What is the Best Rug for Hardwood Floors in the Kitchen?

Hardwood floors are attractive in your kitchen, but they can hurt your feet when you stand on them for too long. However, rugs are the best alternatives to serve as cushions to your feet. So the question is, what is the best rug to use for your kitchen hardwood floors?

The best rug to use on kitchen hardwood floors are rugs made from cotton or wool. This is because these materials will not scratch your floors or damage the hardwood finish. Use a rug pad to serve as a buffer between your rugs and floors for better results.

Using rugs is one of the best ways to soften the effect of hardwood on your feet while retaining your kitchen’s appeal. Despite this, you might be wondering how you can combine a rug with a hardwood floor in the kitchen. Keep reading to find out more.

Why Should I Put a Rug on My Kitchen Hardwood Floor?

Below are some of the reasons why you should use rugs on your hardwood floors:

Warmth

Hardwood floors are known for being cold against the feet regardless of the weather. However, the use of rugs can help to make these floors feel warmer, especially on cold mornings. It also makes walking barefoot more pleasurable, especially during cold weather.

Comfort

One of the primary reasons you should use rugs on your hardwood floors is to keep your feet comfortable. There is nothing compared to getting sore feet from walking on your floors.

When in the kitchen, you also want to walk around without worrying about the sole of your feet. The best way to achieve this is to use rugs as cushioning.

Beauty

It’s no news that rugs have a captivating appearance. A well-patterned rug in front of the kitchen stove or sink can add a nice touch to your kitchen. Plus, there are several options that you can use to make this space look attractive.

Where Do I Put Rugs in the Kitchen?

Many homeowners might wonder how it is to combine floor mats with hardwood floors in the kitchen.

The thing is, you don’t have to spread rugs over your entire floor area in your kitchen space. You only have to put the rugs in specific places where you tend to stand for a long time.

One of the most common places is in front of your sink. This is where you stand to wash dishes. Compared to other chores, washing requires you to remain at the spot till you’re done.

Placing a rug in front of your stove is another ideal option. This helps keep your feet in good condition even when you’re static and busy over the stove. Another place to keep your rugs will be in the hallway that connects your kitchen to the other parts of the house.

What Is the Best Type of Rug to Use on My Kitchen Hardwood?

Before selecting an ideal rug for your floors, you must ensure it won’t damage the surface. Therefore, there are limited options available for purchase for suitable rugs for kitchen floors.

Below are rug materials that you can use on your wooden floor surface.

Cotton

Cotton material is known for its soft texture, making it a comfortable option to keep your feet from sores. In addition, rugs made from these materials are cost-effective and readily available for purchase.

One of the benefits of using cotton rugs for hardwood floors is easy maintenance. As you know, it’s normal for spills and food messes to occur when working in the kitchen. However, you avoid messing them up when using rugs because the stains might be tricky to get rid of.

However, cotton makes you worry less about these spills. With these rugs, you can move around as you want because it only requires a good wash to get clean.

You maintain cotton rugs the same way you preserve fabrics. This means that you can either give it a good hand wash or throw it into the machine for a thorough cleaning session.

The only downside to using cotton rugs is that they aren’t durable. Since they’re like fabric, they tend to fold up after a short time. In other words, they require constant change, which might incur more costs than expected.

Wool

Woolen materials aren’t just comfortable; they have a homey appearance to complement a kitchen atmosphere. Many homeowners prefer this material because of these qualities.

These rugs in your kitchen don’t look different from those used as decorative pieces. In other words, they still lend the same appeal while cushioning your feet against the hard floors.

Woolen rugs can stand pressure and are better options when dealing with stains. Notwithstanding, unlike cotton rugs, they’re not too easy to clean.

You can’t toss them into the washing machine, and it’s not convenient for you to wash them with your hands. The best way to clean these rugs is by giving them a good scrub with a damp rag. If there are stubborn stains, your alternative is to use dry cleaners.

On the other hand, these rugs are very durable; once you can maintain them, they can last for a very long time.

The best part of using woolen rugs is their ability to conceal stains. However, achieving this may require you to use patterned rugs. That way, tough stains can blend into the rug’s designs, making it difficult for anyone to notice them.

Natural Fibers

Other natural fibers are used to make rugs, apart from cotton and wool. These fibers are products of plants materials. Good examples are rugs made with coir, sisal, seagrass, and jute.

While they’re not as common as cotton, they’re also fantastic options that you can use on your hardwood floors. These rugs are also very soft and don’t harm the hardwood surface. They also serve the purpose of keeping your feet comfortable and warm.

One of the good things about using these natural fiber rugs is their unique appearance. While some of them resemble wool, others have their distinct appeal.

They’re also very durable options and can last a while as long as you maintain them properly. The downside is that they’re difficult to clean and aren’t good moisture absorbers.

Nonetheless, these rugs are cheap compared to their counterparts. In addition, you can find several colors and sizes, making selecting one for your kitchen design easy.

What Rugs Are Not Suitable for Hardwood Floors?

Avoid using rugs made of synthetic materials such as acrylic, polypropylene, and polyester. While these rocks might be available at cheaper rates, they have hard bottoms that damage wooden surfaces.

Must I Use a Rug Pad with My Kitchen Rugs?

Rug pads are essential pieces used beneath rugs to prevent direct contact with wooden surfaces. Aside from acting as an intermediary, they help keep rugs in place, preventing them from slipping.

Rug pads are made with rubber making them safe for hardwood surfaces. Though there are other options, it’s best to use pads made with a combination of materials like wool and cotton. These materials are safe for wooden veneer, as mentioned earlier.

On the other hand, synthetic materials will adversely affect your floors instead of preserving them.