Doormats

What Are Doormats

Shopping for new rugs and mats to match the home decor is fun and, sometimes, challenging. While buying a doormat may seem like a trivial task, choosing the right model is not an easy decision. A doormat is often the first detail to catch the visitor’s eye, and the first impression the home makes. Moreover, a doormat is the home's first line of defence against dirt, moisture, mud and debris that will otherwise end up inside the house. 

Advantages of Using A Doormat

Doormats effectively catch debris and other abrasive materials from the shoe soles.

Quality doormats are worthy of investment, as they protect the floors. Wood, carpets and all other floor coverings can get damaged from moisture and debris. Also, having a doormat means spending less time cleaning up. 

Doormats can also look attractive and open the visual story of the house. In a typical-size entry, doormats, hallway runners, oval rugs and sheepskins make a functional yet stunning visual feature. 

Types of Doormats

Indoor Doormats

An indoor doormat is primarily an absorbent barrier, made to remove moisture from the shoe soles after the dirt has been already released. It prevents mud and water from migrating throughout the house, damaging wooden and textile flooring. Indoor doormats are typically soft and washable. 

Mudroom Doormats

Mudrooms are hard-working spaces of a home. Mudroom doormats must be sturdy and resilient, ready to put up with foot traffic, as well as shoes, backpacks, gardening or sporting gear, and other stuff. The best choice for this area is an indoor-outdoor mat with a strong pattern that can camouflage dirt and wet stains between washing. 

Outdoor Doormats

Decorating outdoors can be equally fun as indoors. Outdoor mats are an excellent way to extend the home's style to its exterior, garden or patio. Their design often reflects the same trends as the interior floor rugs, but the materials are more robust and more durable, made specifically for outdoor use. 

Outside doormat is, above all, a barrier. It should be coarse enough to properly scrap the shoes removing dirt and debris from soles. Scraper doormats work great for that purpose. Barrier style doormats function best when made from coir, a natural fibre derived from coconuts.

Doormat Materials

• Rubber may not be the most appealing choice; however, it still remains a popular doormat material for a good reason. It's durable, rigid, flexible, and waterproof. The downside of the rubber is the sensitivity to temperature extremes. Rubber doormats can quickly harden, freeze and crack after prolonged exposure to the frigid air.

• The synthetic rope appears in a variety of styles, weaves, and durability. It's mostly lightweight, soft to the touch, and flexible. Other models are made from heavy-weight polypropylene, more durable but also less flexible, mould and mildew-resistant. These mats are ideal for high traffic areas. 

• Synthetic or natural fabrics such as cotton, wool, polyester, nylon, or acrylic are easy to clean and maintain, but suitable mostly for indoor use. Natural doormats can be braided, woven, or tufted, available in a range of colours and patterns. 

• Decorative coir is versatile and suitable for all sorts of design styles. It's ideal for outdoor mats, as well as jute. Their disadvantage is that they can easily shed or break down. Also, water is not coir's best friend. 

• Cast iron metal doormats are durable but typically more decorative than functional. They come in a variety of chic designs and silhouettes, ideal for unique settings and making an impression. 

Doormats Styles

Going for a jute or coir mat means giving an advantage to the material's superior durability or sustainability and organic appearance. 

Rubber mats are also generally limited in colour and mostly come in a standard black. However, rubber doormats often include attractive borders, ranging from the simple outline to the complex scroll.

For those that also want a unique shape, the conventional rectangular designs have advanced, and the regular doormat selection now includes half-moon and even heart-shaped varieties. 

Personalised doormats are another popular option. The customisation comprises everything from the colour choices to the entire appearance, whether it's classy or funny doormats. Colour, images, and messages all can be chosen according to personal preferences. 

Things to Consider When Buying a Doormat

It's essential to choose the right size of the doormat. It should match the width of the front door and fit well with the door frame.

Doormats are typically rectangular in shape; however, circular and half-moon designs are also popular and attractive. 

Doormats come in a broad range of designs to suit all styles and decorative tastes.