The IKEA Bathmat That Interior Designers Are Begging You To Stop Buying

Bathmats have come a long way since grandma's crocheted rugs that matched the loopy toilet seat cover, the crocheted toilet roll holder, and the toilet foot mat. Do you remember those? Goodbye crochet, and hello soft, fluffy landings for soggy feet fresh from the shower. After all, a plush rug is touted as a way to make your tired bathroom look more luxe. That's what IKEA's ALMTJÄRN Bath Mat is all about, and yet according to designer and Instagrammer style_my_home_decor, the IKEA mat is simply too bulky to be practical for everyday use. They recommend avoiding it completely.

Let's take a closer look. The ALMTJÄRN Bath Mat is a soft bathroom mat with extra thick pile that your feet sink deeply into. It comes in three colors: gray-turquoise, white, and beige — shades that can fit in with most color schemes and styles. It even ticks the sustainability box as it's made from recycled polyester. Slightly larger than the average mat, it will take up a 24x35 inch rectangle of space on your bathroom floor.

The backing is made from a 50/50 blend of natural materials and synthetic latex, which means no slipping and all the potential for injury that comes with bathroom falls. According to the product info, you can shove it in the washing machine when it's dirty. It's even tumble dryer-friendly. All in all, this sounds like a bathroom mat to put at the top of the list when the time comes to buy a new one, so let's look at why some interior designers argue it's the worst bathmat at IKEA.

It seems the designer was right. Some folks who've bought the mat and used it over time agree that it doesn't fold easily to go into the washing machine, making it hard to get clean. Others mention that it doesn't wash well, but rather hangs onto dirt, which makes it look shabby and old really quickly.

Once it's wet, it becomes so waterlogged that handling it is nearly impossible. It also throws the machine off-balance and prevents it from spinning. While the plushness makes it cozy for your feet, it can make the mat hard to dry because of the thick fibers. One customer complained that it gets so soggy that it takes three days to dry. This is not ideal for a bathroom situation, as ongoing damp is a recipe for mold and mildew growth.

After reading all that, you might want to think twice before putting a rug in your bathroom. However, it's worth noting that for every person who hates on the mat, there are at least two others who absolutely love it. After all, it has a high customer rating of 4.6 stars. So if you have a bathroom that tends to hang onto moisture, this may not be the mat for you. However, there's nothing stopping you from using it in other parts of your home. Your feet work hard, why not give them the luxury of a super soft mat that won't slip?

For those who don't get on with deep pile bathmats, the style_my_home_decor designer recommends replacing all your bathroom mats with toweling mats instead. Toweling mats are great for a high-traffic bathroom, as they are not only highly absorbent, but can be thrown in the wash often. As they consist of fewer layers, they're thinner than regular mats, and dry fast. IKEA's Alstern Bath Mat is a soft, quick drying alternative that comes in bright blue, dark gray, golden-yellow, and white. Priced at an affordable $8 each, it doesn't matter if you need to replace it every so often.

Another type of bathmat trend that has emerged in recent years is the stone bathmat, which seems to have found favor with luxury brands, social media influencers, and a ton of regular folks who are over-mopping the bathroom floor. If you're a fluffy mat person, this will fit into the "don't knock it until you've tried it" category! 

Typically made from diatomaceous earth, these stone slabs have an exceptionally high absorbency and drying rate. Some may find it hard to switch from something soft and comforting to a stone, but these are a lifesaver in a damp bathroom with high usage. If you're looking for a solution that you can make yourself, why not try to DIY a stone tile bathmat that's easy to clean? Pick absorbent tiles for high functionality, or tiles that tie in with your decor.