Updated on Jun. 12, 2025
The best kitchen rugs are stylish, nonslip and keep spills and dirt from ruining the floor. Here are the best options, tested and reviewed by our Product Testing Team.
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Kitchen rugs don’t normally offer the same anti-fatigue benefits as the best kitchen mats, but they’re usually a bit more visually appealing and protect the floor from errant crumbs and spills. They can even prevent accidental slips. “A kitchen rug needs to fulfill several criteria to deserve its place. It must enhance the style, colors and theme of the kitchen design,” according to design professional Susan Serra. “Ideally, look for a kitchen rug that can be washed. It will be able to withstand all those kitchen spills and foot traffic.”
No matter what kind of kitchen rug you choose, there are dozens of styles and brands to wade through. To make your choice easy, our Product Testing Team sourced eight of the best-reviewed kitchen rugs. They then spent multiple days testing how they performed under normal kitchen conditions. Only four products met our rigorous standards. The best kitchen rugs below are the cream of the crop, offering easy care, distinct visual appeal and the best bang for your buck.
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At the top of our list of the best kitchen rugs is the Ruggable Gradasi Teal Quartz Rug. From the get-go, this stylish pick impressed our team. Ruggable kitchen rugs are entirely machine-washable and can even be tossed into the dryer on low heat. Every rug arrives with its own rug pad that securely clings to the underside of the rug via a fastener that covers the top, along with hook-and-loop tape in the corners. Both the rug and rug pad arrived with nary a wrinkle or crease, securely rolled up and bound with plastic.
The rug pad is the star of the show. It offers a clingy rubber webbed backing that firmly grips hard floors, preventing slips. Liquids can’t soak through the material, so it’s an additional layer of protection against big spills. When secured to the rug pad, our testing team found it super easy to vacuum up any errant crumbs on the rug topper without the material bunching up. Even better, a quick spin in the washing machine on the cold, gentle cycle pulled up all stains and dirt without discoloring or misshaping the rug. Unlike the rug topper, the rug pad isn’t machine-washable, but we found it easy to spot clean after regular use.
Executive Culinary Director Sarah Farmer used the rug for three days, standing on it anywhere from two to five hours each day. For this test, we sprung for the rug pad with extra cushioning built-in for an additional cost. There’s also the option to snag one without the added cushion to save a few bucks.
Overall, the team found this rug a good value for those seeking style and a softer, felt-like material versus the usual PVC material of a cloud mat. Not your taste? No worries—Ruggable offers both their outdoor rugs and kitchen rugs in a variety of beautiful patterns and colors. They also frequently collaborate with other artists to bring new and seriously stylish finds every season. Read our full Ruggable review for the whole scoop.
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Some folks prefer natural fibers like jute and seagrass as an entryway rug, but others enjoy the idea of bringing that eco-friendly look to their kitchen. While it’s not the typical material for a kitchen rug, jute is a good option for those seeking a sustainable pick. The nuLOOM Jute Rug was our favorite of the three different jute rugs we tested. It doesn’t arrive with excessive shedding, it looks just like the photo, and it comes in a wide strata of 23 shapes and sizes between five different shade offerings. Whew!
Upon arrival at the Product Testing Lab, we noticed that the rug corners wouldn’t lay flat. However, simply rolling the mat in the opposite direction provided an easy fix, thanks to the heavy-duty material. We appreciate that the tightly woven seagrass jute offers a neutral look and feels durable under our feet. The back is slip-resistant, with a felt covering and rubber dots for additional grip. Despite this, we’d recommend springing for a rug pad underneath to keep it in place. The rug doesn’t move around when walking over it, but it also doesn’t stay put while pivoting or offer additional comfort for sore feet.
Spill-wise, we found that liquids eventually seep into the rug slightly but don’t fully absorb—that’s a good thing. Any large spills wipe off to a degree, though expect a very small amount of water to seep through to the back of the mat. That said, the natural fibers stain easily and may not be best for messy cooks. In addition, it’s difficult to vacuum due to the deep grooves between the weave, though the vacuum itself didn’t cause any tears or shedding as it did with the other jute rugs we tested. This is one you may prefer to shake out on the patio.
Overall, despite the drawbacks you really can’t escape when choosing a natural fiber, this is one sustainable choice we’d feel comfortable recommending to those who prefer a softer, organic vibe.
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Comfort and easy care instructions are nice. But one of the top traits folks look for in the best kitchen rugs is visual appeal—and Annie Selke’s Washable Rugs are some of the most stylish on the market. Choosing a style may take some time, but that’s not a bad thing—the 2×3 rug comes in more than 50 different patterns and colors. If the 2×3 doesn’t suit your space, choose from the eight standard sizes available.
Our test subject arrived securely packaged and easily laid completely flat once unrolled. We were immediately impressed with how nice the rug looked and felt—it is definitely top-tier in terms of product quality. We chose a grey color that differs ever so slightly from the photo online, leaning a bit warmer than we expected. However, there are swatches available for purchase if you’re concerned about a little variation.
It’s a thin, tightly-woven rug with a smooth surface and a sticky backing that prevents liquids from soaking through. The backing is stable on hardwood and not a slip risk, but it does move slightly before catching itself if you pivot around on it. We love that there’s no rug pad required for this one. Even better, we found it fairly resistant to stains after blotting and tossing it in the washing machine. That’s right—this one is also machine-washable!
While our cordless vacuum had trouble removing crumbs without sucking up the material, if you go with the nap, it’s a bit easier. Sure, the price is a bit steep compared to other options. That said, we found that it’s a good value when compared to the quality. We predict this pick will last longer after regular use than most of the others we tested.
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Sometimes, there’s just not a lot of room in the budget. But that’s just fine—there are still options out there that offer good quality at a lower price point, like the Lahome Boho Tribal Area Rug. Ringing up at less than a quarter of the price as our best overall winner, this humble kitchen rug comes in multiple sizes and shapes, along with 11 pattern and color choices. Like the other non-natural fiber options on our list, this one is also machine-washable—no spot treatments required—making it easy to maintain.
Walking over the rug doesn’t make it slip or slide, thanks to the small, rubber-like dots on the back that offer traction. We don’t feel that this one is a slipping hazard or requires a rug pad, though we’d be wary to tango on it. It also repelled liquids fairly well at first, with none of the water we spilled seeping through to the back. Liquids do slowly absorb after sitting on the mat for a few seconds, but a quick spin in the washer pulled out any stains that settled into the material.
One place where this rug struggled was in its finishing touches. The way it was packaged left several fold creases that took more than four days to settle. The corners—where the material was cut and tied off—were a bit frayed, and it was difficult to vacuum due to the lightweight nature of the material. Despite that, it’s durable, and we don’t foresee any issues with unraveling, even given the slight fringe on the edging. We’d happily put up with these slight imperfections for a budget pick.
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Kitchen rugs aren’t typically as comfy as anti-fatigue kitchen mats. However, this plush pick from Revival Rugs challenges this perception. With the included half-inch plush pad made from recycled felt and natural rubber beneath, it offers reprieve from hard tile floors on chore day. And, as a bonus, it comes in dozens of stunning shades and styles that match almost any decor.
Editor Mary Henn‘s green shell print rug arrived in perfect condition, even despite evidence of a rocky shipping trip. The rug itself is made of plush yarn and lays flat right out of the box—something many of the others we tested struggled with. Thanks to the combination of the high pile and rug pad, it does offer some relief from foot fatigue—and looks good doing it. Additionally, Mary notes that vacuuming the rug is also easy, which is a big plus in a household with a toddler who leaves a trail of crumbs everywhere.
That said, Mary did notice a few slight issues. Namely, the size of the rug pad. “After unrolling everything, I noticed the rug pad didn’t match the size of the rug,” she explains. “Revival recommends trimming the pad to fit, but mine, while wider than the rug, was also shorter. Ideally, the pad would be slightly larger in both directions so you can cut it down to the exact size you need.”
We definitely recommend still snagging a pad for beneath the rug, even if the fit isn’t perfect. This is partially because the rug slips without it and partially because the rug topper itself is not water-resistant. If you’d prefer spending a little less, opt for the low-profile pad. It’s a bit cheaper, but not as comfy to stand on.
Despite this small oversight, the overall look and functionality of the rug helped it secure a spot on this list. Like other washable Revival rugs, the shell option comes in several sizes, shapes and colors. And yes—they can go in a home washing machine, assuming you’re sticking to smaller sizes. Otherwise, you can take it to the laundry mat and pop it into a commercial machine. Overall, we love that these washable kitchen rugs are as stylish as they are comfy. No more boring floors!
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As someone who is typically low maintenance, I never thought a kitchen rug would fit into my lifestyle. My husband and I are both a bit messy in the kitchen, and our cats love knocking drinks and food onto the floor from our kitchen counters. However, the washable kitchen rugs from My Magic Carpet completely changed my mind! Not only are they stylish, but they’re also completely mess-proof.
I ordered the Ottoman turquoise pattern, which arrived just as bright and colorful as it looks in the photos. There are also several other shades and shapes available. From the moment I took it out of the package, I was impressed with the Ottoman rug. It matches the listed measurements exactly and lays just like the photo. As a bonus, the smallest size is a perfect fit for my tiny kitchen and totally affordable. Because it comes tightly rolled, there are no lifting corners or creases anywhere. It’s ready to go right out of the box.
Unfortunately, this is one option that you may want to buy a separate rug pad for. It doesn’t come with one by default, and despite a waterproof backing, it doesn’t cling to the floor as securely as I’d like. Additionally, there isn’t any loft to it, meaning that it doesn’t feel much different than standing on a hard floor. That said, I’ve had it for several weeks, and neither me nor my accident-prone husband experienced any accidents yet.
Despite this, it’s excellent for floor protection. The waterproof lining ensures nothing leaks through, and it doesn’t soak up stains easily. To test this, I dumped a full can of cola on the rug. Despite the soppy mess on the top side of the rug, I didn’t notice any leaks at all on the underside. And—better still—it washed up very well in my washer and dryer. By the time I pulled it out of the dryer, it looked just like new. No evidence of soda, wrinkles or shrinkage anywhere. It’s perfect for messy people!
When it comes to finding a good kitchen rug, there are a lot of subjective aspects to consider. It’s best to opt for a brand that offers many patterns, colors and sizes, especially for those who prefer a more put-together cooking space.
While kitchen rugs won’t offer the same comfort as an anti-fatigue mat, they do offer myriad benefits over having no floor covering at all, and some materials do take some stress off of joints. Popular kitchen mat materials include cotton, jute, polyester and wool. While some prefer natural materials, many folks consider synthetics easier to care for and less expensive.
Size is also a consideration. “Some kitchen rugs can extend the entire length along a wall of cabinetry which can be a strong visual design element as well as lots of comfort for walking back and forth. Shorter sizes may work well in front of the sink and dishwasher section,” notes Susan.
However, there are also a few concerns to keep in mind for any rug you pick, no matter the material or color. Overall, it’s imperative that every option is resistant to water and stains, holds up to its own recommended care instructions and offers a slip-resistant lining that prevents accidental falls.
In order to find the best kitchen rugs, we tested eight different kitchen rugs from eight different brands, focusing on bestsellers with strong reviews. We tested every rug in the running for the following features:
While some of these data points are easily found on the product listings, we wanted to get a full picture of each pick’s performance prior to making any recommendations. We brought each of the eight rugs into our Product Testing Lab to run a full profile in order to truly find the best options. For those that claimed to have anti-fatigue properties, we partnered with the Taste of Home Test Kitchen to do an additional test that analyzed the team’s comfort after several days of standing.
Tests included a number of hands-on experiments with the following tests holding the most weight: Checking for creases upon arrival (and how easily they flatten); how well each rug absorbs 1/4 cup of water splashed onto it and whether the moisture bleeds through the bottom; a pass/fail test checking for slippage; how well each pick holds up to its own recommended care instructions after we rub in some yogurt, oil and dirt.
In the end, four of our prospects didn’t make the cut. The four that did earn high marks across the board impressed our team enough to make this official list of the best kitchen rugs available.
Our product testing team tested nearly a dozen popular kitchen rugs to find the best. In addition to the four best kitchen rugs above, there were other rugs our team liked. Below are a few kitchen rugs that were close to making our list of favorites.
As always, we’re continuously trying new items to ensure that our research and testing is up to date. In 2025, we tried rugs from two additional retailers: Revival Rugs and My Magic Carpet. Both options impressed editors with their machine-washable, comfortable and attractive qualities. We’ve added these picks to our list above as the Most Stylish and Easiest to Care For options, respectively.
This also impacted our original results for the Annie Selke rug, which previously placed as “Most Stylish.” Instead, it now places as “Best Water-Resistant.”
Using a kitchen rug is a solid solution to spills and slips in the kitchen, but there are a few things to consider. Not every rug offers the traits required for a good kitchen rug. “Rugs that are too thick and soft will be more difficult (and slower) to walk on than a thinner rug that has a pad underneath it,” says Susan. “Rug materials that are easy to clean are the best option to use in the kitchen.”
Putting a rug in front of the kitchen sink adds a barrier between potential spills and kitchen tiles, which prevents water from affecting the kitchen floor. For those who have to hand-wash dishes, it can also add an additional layer of comfort while standing for long periods. However, not all kitchen rugs offer that benefit. “It’s a good idea to test out more than one pad density to find the type that works best for your comfort needs,” says Susan.
“Rugs come in an endless variety of fabrics,” explains Susan. She says that mats might be considered the easiest to clean as they can be cleaned right after spills occur. But for those who want an authentic material and style to complement the kitchen design, rugs are a better choice. “Vintage rugs can be a great solution for the kitchen as they are already broken in and have a stylish patina as a one-of-a-kind decorative piece.”
Those looking for the charm of a vintage rug with the added benefit of cushioning may be able to replicate the look with a woven rug from somewhere like Ruggable, which offers hundreds of different styles and patterns.
Our Product Testing Team is comprised of enthusiastic, experienced shoppers. Some of us have backgrounds in professional kitchens, but most of us are humble home cooks passionate about finding kitchen items that offer the best bang for our buck.
Our testing team has three years of experience researching and evaluating everything from the best coffee subscriptions to the best flower delivery services. We take our testing seriously and would never recommend a product we don’t love—regardless of popularity or the brand name.
For this article, we also spoke with Susan Serra, CKD, CAPS and President at Susan Serra Associates, Inc., where she provides kitchen and dining design services. She’s also the founder of Scandinavian Made, a store for both new and vintage handwoven Swedish rugs. Susan is an award-winning kitchen design professional who has been designing kitchens since 1986.
