I remember being embarrassed about never realizing how useful bathroom rugs could be. I mean, who needs a little fabric on the floor when you have great tile?! Well, as it turned out, six o’clock in the morning, massive with baby number two, and stepping out of the shower on to ice-cold ceramic had a lot to say about that particular viewpoint.
It was about three months ago that I was huge, running late (Amara had decided she wanted to wear her breakfast), and I had to rush through my shower. As soon as I stepped out of the shower and almost slipped on the wet tiles to get away fast; that moment of pure fear – trying to grab onto anything to stop myself from falling while being seven months pregnant – made me realize I had been stupid about bathroom safety and comfort. That afternoon, while Amara was napping, I spent hours shopping for rugs, like my life depended on it.
But finding bathroom rugs when you have a toddler who believes the bathroom is her own private splashing area? That’s a whole other ball game. You have to find rugs that will withstand not only regular bathroom moisture, but also the mess that a three-year old creates when they’re learning not to splash water outside of the bathtub. And there are the numerous dropped toys, spills of bubble bath, and the occasional spill when someone gets over excited using the “big” toilet.
My first purchase was this beautiful gray soft cotton rug from Dunelm it looked fantastic, felt wonderful under foot, and before I knew it, it smelled like a damp towel. It turns out that cotton does not enjoy humid areas, especially when you are continually cleaning up mud foot prints and unknown sticky spots. Oh well.
The size of rugs also surprised me. I purchased this teeny weeny mat, thinking that it would work fine, but it barely covered the space where you step out of the shower. Useless when you are trying to wrap yourself in a towel while watching a toddler climb into the still-wet tub. I now purchase larger rugs typically around 60×90 cm as you need to cover the entire area you stand on in a bathroom.
When you are washing the rugs regularly (at least every other day), the material of the rug is crucial. Cotton/poly blends that dry quickly, but are still soft, have worked wonderfully for me. I recently purchased a bamboo rug from Next it has natural anti-microbial properties, and it actually dries after each wash. A bit more expensive, but it has survived months without developing that musty smell that many rugs eventually develop.
Memory foam rugs seem appealing and lord knows my back could use the extra cushioning right now but make sure the memory foam rug has a waterproof backing. I learned this from a mom on Instagram who developed mold under her memory foam rug because the water did not evaporate.
Color wise, I used to stick with beiges and whites it is boring and it shows every single stain. I took a chance with this beautiful dark blue rug that didn’t match anything in my bathroom and it changed the entire space. It made it feel like I was finally using my bathroom intentionally and not like a standard issue rental property special. Sometimes, one bold choice is all you need to turn a room into your own.
As for placement, I thought it was obvious but I’ve made mistakes. You want to place one right by the shower where you step out it is a necessity. Another near the sink, where you are standing and brushing teeth, etc. I placed a small one near the toilet but gave up because keeping it clean with a toddler that is still learning to use the potty is simply ridiculous. Some battles aren’t worth fighting.
I was completely unprepared for the amount of laundry that came with bathroom rugs. When you are constantly washing your rugs due to moisture and accidents from your children, you want rugs that can withstand machine washing multiple times and still remain in tact. I now read the care labels on all of my rugs and if they require hand washing or some sort of special treatment, I immediately rule them out. I am already overwhelmed with the amount of laundry I do and I certainly don’t have time to be worrying about delicate wash cycles.
One of the smartest purchases I made was purchasing two rugs that were the same, so I can rotate them. I always have a clean, dry rug available to replace the one that is in the wash. It may seem like a small convenience, but it helps reduce the stress of managing everything. And when you are extremely pregnant and your back is killing you, stepping onto a soft, clean rug instead of a cold, hard tile is a nice luxury.
I was surprised by how much the texture of the rugs mattered. The thick, plush rugs feel great but they are also a trip hazard. Especially when you are holding a squirming toddler or are pregnant and off balance. Lower pile rugs are safer and easier to clean but they don’t feel as luxurious under foot.
Once Amara began using the bathroom independently, safety became my top priority. Non-slip backing is absolutely necessary. You don’t want a rug slipping and sliding when small children are running around wet. I have stuck with rugs that have a rubber backing or have added the grip pads to the bottom of my older rugs that were beginning to slide.
In terms of budget, you don’t necessarily have to break the bank but you can’t skimp either. If you buy the cheapest rugs, they fall apart quickly and/or they begin to smell bad after several washes. Then you are back to where you started. I have found that the sweet spot is somewhere between $25-$40 for a good-sized rug that will truly hold up to family life.
The beauty of bathroom rugs is they are one of those small changes that can make a huge difference in how a space feels. We went from a cold and unwelcoming bathroom to one that is enjoyable to use. The soft rugs make those early morning rush hour routines a little less painful, and there is something to be said for the softness of the rugs on your feet during those long soaks that are becoming increasingly difficult with this bump.
With baby #2 on the way, I’m already considering ways to make the bathroom safer and more comfortable for those late night feedings and diaper changes. Good rugs that won’t slip, easy to wash, soft enough to give tired feet a break but durable enough to endure whatever family life throws at them. It’s funny how much thought goes into what you put on the floor of your bathroom, but when you get it right, it makes a real difference in making daily life just a little bit better.
