Researchers estimate that around 80% of falls that happen in the home occur in the bathroom. This makes a bath mat not only a great bit of kit that adds style and a sense of luxury or character to your bathroom, but also a massive plus in the safety department! They also come in a variety of colours, whether you want a simple black or white mat, or a fun pink one.
Do you need a large bathtub mat or a small toilet mat set? If you're asking these kinds of questions, fear not, because our handy buying guide and recommendations are here with all the information you need. Plus, all of our picks are available from trusted sites like Amazon, Argos and ASDA. Moreover, we have partnered with interior designer Belen Dakak for reviewing and fact-checking the article to deliver you the best information.
Quick List - Top Bath Mats
Lifewit
Comforting, Soft and Highly Absorbent, Designed to Fit In Almost Any Bathroom
Orla Kiely
A Top-Quality, Absorbent Mat Made From High GSM Cotton in a Nifty Reversible Design
Blumtal
A Comfy Mat Featuring a Slip-Resistant Back Layer Available in a Variety of Colours
A recommendation service that carefully researches each product and consults with experts across many disciplines. We are constantly creating new content to provide the best shopping experience from choosing ‘cosmetics’ to ‘food and drink’, ‘home appliances’ to ‘kids and baby’ products, reaching users all across the United Kingdom.
Belen is an interior designer (residential and retail design), having worked for top retail brands including Estee Lauder, Seasalt and John Lewis, as well as working with private clients on residential projects and RoomLab, an online interior design platform.
Belen is also a landscape garden designer with an RHS Level 2 in Principles and Practical Horticulture.
The most common natural fabric used when making bath mats is cotton. This is extremely popular due to the fact that it has an impressive absorption capacity and a cosy, gentle feel underfoot. Cotton is easy to care for because you can throw it in the laundry and spot clean it as necessary.
On the downside, most cotton mats need to be fastidiously hung up, and in a well-ventilated position, as they retain excess water for longer periods. Plus, they require washing more frequently, because as they hold water, they can easily develop stale or damp odours and host
If you enjoy taking a bath to wind down after a long day, these bathtub trays will be a game changer.
On the other hand, these materials do tend to absorb less water, so you're likelier to find yourself with little puddles around your mat. Thinner varieties typically aren't as pleasant as cotton to sink your toes into post-bath or shower, so go for thicker chenille for a more luxurious feel.
Wooden bath mats, sometimes affectionately called duckboards, are quite a quirky option but can look very stylish. These are extremely quick to dry due to bamboo's natural water resistance and they’ll also never need washing, just wiping clean with an antimicrobial solution. (Some bamboo mats can go in the wash if they are bamboo fabric.)
The downside is that they aren't as cosy as fabrics during winter, and can remain somewhat slippery after use. Therefore, they may be best avoided if you have people in the house who are unsure on their feet, such as young children or elderly family members who are prone to falling.
To match your new bamboo mat, check out our favourite plants for the bathroom to give your space an even more earthy vibe.
If you want a non-slip bath mat, look for one that incorporates an undercoated layer. TPR, latex or PVC all provide a sturdy grip that protects from slips, falls and general bunching. They are certainly the better choice if you're buying for a home with young children or older bathers, but we think they're still worth considering for everyone else too!
It isn't the end of the world if you're very taken with a bath mat that doesn't come with a non-slip feature. There are additional products that can be bought, at a further cost, that you place under your preferred bath mat to keep them sturdy.
If the rubber backing of your mat is cracked or peeling, it's time to get a new mat. You don't want to wash a mat with a peeled back because the rubber can break off and clog or damage the washer.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Lifewit Chenille Bath Mat | ![]() | Comforting, Soft and Highly Absorbent, Designed to Fit In Almost Any Bathroom | |
2 | iDesign Bamboo Floor Mat | ![]() | A Natural, Eco-Friendly Bamboo Mat, Perfect for Compact Bathrooms | |
3 | Orla Kiely Trio Stem Bath Mat|Dune Yellow | ![]() | A Top-Quality, Absorbent Mat Made From High GSM Cotton in a Nifty Reversible Design | |
4 | Blumtal Super Soft Bath Mat | ![]() | A Comfy Mat Featuring a Slip-Resistant Back Layer Available in a Variety of Colours | |
5 | John Lewis & Partners Giraffes Terry Cotton Bath Mat | ![]() | A Top-Quality Cotton Mat With a Cute, Unique Turtle Design to Brighten Up Your Bathroom | |
6 | Astory Water Absorbent Bath Mats | ![]() | A Pink, Shaggy Rug That Features Anti-odour and Non-slip Qualities | |
7 | George Home White Marble Effect Non Slip Back Bath Mat | ![]() | Thick and Soft Bath Mat With a Marble-Effect Design and Non-Slip Backing | |
8 | Argos Home Duck Board | ![]() | A Simple and Sturdy Bamboo Duckboard for Small Bathrooms |
This mat snatches our top spot based on the fact that it ticks pretty much all the boxes. It's very comforting and soft, and also true that it wouldn't look out of place in any bathroom. As well as a goes-with-everything black, there's also a grey option.
Plus, it's highly absorbent due to the thick yarns of chenille and it has a PVC back layer that prevents the mat from shifting or skidding. It might not be the fashion statement of the room, but it's never going to let you down. Just ask the Amazon reviewers who have given this 4.6 out of 5 after over 1500 reviews!
This water-repellent bamboo mat is ideal for those that have a smaller bathroom due to its compact dimensions. We think that the natural look would look lovely in neutral or industrial style bathrooms due to its ability to create a juxtaposition, instantly making the room look interesting and alluring.
Many reviewers are more than happy to sing the praises of this product, with one even stating they'd bought another after their old one finally fell apart after ten years of use. Plus, due to its use of sustainable bamboo, it's likely the production of this mat is much kinder to the environment than other options.
This stunning design is from the Queen of prints herself, Orla Kiely. Kiely cut her teeth in the fashion world crafting hats and handbags, but it's when she started to produce homewares that she began to take off. It's easy to see why with this mat, which is made from top-quality, absorbent, high gsm cotton.
These patterns are the hallmark of the designer, simple and striking, yet they maintain a certain level of playfulness. We think both sides of the reversible design work tremendously well and would be wonderful in almost any home.
This mat comes in a variety of different, yet equally appealing colours, so you're almost guaranteed that one will look at home in your bathroom. This floor covering is sure to soothe and comfort your bare feet, which is likely to be a small yet significant step in helping you start the day well.
Furthermore, the mat has a separate 100% latex back layer which makes it extremely slip-resistant. One peculiar point is that the company seem to send this packaged folded over, which many reviewers claim to be trouble as they're unable to work this crease out once it has arrived.
As with many home textiles from John Lewis & Partners, this is crafted using cotton in line with the BCI. Additionally, owners of this mat applaud the quality, saying that it is maintained wash after wash.
Again, the company have failed to provide any non-slip qualities which we think is a real shame. And, while the super cute turtle design will no doubt appeal to families, this lack of safety and security doesn't make it too child-friendly.
The material of this shaggy bath rug is not only super thick and comfortable, but also has other properties which should stop the mat from forming any nasty odours. Also, the back is sprayed with a layer of latex that will prevent it from slipping.
Our dispute, which a few reviewers will attest to, is that it doesn't have the best absorption due to the material used. However, if it's only for a single household or couple and not a large family, we imagine that it should hold up just fine.
This bath mat is sure to feel glorious after you step out of the shower, even on chilly mornings. Its unique, white marble-effect design oozes a sense of luxury. With a non-slip backing, you can step onto it with confidence, without worrying about it slipping and sliding.
Coming in the perfect size, this bath mat is also machine washable. It can also be tumble dried, so cleaning it often would be a breeze as you won't need to wait all day for it to dry completely. However, some users report that it does slightly lose its quality with repeated washing and drying.
With its unique look, you can be forgiven for thinking this is a painted palette, which at the end of the day, it kind of is. Although not soft and cosy like fabric mats, this 100% bamboo duckboard will ensure a smooth, solid and sturdy exit from the shower.
Furthermore, it has eight rubber feet attached to the bottom to secure it to your bathroom floor, ensuring that it will never slip away from under you. It is quite small compared to other products, so you might want to measure the space in your bathroom and see if it will fill it first.
Prevent bath mats from going mouldy by washing them regularly, draping them over the tub or anywhere suitable to dry in between showers, and ventilating the bathroom. All of these prevent humidity and inhibit mildew from developing, keeping the mat mould free.
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Depending on the material, most bath mats and rugs can be washed in your washing machine. If they are made of plastic or have a rubber backing, they shouldn't be exposed to heat, so this means no hot rinses. Always check the label on your bath mat to be sure it can be machine washed.
Some mats can be tumble dried on the lowest setting. However, avoid using heat when drying plastic or rubber-backed bathmats because it can cause the material to crack or even melt. To be completely sure whether your mat can go in the tumble drier, check the care instructions on the label.
Written and researched by Lewis Clark
No. 1: Lifewit|Chenille Bath Mat
No. 2: iDesign|Bamboo Floor Mat
No. 3: Orla Kiely |Trio Stem Bath Mat|Dune Yellow
No. 4: Blumtal|Super Soft Bath Mat
No. 5: John Lewis & Partners|Giraffes Terry Cotton Bath Mat
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