When Are Kitchen Rugs the Right Decision?

Rugs can make a fantastic addition to almost any room in your home. They can add a splash of color, give the impression of warmth, offer comfort underfoot, and act as a key element of your interior design theme. One room in which people are often reluctant to add a rug is the kitchen. However, there are some circumstances when this is a sensible option. Here is an overview of why people do not like rugs in the kitchen and some examples of when rugs are the right decision.

Why Do People Not like Rugs in the Kitchen?

People commonly believe that the kitchen is the one room for which rugs are a bad idea. They may have rugs in every other room in their home, but they will avoid adding on to their kitchen. According to Homedit, there are a few reasons for this:

• Spillages – When working in the kitchen, spillages of food and drink are common. This can make a rug an impractical option.
• Additional cleaning – Due to regular spillages and crumbs of food, a kitchen rug is likely to need more cleaning than rugs in other rooms.
• Staining – Spillages can also cause stains to rugs, depending on the rug material. Therefore, staining is a more likely problem for rugs in the kitchen.

Examples of When Kitchen Rugs Are the Right Decision

Despite the problems associated with rugs in the kitchen, they are not always a bad idea. In fact, there are some situations when a rug is an excellent addition to this room. Houzz highlights the following as some of the reasons why a kitchen rug is the right decision:

• Creating zones- If you have a larger kitchen, then you may wish to create different ones. For example, you may use the main part of the kitchen for food preparation, and then have separate seating or dining areas. Adding rugs to the dining and seating areas is a great way to create separate zones in this room.
• Adding color- Kitchen can sometimes look a little plain and sterile, especially if you have opted to keep the color scheme neutral. One way of adding a splash of color to your kitchen is to add a kitchen rug.
•  Introducing texture and pattern- Likewise, a kitchen rug is a good way of adding some texture and pattern to a room that is predominantly about clean lines. This can add an element of interest to the room.
• Increasing comfort- Kitchen designs usually focus on functionality rather than comfort, but this does not mean that you cannot add touches to the room that can make it a more comfortable space to spend time. A rug is one way of achieving a comfortable feel as it will make our kitchen seem homelier.
• The illusion of space- Choosing the right rug for the shape, size, and style of kitchen can help to create an illusion of space. For example, if you have a galley kitchen, a runner rug can draw the eye to the opposite end of the kitchen to give the optical illusion of length and space.
• Soften the edges- Due to the nature of a kitchen, there are lots of hard lines. To create a softer look, you should consider adding a rug.
• Contributing to a design theme- There are some design themes that cry out for the addition of textiles in the kitchen. One example is the country farmhouse look, and another is the traditional English interior design theme. Many other themes from around the world also use textiles as a key feature. If you are using such a design theme, a rug is the right decision.

Choosing a Kitchen Rug

Although there are many situations when a kitchen rug is a good decision, it will only work if you choose the right rug for the space. The Rug Seller offers the following tips for choosing a kitchen rug:

• Materials- One of the most important considerations is the material from which the kitchen rug is made. You need something that is hardwearing and easy to clean. Synthetic materials, such as nylon, polyester, or polypropylene, are the ideal choices for kitchen rugs. If you prefer natural materials, then seagrass and bamboo are good options.
• Size- When creating zones, you might want to use larger kitchen rugs. This is fine, especially if the kitchen is large, but you should always have a border around the rug. The rug should also reflect the shape in which it sits.
• Design- The design of the rug is a matter of personal preference, but it should reflect the general style or interior design theme of the kitchen. Patterns and darker colors are good choices if your kitchen has heavy traffic and they are also good at concealing regular spillages.
• Positioning- Once you have bought your rugs, you need to carefully consider how you will position them in your kitchen. It is best to keep them slightly away from the base of the units so that they are not too affected by food and drink spillages.

Kitchen Rugs – The Final Verdict

Many people do not want rugs in their kitchen as they believe that they are unhygienic or will need excessive cleaning. However, there are some situations when adding a kitchen rug is the right decision. They are fantastic for adding color, texture, or pattern, and they are a good way to create different zones in a larger kitchen. Kitchen rugs can also add a sense of space, give your kitchen a homelier look, and soften the edges of the room. Furthermore, there are some interior design styles for which the use of textiles is a key element, so rugs are an important soft furnishing to include. If you do decide to use rugs in your kitchen, then it is important to think carefully about which you choose to avoid the pitfalls of kitchen rugs. You need rugs that coordinate with the style of your kitchen that are durable and easy to clean.