The entryway to your home is a welcoming portal, but should you use a rug in your entryway? We've researched what design experts have to say about why you might want to have a rug in your entryway.
Here are some great reasons to have a rug in your entryway:
- Create a sense of red-carpet welcome
- To protect hardwoods and carpets in a high-traffic area
- As a landing spot for wet shoes and inclement weather outerwear
- To differentiate the entry area from the living space
Let's look a bit closer at each of these reasons, along with what materials are best and easiest to clean in the entryway. We'll also investigate which rugs hold up well to high traffic. Just keep reading.
Reasons Why You Might Want A Rug In Your Entryway
Area rugs are a common way to add warmth to a home. They help dampen concussive sounds and can protect the flooring underneath when there's heavy traffic. The only con to area rugs is if you have someone using a walker or a cane in the home. That's when area rugs might be more of a problem than a solution. But let's look at the reasons why you might want an area rug in your entryway.
Roll Out The Red Carpet Welcome
It's no coincidence they unfurl a gorgeous red carpet at the entrance to Hollywood premieres. In your home, a beautiful front hall runner can be the pathway into the heart of the house. The colors portray your personality, the design lets visitors know your style, and everyone will feel like a superstar in a well-decorated entryway.
Protect Hardwoods And Carpet In A High Traffic Area
The dog in this picture is a great example of why you might choose an area rug at the front door. Doors are high-traffic areas with people and pets coming and going. If you have hardwood floors, you could end up with scratches. And if you have carpet, you could end up with stains. An area rug is a great way to protect what's underneath it. Shop wisely and buy one that can be washed or steam cleaned when needed.
This indoor/outdoor non-slip large welcome rug absorbs moisture and provides extra cushion for your floors at the entryway. The ribbed design helps clean shoes instantly and the rug can be brushed off when it gets dirty. The low pile means you won't have to worry about your door sticking on the mat.
Click here for this rug on Amazon.
Rugs Can Be A Landing Spot For Wet Shoes In Inclement Weather
If your entryway opens directly into your living room, you may want to create a mudroom station by the front door. A bench, hooks, and shoe storage give you a place to put your outer gear. And a washable rug is a great way to soak up the moisture from snowy or muddy shoes and keep your floors clean.
ReaLife Machine Washable Rug
ReaLife brand has a number of machine-washable rugs in all different colors, sizes, and shapes. They have non-slip backings, are family and pet friendly, and can be tossed in the washing machine and air-dried.
Click here to check out these rugs on Amazon.
Ruggable Area Rug
Ruggable is another brand that has made its name by selling and creating trendy rugs that can be thrown in the washing machine. The rug comes with a non-slip rug pad to hold it in place on your floor.
Click here for this rug on Amazon.
Use A Rug To Define Your Entry Space
If you don't have an actual entry hall or vestibule, using an entry rug can define that space for you. It provides distinction from the flooring and can even be used directionally to send visitors into the home and around the sofas. Of course, it also protects your flooring.
Should You Place Multiple Rugs In The Entryway? How Do You Style That?
If you love color and want to create a splash at the entryway, then try using multiple rugs. You can use several small rugs to create a longer runner, changing up the color and putting them slightly askew of one another.
Or perhaps you want to layer rugs. Here a natural fiber rug like jute is used below a Turkish-style rug. The contrast is beautiful and the bottom rug provides some added protection against dirt and elements brought in on shoes. The one thing you want to be careful about is not to make the rugs so thick they cause a tripping hazard or that the front door gets caught on them.
Jute Runner
A jute runner like this provides the perfect bottom layer for a unique layered look.
Click here for this rug on Amazon.
Safavieh Rag Rug
Layer it up with a couple of these multi-color cotton rugs in a slightly narrower width and length.
Click here for this rug on Amazon.
How Do You Keep An Entryway Rug Clean?
Entryway rugs have a tendency to get dirtier than some other area rugs. They are in a high traffic area and are the first surface that dirty shoes land on. So how do you keep them clean?
- Vacuum your rugs regularly. A daily or every other day vacuum goes a long way toward keeping grime and dirt from building up in your entry rug.
- Shake out your rugs. If your rug is small enough, simply take it out the front door and give it a good shake or a beating with a broom.
- Use a steam cleaner. Steam cleaners are readily available for the home market these days, either to purchase or rent from your local grocery store.
- Throw it in the wash. Some rugs are made to be thrown in the wash which means it's easy to keep them clean.
- Hire a professional. If you have an expensive wool rug, it might be worth your while to hire an expert to come in for a once-yearly deep cleaning.
PurSteam Steamer
This handy PurSteam steamer is a great price for the occasional user and comes with attachments to clean way more than just carpets. It's a great tool for your household.
Click here for this product on Amazon.
What Type Of Rug Material Is Best For An Entryway?
When thinking about rugs for the entryway, keep in mind the thickness. If you want it to meet the door jamb, then keep it either at the same thickness or smaller. A plush deep-pile rug could make it hard to open and close the door. You also don't want to create a tripping hazard at your entryway.
Here are materials that work well for your entryway:
- Wool. It's a bit more expensive to buy an all wool rug, but they have great longevity and are cleanable.
- Cotton. Cotton rugs are often thinner and can often be tossed in the washing machine.
- Synthetic. Acrylic rugs come in so many great designs and are inexpensive. Though we're not proponents of waste, they are cost-friendly enough that if they get utterly destroyed it's not so difficult to replace them.
- Natural Fibers. Fibers like jute and sisal make great entry rugs. The textured fibers hide dirt well and feel great on your feet. They also provide some natural absorption.
What Is The Best Kind Of Rug For High Traffic?
For a high-traffic area, you want a rug that's easy to clean and either long-wearing or low-cost enough to replace over time. You also want something with a low pile that won't cause tripping.
Time For Your Entrance Rug
Now that you have the information and the reason why you want an entryway rug, it's time to find the perfect one. We have a few more posts on HomeDecorBliss.com that may help with your entryway design. Please take a look below:
Is Laminate Flooring Good For An Entryway?
Should An Entryway Have a Mirror (And How Big Should It Be)?