Our List of the Best Kitchen Rugs Includes a Vintage-Looking Runner That’s Just $33

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Kitchens are prone to messes—even the least clumsy among us have to admit to spending some time vacuuming up crumbs and blotting spills. It doesn’t make for the most practical atmosphere for an area rug, but who can deny the effortless chic that one can bring to the space? So we searched for the best kitchen rugs we could find, looking beyond the standard woven fibers to discover floor coverings that combat the most stubborn stains, from coffee droplets to tomato paste. These mats also had to be comfortable underfoot—after all, most kitchen floors feature materials that are far from warm and cushy, like ceramic tile and vinyl—and padded enough to make logging long hours in front of the sink or stove less tiresome. With these boxes to check, here are our top contenders.

Our Favorites

• Heymat x Sight Unseen Kitchen Mat
• Ruggable Washable Kitchen Rugs and Runners
• Porte + Hall Innerweave Runner
• Chris Loves Julia x Loloi Runner
• Morrow Soft Goods Runner
• House of Noa Nama Standing Mat 
• Tumble Washable Cushioned Rug
• Armadillo Nook Rugs

Heymat x Sight Unseen Kitchen Mat

Dimensions: 2-by-3 feet | Material: Nylon | Washing machine–friendly: Yes

Why we chose it: Contemporary color-blocking that won’t slip or slide.  

Tired of your mat magically moving from corner to corner every day? Try this line designed in collaboration with Jill Singer and Monica Khemsurov of Sight Unseen; its rubberized bottom refuses to budge. Dubbed the Iconic Women Collection, the emerald, peach, and lilac styles are an ode to furniture designs by female designers throughout history. Looks aside, writer Julie Vadnal can confirm that this one is soothingly soft underfoot and easy to take care of. Unlike her previous rug, which had been prone to staining no matter how hard she scrubbed, Heymat’s is safe to throw in the wash (as long as water temps are kept to 60 degrees and bleach-free detergent is used). In fact, doing so two to four times a year can actually extend its lifetime, according to the brand. Regular vacuuming also helps.

Ruggable Washable Kitchen Rugs and Runners

Dimensions: 2.5-by-7 feet and 2.5-by-10 feet | Material: Polyester | Washing machine–friendly: Yes

Why we chose it: Low-maintenance, affordable styles by big-name designers and brands.

It seems that Ruggable comes out with a new designer collaboration every month—the brand has found success in launches with Jonathan Adler, Iris Apfel, Goop, and Martyn Lawrence Bullard. But in the kitchen, the Anthropologie offerings lend a Scandi look in a premium Tufted All-in-One construction and thick medium pile that feels plush underfoot. These rugs, adorned with Swedish-inspired flat-weave designs, are machine washable, resistant to spills and stains, and come with a built-in no-slip backing. 

Porte + Hall Innerweave Runner

Dimensions: 29-by-77 inches | Material: Polypropylene | Washing machine–friendly: No

Why we chose it: A refined design that can still handle what’s thrown at it.

Porte + Hall’s Innerweave runner, particularly in the Tigers Eye style, lends a natural look in front of the sink while drawing on technical fibers to stand up to wear and tear. (No surprise: the brand was started by an interior designer.) It’s made from polypropylene and finished with a latex backing, so it won’t move; plus, it’s stain-resistant and suitable for indoor-outdoor use, if you ever want to move it onto the patio.

Chris Loves Julia x Loloi Runner

Dimensions: 2.3-by-3.9 feet | Material: Polypropylene | Washing machine–friendly: No

Why we chose it: Classic vintage-inspired design without the antique price tag. 

Domino readers are already big fans of Chris Loves Julia, but the popular DIY blog gave us even more to love when it collaborated with cult-favorite rug brand Loloi on this power-loomed polypropylene floor covering. Synthetic-fiber rugs may get a bad rep compared to their natural counterparts; this one is specifically engineered to be stain- and fade-resistant—in other words, it’s easier to clean and take care of, so you should be able to keep it around (and out of the landfill) for a long time. Plus if your dream kitchen sports a vintage style, give this look a try for way less than an antique rug. Putting it in an accident-prone, heavily trafficked room like the kitchen is a no-brainer.

Morrow Soft Goods Standard Mat and Runner

Dimensions: 21-by-34 inches and 21-by-60 inches | Material: Cotton | Washing machine–friendly: Yes

Why we chose it: A two-for-one rug in chic, versatile colors. 

Not long ago, when we sat down with Morrow Soft Goods cofounder Stephanie Cleary, she let us in on a little secret: The brand’s bath mats are its number-one bestseller. Cleary found out when she saw that customers were grabbing the cotton styles in doubles to use as a makeshift kitchen runner. So the California-based company started making a longer mat to more perfectly fit in between sinks and islands. Our favorite detail is that they are machine washable; all you have to do is toss them in and run a gentle cycle with cold water. 

House of Noa Nama Standing Mat 

Dimensions: 22-by-36 inches, 22-by-54 inches, 22-by-72 inches, 30-by-72 inches, 30-by-108 inches | Material: High-density foam | Washing machine–friendly: No

Why we chose it: Nautical stripes you won’t mind standing on for hours on end (seriously).  

People swear by these cloudlike floor mats, but their limited color range (read: black and brown) can leave much to be desired in the aesthetics department. This timeless stripe in a coastal blue, on the other hand, gives us nautical, lake-house-vacation vibes and pairs well with everything from stained wood doors to brightly-hued cabinets. No joke, all of the reviews are legit: The comfort is nothing to scoff at. The mat is made with nearly an inch of high-density foam, the same material featured in our favorite mattresses and sofa brands.  

Tumble Washable Cushioned Rug

Dimensions: 3-by-5 feet, 2.5-by-7 feet, 5-by-7 feet, 8-by-10 feet | Material: Polyester | Washing machine–friendly: Yes

Why we chose it: Spillproof and machine washable? Yes, please. 

Tumble’s spillproof promise may seem like a stretch—especially considering its low-pile construction and range of patterns offering a lovely textile touch and feel—but it’s the real deal. Knock over a cup of water and the liquid instantly beads at the surface, much like a rain jacket, making cleanup a breeze. And you can toss the rug right in the washing machine. Another genius feature: It ships folded rather than rolled with a plush, puzzle-like pad that comes in multiple pieces numbered with removable stickers for easy assembly. Simply line up the edges and press together before tucking each corner into the rug’s underside pockets.

Armadillo Nook Rugs

Dimensions: 1.8-by-4.7 feet, 2-by-3.3 feet, 2.7-by-6 feet, 3-by-8 feet | Material: Jute | Washing machine–friendly: No

Why we chose it: Naturally durable. 

The most popular natural-fiber rugs are made from sisal, wool, and/or jute. Designers favor the latter for hallways, entryways, and, yes, kitchens, because the material can withstand tons of foot traffic thanks to its tightly woven format. Armadillo’s Nook rug collection uses jute and wool in varying mixes for a tough yet soft feel. The sustainability-minded Australian brand’s cofounder, Sally Pottharst, tells us it’s a no-brainer if you’re looking to add visual and physical warmth to a kitchen setting. “A rug made from natural fibers feels incredibly luxurious underfoot and will wear in, not out, over time, making it ideal for modern family living,” she adds.  

More Kitchen Rugs We Like

How We Chose These Products

We’ve seen plenty of kitchens that feature lovely old-world runners. But placing an expensive, not to mention delicate, handmade fiber rug—many vintage pieces, for example, are a blend of wool and silk—can be a pretty big risk, especially if you find yourself cooking and baking on a regular basis, or have kids and pets. Here, we rounded up floor coverings beyond the typical rug that are a mix of good design, comfort, durability, and worry-free maintenance.

Our Shopping Checklist

Size Options

Most kitchen rugs (though not all) can be defined as runners—they’re longer than they are wide, making them ideal for those narrow distances between the sink or stove and island. They’re also great for smaller rental kitchens. Typically around 2 feet wide, runners can range from as short as 4 feet to as long as 14 feet. Stylistically, choose one that allows a couple of inches of your floor to peep through on either side for a better visual fit.

Fibers and Materials

For worry-free maintenance in high-traffic areas (i.e., the kitchen), stick to durable natural fibers such as jute and wool, or synthetic ones like nylon, polypropylene, and polyester. The latter hold dye well and are more resistant to daily wear and tear, stains, and even mold and mildew. For instances where a soft textural element in the kitchen isn’t practical (think: kids and pets), there are vinyl, foam, and rubber mat alternatives worth considering, too. Or just stick to the ones you can toss in the wash.

Pile Types 

Choose low-pile or flat-weave constructions—they’re less likely to hold onto crumbs, grime, and germs. The pile of a rug is determined by the height of its knots (like carpet, rugs are made through a series of loops that can be hooked or tufted by hand, but more often than not by machine). Shag rugs, for instance, feature piles of at least an inch or higher. In comparison, rugs with low piles are often a quarter of an inch or smaller. 

Color and Pattern

Designers tend to favor multicolored rugs—they hide stains, even those from past spills, while simultaneously bringing life to a sometimes utilitarian space. If timelessness is a concern, stick to classic options rather than of-the-moment styles, like diamond or zigzag patterns. 

Ask Domino

Q: Where should I place a kitchen rug?  

Most designers plop a kitchen rug right in front of the sink, but that doesn’t mean it’s the only spot you can place this product. Our advice is to think carefully about where you stand the most. Perhaps in front of the stove, or at a certain spot near the counter where you do all your chopping and dicing? Your kitchen rug can tie the room together, but it can also save your arches from aching. 

Q: How often should I wash a kitchen rug? 

As soon as it starts looking dirty! It’s always a good idea to pick up right after a mess happens—we break out a vacuum once a week at minimum. If you notice your rug looking a little worse for wear, consider a deeper clean, whether that’s a spin in the washing machine or a trip to the cleaners. This will also depend on the material you opted for, so be sure to refer to the manufacturer’s instructions.