So here’s something embarrassing – I used to think bathroom rugs were basically pointless. Like, who needs a bit of fabric on the floor when you’ve got perfectly good tiles? Yeah, well, turns out pregnant me stepping out of the shower at 6am onto freezing cold ceramic had some very strong opinions about that particular stance.
It was about three months ago, I was massive and already running late because Amara had decided breakfast needed to be worn rather than eaten, and I rushed through my shower only to nearly slip on the wet tiles trying to get out quickly. That moment of terror – grabbing for anything to stop myself falling while seven months pregnant – made me realise I’d been an absolute idiot about bathroom safety and comfort. That afternoon, while Amara was having her nap, I was online ordering rugs like my life depended on it.
But choosing bathroom rugs when you’ve got a toddler who thinks the bathroom is her personal splash zone? That’s a whole different challenge. Everything needs to survive not just normal bathroom moisture, but also the chaos that comes with a three-year-old who hasn’t quite mastered the concept of keeping water inside the bath. Plus there’s all the dropped toys, spilled bubble bath, and the occasional accident when someone gets too excited about using the big toilet.
My first attempt was this lovely soft grey cotton rug from Dunelm – looked gorgeous, felt amazing underfoot, and within a week it permanently smelled like damp towels. Turns out cotton and high-moisture environments don’t play nicely together, especially when you’re constantly washing muddy footprints and mysterious sticky patches out of it. Live and learn, I suppose.
The size thing caught me off guard too. I’d bought this dinky little mat thinking it would do the job, but it barely covered the space where you step out of the shower. Useless when you’re trying to do that awkward towel-wrapping thing while keeping one eye on a toddler who’s trying to climb into the still-wet bathtub. Now I go for bigger rugs – usually around 60x90cm – because you need proper coverage for all the places you actually stand in a bathroom.
Material choice becomes really important when you’re washing these things twice a week minimum. I’ve had the best luck with cotton-poly blends that dry quickly but still feel soft. There’s this bamboo one I got from Next that’s been brilliant – naturally antimicrobial which is perfect when you’re dealing with bathroom germs, and it actually dries properly between washes. Cost a bit more but it’s lasted months without getting that horrible musty smell that some rugs develop.
The memory foam ones look tempting – and god knows my back could use the extra cushioning right now – but make sure they’ve got proper waterproof backing. I learned this from a mum on Instagram who ended up with mould growing underneath hers because moisture got trapped. Not exactly the luxurious bathroom experience you’re going for.
Colour-wise, I used to play it safe with beiges and whites, but honestly? That’s boring and shows every mark. I took a risk with this gorgeous deep navy rug that didn’t match anything else in our bathroom, and it completely transformed the space. Made it feel more intentional, less like the basic rental property special it used to be. Sometimes one bold choice is all you need to make a room feel like yours.
The placement seems obvious but I’ve definitely made mistakes. You want one right where you step out of the shower – non-negotiable. Another by the sink where you’re standing doing teeth, hair, all that morning routine stuff. I tried putting a small one by the toilet but gave up because keeping it clean with a potty-training toddler was just… no. Some battles aren’t worth fighting.
Washing logistics are something nobody warns you about. You need rugs that can handle frequent machine washing without falling apart or losing their shape. I always check the care labels now – anything that needs special treatment is automatically ruled out because I barely have time to keep up with normal laundry, let alone faffing about with delicate wash cycles.
Best decision I made was buying two identical rugs so I can rotate them. One in use, one in the wash, always have a clean dry one ready. It’s one of those small things that makes life easier when you’re juggling everything else. Plus when you’re heavily pregnant and your back hurts constantly, stepping onto a soft clean rug instead of hard cold tiles feels like a tiny luxury.
The texture thing matters more than I expected. Those super thick plush rugs feel amazing but they’re tripping hazards, especially when you’re carrying a squirmy toddler or moving carefully because you’re off-balance from pregnancy. Lower pile is safer and easier to clean, even if it’s not quite as indulgent under your feet.
Safety became my priority once Amara started using the bathroom independently. Non-slip backing is essential – the last thing you need is a rug sliding around when small people are running about wet. I’ve stuck to rugs with rubber backing or added those grip pads underneath older ones that were starting to move around.
Budget-wise, I’ve found you don’t need to spend a fortune but the really cheap ones are false economy. They fall apart quickly or start smelling after a few washes, then you’re back to square one. The sweet spot seems to be around £25-40 for a decent sized rug that’ll actually last and handle family life.
The thing about bathroom rugs is they’re one of those small changes that makes a disproportionate difference to how a space feels. Our bathroom went from feeling cold and unwelcoming to actually pleasant to use. Makes those early morning routine rushes slightly more bearable, and there’s something comforting about soft fabric under your feet when you’re having one of those long soaks that are getting harder to manage with this bump.
Now with baby number two coming, I’m already thinking about how to make the bathroom even safer and more comfortable for those middle-of-the-night feeds and changes. Good rugs that won’t slip, easy to wash, soft enough to cushion tired feet but practical enough to handle whatever family life throws at them. It’s amazing how much thought goes into something as simple as what you put on the bathroom floor, but when you get it right, it genuinely makes everyday life just a bit better.
