Bath Mat Buying Guide

Choosing a bath mat involves navigating an array of material, size, texture, and style options, and understanding the difference between bath rugs versus bath mats. Bathroom rugs serve as decorative accents, but bath mats are functional first: Their job is to soak up spills and prevent you from slipping on wet tile floors. While style is a consideration, there are additional priorities to consider while shopping for a bath mat. Explore our Bath Mat Buying Guide to learn how to choose this essential bathroom piece. 

Choosing the Best Material for Bath Mats

While you may see mats made of teak or bamboo, and even trendy options made of stone, we think classic cotton bath mats are the best choice for the bathroom. Natural cotton earns top marks when it comes to the three key characteristics of high-quality bath mats: 

  •  Absorbent 
  • Quick Drying 
  • Durable 
image of feet on a grayish blue bath mat

Our premium bath mats are made from pure cotton, including long-staple Turkish cotton, or eco-friendly Micro Cotton®, so they easily absorb splashes and spills, dry quickly to prevent mold and mildew, and are durable enough to withstand frequent laundering. Some bath mats include non-slip backing, but many do not; if your floors are especially slippery, look for a bath mat with non-slip features built-in or add a rug pad beneath. 

Bath Mats and GSM

Another factor to consider when choosing a bath mat is the weight, measured in GSM (grams per square meter). This characteristic is just as important when selecting a bath mat as it is when choosing towels: The higher the GSM, the more absorbent a mat will be; the lower the GSM, the more quickly it will dry. The exception? Our eco-friendly Green Earth® bath mats are made from a special Micro Cotton® material that’s designed to be lightweight but still super absorbent. 

Bath Mat Texture

Cotton bath mats can be made from loosely looped terry or feature a more textured, densely woven surface. Which is best is a matter of personal preference. 

Image of a gray bath mat

Cotton Terry Bath Mats 

  • Terry loops offer excellent absorption 
  • Thicker mats feel soft and plush underfoot 
  • Dobby striping or embroidered accents add interest 
Image of a neutral textured bath mat

Woven Textured Bath Mats 

  • Densely woven, tightly looped surface  
  • Exceptionally absorbent  
  • Feels soft underfoot 
  • May take longer to dry 

Bath Mat Size Guide

Bath mats are available in assorted dimensions to accommodate various footprints and needs. Consider the available space and your bathroom layout to choose the right bath mat for you. The most common sizes are: 

Size Dimensions Ideal For
Small 17 x. 24 in. Compact shower stalls or small bathrooms with a toilet or sink directly next to the tub
Standard 20 x 30 in.
20 x 36 in. 		Traditional bathrooms with alcove tubs or small walk-in showers
Large 24 x 40 in.
30 x 50 in. 		Large bathrooms with freestanding tubs, full-size walk-in showers, or expansive floor space

How to Style a Bath Mat

Because of their practical nature, bath mats come in a significantly smaller range of colors and patterns than bathroom rugs. Add extra style by choosing a solid-color mat with embroidered accents or a textured surface, then mix and match with other more aesthetic bath linens to create the look you desire. Choose a decorative bath rug in front of your sink or vanity, then place a coordinating bath mat beside your shower or tub.  

A bath mat may be functional, but that doesn’t mean you can’t use yours to pull a little extra color into your space. Follow these quick suggestions to select the right material, size, and style bath mat for your main or guest bathrooms. Then, find more buying tips, expert advice, and on-trend inspiration for your bathroom, bedroom, and home in our Guides.