Are you looking for adequate floor protection from stains and splashes during food preparation? Do you need an easily washable accessory that stands out for its design? The answer is the kitchen rug! How to choose the best one for your needs among the many kitchen rugs on the market? Find out in this guide.
Why use kitchen rugs
Kitchen rugs are among the accessories that are either hated or loved: many cannot do without them, and those who do not understand their function spend time continuously cleaning the area in front of the sink. If you want to avoid seeing the kitchen floor continually dotted with drops of water or minor food stains, you need to use a kitchen rug. The kitchen rug will soon become an excellent ally and a small design accessory.
The importance of the kitchen, the fact that this is the heart of the house and therefore the most lived-in and inhabited environment, makes every element present inside it very important. Furniture and accessories that are chosen for the kitchen must always have an eye on functionality but cannot lose sight of the aesthetic factor, which remains decisive. The reasons for choosing a kitchen rug are innumerable.
Kitchen rugs are accessories:
Practical, mainly thanks to the non-slip surface, which avoids domestic accidents. The kitchen is a room where vapours and temperature changes are the order of the day, so it is not uncommon for the floor to become slippery—positioned in the sink and stove area. The non-slip kitchen mat ensures greater tranquillity in movement.
Protection from splashes and dirt. Often, when preparing food or dirty washing dishes, drops of water or food residues end up on the floor. Using a non-slip kitchen mat prevents anything from ending up on the floor.
Dividers in open space environments. Modern home architecture is increasingly turning to the design of open spaces, in which kitchens and living rooms are part of a single environment. The use of a carpet can have the function of visually delimiting the space.
Design Colors, patterns and styles of kitchen rugs can underline the character and personality of the kitchen, decorating it and improving its aesthetic value.
Kitchen mat: the choice of materials
If you have to select your kitchen rug, you must start with the choice of the material in which it is made. Several variants of kitchen rugs are on the market, produced in the most disparate materials. You are spoiled for choice, from cotton to PVC, from synthetic fibres to bamboo, and up to all non-slip models.
Cotton kitchen rugs: this natural and comfortable material is chosen for its lightness and practicality. A cotton kitchen mat is usually the right choice for those who love natural fabrics that can be washed easily by hand or in the washing machine.
Non-slip kitchen carpet in PVC: rubberized accessories that are very soft to walk on. The qualities of the latex and the plastics used make it possible to obtain an easy-to-clean stain-resistant accessory. The walking comfort also allows you to work on the work surface or on the stove for many hours without feeling tired on your legs.
Kitchen mat in synthetic fibres: among the most used are polypropylene and Textilene. These are very resistant and long-lasting synthetic fibres. Therefore, synthetic fibre rugs do not get damaged easily despite intense use: continuous trampling, rubbing and rubbing do not affect their beauty over time.
Polycotton chenille kitchen rugs: soft to the touch and welcoming, polycotton chenille rugs exploit the best qualities of the natural fibre of cotton and mix them with those of polypropylene. The result is a long-lasting and very resistant accessory, thanks to the characteristics of polypropylene fibres.
Bamboo kitchen rug: widely used as a runner in the sink area, the bamboo rug is very practical and ensures solidity and safety for the user, preventing him from slipping during the passage. Very convenient during cleaning, it can be rolled up and removed if floors need to be washed.
Non-slip kitchen carpet, the types available:
The non-slip carpet for the kitchen is a handy accessory as it guarantees the user the necessary safety during food preparation and washing. All non-slip kitchen rugs have a layer of the reverse in a material that fixes the carpet on the floor thanks to a latex net or a dot. Non-slip carpets are mostly in PVC, but on the market, there are also cotton carpets with non-slip backs and polycotton and synthetic fibres, which on the side that will be in contact with the floor have a rubber coating designed to make the carpet firm and safe.
Color, design, and style of the kitchen rug
Until recently, kitchen rugs were seen as accessories to be used only in holiday homes, country homes, or homes where functionality was more important than style. Today, kitchen rugs, on the other hand, are authentic style accessories, capable of underlining the character and personality of a kitchen or even transforming themselves into design elements that capture guests’ attention.
Monochromatic or patterned, the runners for the kitchen are well suited to the taste of the furniture: whether it is shabby or industrial, boho or vintage, contemporary or zen, indeed in circulation, you will find the most suitable runners to complete the furnishing of your kitchen.
Shabby style: prefer delicate colours, such as pastel colours, taupe and white. The most suitable material remains cotton. Alternatively, you can opt for kitchen rugs in synthetic fibres or vinyl (PVC) with sweet decorations or images that recall the finishes of aged white wood.
Industrial style: the ideal kitchen rugs, in this case, are those in PVC. Choose the design that best suits your kitchen décor. You can select carpets that refer to images of the skylines of big cities or with significant and evocative phrases imprinted.
Vintage style: the most suitable rugs for combinations with the vintage style are those in vinyl or synthetic fibre. Choose rugs with an aged look or that refer to images from the 50s and 60s, such as signs, advertisements or products of the time.
Boho style: You prefer geometric designs and earth colours for combinations with a piece of boho-style furniture. You can opt for a polycotton chenille rug or a cotton rug.
Contemporary style: make room for rugs with a minimal design and bright colours. In particular, you can choose a bright colour carpet if the kitchen furniture is white. In this way, you will create an excellent contrast effect. If your kitchen is in neutral tones or grayscale. Opt for a carpet in the same tones that have some flashes of colour.
Zen style: the right match is with a bamboo kitchen mat. You prefer the eco nature of the material and the aesthetic essentiality.
Choose the right size for the kitchen rug.
The kitchen mat under the sink compartment must have a minimum width of 40 cm. While the maximum width is usually about 60 cm. The width size must be chosen according to the space you have available. Regarding the length, however, plenty of choices must be established according to your needs.
If you prefer a kitchen rug that only covers the area under the sink a length of 80 cm will suffice. This length is suitable if you have a single bowl sink in your kitchen. If your sink consists of two bowls, however, the right side of the kitchen mat is 110 cm.
You can also decide to use the kitchen rugs to cover the area under the dishwasher or other appliances. In this case, the kitchen rug must measure 130 cm. If the sink has one bowl or 180 cm for sinks with two bowls. On the other hand, to cover the entire wall where the kitchen is positioned. You can opt for kitchen rugs of 240 cm or 280 cm.
How to clean non-slip kitchen rugs
Cleaning non-slip kitchen mats is, in principle, effortless and fast. Different materials correspond to different types of cleaning.
Cotton rugs Easily washed by hand or in the washing machine. Cotton kitchen rugs tumble-dried. Treated according to the instructions on the label and reported by the manufacturer.
PVC carpets Removed quickly with a sponge wipe, antibacterial detergent, and degreaser. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning and maintenance. Drying must always take place in the open air.
Synthetic fibre rugs: Cleaned with a sponge and detergent but washed periodically in the washing machine. For correct washing, it is necessary to follow the instructions on the label. Usually, kept from the dryer.
Polycotton rugs Washed in the washing machine at low temperatures. At most, 40 °. In any case, follow the instructions on the manufacturer’s label to ensure a long life for the accessory.
Bamboo rugs Washed occasionally with water and neutral detergent and then laid out in the sun (not directly).
