Kitchen

Kitchen Sink Mats: Sizes, Placement and Care for a Drier Kitchen

How to choose and place a kitchen mat or runner by the sink, stove and dishwasher, what sizes work, how to keep walkways safe and how to care for it.

By Mattona™ Team Updated 4 min read

Mattona™ guide cover: kitchen sink mats, with a gray runner and mat on a wooden kitchen floor

Quick answer

Put a long runner in front of the sink, where drips land, and a shorter mat by the stove or dishwasher. Keep walkways clear (the NKBA suggests work aisles of at least 42 in / 1,067 mm for one cook), choose a non-slip backing, and hand wash and air dry absorbent mats. If you stand for hours, you may want an anti-fatigue mat instead: anti-slip and anti-fatigue mats aren’t the same thing.

Why put a mat by the kitchen sink?

The sink is the wettest spot in most kitchens. Drips from dishes, splashes from the tap and water from wet hands all land on the floor in front of it, and a smooth floor gets slippery when it’s wet. An absorbent mat catches that water and gives you a drier, non-slip place to stand.

Infographic: kitchen mat placement. A 50 × 150 cm runner in front of the sink and a 50 × 80 cm mat by the stove, with the walkway kept clear (NKBA: at least 42 in for one cook, 48 in for two). Absorbent quick-dry mats are not anti-fatigue mats. Care: hand wash, air dry.
Runner at the sink, mat by the stove, walkway clear.

What size kitchen mat do you need?

Spot Suggested size Mattona™ kitchen set
In front of the sink A runner that covers the sink run Runner, 50 × 150 cm (19.7 × 59 in)
Stove or dishwasher A shorter mat Mat, 50 × 80 cm (19.7 × 31.5 in)
Small kitchen One mat at the sink Either piece

Measure the length of counter in front of the sink and the depth of floor you stand on. Open the dishwasher and cabinet doors to check they clear the mat.

Placement and walkways

The National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) recommends that a work aisle be at least 42 inches (1,067 mm) wide for one cook, and at least 48 inches (1,219 mm) for more than one. A mat shouldn’t make that space feel tighter or catch feet:

  • Keep mats flat, with no curled edges.
  • Keep them out of doorways and busy paths.
  • Leave a gap between two mats rather than overlapping them.

Absorbent mat or anti-fatigue mat?

They do different jobs. An absorbent mat keeps the floor drier and grips it. An anti-fatigue mat cushions your feet during long periods of standing. Canada’s Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) puts it plainly: “Anti-slip or other mats are not the same as anti-fatigue mats.” CCOHS also notes that “softer and thicker may not always be better,” and that anti-fatigue mats should have sloped edges.

The Mattona™ kitchen set is a thin, absorbent, quick-dry mat with a non-slip backing. It’s made for a drier floor at the sink. If you stand for hours at a time, look at a dedicated anti-fatigue mat as well.

HOME Text or No Text

The Mattona™ 2-piece kitchen set comes in two designs: HOME Text, with a small, spaced-out HOME print, and No Text, which is plain. Both come in Gray, Dark Blue, Black and Brown at the same price.

How to care for a kitchen mat

  • Shake out crumbs daily, or vacuum the mat.
  • Hand wash when needed, rinse out the soap and air dry fully.
  • Lift the mat once a week so the floor underneath can dry.
  • On vinyl or LVP floors, the Mattona™ kitchen set is fine: our supplier confirms its backing is safe on vinyl and LVP. For other mats, check which mat backings are safe.

Sources

Shop the mats in this guide

Mattona gray HOME two-piece kitchen mat set, with a long runner and matching smaller mat in a bright cream and oak kitchen 2-Piece Quick-Dry Diatomite Kitchen & Bathroom Floor Mat Set | Ultra Absorbent, Non-Slip Waterproof Rugs $49.95$66.60 Shop now → Gray Mattona 3-piece bathroom mat set with HOME lettering: U-shaped toilet mat and two rectangular mats on a bathroom floor 3-Piece Anti-Slip Bathroom Mat Set – Quick-Dry U-Shaped Toilet & Floor Mats $39.95$49.95 Shop now →

Frequently asked questions

Can kitchen mats go in the washing machine?

It depends on the mat. The Mattona™ kitchen set should be hand washed and air dried. Always follow the care label.

What size runner do I need for a kitchen sink?

Measure the counter run in front of your sink. A 150 cm (59 in) runner covers a typical sink run, and a shorter 80 cm (31.5 in) mat suits the stove or dishwasher.

Are kitchen mats a trip hazard?

A mat with curled edges or no grip can be. Choose a non-slip backing, keep the mat flat on a clean, dry floor, keep it out of doorways and replace it if the edges curl.

Is an absorbent kitchen mat good for standing for a long time?

It keeps the floor drier, but it isn’t an anti-fatigue mat. For long periods of standing, CCOHS advises choosing a mat designed to reduce fatigue.

Is the Mattona™ kitchen mat set safe on vinyl or LVP floors?

Yes. Our supplier has confirmed that the backing on the Mattona™ 2-piece kitchen mat set, HOME Text and No Text, is safe on vinyl and LVP flooring. Keep the floor under the mat dry and lift it now and then.

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