Best Kitchen Runner Rugs

Wouldn’t it be nice if you could add a bit of color and style to your kitchen? What you need is a rug. Runner rugs are perfect because they give you the benefit of the style without the expense or care difficulty of a large square area rug.

Place one in front of your work countertop and stove area or in front of the sink. They can also fill your entire floor area in a galley kitchen that matches a runner rug’s narrow and long shape.

We’ve found the best runner rugs to help you pick the perfect accent for the kitchen. 

Top Picks

Best Overall: Modern Moroccan Kitchen Runner Rug Set

Specs: 

Material: Polyester 

Color: Gray 

Stain Resistant: Yes

This contemporary gray rug features a large Moroccan trellis design that can give your kitchen a touch of pattern. This rug is actually designed to absorb water, helping to keep your kitchen floors cleaner. The polyester material is stain-resistant, so you don’t have to worry about the spills creating lasting stains.

You’ll appreciate that the rug is eco-friendly and recyclable, making it perfect for those who want to make smarter environmental choices. It’s also non-toxic, making it safe for use around your pets and children.

You’ll love that the rug is machine washable, making it incredibly easy to care for. Because this rug comes as a set of two, you can arrange them in your kitchen to create a custom design. Place one in front of the countertop and the other in front of the sink or stove. 

One drawback of this rug is that the long piece is only 3.9 feet, making it really short compared to other runner rugs. This can be limited to where you place it. This rug set won’t work well in a galley kitchen. 

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Best Budget Pick: Color G Non-Skid Kitchen Runner Rug

Specs: 

Material: Polypropylene

Color: Gray, yellow, blue, brown, and red

Stain Resistant: Yes

Increase the color and safety of your kitchen with this vibrantly colored rug. There are five bold colors to choose from: gray, beige, blue, brown, and red. Each has a design etched into it to give the rug a bit of style and design.

The high-quality polypropylene ensures this rug won’t decompress or break down with use. You can vacuum this rug weekly and throw it into the washer and dryer when it needs some serious cleaning. The backing of this rug is a durable TPR non-slip material that covers the entire rug to keep it securely in place. This rug is ideal for the kitchen because of its strong ability to absorb water to keep your flooring clean. 

One thing to note about this mat, you shouldn’t use fluorine cleaners or soak the rug in boiling water. Both will damage the rug. You should also not dry clean the rug or use bleach on it. 

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Best Modern Rug: Bester Geometric Flatweave Cotton Area Rug

Specs: 

Material: Cotton

Color: Black, green, yellow, red, navy, light gray 

Stain Resistant: No

This modern rug comes in several lengths, ranging from six to 22 feet in length. This makes it easier to find the perfect length for your kitchen. There are also six colors to choose from, so you can find the perfect accent to your kitchen color scheme.

The handwoven design of this rug gives it an organic feel, while the pattern has a modern geometric design. Accenting the rug is a decorative fringe that gives the rug an extra bit of style. The thin flat weave design may lack cushioning, but it makes the rug safer for moving about your kitchen. This rug is ideal for homes that don’t have pets or children where the kitchen experiences a lower level of traffic. 

Unfortunately, this rug is 100 percent cotton, making the rug susceptible to stains and showing dirt. In addition, the rug doesn’t have a stain-resistant treatment. You may also see some variations and imperfections in the rug due to it being handmade. 

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Best Premium Pick: West Elm Pappelina Vera Reversible Rug

Specs: 

Material: PVC

Color: Lemon, apple, mud, warm gray, charcoal, black, storm

Stain Resistant: Yes

Make a bold statement with your kitchen rug. This long rug measures 2.25 x 7.5 feet, making it the perfect size for placing in front of your kitchen counters. It comes in seven colors, making it possible to find the perfect color for your kitchen. The lemon color is bright and cheery, making it the perfect pop of color for your kitchen.

Each rug features a line of large circles that extend down the center of the rug. This handwoven rug is made in Sweden of PVC yarn, making it durable and stain-resistant. When your rug gets dirty, throw it in the washing machine for easy cleaning. This rug is nice because it’s shed, water, and UV resistant. One drawback of this rug is that it’s not safe for the dryer. You’ll need to hang it out to dry. 

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Best Rustic Pick: Williston Forge Dutta Oriental Area Rug

Specs: 

Material: Polypropylene

Color: Spruce, light blue, beige

Stain Resistant: Yes

Give your kitchen a vintage and rustic touch with this soft rug that features an oriental design that has faux aging. The construction is a blend of cotton, polyester, and viscose for a soft yet durable rug that will feel comfortable under your feet while resisting stains. The rug is power-loomed, so it will have consistency in its design. The low pile helps the rug feel plush and easy to keep clean.

Unlike similar rugs, this one stands out because it’s shed-resistant. This makes upkeep easier, and you’ll never have to worry about fabric fibers getting in your food. The thin feeling of this rug could be negative in other rooms, but for a kitchen, it’s perfect. 

One potential issue with the rug is that spills or wet spots become obvious and can change its coloring. However, you can embrace this and how it gives the rug an authentic rustic and aged feel. 

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Best Bohemian Pick: Safavieh Flatweave Montauk Shamira Casual Cotton Rug

Specs: 

Material: Cotton

Color: Black, red, gray, and navy

Stain Resistant: No

Don’t choose a plain colored rug when you could have this patterned rug that features this intricate design. It has a light beige color as the primary color, and then you can choose the woven accent color. You have four options, black, red, gray, and navy.

What’s really nice about this rug are the multiple runner sizes, from 2.3 x 6 feet to 2.3 x 18 feet. While the longest rug might be too long for your kitchen, the many sizes make it possible to find the perfect size for your kitchen. Despite this rug being handcrafted in India, it has a contemporary coastal feel with its chic geometric pattern. 

One drawback of this rug is that it doesn’t have a protective binding around the outside edge. This can make it vulnerable to wear and tear, which will eventually lead to fraying. You’ll also need to add a non-slip underlayer to prevent the rug from slipping or moving. 

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Best Jute Pick: Allen + Roth Jute Runner Rug

Specs: 

Material: Jute

Color: Beige

Stain Resistant: No

This natural 100 percent jute rug gives your kitchen an earthy feel with plenty of texture. It’s meticulously handwoven by artisans to be both high quality and one of a kind. Measuring 2 x 8 feet, this rug is plenty large enough for a galley kitchen or to stretch the entire length of a long kitchen counter.

The natural fibers of this rug create plenty of texture, while the knotted design of the rug can give your feel a subtle massage feeling. This rug is perfect for a bohemian, farmhouse, rustic, or coastal kitchen. The natural fibers and neutral color help it to blend into your design style without being distracting. 

Unfortunately, jute is not stain resistant, so the light honey color can begin to look worn and stained over time. You can easily spot clean the fibers, but deep cleaning the rug can be challenging. This rug also doesn’t have a non-slip backing, so you’ll want to lay down a rug pad underneath it to help hold the rug in place. 

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Best Anti-Fatigue Pick: Marni Anti-Fatigue Gelness Runner Kitchen Mat

Specs: 

Material: Vinyl

Color: Red, beige, dark gray, light gray 

Stain Resistant: Yes

If you spend long hours in the kitchen, you’ll want a rug with more support and cushion than a regular woven mat. This anti-fatigue mat is perfect for reducing the stress on your feet, legs, and back. It’s made from durable PVC with a non-skid backing to hold the mat in place. There are four rich colors to choose from: red, beige, dark gray, and light gray.

The smooth surface construction of this mat makes it easy to clean and sanitize. It’s also stain, fade, and water-resistant. You don’t need to vacuum this rug, just a simple wipe down with a damp cloth or mop. The firm yet cushioning material will encourage you to have better posture while promoting better circulation. It isn’t just a functional mat, though. It also has a decorative stamped design that features elegant scrollwork. 

Unfortunately, this mat has a slight chemical smell when you open the package. However, you can easily get rid of it by letting the mat air out before putting it in your kitchen. 

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Best Non-Slip Pick: Comfort Soft Solid Color Non-slip Runner Rug

Specs: 

Material: Nylon, Polypropylene

Color: Brown, gray 

Stain Resistant: Yes 

Never worry about your rug shifting or sliding with this machine-woven rug. The nylon and polypropylene construction helps the rug to be more durable. The rug’s backside has a non-slip rubber backing that securely holds the rug in place. This rug is perfect for busy homes with children and pets who will be giving the rug heavy traffic and use.

The polypropylene construction helps the rug to be durable against stains. You can choose from two colors, brown and gray. There are also two colors and two lengths to choose from, 2.2 x 6 and 1.6 x 4.9 feet. These two sizes make it possible to fit any kitchen. The small size works well for small kitchens or to provide extra cushioning in front of a workstation. 

One drawback of this rug is that it feels extremely thin. This can mean the rug feels lower quality than it really is. 

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Best Coastal Pick: Allen + Roth Reyna Tropical Runner Rug

Specs: 

Material: Polypropylene

Color: Aqua, blue, gray

Stain Resistant: Yes

Give your kitchen a tropical feel with this runner rug with a bold leaf design. There are three color combinations to choose from, each with a leaf design. The color is the primary background color behind the leaves. Measuring 2 x 8 feet, it’s plenty long for any galley kitchen or large kitchen with a long countertop space.

The synthetic yarn has a low pile that’s deep enough to give it a plush feel. Polypropylene is resistant to fading, staining, and soiling. The backing on the rugs helps to hold the rug in place with a latex coating. What makes this rug stand out is that this particular blend of yarn is resistant to matting and crushing from constant everyday walking on. Recycled materials were used in the construction of this rug, making it environmentally friendly. 

The drawback of this rug is that the more plush pile can make it more susceptible to harboring bacteria. Thankfully, it’s easy to clean with a vacuum and mild detergent. 

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How to Choose a Perfect Kitchen Runner Rug?

Size

All runner rugs have the same shape, a long and narrow rectangle. However, this doesn’t mean they are the same size. You need to measure the size of the space where you plan to place your rug. Typically, these rugs come in standard sizes, so you’ll like to be limited to these when choosing your rug. Don’t make the mistake of choosing a rug that’s too small. This will make your kitchen look and feel awkward. If you have a galley kitchen, you’ll want to leave a few inches of bare floor on either side of the rug. 

Weave and Pile

Always choose a low pile rug for your kitchen. These are easier to clean and less likely to harbor bacteria, making them more sanitary. Tighter weaves are also best because they are more impervious to liquids soaking in. Finally, look for a rug with a finished edge. The kitchen is one of the highest-trafficked rooms in your home, so the edging gets a lot of abuse. A rug with a solid webbing edge will be the most durable to prevent the rug from getting worn, which causes unraveling. 

Color and Pattern

The color and pattern you choose for your rug is a purely personal preference. However, it’s best to choose a color and pattern that coordinates with the rest of your kitchen. Darker colors are ideal because they bring the visual weight of the room down, helping the rest of your kitchen look and feel bigger. Patterns are also good because they bring life and movement into your kitchen. Finally, consider the scale of the pattern, as it shouldn’t be too big or too small for the size of your kitchen. 

Backing 

The backing of your kitchen rug is crucial. Look for one with a non-slip treatment that prevents the rug from moving around. Otherwise, you risk the rug sliding or shifting while walking on it. This can create a dangerous situation when you are cooking. Some rugs are made entirely of rubber, making them cushioned, easy to clean, and non-slip. If your chosen rug doesn’t have a non-slip backing, you’ll want to add an additional layer in the form of a rug pad to prevent slippage. 

Care Requirements 

Your kitchen is a messy place. You need a rug that’s easy to clean. Stay away from natural materials like wool and cotton that absorb liquids quickly and be difficult to clean. Instead, stick with easy-to-clean materials, like polypropylene. These materials naturally repel water and are easy to spot clean with a damp rag. You’ll also want to choose a rug that you can run a vacuum over every week. 

Conclusion

Our top pick for the best kitchen runner rug is the Modern Moroccan Kitchen Runner Rug Set. The contemporary trellis design, two rug set, and dark gray color make this set versatile. Its durable construction ensures the rug will last. 

For a more affordable option, the Non-Skid Kitchen Runner Rug won’t let you down with its durable and solid construction that will provide you with a cushioned surface to stand on. It comes in several colors and is easy to clean.