Some people avoid putting a mat in the kitchen because of the inevitable spills. However, there are many good reasons to do so, among them comfort, style, and function.
The comfort and support that mats provide might be a welcome luxury in a place where you’ll be on your feet a lot. In the event that you drop a plate on the mat, it will bounce rather than break, making it easier to clean up.
The proper mat can breathe new life into your kitchen’s design. However, no matter how attractive it is, you should not place a kitchen mat there if it cannot withstand the everyday abuse it will receive.
Types of kitchen mats
For the kitchen, some mats are better than others. Because of the greater risk of spills, kitchen mats must be stain and water-resistant. An oriental silk mat is inappropriate for kitchen use if you cook there. To ensure the mat looks good and performs well in the kitchen, consider the flooring.
Inspect the rug’s backside for tight and uniform knots, whether you’re shopping in person or online. As a general rule, the more knots per square inch there are in a mat, the denser and stronger it is.
Check the mat for symptoms of poor quality, like loose edges, uneven color, and snags. Kitchen rugs can feature a variety of materials, each with its own set of advantages and disadvantages.
Foam
You can use gel foam and memory foam in the kitchen in a similar way to rugs. Workers who stand for long periods benefit greatly from using these mats. They are prevalent in commercial kitchens and industrial environments. They’re easy to clean with a smooth, scrubbable surface and are usually inexpensive. Nevertheless, most of them don’t provide much aesthetic appeal.
Polyester
They’re easy to clean, and they’re also resistant to stains, mildew, and mold. Nylon and other materials aren’t the best options for a kitchen with a lot of wear and tear.
Bamboo
Bamboo strips of varying thicknesses are joined to a flexible, generally nonslip mesh backing in these natural kitchen mats. These mats are relatively stain-resistant if you don’t clean up accidents soon. It is possible to stain bamboo if you allow spills to soak in permanently. This will depend on the quality of the coating applied. The neutral color of these carpets makes them a good match for any kitchen’s color plan, giving it an earthy feel.
Polypropylene
Polypropylene kitchen mats are an affordable option to spray down with a hose and take outside for easy cleanup. For this reason, polypropylene is known as “bulk continuous fiber” as it has stain-resistant fibers.
But this material can be unpleasant underfoot due to its crumb-trapping, rough loops. It can also be difficult to vacuum, depending on the weave. These types of mats can shed, so keep an eye out for bits of fibers unless the mat manufacturer specifies it won’t.
Cotton
In addition to being one of the most prevalent fibers, you can wash cotton in the washing machine if it’s small enough. There are various mat materials that are stain-resistant and can withstand a lot of wear and tear, but cotton isn’t one of them. This material is better suited for kitchens with fewer spills and foot traffic.
Nylon
Keep in mind that not all nylon fibers are the same in terms of durability. Make sure you don’t buy the first one that attracts your attention. Cheaper nylon fibers, such as those found in low-cost mats, will degrade faster than more expensive ones.
Nylon carpets can be pleasantly soft in kitchens with playing kids and barefooted cooks, which is a big benefit. Nylon is mildew and mold resistant in a kitchen, where a mat might get dirty from spills.
Why you need a kitchen mat
Kitchen mats have a wide range of viewpoints, but there are undeniable reasons why they are necessary. The fact that so few people give kitchen mats a second thought could be due to a misunderstanding of their significance and practicality.
Despite the obvious benefits, some people do not believe mats are appropriate for kitchens. You need to be aware that kitchen mats come in a variety of sizes, shapes, and functions.
Here are some of the reasons why you should own one. You can use kitchen mats in the following ways:
- Keep the kitchen area clean
When you use a kitchen, it gets dirty and needs cleaning on a regular basis. Imagine if you spilled water or oil in your kitchen and accidentally stepped on it; in addition to the danger of slipping, the mess would spread all over.
A good kitchen mat can absorb any liquid spilled in the kitchen and keep you from stepping on it and spreading the filth around your house.
Depending on what the kitchen mats are made of, you may need to clean them more than once a week.
- Use to define different zones
Having an open floor design is highly advantageous in this regard. It isn’t easy to achieve the use of space in a situation where there is a continuous flow of space that you should use for a variety of purposes.
This will all depend on the layout of your kitchen. If there is an eating space, you can use various colored and designed mats to separate it from the cooking and washing areas.
- Offer support
Standing for long periods isn’t good, especially in a small place or fixed posture. Fatigue, headaches, and back pain are possible side effects of working in the kitchen for a long time.
With the help of an anti-fatigue kitchen mat, you can lessen the impact of standing for lengthy periods on your body. Cushioning your feet becomes easier with anti-fatigue kitchen mats.
- Kitchen mats can prevent slipping
Slipping and falling happen more often in the kitchen than in any other room in the house. Water and oil spills are widespread, and they can be pretty hazardous.
Anti-slip mats, like anti-fatigue mats, help to keep you from sliding and falling in damp areas of your home, like kitchens and bathrooms.
If you have a large family, this is an important consideration for everyone’s well-being. In a restaurant kitchen, where a lot of people are moving about, kitchen mats are essential.
- Their use in the kitchen can enhance its aesthetic appeal
Imagine having a kitchen carpet that perfectly matches the pattern and color of your kitchen cabinets. You can achieve beautiful results by using a mat with the perfect pattern and color for the room.
It’s common for many individuals to think that a kitchen should just be functional. For this reason, they don’t bother decorating theirs. It’s worth a shot to see what a mat can do for your kitchen’s aesthetic.
You don’t have to spend a lot of time and money decorating your kitchen. All you need are kitchen mats, paint, and the correct furnishings.
When shopping for a kitchen mat, here are some things to keep in mind:
Now that you know some kitchen mat applications, here are a few things to remember when you are ready to purchase one.
Size
When purchasing a kitchen mat, this is the most important consideration. You should first plan out the space the mat will cover and then measure the area. By doing this, you will know the size of the mat you need depending on how you want your kitchen to look.
Color
Another thing to keep in mind is this. A kitchen mat that doesn’t fit in with the rest of the decor is a no-no. To do this, you’ll need to understand color theory and how to pair different colors harmoniously.
Select a color that complements your walls, cabinets, and, if possible, some kitchen equipment and furniture. Even a small mat can significantly impact the look of your room, mainly if it is the perfect color.
Purpose
Kitchen mats come in various shapes, sizes, and materials, each serving a different purpose. Knowing the purpose of a kitchen mat is important before you buy one.
Anti-slip mats are the best option for kitchens where slipping and other mishaps are a concern. An anti-fatigue mat is a good choice if you’re looking for a mat to help support your feet and prevent weariness. Regardless of what you need a mat for, there’s one out there for you.
Material
You need to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of each material before deciding on a kitchen mat.
You may want to consider a rubber kitchen mat if you have children or a lot of traffic in your kitchen. This is because it will be easier to clean than a wool or cotton mat. It’s important, though, to pick a material you enjoy and can manage.
Where to put a kitchen mat?
The areas around the sink and the stove are the best spots in the kitchen to put a rug.
You cannot avoid many accidents involving food, liquids, or oil. If you put down a kitchen mat in this area of the kitchen, you can keep the floor clean.
The area around the sink is also quite important. Most of the time, when you clean the dishes, some water leaks from the sink and onto the floor. The difficulty here is that it can lead to slips if you don’t clean up the water.
Conclusion
Because so many people want to maintain their homes, kitchen mats have become increasingly popular. They are no longer restricted to commercial or rural kitchens; now, you can find them in any setting.
These mats offer a huge amount of both style and comfort. Also, there are a lot of options on the market, so you can be sure that you will find the right product.
