Ditch The Mess: Use This Bathroom Staple Under Your Indoor Potted Plants

Decorating with indoor plants has become an interior design necessity. We are all aware of the amazing benefits that they can bring to a space, from their bright and invigorating appearance to the improvement to air quality that they offer, but there's no denying that they can cause a bit of a mess, especially if you're guilty of being heavy handed when watering! Using a small drip tray is a go-to fix for many plant lovers, but they are not always the best option, especially if you want to display a lot of plants in a small area. Here's where a simple bathroom staple comes in to save to the day: the humble bath mat. 

There are lots of creative DIYs using bath mats for home decor, and this has to be one of our favorites. All you're going to need for this easy DIY project is a bath mat of your choice and a pair of fabric scissors or a craft knife to cut your bath mat into smaller pieces. This hack works wonders for many reasons, and is a great example of why sometimes the simplest solution is often the best one. Bath mats are designed to soak up excess water, which makes them the perfect material for sitting underneath potted plants. It will also minimize the risk of your plants slipping around thanks to the bath mats' rubber backing.

Repurposing old or unwanted items around your home is a great way of saving money and being kind to the environment, so if you happen to have an old bath mat lying around, then you may want to use it. If this isn't the case, it's an excuse to go shopping and pick up a new one. But what's the best kind of bath mat to look out for? Efficient water absorption is key, and a cotton bath mat will tick all of the boxes. Did you know that cotton will absorb up to 27 times its own weight in water? Pretty staggering, right? Another smart choice would be a microfiber mat. Try to avoid natural stone, wood, and rubber mats, as these materials will not absorb water very efficiently.

Now you've got your bath mat, it's time to cut it down into small squares. These pieces should be big enough for your potted plants to comfortably sit on and for any water leakage to be absorbed. You can definitely get creative with this, however — don't feel like you have to stick to a standard square shape. Use a craft knife to cut out more exciting shapes to suit your own style, such as floral or geometric designs. To stop the new edges from fraying on a synthetic bath mat, pop a sheet of baking paper on top of your bath mat and gently melt the edges using an iron. If you're working with a natural fiber, consider sewing a hem around the edges to prevent damage.