Just as there are food recipes for great appetizers, soups or salads, there is a recipe for making smart decisions when buying kitchen rugs too!  Like all area rugs, kitchen rugs come in all sizes shapes and colors.  They are hand-made, machine made, hand-hooked, hand-tufted, with wool, tufted, latex  or padded backings… and these are just a few of the choices!  You can select from rugs featuring roosters, grapes, fruit, vegetables, it is a complicated choice to find the rug perfect for your kitchen.  There are a variety of things that should be considered when purchasing any rug, and these things are probably doubly important to consider when making a purchase for a kitchen rug, as these rugs typically get much more wear and have a greater likelihood of spills and stains. So consider the following ingredients in your recipe for selecting the right area rug for your kitchen.

Determine the Style - Traditional, Contemporary, Victorian or Southwest?

The first thing to consider when buying a kitchen rug is the design of your home and specifically your kitchen.  Does your home’s decor lean to the contemporary or more traditional styling?  Do your love Victorian or is Southwest more to your liking?  Your home’s style, and your individual tastes lets you determine the category and the possible color schemes of rugs for your kitchen. Do you want your rug to make a snappy statement, or would you rather it not be the focal point of the room.  Do you want the rug to pull together several design elements in the room and make then all blend together.  The right area rug can work miracles in pulling a room together. These are all important design elements to consider before making your rug purchase.

Determine the Shape – Round, Rectangular, Square

The shape of the rug is determined by where it is going to be placed.  If it is under a round table, then a round rug is the best option.  An oval rug would best fit under an oval table.  If the rug is in the sink area of the kitchen, then a rectangular shape may be your best option.  Evaluate the area of the kitchen that you are wanting to place the rug to determine the shape and size that best fits your needs.  Another consideration is how many rugs will you need for your kitchen.  If you are wanting a rug in front of the stove and also in front of the sink, and you also need an oval shaped rug under your kitchen table, then you will need to consider designs that are matching or that will work well together.    

Consider Comfort - Padded Vs. Non Padded Rugs

Do you want a padded rug?  Whether you are fixing an after school snack for the kids or an elaborate meal for a dinner party, a lot of time in the kitchen is spent a standing in one place.  A padded rug not only extends the life of the rug, it makes preparing the family meals much easier on the cook!  Padding also keeps kitchen rugs in place and cushions your steps as you prepare your family’s favorite recipes!  If you find a rug that you love but it is not padded, don’t rule it out.  Padding can be purchased separately and placed under most rugs.

Consider Practicality – How much Wear and Tear is Expected

If you have children and are placing the rug under a table that is used three times a day by your family then you must consider how well the rug will mask the inevitable spills and stains.  Do you host large Christmas or Easter dinners?  Does your family gather at your home regularly for Sunday brunch or Mom’s spicy chili when watching the NFL games?  A white or light colored rug with very little pattern would not be a smart choice for these situations. However, if you seldom use the area for dining, or no longer have small children at home, then you may decide that a lighter colored rug with little pattern is fine. 

The right area rug can make a cold nook in a kitchen transform into something inviting and cozy.  Small areas can be brightened up with the simple addition of an area rug.  They are also wonderful tools to bring the design elements of the great room and the open kitchen together.  Accent rugs can transform any kitchen workspace with minimal effort and expense… so, stir up some fun in your kitchen with a new area rug! 

About the Author:

Bronwyn Bamber is a successful publisher and writes articles on many topics for a variety of websites.  Her family loves to cook, and she has published over 800 of her family’s favorite recipes on one of her websites.  You will find wonderful homemade breads and dessert recipes as well as a large collection of main dishes with all the trimmings.  She may be contacted at bb@food-recipes-free-online.com if you want to discuss having her write free articles for your websites.