We have a little dilemma going on over here, we can’t decide on a rug for the kitchen. We currently need 3 new rugs, one for the kitchen, one for under the miners cart, and one for the dining room. The most pressing one though is for the kitchen. I tend to get a little wild messy while doing dishes and cooking, and keep splashing considerable amounts of water onto the hardwood floors. If you are someone that has solid hardwood, you know then that this is a big no no. I always try to clean it up right away, but sometimes I don’t even notice it for a little:
Here is the area that we need the rug for:
First and foremost, no judging allowed on how disgustingly dirty my hardwood flooring is here (I know, I know!). I was supposed to clean two days ago {yes, I am a dork and have a designated cleaning day every week} but instead I meet a girlfriend for happy hour and surprised J for dinner {I think I chose the better option!}
Anyway, we taped off the area of two different size options that we like. Clever to get a good visual like that right?! Of course I Jeremy thought of it. Here are some of the options for rugs, this one being bought:
 |
| image via West Elm |
Here is one of the DIY options:
 |
| image via high-heeled foor in the door |
Here is the other approach:
 |
| image via Cape27 |
Now, normally we would automatically go with anything DIY over buying, but in this case, we’re torn. We get so much foot traffic through that area, and i’m kind of afraid a DIY won’t hold up as well. And who knows, we might do a DIY rug for under the miners cart?! There are so many options we that could choose from, we could buy a new rug, but it might easily become dirty and we might have to call experts from somewhere like Carpet Cleaning Pros. This happened to a friend of mine when she decided to put in a rug in her hallway. It was a part of the house that got a lot of foot traffic, and it quickly became dirty. In the end, she had to get in touch with a local cleaning service similar to this Rug Cleaning Brunswick company, and she removed it from the hall to somewhere else. On the other hand, I’m a little worried that any DIY rug I make will have an even worse fate and will end up completely destroyed.
I’ve been looking for a kitchen rug forever. I have no idea what I want. I think whatever you do, it needs to be washable. I don’t know about you, but I sometimes drop sauces and an occasional onion slice on the floor. 🙂 I like that West Elm one a lot.
I am all for DIY myself but I think when it comes to rugs, im a little leary on DIY-ing a design on one… especially when you wash it, will your design hold up through x-amount of washes?
Either way I love the photos you posted of rugs and im sure whatever you come up with will look awesome!
Because it’s such a high-traffic area, I’d buy. And like you said, you can always DIY something for under the cart.
Buy it! And another thing… U need a Norwex mop! Can I give you mine to try? It changes lives. Anyone I know that has wood floors and has one, swears by it. It’s so easy that I Litterally mop everyday cause I am obsessed. Ok maybe my nanny mops everyday… But still. We love.
Personally, I would buy. Especially with such a high traffic area. I like the larger size too! I think it’s nice to have it under the dishwasher, that’s where I spill the most water….Happy Rug Hunting!
My mom makes really gorgeous rugs doing latch hook i believe. They are holding up really well no issues yet! I would say buy the one for the high traffic then make one for under your cart, you can always make another one later. Good luck with it!
buy it… it is amazing and like everyone else is saying, in a high traffic area DIY might not hold up.
I like ‘West Elm”…in high traffic I’d prefer ‘bought’….Can’t wait to see what you decide!
hugs
I was debating the same thing – but caved in to buy. I bought from RugsUSA and was really impressed with the quality for the cheap price. The chevron rug I bought
http://www.rugsusa.com/rugsusa/rugs/milliken-vibe/techno-black/2795568315-54078.html
Oh man, Just go for the West Elm rug. Kitchen messes would dirty up the white portion of any chevron design right away. Maybe DIY would be better under the cart? Either way it’ll be ca-ute!
http://www.ballarddesigns.com/laney-indoor-2foutdoor-rug/by-design/transitional-rugs/198066?categoryId=10185&fromCart=true
I just went thru the same thing, so I thought I would pass along the one I just ordered after my long winded search for a kitchen appropriate runner. I am hoping that since it is an indoor/outdoor option, it will work well for the kitchen area! + it is only $50… can’t beat that with a stick. I think all 3 or your options look great, I love the west elm rug, and the rug with the teal in it would really compliment your home- I am loving that color accompanied w/ the walnut stained floors! Ok… i’m cut off.
I’m having the SAME dilemma, so I can’t wait to see what you decide!
Couple of things…I use the little IKEA rugs in the kitchen..toss them in the washer every couple of days..works great and no rug when I want that clean look.
Tip for your hardwood…get a machine called “The Shark” for hardwoods….OMG…steams clean with just water and it is amazing! There are a few kinds so make sure to get the one for hardwoods..and tiles…and any other sealed surface. I LOVE MINE!!!
Thanks for all the feedback everyone! After seeing this- we ordered the west elm one, and if for some reason it doesn’t work out, we can always return it. I agree it needs to really be able to wash well. Jess- Is the norex mop similar to the bona hardwood one? That’s what we have…but I’m always willing to try something if it will make the floors easier. Emily- good call!! We went with the larger one for that reason:)
Ashley-that’s exactly what I was thinking:):)
Megan-thanks for the source. I will look in to that
5moreminutes-oh my gosh!!! Idk why I didn’t look at Ballard before. They have SO many amazing ones, for awesome prices! Thank u thank u thank u!
Sue- we actually initially bought the shark and our floor guy said that for our wood (maybe because it’s solid, and not engineerd?) that it would actually damage it and cause it to split. I totally thought it would have been great, but he said no for us. Thanks for looking out though:)
You guys are seriously the best! Thanks for taking the time to give me input
<3,
adri
West Elm! West Elm! West Elm!
I know you could DIY one because you’re crazy-talented and uber-stylin’, but that W.E. one is already done and as you said…it’s not too expensive.
That’s my vote. 😉
Loving the gray one you have already purchased! I think I have the exact same wood floors in my house and they aren’t easy to keep clean! Mine look about like that most of the time…BTW, love the blog! New follower!
Glad you chose West Elm! I bought my kitchen rug from Dash and Albert, I love it (it’s black and white striped) BUT it got terribly dirty super quick. You definitely want to be able to wash it easily!