Kitchens tend to be busy spaces with people constantly moving between counters, appliances, and cabinets. All that foot traffic can take a toll on hard flooring over time. Using long kitchen rug runners to cover high traffic areas provides both decorative and functional benefits.
Strategically placing runners to protect heavy use zones allows you to add style while maintaining safety and easier cleaning. But with so many kitchen runner options on the market, it can be tricky to select durable rugs that perfectly suit your needs.
Where to Place Long Kitchen Runners
When deciding where to put long runners in your kitchen, first analyze the main workflow and traffic patterns. Identify your most frequented appliances and work areas based on how your family uses the space. Placing runners to align with foot travel lanes enables them to serve functional purposes while covering spaces that need it most.
In Front of Key Appliances
Typically the sink, stove, ovens, refrigerator and dishwasher see the most action. Positioning runners spanning the width of these appliances catches adjacent spills and drips during food prep and cleanup. It also significantly improves traction which reduces slips.
- The sink is prone to water splashes and leaks, making runners a must for soak up moisture.
- Ranges and ovens have hot containers going in and out as well as potential boil overs. Runners provide insulation against heat.
- Refrigerators have cold spills, grease drips and food particles that runners can catch before sticking to floors.
- Dishwashers leak water at times and the opening/closing expels debris.
You’ll likely stand for extended periods of time at these critical appliances while prepping ingredients, cooking, washing dishes, etc. Runners add cushioning for greater comfort and support.
Entryways
Don’t forget transitions between spaces! Runners placed at doorways into the kitchen help limit tracking from other areas of the home. Key entry points include:
- Garage or mud rooms
- Adjoining dining rooms
- Access to and from outdoor patios
- Hallways into main home
Welcoming people with plush runners reminds them to wipe feet before entering while easing dirt containment. Even wall to wall carpeting in rooms around the kitchen benefits from a protective kitchen rug runner layer.
Islands and Peninsulas
For kitchens with centralized islands or peninsulas, these tend to be popular congregation zones. Everyone ends up gathered together helping cook, snacking, doing homework or just mingling during parties. Covering the perimeter with runners saves your existing floor from premature wear.
Additionally, runners around islands prevent bruises or discomfort if someone accidentally bumps into the hard corners and edges. They essentially pad and soften these high traffic kitchen workstations.
Choosing Durable Materials
With runners placed in the heart of kitchen activity, they’ll inevitably encounter their fair share of spills, muddy shoes, pet accidents, messy kids and heavy usage. Selecting rug materials that can withstand your real life demands ensures longevity.
Considering Lifestyle Factors
Take lifestyle elements into account when choosing long lasting kitchen runners. Homes with pets may prioritize stain resistance, while families with toddlers need durable, machine washable options. Frequent entertainers want easy to clean rugs.
- Avid home cooks benefit from flame retardant and heat resistant materials in front of appliances.
- Households prone to tracked in mud and dirt need outdoor friendly filtration.
- Water repellent materials make sense for flood prone foundation floors.
Consider factors that apply to your family’s habits. Then select runner materials engineered to withstand those conditions.
Fabrication Materials
Common kitchen runner materials each have pros and cons to weigh out:
- Polypropylene – Wooly appearance without shedding; highly water resistant.
- Nylon – Extremely durable and easy to clean; prone to matting.
- Wool Blends – Soften underfoot; require frequent vacuuming.
- Microfiber – Lightweight; not as cushy or insulating.
Blends combine the strengths of multiple materials, such as wool and nylon together. This allows manufacturers to engineer runners catered specifically to kitchen needs.
Prioritizing Non Slip Backings
One of the main reasons homeowners introduce kitchen runners is to prevent hazardous slips. Selecting options with non slip backings or adding separate rug pads minimizes this safety risk.
Preventing Hazards
The combination of water, grease accumulation, and food debris on flooring surfaces makes kitchens prone to accidents. Runners create traction to avoid injuries from falls.
- Puddling water near sinks or appliances becomes a slip risk.
- Grease drippings are invisible until stepped on.
- Smooth floors provide no grip when debris gets crushed under shoes.
Quality runners guard all these compromise points. Properly positioned, they keep feet firmly planted even during rushed pacing.
Types of Non Slip Surfaces
Several backing constructions prevent motion between the rug and floors:
- Rubber – Flexible and cushioned.
- Vinyl – Waterproof grip strength.
- Latex – Lightly textured for traction.
- PVC Dots – Provides airflow underneath.
- Machine washable holds up to vigorous cleaning.
- Vacuums conveniently extract embedded debris between washes.
- Spot cleaning tackles messes between deeper cleans.
- Periodic deep cleaning revives appearance.
- Stain guard coatings repel liquid absorption into fibers.
- Food particles and grease wash off instead of bonding.
- Colors and patterns retain vibrancy after repeated washing.
- Rustic kitchens love braided, tribal or geometrical rugs.
- Farmhouse designs feature vintage style hooked patterns.
- Contemporary spaces shine with graphic prints or solid colors.
- Traditional kitchens embrace delicate floral motifs and renaissance era styles.
- Repeating runner colors/patterns in different areas.
- Gradually progressing color shades from space to space.
- Maintaining identical texture or weave styles throughout.
Flipping runners over reveals the underside mechanism securing them in place. These surfaces grip onto flooring for slip-free footing despite constant loads.
Easy Maintenance & Cleaning
Kitchen spills and dirt accumulation means runners should cleaning easily without losing structural or visual integrity after repeated washing.
Enable Frequent Washing
Look for runner materials aligning with your preferred cleaning methods and stain removal capabilities:
Following manufacturer recommendations for cleaning techniques maintains the quality and extends the usable lifespan of runners.
Stain Guard Treatments
Additional runner treatments prevent long term damage from spills:
These bonus stain fighter barriers enable easy mess cleanup so runners continuously look like new.
Achieving Kitchen Style
While primarily functional, long kitchen runners also introduce decorative flair. Coordinating runner colors and textures with existing kitchen aesthetics creates a pulled together space.
Complementing Decor
Take decor cues from current kitchen style when selecting runner materials and patterns:
Many manufacturers even label collections specifically as kitchen runners. This simplifies pairing complimentary looks.
Visual Connection
Use runners to visually connect separate zones into one cohesive space by:
This tactic alleviates choppy transitions for a harmoniously designed kitchen.
At the heart of every hardworking kitchen, long rug runners protect heavy use zones from wear and tear. Durable materials engineered for easy maintenance ensure longevity and ongoing function despite continuous foot traffic and accidental spills over time.
Prioritize safety with non slip backings to avoid slips. And introduce decorative flair by coordinating runner patterns and textures with existing kitchen decor for visual harmony. Strategically placed to handle messes in high traffic areas, long kitchen runners fusion form with function.
