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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
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.