The Super Cute Alternative To Kitchen Mats Involves A Surprising Upcycle

Kitchen rugs and mats: the accessories that might seem like a necessary evil to some, especially if you prefer your floors fully showing. However, kitchen mats can also provide comfort, warmth, and even safety from slippery surfaces since this room does tend to get a little more moisture than some others. Adding a rug to your kitchen can elevate the style of the room, but finding the ideal one can be tricky. Rather than searching high and low at home goods stores for a design that just barely ticks your boxes, why not create your own super cute alternative by upcycling a yoga mat with a print you prefer? This also allows you to customize the size and shape.

As DIYs go, this one is incredibly simple. There are ways to upgrade or customize it, but you can also just choose a mat that you like and swap out your existing kitchen rug. Yoga mats are made to provide a slip-free and cushioned surface against the hard floors of yoga studios, so why can't the same padded mat create a non-slip and comfortable surface in your cooking area? The other great thing about using a yoga mat is that the designs and patterns vary from the standard ones you'll find in most local home goods stores, as many of these lean into neutral colors and similar prints. As an added bonus, yoga mats are easy to care for, maybe even more so than washable kitchen rugs.

Many stores ranging from Target to Five Below sell yoga mats, so you have a wide range of prints and colors to choose from. Consider something like the Gaiam Print Yoga Mat for a patterned, yet neutral, touch. If you want something a bit more designer, you can find bigger brand names online, including Pendleton. With so much variety, you will be able to find a mat that matches your aesthetic rather than having to pick something that simply blends in. Yoga mats are usually 68 inches by 24 inches in width and dimension, which means you may want to cut or slightly adjust the length.

You can make it shorter, chop it into a square, or even play around with oval and circular shapes if you have enough width to work with. Don't be afraid to glue fringe along the top or bottom edges if you want to add a softer element. Keeping your yoga mat as is will save you time and effort, though you could simply add tape to the bottom to help it remain in place on vinyl, tile, or other slippery floor surfaces. You will also be glad to have a hot glue gun when you purchase your new "rug" or mat, as you can use it to provide a little bit more stability underneath, ensuring that it doesn't slide. The other nice thing about using a yoga mat is that they're easy to clean, requiring only a spritz of disinfectant, a wipe with an antibacterial cloth, or you can use white vinegar and tea tree oil for a more natural cleanser.