Professional stager Jason Saft has offered an unconventional alternative to the traditional bath mat: a wool rug. The recommendation appears in the fourth episode of Styled to Sell, where Saft stages a pre-war apartment in Brooklyn Heights.
The apartment’s oversized primary bathroom gave Saft room to create what he described as a “big, dreamy bathroom.” Instead of placing a standard bath mat beside the tub, he added a skirted swivel chair and a wool rug. He explained that stepping out of the bathtub onto a soft surface was the appeal behind the choice.
Saft said he does not use bath mats in his staging projects. In his view, a larger wool rug can make the bathroom feel more comfortable while avoiding some common bath-mat drawbacks, such as staining and bunching. Smaller wool flatweave rugs are also available in sizes similar to standard doormats, including 2-by-3-foot options, as well as smaller formats.
The approach is part of Saft’s broader aim to make bathrooms feel less sterile and more connected to the rest of the home. He also recommends adding artwork, noting that canvas pieces can withstand exposure to steam or water.
Although the spacious bathroom featured in the episode made it possible to use a sizable rug, the same idea could be adapted to smaller rooms with a compact wool design. The result is intended to provide a softer, more decorative surface when leaving the shower or tub.
Sources: Apartment Therapy.