Bath Mats Explained: How to Choose the Right One for Your Bathroom

A bath mat does more work than almost anything else in the bathroom. It catches water every single day, it sits where people are most likely to slip, and it is one of the first things you see when you walk in. Here is how to choose the right one — and where each type works best.

Bath mat or shower mat?

These are two different products for two different jobs:

• A bath mat sits on the floor outside the tub or shower. Its job is to catch water as you step out and give you somewhere dry and steady to stand.
• A shower mat sits inside the tub or shower, usually held by suction cups. Its job is grip on a wet, slippery base.

Many bathrooms benefit from both.

Quick-dry mats

If you are tired of a damp, heavy mat that never quite dries, a quick-dry mat is worth a look. The Quick-Dry Bathroom Mat is made from diatomaceous earth, a natural, porous material that absorbs water rapidly and dries fast. It has a firm, non-slip grip and a gentle feel underfoot, and it helps stop wet footprints from trailing through the house.

Quick-dry mats suit busy family bathrooms and homes where several people shower back to back.

Choosing the right size

Measure the open floor space before you order. A mat that touches the toilet base or the vanity kick tends not to lie flat. The Coastal Non-Slip Bath Mat comes in four sizes, which is a useful guide for any mat:

• 16" × 24": a compact guest bathroom, or the spot in front of the basin
• 20" × 32": the typical tub-side spot, with room for both feet and a turn
• 24" × 35": a wider shower opening, or kids who step out quickly
• The largest size: a full walk-in shower or a bigger bathroom floor

Its wave pattern scales with the size, so a small mat shows a tight ripple and the largest stretches across the floor.

Grip inside the shower

For the shower floor, the Secure Shower Mat holds on with suction cups. Two tips make all the difference:

• Measure the flat base of your shower or tub, not the outer edge. The mat comes in 15" × 28" for standard stalls and smaller tubs, and 17" × 30" for full-size bathtubs. If in doubt, go slightly smaller — a mat that curls up the side wall won't grip along that edge.
• Check your surface. Suction cups grip well on smooth acrylic and fibreglass bases. They won't hold on textured or anti-slip moulded floors.

Something with personality

A bath mat is also an easy place to add a little humour. The Get Naked Bathroom Mat comes in six styles, from a subtle, warm-toned version that reads as a design choice to bold, high-contrast lettering that makes a great housewarming gift.

Looking after your mat

Shake fabric mats out regularly and wash them following the care label. Let quick-dry mats air between uses and keep them flat. Replace any mat whose backing has started to wear — that is what keeps it from sliding.

Explore everything for the room in our Bathroom collection.