What to Look for in a Restaurant Rug

The standard checklist for opening a restaurant includes things like menu planning, hiring a staff and picking the best POS system. But, if you're a restaurant designer, you know there’s a lot more to it than that. 

Choosing the layout and materials you’ll use to adorn a restaurant interior is just as important as what the signature dish is going to be. One of the MVPs of restaurant design are the area rugs that decorate the floors. Don’t just settle for a pretty rug, here are all the qualities you should look for to find the best rug for your restaurant.

Restaurant Rugs: 5 Things to Look for

#1: Rug Texture

Texture is a huge factor to consider when choosing a rug for your restaurant. Depending on your restaurant design, you’ll need different textures for different spaces. 

If you are looking to put rugs underneath tables for a sleek visual effect, then you’ll need your rug to be of a smooth material so that chairs can easily scoot in and out on them. Nylon rugs and wool rugs are a great solution for this. 

However, if you are looking to use a rug as a runner or in an entryway, you’ll want the texture to have a little more grip to prevent slipping. Look into sisal rugs, jute rugs and seagrass rugs—all materials that have more texture to them.

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Here is our Chelsea Nylon Commercial Rugs & Carpet Collection in Brown. 

#2: Environment

Another factor to consider is if your rug will be inside your dining room or outside on the patio. Outdoor dining has increased 57% since April 2021 making it a popular option for seating. Outdoor rugs can spruce up your al fresco dining area, but you want to make sure the material won’t fade due to sun and weather exposure. The material should also be mildew resistant since it will be exposed to moisture more. An outdoor sisal polypropylene rug has the strength to stand up to these elements.

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Pictured above is our Embassy Indoor Outdoor Commercial Rugs & Carpet.

#3: Durability

Let’s face it, any rug in a restaurant is going to be getting a lot more foot traffic than your regular at-home rug. Not only does it encounter a higher volume of traffic and footprints, but guests will track in rain, snow and other elements. Make sure that you choose a commercial grade rug. A commercial grade rug is made to withstand higher usage without succumbing to wear and tear. It will be more durable and save you money in the long run.

#4: Customization

When it comes to restaurant rugs, one size does not fit all spaces. Don’t be limited by standard rug sizing. Find a rug that can be tailored to the specifications of your restaurant. Be it a huge area rug or a rug for a specially shaped nook, a custom shaped rug makes endless possibilities for your restaurant design. 

#5: Stain Resistance

Listen, even the best customers and servers spill sometimes. Wine, pasta sauce, mac ‘n cheese, no matter how delicious, might accidentally find their way onto your floor. Make sure you have a restaurant rug that is up to the task. A stain resistant sisal rug is made to handle messes and will make clean up a lot easier for your staff. It’s also good to look into rugs that have darker colors so that stains are less likely to show up over time.

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Featured above is our Athens Stain Resistant Sisal Rug Collection in Beige.

Ready to Pick Out Your Restaurant’s Rugs?

We know that there are a lot of design decisions that go into opening or remodeling a restaurant. Now that you have a better idea of what to look for in a restaurant rug, it’s time to find the perfect one for your space. Check out our commercial grade rugs to find the rug that’s right for your restaurant or dining space.