The Best Kitchen Rug Ideas to Energize Your Floors (2024)

The Best Kitchen Rug Ideas to Energize Your Floors (1)

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So much more than just something soft underfoot, rugs are an ingenious way to energize a kitchen. Whether you’re looking to add a finishing touch to a newly renovated kitchen, or you’re simply looking to make a pre-reno space feel more bearable until demo day, a rug is a low-lift hero. When you consider how few opportunities there are to infuse a kitchen with character outside of built-in fixtures like cabinetry, countertops and sleek appliances, the appeal of a kitchen rug becomes even clearer. Kitchen rugs can lend color, pattern, and—perhaps most importantly—texture. If you’ve elected to go the route of painted cabinets, consider using a stylish rug that underscores or complements your color choice.

Turkish kilims are a favorite of interior designers because of their mesmerizing patterns and unique color combos. Whether you’ve opted for forest green, mint or blue-gray cabinets, you’re likely to find a Turkish rug to match. Of course, Turkish rugs are far from the only choice. Graphic, low-pile wool rugs that mimic the look of cement tiles are an ingenious way to wake up a modernist kitchen, while casual striped scatter rugs can work magic in everything from rustic farmhouse kitchens to nautical-inspired kitchens.

If you’d like to elevate your cooking space, but you’re not sure where to start, we’ve rounded up 32 kitchens adorned with ravishing rugs. Cull these picture-perfect kitchens for tips on where to position your rug, plus the sizes to use and what materials and styles are basically considered foolproof. Prepare to be floored!

1

Woven Wonders

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To complement mint green cabinets and rattan bar stools, designer Chauncey Boothby selected a natural fiber rug to set a casual, yet sophisticated mood.

2

Fuchsia Flourish

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To energize a neutral kitchen, the design firm Chroma worked in a vibrant magenta flatweave rug. Elsewhere in the kitchen, a few vibrant accessories work to bridge the color contrast.

3

Mood Maker

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A pastoral landscape painting provides the color context for an orange and beige rug in this beyond-charming kitchen designed by the firm Denise McGaha Interiors.

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4

Graphic Design

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You don't need to possess a farmhouse-inspired kitchen for a kitchen rug to make sense. As the firm Brio Interior Design shows, minimalist kitchens can be excellent candidates for rugs as well.

5

Softer Shades of Splendor

Muted blue-gray cabinets and striated wood cabinets are enhanced by a kilim incorporating vibrant pops of red in this kitchen designed by Douglas C. Wright Architects.

6

Peaceful Palette

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A kilim featuring hushed shades of pink and lavender feels perfectly apropos in this predominantly powder blue kitchen designed by Elizabeth Stamos.

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7

Say it with Stripes

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Industrial surfaces with a glam edge make a striped rug with graduating shades of gray feel like a natural fit in this chic kitchen designed by Jasmin Reese Interiors.

8

Kilim Me Softly

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A bold red kilim enhances this primarily black and white kitchen cued up by the firm Brio Interior Design.

9

Natural Instinct

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To lend cohesion in a bright and airy kitchen, New York City designer Jenny Wolf chose a natural fiber rug that echoes the colors and construction materials used in the room's rattan and iron barstools.

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10

Just the Jewel Tones

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For a kitchen cocooned in a dramatic abstract statement mural, designer Kati Curtis opted for a solid, sage-colored rug with a velvety sheen for added interest.

11

Flattering Flatweaves

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This striking space designed by KitchenLab Interiors shows exactly why kilims featuring soft shades of pink and peach are a go-to for all-white kitchens.

12

Magic Carpet

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A vibrant rug provides a color palette for a wide array of accessories in this kitchen designed by Lily Spindle. The result is a room that feels collected rather than chaotic.

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13

Plush Hour

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Table lamps and an insanely plush rug lend this kitchen designed by M + M Interior Design a cozy, layered feel more commonly associated with living rooms or bedrooms.

14

On the Quiet Side

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For a kitchen rendered in predominantly cool tones, designer Martin Young selected a peach-colored rug to lend just a hint of warmth.

15

Finishing Flourishes

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For a kitchen featuring a surplus of texture, (including a backsplash constructed of luminescent Moroccan tiles), designer Meredith Ellis elected to use a tactile Turkish rug.

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16

Not-So-Mellow Yellow

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Hot pink cabinets are tempered by a sunshine yellow rug in this high-wattage kitchen designed by studio CAK.

17

Subtle Statements

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To lend softness without creating visual noise, designer Sean Anderson selected a flatweave rug in a barely-there hue.

18

The Missing Pink

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For an all-white kitchen, designer Lisa Gilmore chose an exuberant pink and blue rug to add vibrancy.

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19

Cover-Up Job

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In addition to providing function—in this case, a smooth surface for kitchen chairs to glide in and out on—a small, prayer-style rug imbues this kitchen nook designed by Sherwood Kypreos with a wayfaring bohemian vibe.

20

Touch of Turquoise

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A turquoise rag rug transforms this kitchen designed by Patrick Ahearn Architect from classic-feeling to subtly rustic-feeling.

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Marisa Martin

Marisa S. Martin is a writer for Chairish and previously worked for One Kings Lane. An ardent vintage enthusiast, she loves a good throwback trend story and believes there’s nothing a bit of brass can’t fix.

The Best Kitchen Rug Ideas to Energize Your Floors (2024)

FAQs

What is the best type of rug for a kitchen floor? ›

Rubber mats are suitable for high-traffic areas and are easy to clean. Synthetic: Synthetic mats and rugs are made from polypropylene and are relatively inexpensive, making them the best kitchen rugs if you find yourself updating your rugs often. They are easy to clean and usually last around 3–5 years.

Are rugs in kitchens a good idea? ›

PROS OF RUGS IN A KITCHEN

Placing a rug or two in your kitchen increases the area's cosiness, create a nice, soft surface for your feet.

Where should rugs go in kitchen? ›

When to come up with a rug in kitchen idea, try to remember these tips: Place the rug where you're most likely to use it: in front of the sink where it will cushion your feet as you wash dishes.

Should I put a rug under my kitchen island? ›

Place A Rug Under The Island

In addition to making the kitchen feel homey, the rug also protects your floor from damage every time you move the island.

Should you put a large rug in a kitchen? ›

While kitchen rugs aren't exactly necessary, they offer benefits that are both aesthetic and functional. Aesthetically, the right kitchen rug can tie the room together and offer a cozy and comforting vibe. Functionally, a kitchen rug can reduce the risks of slip and falls by offering tractions in high-traffic areas.

Do you need a rug in front of your kitchen sink? ›

On a hard, smooth floor, these water droplets can pose a slipping hazard. A well-chosen kitchen rug - one with non-slip backing - can greatly minimize this risk by absorbing the water and providing a secure footing. The rug in front of the sink also plays a role in aesthetics.

What is the best color rug for a kitchen? ›

Green, blue, and purple colors will give your kitchen a calming presence. A dark rug in a large kitchen will look nice but add it to a small kitchen and you've just lost a ton of space. Instead, add a light rug to a small kitchen and make it feel more open.

Is a round or square rug better for kitchen? ›

Square and rectangular rugs are popular options for good reason: these versatile shapes typically fit neatly in nearly any space. Half-moon or cresent-shaped rugs are often used in front of a kitchen sink for added cushioning and comfort. Round rugs tend to soften sharp lines and work well in the center of the room.

What type of mats should be used in the kitchen? ›

Opt for mats constructed from rubber or plastic if you want them to be totally water-proof. If you prefer fabric, synthetic materials such as polyester, which have very low levels of absorbency, are best.

Do people put area rugs in kitchen? ›

Got a rug you're digging? The kitchen may not be the first place you'd think of putting it. But trust us – a rug in the kitchen may be just the ticket for pulling together your eating space. And while the kitchen can be a dangerous place for textiles (hello, crumbs, grease, red wine spills!)

Why do people put rugs under kitchen table? ›

Dining chairs are constantly being moved in and out from the table, and when they are moved, they are often dragged on the floor. Even if your dining room has carpet, you can set a rug directly under the table to protect the flooring from scuffs, shedding, and other types of damage.

How to layer a rug in the kitchen? ›

Layering rugs produces the best results when they are different sizes. One should be large and more dominant and the others should be smaller and act as accents. Another tip: A great way to utilize smaller rugs in a room is to store them in a basket, and set them out when you have guests.

What type of rug is most stain resistant? ›

Most Popular: Nylon Carpet Fibers

For a great balance of affordability and stain resistance, nylon carpet fibers can't be beat! Nylon carpet's stain resistance comes from the coating used on the fibers – so be sure that you're choosing a carpet with a great coating.

What type of rug is easiest to keep clean? ›

Easy to Clean Fibers
  • Wool. While most new rugs will shed a bit at first, wool is naturally shed resistant, and it is a sturdy natural fiber. ...
  • Cotton. Cotton is a comfy fiber that is easy to clean, making it a great choice for kitchens, playrooms, and dens. ...
  • Seagrass. ...
  • Jute. ...
  • Polypropylene and Other Synthetics.
Aug 3, 2021

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