“I’ve never really been a huge fabric bathmat person for mostly practical reasons. Nothing kills a vibe quicker than a mushy surface that just gets wetter and more mildewy the more you use it. I also don’t need my bathroom to have a ton of personality or color, so the one I landed on in my current apartment was a wabi-sabi Japanese one made from hinoki wood. The elevated surface lets any wetness drip between the cracks, and the wood dries very quickly so dampness is one fewer thing to worry about. The only thing I don’t love about it is that since my bathroom gets very dusty and humid without any windows, I have to replace the mat every two years or so as it yellows with water damage and grit settles between the fine lines of the wood. It’s not a dealbreaker, though, and my bathroom still feels much more spa-like with it in place.”
- Dimensions: 2’2″ x 1’8″
- Materials: Cotton, polyester, latex
- Colors: Green
- Care Instructions: Machine washable in cold water and suitable for low-heat drying
Tester: Lauren Arzbaecher, commerce producer
“I love having greenery in every room in my apartment, but without a window, my bathroom isn’t the most friendly to the real deal. This monstera-shaped bath mat brought some life into my floors, and has held up surprisingly well for something so cutesy. It doesn’t slip around, and hasn’t gotten too matted down over months of use. I typically clean it with a quick vacuum, but it’s also machine washable if it needs a bigger refresh.”
More Bath Mats to Check Out
Though we haven’t had a moment to test all the bath mats in the world, we do have our eyes on a few more from our favorite retailers. Here, a couple more options to bookmark if you’re in the market for a handsome bath mat that will keep you dry and might even put a smile on your face as you groggily get ready for the day.
Wayfair is another great retailer with seemingly endless options of both practical and more fanciful bath mats. Over 200 customers gave this bohemian bathroom rug five stars for its style and durability. It’s washing machine friendly, with a non-slip latex backing for stability, and has a chic design that gives your bathroom a necessary dose of personality.
Lots of the stock in West Elm’s bath mats section look like they could easily hang in the MoMA. Made from organic cotton and featuring a delightfully abstract layout, this colorblock design comes in two palettes (and we think looks much more expensive than its sub-$40 price tag).
We love this style from Anthropologie that handwoven in Ethiopia from hand-spun and hand-dyed cotton. These only improve with wear, softening and settling into their style. They also work incredibly well as kitchen mats, door mats, bedside mats…need we go on?
The Company Store is another tried and true retailer for high-quality bedding and bath gear. Take the Regal Bath Rug from their Legends Hotel collection, a combed cotton best seller that’s available in five sizes, 17(!) different colors, and has over 900 five-star reviews to its credit (many from shoppers who attest that they’ll be repurchasing).
You can rely on Tekla for three things: quality, stripes, and terrycloth. This neutral striped choice could suit nearly any bathroom landscape. Its natural habitat might be a clean, streamlined Scandinavian look, but it could just as easily mediate a big-personality bathroom, or, be the clincher piece on a drab rental bathroom.
We toured Morrow Soft Goods’ founder Stephanie Cleary’s Los Angeles home back in 2021, where we found major inspiration from the creative’s desert tone color palette. Hoping to achieve something similar? Look no further than the highly absorbent Palomino bath mat from the brand.
Here’s a tip: Nordstrom has a wide bath mat selection that includes brands you might not have known are available from the retailer. We’re talking Matouk, Baina, and even a couple of very splurgeworthy Versace designs. In terms of options that are durable, affordable, quick drying, and easy to care for, we recommend this Turkish cotton bath mat from Nordstrom’s in-house line.
We’re documented Parachute fans, and if you also found a lot of inspiration from brand founder Ariel Kaye’s Los Angeles home, which we visited back in 2023, then choosing a bath mat from the brand’s offerings are a no-brainer. We’ve specifically spotlighted the Organic Mosaic tub and shower mat which would pair beautifully with a similar bathroom floor tiling scheme.
FAQs
What is the purpose of a bath mat?
Besides the practical uses of bath mats and rugs, it’s a bathroom accessory that can make an often forgotten area of your home feel more put together. Looking to bring an artistic feel to the space? Look to Cold Picnic. In the market for something practical and no-fuss for a guest bathroom? Brooklinen and The Company Store are go-tos for sensible, handsome options. In the middle ground you can find everything from grandiose to modest at retailers like Amazon and Nordstrom, or West Elm and Anthropologie.
How often should I replace my bath mat?
According to our friends at Parachute: “If you use it daily, you should replace your bath mat once a year or so.” That said, if you’re consistently washing and caring for your mat, you may be able to keep it even longer (especially if it’s a mat in a guest room or room that’s used less).
How do I care for my bath mat?
Think of these like clothing—different styles require specific care instructions. While some bathroom mats, like Brooklinen’s, can easily be thrown into the wash with your other towels, others should be washed in their own cycle (usually styles which feature non-slip backing). More dust-prone fabrics like high-pile options may require low maintenance up-keep like a brush or a quick vacuum between washes. We recommend referencing the care instructions that can typically be found on the packaging or the website product page.
