I Used to Hate Kitchen Rugs, but This One Thing Changed My Mind (I Wish I’d Done It Sooner!)

I’ve never had much luck with rugs in my kitchen — whether it’s a mat below my sink, a runner in front of my stove, or an area rug under my table. I find they always end up so gross. They’re a lot harder to keep clean, thanks to accidental spills, crumbs, and other common messes. But recently, a new decor item changed how I feel about kitchen rugs entirely: a washable rug.

My apartment is mostly carpeted (though I still layer rugs on top to help cozy up the place), and I love how easy it is to clean the vinyl flooring in my kitchen. Incorporating a rug in the kitchen would mean a bit more work on cleaning days, which is why I hesitated to add one to the space in the first place. And, having never owned a washable rug before, I didn’t know whether one would actually hold up — is cleaning a washable rug really as simple as tossing it in a washing machine?

Then I was given Ruggable’s washable Sage Green Tufted Rug from the brand’s goop collaboration. I initially hadn’t planned to put it in my kitchen, but it ended up being slightly too big for the space I had intended it for, and the only other spot that made sense was under my table. I loved the look of the rug and decided to give it a shot.

Since styling this washable rug under my kitchen table, I’m so impressed by the quality, months later. It’s a lot thinner than a traditional design (which does make it possible to throw in the wash), but it comes with a thicker rug pad so it looks just like the other rugs in my apartment. I love that I can easily run a vacuum over it, and, since it’s super low pile, no crumb is left behind. Washing it is totally a breeze, too, though I do have to take it to a local laundromat because it’s a bit too large for my apartment building’s machines.

Additionally, the rug has made my kitchen area a lot cozier and helped anchor the table. It also makes an otherwise ultra-functional spot in my apartment look more design-forward. The color adds visual interest and helps tie in all of the greenery from my houseplants, but it still feels neutral enough to go with the orange seat cushions on my kitchen chairs. 

No matter your design style, Ruggable has no shortage of pretty washable rug options — including some awesome collaborations — in a variety of sizes. If you’ve been on the fence about adding a rug to a high-traffic area of your home, you can’t go wrong with a washable design that looks just like a regular floor covering. It’s the perfect way to personalize an otherwise blank space!