I had an interview with Ana Durrani at Realtor.com about doormats this week- let's share!
Welcome Mats 101: Why Choosing One Isn’t as Easy as It Seems
By Ana Durrani
Feb 14, 2022
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A welcome mat helps keep your floors clean by absorbing dirt, debris, and moisture, keeping them from getting into your home. But of course, that’s only part of the appeal—a welcome mat can also add considerable flair to your home’s threshold.
Whether it’s a silly message or a last name emblazoned across it, a doormat serves as your unofficial welcome committee, so you’ll want to choose one that makes a good first impression. Or at least the right impression.
“A doormat does a real job,” says Spoon Popkin, owner of Damn Good Doormats.
A welcome mat may be small, but like so many other home purchases, it requires some thoughtful consideration so you can find the right one for your space and personality. Here’s the lowdown from the experts on what to know about choosing the right welcome mat.
The size should be proportional to where it’s placed
Doormats come in all shapes and sizes, so choose wisely.
The general rule is to select one that is the same width as your front door or 80% of the width of the doorway where it will be placed.
Popkin says 18-by-30 inches is the most common size, although some people opt for 24-by-60 if they have French doors.
They can work indoors and outdoors
Welcome mats are typically considered for the outside only, but they can also be used indoors. You might want to use a double-mat configuration if you live in inclement weather.
“Mats placed outdoors and indoors will protect the floors because they give two opportunities to get snow, ice, sand, dirt, etc. off your shoes,” says Sandy Pharr, owner and designer of Rug Rats, Fine Carpets, and Custom Rugs.
Experts advise keeping thick mats outdoors since they tend to slide or get stuck when the door is opened.
READ MORE from Ana over at REALTOR.com
