Finally, a Practical Rug That Actually Makes Sense in a Kitchen

Using a rug or a mat in a kitchen instantly adds color, texture, and comfort. The only problem is that kitchens are, by nature, prone to spills and messes, so a lot of traditional area rug materials and styles are impractical for maintenance reasons. You can certainly go the route of an indoor/outdoor rug, but if you want patterns that feel a little less, say, tropical outdoor oasis, then Tempaper’s new vinyl rugs might be exactly what you’re looking for. Best of all, they won’t add much to your workload, because getting rid of stains is as simple as just wiping them with a damp cloth.

You might know Tempaper for their peel-and-stick wallpaper—they were one of the first brands in the removable game. But this launch doesn’t require installation beyond rolling out one of the rugs. Available in six sizes, 13 patterns, and starting at just $60, these designs are great for those high trafficked areas in your home (like a dining room or breakfast nook, in addition to a kitchen). Dropping food and drink is pretty common in those areas, especially if you have young kids, but with a vinyl rug, you can still define these spaces and add a hit of color—without worrying about cleanup.

I love that there are circle shapes in this collection, since curves seem to bring a bit of visual calmness to a room. They’re also great in smaller spaces where you can’t fit a full sized rectangular rug. And if you or someone in your home has allergies, these kinds of rugs can be a great alternative for that as well, since they don’t have any fibers or crevices that tend to catch additional dust and dirt.

If you want to use one of these guys outside, that’s okay, too. They’re contract-grade and have been treated to withstand the elements. Only thing to keep in mind—heeled shoes and furniture feet can cause dents, so make sure your shoes are off when you walk on them, and you’re using felt pads on your furniture feet. But other than that, think of these rugs as having all the benefits vinyl flooring has, with an extra hit of style.