Kitchen Runner Rugs

The runner in front of the worktop

In the kitchen, you spend most of your time standing at the hob, sink and worktop. A runner in this spot makes the floor warmer, muffles footsteps and catches drips and crumbs before they spread. Because a row of kitchen units is long and narrow, hardly any other format fits as well here. Here you will see kitchen runners in all styles, from the hand-knotted oriental runner to the washable model. The Kitchen Rugs page shows wider sizes, and the Runner Rugs page shows runners for every room.

Length and width to suit the kitchen units

Measure the worktop and subtract around 10 to 20 cm at each end. This way the runner lies along the entire row of units without bumping into corners or cupboards; for three metres of worktop, a runner of around 250 to 280 cm fits. Our runners range from around one metre to well over four metres, the most common being two to three metres. For the gap between the units and a kitchen island, widths of around 60 to 80 cm are suitable.

Hard-wearing, flat or short pile

In front of the sink, durability counts. Densely knotted wool runners such as Bidjar or Hamadan stand up to daily use. Flat-woven Kilims and short-pile runners add hardly any height: the dishwasher door and drawers open over them without catching, and crumbs are quickly vacuumed up.

Washable runners

Machine-woven runners that can be washed are particularly easy to care for. They are mostly made of acrylic and are also suitable for outdoor use. You will find an overview under washable rugs; wash each model as described on its product page.

Patterns that forgive stains

A dark ground or an all-over pattern makes splashes barely visible. Oriental runners in red or dark blue with a medallion are therefore especially practical in the kitchen. Light runners in beige or cream look friendlier but call for quick action when something gets spilt.

Frequently asked questions about kitchen runner rugs

Which runner is best for the kitchen?

For busy kitchens, a densely knotted wool runner or a flat-woven Kilim with a dark, patterned ground. If you want to wash the runner yourself regularly, choose a washable model.

What should I do about grease or sauce stains?

Soak up liquids immediately with an absorbent cloth and do not rub. For stubborn stains on wool and oriental runners, professional cleaning is the safest route, for example by our rug cleaning service.

Does a runner slip on tiles?

On smooth tiles it can slip. An anti-slip underlay in a suitable size holds it in place and prevents the edges from becoming a trip hazard.