House Beautiful
How do you feel about rugs in the kitchen? We had one, but it recently bit the dust and I'm contemplating it's replacement. Looking through my inspiration files, most of the kitchens are sans a rug, but I'd really like to soften my kitchen a little -- and cover some of the awful laminate tiles that are supposed to look like parquet wood floors.
Country Living
Something striped and colorful would be nice. I love the Dash & Albert cotton rug that's in our bathroom, even though it attracts dirt (it's brown and white), I toss it in the wash and it's good as new (I'm pretty sure I'm supposed to dry clean it, but washing works for me).
Plain English
A natural fiber like seagrass seems like a good option. It's versatile, low-maintenance, and doesn't show dirt.
Daryl Carter
Jenny of Little Green Notebook posted this image this morning, which got my wheels spinning. Not that I'm going to run out and buy an antique rug any time soon, but I like the idea of trying something less kitchen-y. Not so sure this would stand up to my kitchen, which is also essentially a mudroom.
What say you, dear blog friends? Rugs in the kitchen, or no? What have you tried?
24 comments:
my vote is in favor of kitchen rugs! For the last four years I've used two seagrass runners I got on the cheap at Pier 1 (which held up great by the way). I'm currently looking for a cushiony, non kitcheny rug for my new kitchen.
No rugs for us! But I had to deal with carpet in the kitchen when we moved in...so I may be overly sensitive to the whole idea. =oP
We've had an oriental in our kitchen for about a year now. It is an antique, but I bought it for 5 euros at a flea market in Brussels, so I thought it would be a cheap experiment. I have to say that it has held up beautifully! Ours is dark, like the rug in the Daryl Carter kitchen, so maybe that helps hide the stains if there are any?
It is so nice to have a soft place to stand while cooking or doing dishes...
I vote yes! I love my rug in mine. It's from Ballard's.
I have a very small kitchen, so I have no rugs. My Mom has a larger kitchen and has great seagrass rugs that have held up great and look wonderful.
For me, it depends on the size. I'm not against it at all if you can find a look that suits you.
I vote no...it looks good, but just not functional. I had a rug in a former kitchen and ended up tripping over it while cooking and spilling ingredients on it...it was more hassle than it was worth.
But if you don't find yourself using the kitchen that much, I'd say aesthetics wins this one!
I guess rugs are OK if you never spill! Otherwise, to high maintenance for me. The only thing I would consider is segrass because of it's cleanability. (is that a word?)
Good Topic! I'm all in favor of rugs in the kitchen. I have a bordered seagrass rug from Homegoods in my kitchen and love it. (also trying to hide bad mexican tile flooring) It definitely softens the look and has held up well. good Luck!
We have a few in our kitchen, seagrass, from TJ's and Marshalls-love them! I just shake them out every once in a while or vacuum them. Word to the wise, don't get a dark color like chocolate-I had some cotton chocolate ones that showed every speck of whatever I got on them-got rid of those fast! Seagrass covers up everything!
~Dina
I love rugs in the kitchen. I vote a natural sea grass rug, however a rug you can easily wash is propably a better bet.
i have a lovely little dash and albert number that rests under my feet at the kitchen sink. i LOVE it. :)
We have horrible looking tiles in our kitchen and can't replace them (apartment), so I bought a rug from Urban Outfitters for $5 and I love it. It's black, white and gray striped.
A rug can look good but it would have to be one you wouldn't mind throwing away when it gets grubby. There is just no way to keep a rug pristine if you cook and eat over it often.
I definitely have rugs in our kitchen. Though, right now, they're far more functional than beautiful. I have one near the oven/stove and the other at the sink to save my feet and my back from standing for so long while cooking and doing dishes. I really sound like an old woman right now. But the Kitchenaid rugs help, are non-slip and they're a good solid neutral!
oh i vote yes! definitely yes!
Be still my heart- you have some great kitchen photos in this post!
To me, it depends in part of the shape of the room. Love the Dash & Albert if you could make that work.
We have one in front of the kitchen- sort of leftover from the small rugs I bought to try to decide the large rug for our Great Room. I like it!
I personally like rugs. If you're looking for something to literally - rather than only visually - soften the space, check out gelpro.com. They're not necessarily the most attractive things out there, but they seem to be pretty functional.
Just found your blog and LOVE it already! :) I think they look great, but unfortunately are not very practical. Unless it is made of a material that can easily be cleaned, it is a haven for dirt, fallen food, and worst of all - GERMS! yuck.
I learned this lesson the hard way - I had a small one that I LOVED under my kitchen sink. When it got dirty (roughly once a week), I stuck it in the washing machine, but it quickly lost it's shape and I had to throw it away :( So like another person mentioned, just make sure you wouldn't be heartbroken if (when) you have to throw it away!
My mom has turkish rugs in her kitchen. They look great and they don't show dirt at all. I like the sea grass idea too!
Seagrass is tough and user friendly in kitchens. I usually don't put any rugs in my kitchen, although I have used floorcloths which clean up with a sponge. Hear me out, I am not taking kitchy, floral, wimpy floorcloths, but graphic, architectural floorcloths with layers of gesso and paint, sealed with a poly and backed with a dense flat pad glued onto the floorcloth. I made some years ago and they are still doing the job at back hallway doors and near kitchen sinks. Small or large, they really can hide the ugly apartment floor, catch puddles from winter boots etc.
Now I think I must have grey cabinets...
Too funny!! I was just planning a post on this very same topic - I even saved that Daryl Carter pic, too!
I had never experienced rugs in a kitchen before meeting my in-laws. They have two or three small persians thrown over their parquet in the kitchen, and I've always thought it looked very effortless and rich.
I say go for it!
Hi Jennifer! I posted about kilims in kitchens today and gave you a shout out for inspiring me! Hope you are having a great day!
xx
Kelly
i went without a rug in my kitchen for a long time. a rug done right can be an excellent addition. i love mine. its a cheap ikea find but it matches my dark cabinets perfectly. i will say it has to be vacuumed every other day! it is worth it b/c it looks great when it is clean and fresh. give it a try!
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