Runners that Complement Kitchen Floors
Kitchen floors see a lot of action with food prep, cooking, and family meals. Spilled ingredients, cooking grease splatter, tracked in dirt, pet accidents, and rowdy kids can all take a toll on the flooring over time.
Using rugs and runners is a clever way to add protection for the floor while complementing the kitchen's style. The right runner pulls together your decor, defines spaces for barstools, and gives your feet a cozy spot to land when fixing midnight snacks.
Benefits of Using Runners for Kitchen Floors
Kitchen floor runners offer both practical and aesthetic benefits for the hardest working room of the home. They shield floor surfaces from damage, contain messes, and breathe life into your kitchen design.
Protecting Floor Surfaces from Damage
Kitchen runners provide a first line of defense for your flooring material against daily wear and tear. The pads underneath grip the floor and prevent the runner from slipping, keeping it firmly in place.
This helps prevent scratches and damage from sliding chairs, pet nails, active kids, and moving appliances like refrigerator or freestanding ovens. It also absorbs impact to help maintain floor integrity.
Runners also catch falling utensils, broken glass, crumbs, and spills that over time can erode, stain, or dull wood, vinyl, linoleum, tile, and other surfaces. Built-in spill and stain resistance allows you to easily clean up mishaps before they permanently set.
Easy to Clean and Maintain
Kitchen runners are designed for high traffic areas prone to spills, splatters, crumbs, and dirt. Most styles are machine washable or can be surface cleaned as stains occur to restore their fresh look.
Rather than mopping and scrubbing the entire expanse of flooring, you simply launder and spot treat as needed. Roll or fold runners up to sweep and mop underneath on occasion.
Having a designated area to catch mess means easier overall maintenance so you spend less time and elbow grease caring for the surrounding floor.
Adding Style and Decoration
In addition to being workhorses in the kitchen, runners can help pull your design together with purposeful pops of color, prints, and textures.
Complement your existing decor by repeating colors from your backsplash, countertops, cabinets, or accent pieces for a cohesive aesthetic. Contrast nicely against wood grains, natural stone or concrete floors, and sleek surfaces by layering soft, inviting piles for visual interest.
Play up your personality and taste with fun conversation starter patterns, monograms, your family name, or inspiring quotes underfoot. Change out seasonal runners to keep your kitchen feeling fresh with minimal effort.
Choosing the Right Kitchen Floor Runner Material
With many styles and materials available, from braided cotton to recycled rubber, it helps to weigh options based on your lifestyle, usage factors, and design priorities before deciding on kitchen floor runners.
Considerations for Material Selection
Assess your unique situation using the following criteria to narrow suitable runner materials:
- Durability and Wear Resistance: Do you cook frequently or entertain large gatherings? Opt for very durable, easy to clean materials rated for heavy foot traffic.
- Spill and Stain Resistance: Prone to splatters, overflows and drops? Seek out materials with inherent or additional spill/stain guard protective coatings.
- Style Preferences: Complement or contrast your color scheme, patterns, and textures. See if available materials align with your ideal aesthetic.
- Cost and Budget: Set realistic expectations for size, materials, and longevity based on your budget parameters.
Types of Materials
Armed with usage knowledge, review characteristics of various kitchen floor runner materials:
Cotton and Woven Materials
- Absorbent, breathable natural fibers
- Affordable, casual styling
- Prone to staining, not very durable
- Suitable for low to medium traffic
Vinyl and Rubber Floor Runners
- Waterproof, protective barrier
- Extremely durable against elements, pets, debris
- Easy to sanitize with soap and water
- More costly but longer lasting investment
Rugs and Carpet Runners
- Soft, warmer underfoot than hard floors
- Wide range of colors, sizes, patterns
- Can show stains over time despite treatments
- Require regular vacuuming to prevent matting
Styles and Design Options for Kitchen Floor Runners
It's easy to incorporate your unique taste into the kitchen with the spectrum of runner designs available. Have fun playing with different colors, prints, sizes and dimensions when planning your layout.
Types of Kitchen Floor Runner Styles
Popular options include:
- Solid Color Runners: Available in nearly any hue to set a tone or pull other kitchen elements together. Durable and clean looking.
- Patterned and Printed Runners: Make a statement with graphic motifs and calligraphy set against solid or subtly textured backgrounds.
- Bordered Kitchen Runners: Classic look features colorful borders that contain full patterns or uniform solids on inside track.
- Custom Design Options: Work with artists or online services to create custom runners showcasing photography, kids' artwork or curated to your exact specifications.
Measuring and Planning Size and Dimensions
Properly measuring allows well fitted runners without trip risks or shifting:
- Standard Widths and Lengths: Runners come in common 18", 24",36" widths and vary from 2-12' lengths. Purchase standard sizes or custom cut onsite.
- Allowing Sufficient Coverage: Measure high traffic lanes around islands, entries, appliances allowing 6-12 inches extra as buffer. Overestimate space rather than fall short.
- Custom-Sizing Ordering: For precise fits, professional services create runners to your exact dimensions and specifications for seamless integration.
Tips for Selecting the Best Kitchen Floor Runners
Choosing quality runners for the right reasons ensures they perform well and suit your needs. Keep these tips in mind when evaluating options:
- Assess Usage and Traffic Patterns in Kitchen
- Consider Activities Conducted in Kitchen
- Measure Accurately for Good Fit
- Match Style with Existing Kitchen Decor
- Compare Material Performance and Properties
- Set Realistic Budget Expectations
- Order Samples Before Deciding
Caring for and Maintaining Kitchen Floor Runners
Follow manufacturer guidance and proactively care for runners to retain their visual appeal and effectiveness:
- Regular Vacuuming or Sweeping
- Spot Cleaning Spills Properly
- Following Manufacturer Washing Instructions
- Machine Washing Certain Fabrics
- Surface Cleaning Other Types
- Avoiding Use of Harsh Chemicals
- Replacing Worn, Frayed, or Heavily Stained Sections