Forget a Basic Bathmat—I Found a Chic Substitute in This London Bathroom

It opens up so many design possibilities.
Samantha Weiss-Hills Avatar
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When writer Olivia Lidbury, our regular contributor from across the pond, covered a recent London home tour, I was initially drawn in by the cozy kitchen, the floating tables and shelving, and the deft mix of traditional and modern. But there was another aspect, small and seemingly inconsequential, that I couldn’t stop thinking about. 

On the topic of the one of the bathrooms, the designer of the house, Rachael Gowdridge, divulges two things: that the tub used to be a planter in the garden and that she chose a washable rug over a bath mat. That’s right, no bath mat. “It was about making it appealing and softening up the rest of the bathroom with artwork and textures,” Gowdridge shared. “In my search I found a company called Lorena Canals that makes washable rugs. So rather than just having a bathmat, I bought this Berber-style rug to lend coziness to the space underfoot.”

Lorena Canals Washable Berber Rug

Lorena Canals

Wool Area Rug Berber Soul

$199 $159
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It wasn’t an earth-shattering revelation, but it was a “why didn’t I think of that” moment. The market for washable rugs has ballooned in the past several years, with brands like Ruggable, Rugs.com, Revival, Loloi, and Rugs USA regularly debuting new designs. But designer Lorena Canals pioneered the category nearly three decades ago with its washable kids’ rug. Her brand’s are quite a bit cushier than the rest of the bunch, and while a large number of the products feel better suited to a playroom (and whew, are they cute!) selections for the rest of the house are quite sophisticated. Enough for a beautifully-appointed bathroom.

Several styles feel like they could stand in for bath mats which, let’s face it, get ratty after so many uses and wash cycles. Instead of replacing yours every year, why not invest in a washable rug that’s handcrafted with natural fibers? Stepping out of the shower will feel that much more luxe.

More Lorena Canals Washable Rugs

A note on care: the site offers all the guidance you need, including wash temperatures, detergent recommendations, and drying options for both cotton and wool rugs. There’s also advice on washing machine capacity for different sizes. Here are six styles that are particularly suited to post-bath.

Lorena Canals

Wool Oval Rug Karibu

$425 $298
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Lorena Canals

Washable Cotton Rug Monstera Olive

$239 $203
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Lorena Canals

Washable Area Rug Cuisine Blue Sage

$129
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Lorena Canals

Reversible Washable Rug Twin Amber

$159 $135
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Lorena Canals

Wool Area Rug Steppe Brown

$249
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Lorena Canals

Wool Rug Wooly Sheep White

$169
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Samantha Weiss-Hills Avatar

Samantha Weiss-Hills

Managing Editor, Home & Shopping

Samantha Weiss-Hills is the managing editor of home and shopping for Domino. She edits and writes home tours, shopping guides, and features, and she’s the friend who everyone texts for glassware, sofa, and sheet recommendations. She lives in Brooklyn with her husband, Alex, and their beagle-corgi, Elsa.