Scatter Rugs to Brighten Up Your Kitchen
Have you ever stepped onto the hard kitchen floor in your socks and instantly regretted it? Kitchen floors tend to be hard and unforgiving. And when you're cooking meals for your family or prepping ingredients for holiday baking, you can spend hours on your feet in the kitchen.
That's where scatter rugs for kitchens come in! These small yet mighty rugs can make a huge difference in comfort and style.
Benefits of Using Scatter Rugs in Kitchens
Scatter rugs provide some nice benefits for kitchen floors:
- Protect against spills and stains - When food, grease or liquids hit the floor, your scatter rug takes the blow instead of the floor underneath.
- Added comfort and cushioning - The extra padding feels great underfoot when you're standing for long periods of time.
- Define spaces and add color - Use different sizes, shapes and colors to designate specific areas.
- Easy to clean and maintain - Machine wash smaller rugs or spot clean stains easily.
- Durable options available - Indoor/outdoor and synthetic scatter rugs stand up well to heavy use.
Shield Floors from Messes
Kitchen floors see a lot of traffic and messes. Spills happen, ingredients get dropped, and grease drips off the stove. After a while, your beautiful hardwood or tiles take a beating.
Scatter rugs provide the first line of defense! When liquids, foods or other materials hit the rug instead of the floor, it helps minimize stains and damage. Just make sure to wipe up messes from the rug as soon as possible.
Having a few washable cotton or acrylic mats around means you can easily throw them in the laundry when they get dirty. Much easier than mopping the whole kitchen floor.
Cushion Tired Feet
Kitchen tasks often require standing in one place for long periods of time. Even if you have nice supportive shoes, discomfort can set in.
Placing anti-fatigue kitchen mats or padded rugs in high traffic areas helps alleviate discomfort. Extra cushioning can do wonders, especially if you have back issues or joint pain.
Try putting washable cotton rugs in front of key work stations like sinks and stoves. Having to walk back and forth across a hard floor to move between tasks can take a toll by the end of the day.
Choosing the Right Scatter Rugs
With so many sizes, materials and styles available, getting scatter rugs for your kitchen is fun but there's lots to consider.
Size and Shape
First, measure the area where you want to place the rug. Size is key so it fits nicely without sliding around. Common kitchen shapes include:
- Round rugs - Great for fitting snugly under round dining tables.
- Octagons - Provide full coverage under rectangular tables.
- Ovals and runners - Perfect to place in front of sinks and appliances where you stand.
- Extra long runners - Span from countertops to tables for people to walk on.
- Small rectangular mats - Useful around kitchen fixtures or wherever you need a pop of color.
Materials and Textures
Natural fiber scatter rugs like cotton and wool or synthetic materials like nylon or polypropylene all have pros and cons for kitchen use.
Cotton - Absorbs spills nicely but shows dirt and stains. Prone to mildew. Machine washable.
Wool - Naturally stain resistant but expensive. Dense and cushy underfoot.
Nylon & Polyester - Synthetic fibers are fade resistant and durable. Easy to clean but not as breathable.
Also consider the thickness and texture you want. Low pile rugs are versatile and easy to clean. Plush and shag rugs feel great underfoot but show dirt readily.
Colors and Patterns
The options are endless when it comes to scatter rug designs these days. Choose colors that complement your existing kitchen color scheme or make a bold statement with contrasting hues.
Busy patterned rugs can cleverly hide stains and wear over time. But some find them visually overwhelming, especially in small kitchen spaces.
For a homey feel, patchwork braided rugs work nicely. Or experiment with different shapes and textures by layering a couple complementary solid color rugs.
Non-Slip Backing
Scatter rugs sliding around on floors present tripping hazards. Using ones with non-slip rubber backing helps keep them firmly planted.
Oftentimes rugs placed on carpet or rugs move simply due to the friction between the layers. In that case, securing with rug tape, gripper pads or anti-slip mats underneath work well.
Decorating with Scatter Rugs
Creative placement of small rugs helps define separate functional zones within your kitchen. Different sizes and shapes can designate individual work stations or eating areas.
Under the Kitchen Table
Use larger octagon or oval rugs to define the table and chair area. Make sure there's at least 18 inches of clearance so chairs don't snag when pulling out from the tables.
In Front of the Sink
Standing at the sink doing dishes leads to fatigue in the back and legs. Placing a supportive anti-fatigue kitchen mat provides a literal softer landing for your feet.
Near the Stove
Protect your floors from grease splatters and any boiled over liquids around stovetops. Having a washable rug nearby makes easy work of wiping up kitchen messes in disaster prone areas.
Creative Layering
Layering two or more complementary sized and shaped rugs together creates fun patterns and textures. Mixing materials like cotton and jute gives visual interest.
Just be mindful the combined height doesn't pose tripping hazards. And take care when laundering rugs of different materials they don't bleed color.
Clever Uses for Scatter Rugs
Beyond just decorating, people creatively use scatter rugs to solve problems in their kitchens.
Hide Unsightly Floors
Some old hardwood or tile floors end up fairly worn over the years with discoloration scratches and missing grout. Strategically placing cute rugs helps disguise imperfections.
Soften Hard Surfaces
The sleek look of stone, tile or concrete is pleasing but often feels cold and hard to stand on for long periods. Rugs provide literal cushy landing pads in hard-surface kitchens.
Designate Areas
Use solid color or patterned rugs under specific tables and countertops to create individual work stations or dining spaces within large open concept kitchens.
Add Visual Interest
Incorporate different sizes, textures and shapes of rugs to break up bland stretches of flooring. Contrasting patterns or bright colors also help add flair.
Safety Tips
Taking precautions with kitchen scatter rugs prevents accidents and slips.
Choose Non-Slip Backing
Rubber backing grips floors securely. Or use double sided tape, rug gripper mesh or non-slip pads if your rugs lack backing or slide on smooth floors.
Make sure rug edges lay flat and corners stay firmly planted to the floor. Frayed edges or corners turning up present tripping risks.