12 kitchen rug ideas to add warmth, style, and cozy appeal to your scheme

Now more than ever we are looking for stylish ways to add homey appeal to more practical rooms, which is why kitchen rug ideas are becoming increasingly sought after. Perhaps the last room you'd think of adding a rug, this simple addition can make a huge difference.

When you think of planning your kitchen ideas, countertops, cabinets, and paint colors probably come to mind. But it's these cozy finishing touches that add style and functionality, taking your kitchen from a practical space to something more lived-in and inviting.

To offer you some much-needed inspiration, we've turned to designers and kitchen experts to discover their favorite kitchen rug ideas, from color and pattern to shape and material, so you can create an enduringly stylish scheme.

12 kitchen rug ideas to consider

When it comes to kitchen flooring ideas, hardwood and tile usually reign supreme. So, topping it with a fabulous rug not only brings in a softer texture, but it will help to introduce your design style in a less expected way.

1. Add under-foot comfort by a sink

If you're unsure where best to place a kitchen rug, consider where you spend a lot of time on your feet – these are the places where you'll appreciate the added warmth and comfort underfoot.

'I love a good runner or area rug by a sink and/or cooking area. They are spots where you stand, so it's nice to have a little extra comfort underfoot,' says Cathleen Gruver, of Gruver Cooley.

Be considerate of the fabrics you choose, as the kitchen has some extra requirements that aren't so essential elsewhere in the home. 'The use of wool ensures easy cleanability, or you can opt for a Ruggable rug if throwing your rug in the wash is appealing,' she adds.

2. Choose a kitchen rug design that is practical

While you want your kitchen rug ideas to remain stylish, they also need to be practical for us in the kitchen. AKA, don't choose something white or with a texture that's difficult to clean.

'I think something with some variation in color and pattern works best if you want to be sure to hide any crumbs or stubborn stains,' says Cathleen. While color and pattern are great options from a practical viewpoint, it also offers an easy yet effective way to bring in visual interest, especially in neutral kitchens.

This kitchen features a lot of white a navy blue, which might be a classic pairing, but they can look cold when not accessorized. The addition of two vintage-style rigs instantly adds a warmer hue and characterful style.

3. Add a sense of tranquility with hard-wearing neutrals

In a world in constant flux, we're increasingly looking to our homes to serve as calming environments to retreat. Decorating with neutrals and natural materials is a brilliant way to create grounding, soothing spaces.

'Born out of a desire to reconnect with our surroundings, the neutral rug trend sees design enthusiasts taking subtle inspiration from the great outdoors; by creating a palette reminiscent of the natural world,' says Becca Casey of Becca Interiors.

In this kitchen, a striped rug of cream and charcoal adds a sense of neutrality without being impractical. It also adds a subtle contrast with the cream cabinetry, instantly making the scheme feel more inviting.

4. Choose a hard-wearing runner

Family kitchen ideas are busy rooms with high footfall so it's important that the flooring you choose is durable. When comparing carpet vs hardwood flooring or stone flooring, the latter both make a brilliant solution but can leave kitchens feeling cold.

To warm up the look – and add texture – why not add a low pile but hardwearing rug or runner made from jute or sisal? Adding a rustic feel, they make great country kitchen ideas.

'Natural fibers such as Jute are hardwearing and our Big Jute is surprisingly soft underfoot,' says Lorna Haigh creative director Alternative Flooring. 'Each has characterful texture and most wear well in high traffic areas.'

5. Create a sense of old-meets-new with an antique rug

If you are looking for ways to warm up a freestanding kitchen then an antique rug can be really effective, as demonstrated by this cozy kitchen belonging to antique and art dealer Ambrice Miller.

As well as adding to the quirky, relaxed feel of this 17th-century home, this antique runner helps offset the industrial touches of the stainless steel worktop and range cooker. Being narrow, runners are also a great way to liven up small kitchen ideas.

6. Bring a lived-in look to a country kitchen

No matter your interior design style, every kitchen can benefit from a rug. Set in her converted Cotswold barn, the kitchen of Lisa Mehydene, founder of Edit58, proves how rugs and textiles make the perfect finishing touch for a homely, country kitchen.

'Due to its rural setting, I wanted this country kitchen to have a lived-in look, and not feel remotely as if everything in it was new,' says Lisa Mehydene. 'I love textiles and have used these to add a unique feel. I just find they help achieve the “always been there” look I was keen to create.'

The checkered pattern is a timeless choice, while the color palette is slightly more unexpected, adding a huge dose of personality to the scheme.

7. Bring texture to a monochrome kitchen 

Crisp white marble surfaces and charcoal cabinetry are a sophisticated pairing and a popular black and white kitchen idea, however, the stark contrast can be sometimes harsh on the eye.

This type of monochrome interior can also appear ‘flat’ if you don’t introduce texture and subtle tonal variety. But put together carefully, it’s a great way to add drama and style.

The addition of antique wall sconces, assorted artworks in vintage gold frames and burnished fittings also serve to add personality and warm up the look.

8. Warm up a minimalist kitchen

With its sleek floor to ceiling glass doors this modern kitchen really blurs the boundaries between outside at in. While it bathes the space in light and creates the illusion of space, the glass can leave the space feeling cold on winter days.

However, the simple addition of a deep pile Berber-style rug brings a layer of softness underfoot instantly injecting warmth and texture into the space.

Minimalist kitchen decor and white kitchen ideas go hand-in-hand, so it pays to keep your color choices simple, understated, and fuss-free.

9. Use a rug to zone a kitchen diner 

For most of us, kitchens aren't just a cooking space, but a room in which we dine and socialize. As such, any room with multiple purposes can really benefit from zoning, and rugs offer a great way to do this.

As well as adding decorative interest, rugs can make useful open-plan kitchen ideas to help separate cooking and eating spaces. Set underneath a farmhouse table, this antique rug helps define the dining area in this kitchen-diner, giving it its own personality.

What's more, the rich reds and blues help lift the muted palette and rustic textures of the industrial-style converted coach house bringing a feeling of warmth and sophistication.

10. Choose classic stripes

If you're looking for a simple, pared-back rug for a classic Shaker kitchen, you can't go wrong with a classic stripe. While they may be simple, they still offer a touch of pattern and scope to play with color and rhythm.

'Stripes are timeless and the variations infinite, from classic fine pinstripes to contemporary asymmetric bands of color,' says Andy Guard, creative director at Roger Oates Design.

Take inspiration from this kitchen with a simple monochromatic stripe design, or opt for something more playful with bold colors and varying stripe sizes.

11. Or, choose a bold pattern

If you have a large expanse of floor space in your kitchen it can make a great area to display a decorative patterned rug, and can serve to make the space feel more homely and intimate.

Patterned rugs are also a great choice for busy areas, indeed 'a lively colorful pattern creates both instant atmosphere and helps to hide dirt and marks,' says Lorna Haigh, creative director, Alternative Flooring.

Even a bold pattern can be timeless – Persian-style rugs are enduringly popular and work a dream in almost an kitchen style.

12. Use a rug to create a focal point in a large kitchen

Kitchens with a large expanse of floor can be left feeling cold and empty, but the simple addition of a rug in a rich, warm color can instantly help anchor the scheme bringing life and warmth to the rest of the space.

Choose a shape that suits your kitchen layout, and make a bold statement by opting for a piece that stretches from cabinet to cabinet. It will not only add instant warmth, but it will completely transform the look and feel of your space. Who says a kitchen can't be cozy, too?

How to choose a kitchen rug

As kitchen rug ideas are available in such a huge array of materials, colors and patterns it can be easy to get carried away with design matters, but when it comes to choosing kitchen flooring ideas there are important practical considerations to take into account. After all, being the heart of the home, kitchen floors are in constant use and often cover a larger surface area than other rooms in the home.

'When choosing a rug for a kitchen, practicality is key,' says Sabina Miller, head buyer at Heal’s. 'Think low pile options in areas in the kitchen as these as they are less likely to pick up detritus from busy family life.'

In addition to the pile, it is important to take into account material, especially in busy areas of the kitchen such as the kitchen triangle – the route between the sink, refrigerator and stove. Rugs or runners made from hardwearing natural materials like wool, jute and sisal are all good choice for these busy areas, but do ensure to fit an underlay underneath them if laid in a kitchen to prevent the rug slipping.

Alternatively, if you are looking for a rug to position under a table to help define a dining area you may wish to consider more decorative designs with a higher pile to bring coziness and comfort.

What type of rug is good for a kitchen?

Kitchens are busy places with high footfall, so ensure to choose a rug which is made from durable, hardwearing materials.

'In terms of materials, there are so many out there to choose from,' says Noemie Deed founder of Cosy Coco. '100 per cent wool is a great option and renowned for being exceptionally hard-wearing, resilient to crushing and indenting. Wool also has a natural ability to resist staining and is therefore easier to maintain than rugs that are polyester-made.'

Rugs made from other natural fibres such as jute and sisal also make good solutions. ‘Runners made from 100 per cent sisal are practical kitchen flooring ideas as they are hardwearing and stain resistant,' says Jon Flannigan product manager, Kersaint Cobb. Natural fibres also have the benefit of being more sustainable than synthetic materials.

When placed in cooking areas, rugs can easily be damaged by spills and dirt build-up, so do consider washable or stain resistant designs. Rugs with a low pile are better suited to kitchens as they are less likely to trap dirt.

Where should you have a rug in the kitchen?

Where you place a rug in a kitchen and what type you choose will depend on the purpose it is to fulfil.

Hardwearing rugs and runners with a short pile work well positioned in busy areas such as the kitchen triangle – the route between the sink, stove and fridge – as this is in constant use. Laying a rug here can provide an extra layer of protection to a hard floor as well as bring softness under foot, but it can also help cushion sounds and falling objects.

Rugs can also play a role in zoning spaces. When positioned under a table they can help to define dining areas in open plan kitchens as well as provide a visual focal point in kitchens with large expanses of floor – in this case you may look to more decorative designs with a deeper pile.

There are so many kitchen rug ideas to consider, from rustic runners to oversized, statement design. Choose something that suits your kitchen style, fits well in your kitchen layout, and is made from something durable.