Whether you’ve recently renovated your bathroom or just want to make your existing one look a little less drab, the best bath mats can add a touch of personality to even the dampest, darkest room in your home. The humble bath mat often goes unnoticed by other details like a shower curtain or a soft bath towel, but trust us, the right bath mat accessory can make a huge difference to the comfort of your bathroom. While damp, water-soaked fabrics can instantly ruin the mood after a hot shower, soft, absorbent fabrics or durable stone or wood surfaces can effectively wick away moisture, keeping you dry and providing some distance from cold tile floors.
To find the best bath mats for every type of home, our staff tested a few in our own city apartments (which are notoriously poor at breathability). Here’s our growing list of super-absorbent, beautifully designed bath mats, plus a few options we haven’t tried yet but think you might really like.
Brooklinen bath mats are durable, well-made, and will easily fit into your bathroom decor. While this mat may lack in fancy embellishments, it makes up for it in practicality. The terry cloth material, while not particularly soft, feels soft to the touch—like a heavier-weave towel. After use, it typically takes about an hour to dry. The best thing about this non-slip mat is that it’s super easy to clean—you can simply throw it in the wash with your other towels without worrying about lint or the non-slip coating washing out in the washer or dryer.
This 100% Turkish cotton bath mat feels much more expensive than its $59 price tag, thanks to its thickness and soft feel. I was a little worried that something this thick would stay damp or take too long to dry, but after a year of use, I’ve found otherwise. I love Parachute waffle towels (they’re the only ones I use!), so I’m glad their bath mats are good quality, too.
The Toucan bath mat from Cold Picnic is perhaps the most sophisticated I’ve ever owned – it can easily be hung on the wall like an unexpected piece of art. The shaggy texture feels really nice when you step on it, and the cotton material dries in under an hour. The care instructions recommend washing it separately, so it’s a little more expensive to maintain than the Brooklinen bath mat. That also means you probably won’t be able to wash it as often as the Brooklinen, so it’s definitely worth considering if you’re thinking about putting one in your bathroom.
I try not to be too dramatic in my product reviews, but ever since I came across Dorai, I will never use another bath mat again. Its understated yet elegant design blends beautifully with the bathroom tiles, and its less than two feet height allows it to be used in both large and small bathrooms. The mat’s matching backing ensures it’s slip-resistant, but if your bath mat is made of stone, don’t worry. This is one of the few products I’ve seen that does exactly what it says, absorbing water in under two minutes. Plus, it absorbs a lot of water. It doesn’t mold or hold odors at all, which is something I haven’t noticed with other bath mats. Plus, its simple design is easy to pair with any style.
“I’ve never been a fan of fabric bath mats, mostly for practical reasons. Nothing kills the vibe more than a soft surface, and the more you use it, the wetter and mustier it gets. I also don’t need a lot of personality or color in my bathroom, so I went with a Japanese wabi-sabi bath mat made from cypress wood for my current apartment. The textured surface allows moisture to drain through the cracks, and the wood dries very quickly, so you don’t have to worry about humidity. My only gripe is that since my bathroom has no windows, it gets very dusty and damp, and I have to replace the bath mat every two years or so because it turns yellow from water stains and sand gets trapped between the fine fibers of the wood. But it’s not a big deal, and it makes my bathroom feel more like a spa anyway.”
I love having greenery in every room of my apartment, but my bathroom isn’t really conducive to real greenery due to the lack of windows. This monstera bath mat brings life to my floor and is surprisingly durable for such a cute item. It hasn’t slipped or gotten too shaggy in a few months. I usually vacuum it for quick cleans, but it’s machine washable if it needs a deep clean.
While we haven’t had time to test every bath mat in the world, we did see a few from our favorite retailers. If you’re looking for a bath mat that not only looks great, but also keeps you dry and maybe even makes you smile as you sleepily prepare to start your day, here are a few recommendations to keep in mind.
Wayfair is another great retailer that offers a wide selection of both functional and stylish bath mats. This boho bath mat has earned five-star reviews from over 200 customers for its style and durability. It’s machine washable, has a non-slip latex backing for stability, and a chic design that will add personality to your bathroom.
Many of the items in West Elm’s bath mat section look like they could belong in New York City’s Museum of Modern Art (MoMA). This organic cotton bath mat features an eye-pleasing abstract pattern and comes in two color options (and we think it looks way more expensive than its sub-$40 price tag).
We love this throw from Anthropologie, which is handwoven in Ethiopia from hand-spun and hand-dyed cotton. They only get better with age, softer and more stylish. They also work great as kitchen rugs, doormats, bedside rugs… need I say more?
Company Store is another trusted retailer for high-quality bedding and bath products. For example, the Regal Bath Mat from the Legends Hotel Collection, a best-selling combed cotton material, is available in five sizes and 17 different colors and has more than 900 five-star reviews (many customers say they would buy it again).
There are three reasons to trust Tekla: quality, stripes, and terry cloth. This neutral striped fabric will fit into almost any bathroom style. It might naturally fit into the elegant simplicity of Scandinavian style, but it would be equally at home in a bathroom with a bold accent or as a finishing touch to a dull rental bathroom.
In 2021, we visited Morrow Soft Goods founder Stephanie Cleary’s Los Angeles home and found inspiration in her unique palette of desert shades. Want to achieve a similar effect? ​​Check out the brand’s ultra-absorbent Palomino bath mat.
Bonus tip: Nordstrom has a huge selection of bath mats, including brands you might not know about, like Matouk, Baina, and even a few Versace styles that are definitely worth the splurge. For a durable, affordable, quick-drying, and easy-to-clean option, we recommend this Turkish cotton bath mat from Nordstrom’s own collection.
We’re big fans of Parachute, and if you’re also inspired by the brand’s founder Ariel Kay’s Los Angeles home (which we visited in 2023), choosing a bath mat from the brand is a no-brainer. We present you with the Organic Mosaic Bath and Shower Rug, which pairs beautifully with the similar floor tiles in the bathroom.
In addition to the practical functions of bath rugs and carpets, they are also a bathroom accessory that can make an often-ignored part of your home look neater. Want to add an artistic touch to your space? Consider the Chill Picnic. Looking for something practical and simple for a guest bathroom? Brooklinen and The Company Store are top picks for practicality and beauty. You’ll find a variety of styles, from chic to understated, on Amazon, Nordstrom, or at retailers like West Elm and Anthropologie.
According to our friends at Parachute, “If you use your bath mat every day, you should replace it about once a year.” However, if you wash and care for your bath mat regularly, you can extend its life (especially if it’s in a guest room or a room that doesn’t get used very often).
Just like with clothing, different styles require different care instructions. Some bath mats, like these from Brooklinen, can be safely machine washed with other towels, but others should be washed separately (usually those with non-slip backings). Fabrics that easily collect dust, like those with a long pile, may only require simple care, like a brush or a quick vacuum between washes. We recommend that you check the care instructions, which are usually on the packaging or on the product page on our website.
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