them before doing the main wash. You can use a professional stain remover or combine equal parts water and vinegar to create your own.

- Wash the rug: Use a soft cycle in the washing machine and a light detergent to wash the rug. Hot water and bleach should be avoided, as they might harm the rug. If the rug is very filthy, consider washing it twice.

- After washing the rug, you can either hang it up to dry or place it in the dryer on a low heat setting. High heat should be avoided as it might harm the carpeting.

Q: Can runner rugs make my kitchen look bigger?

A: A runner rug has the ability to significantly increase the feeling of space in your kitchen. Here are some pointers to consider while choosing a runner rug to make your kitchen seem larger:

- Light colors: Choose a light-colored runner rug, such as white, cream, or beige. Bright colors reflect more light and may make a space seem larger and brighter.

- Avoid runner rugs with big or chaotic designs since they may make a space appear smaller and more crowded. Instead, choose a rug with a plain and minimal design, or even one that is a single color.

- Long and narrow: A long and narrow runner rug may provide the sense of a larger and more spacious kitchen. A rug that is overly large may make a space seem claustrophobic and crowded.

- Low pile: A low pile or flat weave runner rug may offer a smoother and more seamless transition between the rug and the floor. This might make the space seem larger and more open.

Kitchens might be the last place that you ever would've considered placing a rug - and you're not alone. Kitchens are busy areas of the home, with a lot of foot traffic, and are at more risk of spills than any other room... but that doesn't mean they don't still deserve the opportunity to shine with an area rug. Runner rugs are perfectly designed for kitchens with their long and narrow bodies, and with new washable options, worrying about spills can be a thing of the past.

If you're interested in learning more about runner rugs, be sure to check out our blog for other posts about runners - or about other shapes and sizes of rugs, too! And if you're on the market for a new rug for your kitchen, take a look at the listings on Decorsify.com's online store, as we have dozens of different options, all at an affordable price.