Do I Need a Rug Pad Underneath a Small Kitchen Rug? (Absolutely)

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Kitchen with small rug

Your kitchen is the heart of your home. It’s where you prepare meals, gather with friends and family, and grab a midnight snack.

Many people use accent rugs to add style and comfort to their kitchen. With so many colors, patterns, and sizes to choose from, the right area rug can enhance the style of your space and tie in all of your home décor elements.

You also know that it is essential that any area rug in your kitchen has a non-skid grip to prevent bunching, tripping, and accidents involving boiling water or hot food.

So how do you keep your accent rug in place and prevent kitchen disasters? And is there an alternative to the boring anti-fatigue mat that sits in front of your kitchen sink?

You spent long periods of time in your kitchen, so you want your space to be just right. The solution is to choose a high-quality rug pad to protect your accent rug and kitchen flooring while keeping small kitchen rugs firmly in place.

Why you need a rug pad for small kitchen rugs

Because kitchens are one of the high-traffic areas in your home, you know your accent rug will see lots of footprints, spills, and possible stains.

This makes choosing a basic, inexpensive kitchen floor mat tempting, even if it isn't cohesive with your style.

When you picture small kitchen rugs, you probably imagine a small mat in front of the kitchen sink to rest your feet on as you do the dishes.

However, you can use these small accent rugs in a variety of spaces:

  • Choose A Moroccan Runner Rug For Your Laundry Room.
  • Place A Black And White Low Pile Medallion Accent Rug In Your Entryway To Clean Your Shoes.
  • Use A Water-Resistant Indoor Outdoor Rug In Front Of The Sink In Your Kitchen.
  • Place A Small Jute Kitchen Mat In Front Of Your Pantry

With so many rug options available, you never have to settle for a basic kitchen rug set. Once you find the perfect small rug for your kitchen, you will want to protect it from excessive wear and tear.

Much like bathroom rugs, kitchen mats will encounter water, humidity, and other substances that can stain and damage your home’s flooring.

Your small area rug needs a rug mat to keep it in place and protect your home’s flooring.

What to know before you buy

Sure, you could go on Amazon and order any rug pad for your kitchen runner rug or laundry room mat set. However, these rug liners are made from synthetic materials that aren’t designed to withstand the high traffic your kitchen accent rug will experience. The right high-quality rug pad for your small kitchen rug will offer a variety of benefits:

  • Cushioning: You stand in your kitchen for long periods and need a soft place to rest your feet.
  • Non-Slip Grip: You encounter hot liquids and sharp knives in your kitchen. A curled edge or bunched rug can spell disaster.
  • Water And Stain Resistant: Especially in front of the sink, water can sit on your kitchen floor and cause damage. Also, your kitchen mats waterproof covering could wear away. The right rug pad will act as a barrier for spills and stains.
  • Natural Materials: Synthetic materials, like polypropylene or PVC, break down over time, especially in high-traffic areas. Eco-friendly materials like jute, felt, and natural rubber can withstand wear and tear for years.

Whether you choose your accent rug for style or comfort, the right rug pad will keep you safe and add soft cushioning underfoot.

Let’s look at the best rug pads for high-traffic areas.

These are the best rug pads for small kitchen rugs

There are hundreds of rug pads on the market today, but not all of them will work well underneath small kitchen rugs.

Unlike living room rugs, accent rugs used in the kitchen, laundry room, or entryway see high levels of foot traffic every day. These small area rugs also encounter excessive amounts of moisture from spills, humidity, and wet shoes.

If small kitchen rugs aren’t kept in place the right way, they make your high traffic areas into dangerous tripping hazards.

Here are the best high-quality rug pads to pair with your small kitchen rug.

Anchor Grip

Anchor Grip Rug Pad on Hardwood Floor

The exceptional traction offered by Anchor Grip makes it the best companion for small accent rugs in high-traffic areas.

Its felt layer provides a comfortable amount of padding for your feet while the EVA backing increases the non-slip surface area. This keeps your accent rug in place and secured to your kitchen floor.

As there is no latex or rubber, it is safe for all types of floor finishes such as vinyl, luxury vinyl planks, hardwood, and laminate. Also, the waterproof EVA backing makes this rug pad perfect for a busy kitchen’s hot, humid conditions.

Cloud Comfort Memory Foam 7/16"

Cloud Comfort 7/16 Rug Pad on hardwood floor

A comfort kitchen mat is a must with all the time you spend standing in front of your stove or sink. Choose Cloud Comfort Memory Foam 7/16" underneath your favorite accent rug over a cheap anti-fatigue kitchen mat from a big box store.

Made from 100% viscoelastic memory foam, Cloud Comfort offers a premium amount of cushioning that brings the comfort of your memory foam mattress into your kitchen.

This rug pad is waterproof, soundproof, and safe for all floor finishes, like laminate, tile, stone, and hardwood flooring.

Cloud Comfort offers a proprietary moisture barrier that blocks spills while allowing the vapors to escape, preventing dangerous mold and mildew. It’s the perfect combination of safety and comfort.

Eco-Plush ⅜"

Eco Plush 3/8" rug pad on hardwood floor

If you are looking for eco-friendly cushioning, try Eco-Plush ⅜". It offers the same amount of cushioning as our Cloud Comfort Memory Foam rug pad but is made from odor-free sustainable materials.

This 100% heat-pressed felt rug pad is perfect for areas of your home that don’t require non-slip protection, like in front of your sink or washing machine, but need additional comfort.

Eco-Plush is resistant to mildew, mold, and odor-causing bacteria. And with a 10-year warranty, this rug pad is built to last and works perfectly on any type of flooring.

Superior-Lock 1/4"

Superior Lock Rug Pad on Hardwood floor

A busy kitchen needs both cushioning and security underfoot to ensure everything goes as planned. Superior-Lock ¼" offers the perfect combination of solid grip and comfort underfoot.

This rug pad works well under small kitchen rugs because of its dual-layer design. The top layer is made from recycled felt and gently grips your rug’s backing to prevent bunching and shifting.

The grooved bottom layer, our signature 12 oz natural rubber backing, contains two layers of natural rubber to prevent flaking and discoloration while locking your kitchen mat in place.

Superior-Lock ¼" comes with a 15-year warranty and is appropriate for any type of flooring.

Other things you want to know

You spend a lot of time in your kitchen. Don’t settle for just any generic kitchen mat.

Choose an accent rug that enhances your home décor and speaks to your aesthetic. The right rug pad will not only protect your floors and area rug but turn any accent rug into an anti-fatigue standing mat.

Having the appropriate amount of cushioning in front of areas where you stand for long periods of time offers many health benefits.

  • Relieves Back Pain
  • Comforts Fatigued Feet
  • Eases The Pain Of Plantar Fasciitis
  • Improves Blood Circulation
  • Reduces Contact Pressure

Here are some commonly asked questions you will want to know about.

Do I need a rug pad if my kitchen mat already has non-slip backing?

Non slip kitchen rugs are often backed with synthetic materials that break down over time and ruin your expensive flooring. They also don’t offer enough cushioning to relieve the contact pressure associated with standing for long periods of time.

Always add a high quality rug pad underneath your kitchen mat to increase comfort and protect your flooring.

Does it matter what rug pad I use on my floors?

Yes. Cheap rug pads are made from synthetic chemicals that react with certain flooring finishes.

The type of rug pad you choose should be guided by what flooring you have.

Always check to make sure your area rug pad is made from materials that won’t cause a chemical reaction that stains, scratches, and otherwise damages your home’s flooring.

What are the benefits of having a machine washable rug in my kitchen?

Washable rugs are gaining popularity for a number of reasons.

  • Kid And Pet Friendly: At the first sign of staining, you can throw your washable kitchen rug into the laundry for easy clean up.
  • Great For Allergies: Because they are so easy to wash, it’s easy to keep your home allergy free.
  • Ideal For High-Traffic Areas: Washable rugs are meant to ensure multiple washings, making them a great choice for high traffic kitchens, entryways, hallways, and other spaces that see a lot of foot traffic.
  • Suit A Variety Of Home Décor Styles: Whether your color palette or kitchen style is neutral, traditional, farmhouse, or modern, there is a washable rug to suit your kitchen.

Remember to always pair the right rug pad with your area rug. Always consider cushioning, grip, and materials when selecting a high-quality rug pad.

Is natural rubber better than synthetic rubber?

Yes, natural rubber is superior to synthetic rubber for several reasons.

  1. Natural Rubber Has A Milder Smell.
  2. It Is Durable And Long Lasting.
  3. Natural Rubber Doesn’t Weaken Easily.
  4. It Never Loses Flexibility.

Natural rubber rug pads are the perfect choice for your home because they will not damage your expensive flooring and are the optimal product for keeping your plush carpets and accent rugs in place without adding additional cushioning that could create a tripping hazard.

What size accent rug is best for a layered door mat look?

The layered door mat look is very popular because it adds multiple textures to your porch or landing while tying in your outdoor home décor.

Depending on the size of your door mat, your accent rug should be around 3’ X 5’ to allow the color or pattern of the carpet to show. Don’t forget to add an outdoor rug mat underneath to prevent mold and mildew build up while protecting your entryway.

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