Why Bath Mat Sets Are A Huge Design Mistake (And What To Do)

When it comes to elegance and charming interior décor, you may think of refined color palettes or installing appropriate mood lighting. For your bathroom, specifically, you may consider the many unique bathroom design ideas to make the area more inviting or interesting, such as color drenching or adding a custom shower curtain. The design mistake that you should totally discard, at least according to some designers, though, is matching bath mat sets. While they execute cohesion, bath sets, like many matching sets, can actually make a space look boring. This is because matching designs tend to lack depth and character, which can easily deprive the space of personality. If you want to make your bathroom feel more luxe and rich with style, you may want to steer clear of this styling option, and instead opt for a single charming runner bath mat. 

Though there isn't a design rule book that discerns what styling choices should be deemed a mistake or not, generally, matching sets can be considered one of the bathroom décor items that are severely outdated. Beyond lacking your personal style, the generic style of matching sets can do the opposite of making your home look lived in. Plus, it can also promote a mass-produced feel, which can feel rushed and lazy, since it tells your guests that you aren't interested in adding nuance or flair to a space. Adding a carefully curated runner mat instead can support a more refined element to your bathroom, since they can better express your personal style and bring luxury to the space. 

In terms of personal style, matching bath sets may give off the vibe of carelessness in your bathroom. Or, you may run the risk of tacky designs that don't actually capture the interior style of the rest of your home. To combat this, you may consider the bathroom accessory that HGTV's David Bromstad recommends you don't skimp out on: a luxurious runner bath mat. Not only does investing in a luxurious bath runner provide plush comfort likened to spa luxury, but because they often use premium materials, they can absorb water more effectively than their bath mat counterparts. 

While spending the extra coin on a premium runner mat for your bathroom can be fruitful in the long run, you don't technically have to go all out on one to get the same effect of elegance. On Instagram, content creator isabellasloft explains this perfectly using a budget-friendly $15 runner rug from Ross that doesn't skip out on style. What's more, they recommend bathroom runner rugs with expensive materials such as wool, flatweave, jute, or even rugs intended for outdoors. Flatweave and jute rugs are often found in living rooms, but they can work as stylish additions to your bathroom.