20 Kitchen Rug Ideas To Add Major Flavor To Your Space

Which one is your taste?

The kitchen is the heart of the home. It’s where family recipes are passed down to the next generation and friends are hosted over a simple cocktail. Introducing a rug to a room with so many gadgets and so much metal can make a big impact, transforming it to look as warm and inviting as it feels. We’ve curated these kitchen rug ideas over the years from real spaces that exemplify everything the Southern home represents, and we know you’ll find them just as inspiring as we do.

Use A Vintage Rug

A vintage rug can do no wrong, especially when paired with more modern details. Bonus: Their pre-loved, imperfect nature means you’ll never cry over spilled milk.

Go Full Circle

From windows to cabinets to appliances, kitchens’ biggest elements are all sharp and straight. A circular rug like this softens the edges (we had to) and makes them more inviting. It works especially well in a narrow kitchen like this one.

Find The Right Mood

With all the pure white tile on the walls, this was an ideal spot for a deep red rug. It pairs well with other moody accents in this kitchen, like the dark wood floors and the cabinets painted in Dunn Edwards' Black Spruce.

Go For Contrast

Another example of the power of contrast, the bright kitchen in this 1890 North Carolina home relies on a rug with deep jewel tones. The patterned walls and countertops are in neutral hues, allowing the different elements to live side by side in harmony.

Slide One Under The Table

This eat-in kitchen uses the antique pine dining table as a prep station in addition to a place to break bread, but that doesn’t exempt it from having a rug underfoot to define the space. A flatter rug is best for sliding chairs in and out from the table.

Set The Bar

In an open floor plan, the kitchen island deserves some attention too. Place a rug under barstools or a table and chairs to create a cozy eating space that borders your kitchen.

Define The Room With Runners

Instead of throwing a rug beneath the dining table or between the cabinets, this home has a runner positioned parallel to both spaces. This also effectively redefines the separate areas into one cohesive room.

Find Your True Colors

Nearly 100% of this kitchen is stark white or cool silver, which is what makes the peppy pink runner stand out so much. It’s just what the space needed in order to add some personality while still keeping things clean and simple. The rug contrasts with the playful blue-patterned window treatment.

Double Up On Rugs

Who said kitchens have to have just one rug? This Austin, Texas remodel features two: in front of and behind the island, each with its own charm. While they have different patterns, the two textiles have enough similarities to feel in tune with each other.

Paint The Picture

Not certain a kitchen rug can survive your cooking habits? Create the effect of one instead by painting your floors. This DIY project also is an affordable alternative to retiling your kitchen.

Venture Into The Wild

Have your rug—and eat it too? A cowhide isn’t exactly what you expect to see when you enter a kitchen, which is what makes it such a fun design element. Cowhide fits right in with farmhouse or ranch decor.

Weave In Natural Textures

Woven rugs are popular for the natural character and texture they add to a space, as illustrated in this otherwise perfectly polished kitchen. Jute, sisal, and seagrass are all popular natural fibers for rugs.

Play With Patterns

We’re all about some pattern play, which you can see here with the checkerboard tiles and vintage rug. Juxtaposing these two classic but bold elements makes them feel very fresh.

Pick A Color, Any Color

If you like your kitchen heavy on decor, consider staying within a tight color palette and tying it together through the rug. This kitchen emphasizes blue and green hues from the floor covering to the light fixtures. A few pops of orange make the beachy colors stand out.

Stretch Across The Kitchen

Turn a rug into a moment by picking one that spans the length of the kitchen. You should have luck sourcing a vintage option online, where oddly sized ones like this rug tend to go for cheaper. Using one long rug also helps keep the space from feeling fragmented.

Use An Area Rug

When your kitchen is wide open with nothing but empty floor space, you can upgrade your runner to a true rug with substantial square footage. It’s an easy way to add interest to any otherwise utilitarian room. The muted tones in this rug coordinate with both the woodwork and the deep aqua light shades.

Show Off A Bold Pattern

A bold striped rug adds a playful touch to this restful sage-colored kitchen in an Alabama lake cottage. It echoes the pure white quartz countertops in an otherwise serene room. The homeowners repeated the black-and-white theme in additional rooms, using varying patterns.

Treat Your Floor Like A Gallery

Who said rugs can only be patterns or solids? Everyone loves to entertain in the kitchen, and a rug like this is a true conversation piece with a touch of sophistication. The bold colors also add flair to an otherwise neutral space.

Place A Rug Under The Island

Instead of placing your rug around your island, put it beneath instead. If you have a portable island, this will help ground it in the space. In addition to making the kitchen feel homey, the rug also protects your floor from damage every time you move the island.

Focus On The Workspace

This neutral runner protects the area that gets the most use in the kitchen while also providing padding to increase comfort while you work. The soft ivory rug stands out against the darker flooring without detracting from the natural wood features that shine in our Tennessee idea house.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it a good idea to have a rug in the kitchen?

Because kitchens are so prone to spills, many people are hesitant to put a rug in the kitchen. If that's a concern, buy a washable rug for easy cleanup. Rugs provide many benefits, like keeping the floor dry and making long periods of standing more comfortable.

Where should you put a rug in the kitchen?

At a minimum, we recommend placing a rug in your busiest work area, such as in front of the sink and dishwasher. In a smaller kitchen, you may be able to use one large area rug or runner to cover your entire workspace.

Related: The Best Places To Buy Rugs For Every Budget

For more Southern Living news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on Southern Living.