Floor Mats Selection, Positioning, and Care Tips

Like most home accessories, floor mats have multiple benefits. Floor mats enhance the aesthetics of your living space by amplifying the decor. They keep the home free from dirt and debris that stick to the soles of our shoes, especially in the case of entrance floor mats. And they also offer some grip to the feet, decreasing the risk of a fall, especially on tiled floor surfaces. Not sure where to get home accessories? Our homeware webshop reviews can serve as a guide.

Floor mats come in various sizes, models, types, brands, and budgets. So if you are looking at getting one, you have plenty to choose from. Choosing the perfect floor mat for your home can pose a challenge, but there are factors to consider in your selection.

This article will explore the following:

1. Factors to Consider in Selecting the Perfect Floor Mat

i. Materials

ii. Durability

iii. Style and Decor

iv. Sizes

v. Budget

2. Positioning

— Entrance

— Kitchen/Hallways

— Room

3. How to Care for Your Floor Mat

Here are the factors to Consider in Selecting the Perfect Floor Mat

Materials

Floor mats are made of several materials, and your selection depends on the comfort you want, weather (except if you are going for an all-weather mat), instalment site, and the expected traffic.

Some of the common materials floor mats are made of include:

i. Acrylic

Acrylic floor mats are hard-wearing, which means that they are very durable. They may not offer the same comfort as wool mats, but you can rest assured that they won't be shedding soon. They are also easy to maintain and clean.

ii. Wool

Wool has a soft feel. Most people who go for wool do so for this reason. Despite its softness, it is amongst the most durable mat materials. Its heat-resistant quality makes it a go-to choice for fireplaces.

iii. Viscose

Usually, viscose is not a standalone material for a floor mat. It is often combined with wool to give a high-quality appearance. It is not as durable as acrylic and is best in areas with minimal traffic.

iv. Sisal

Sisal is a very hard-wearing material. If you are going for something comfy, perhaps this is not the best. Sisal has a coarse feel and is ideal for high-traffic areas. It is tougher than jute. As tough as sisal is, wet cleaning can stain and ruin it. Cleaning them demands special cleaning tools.

v. Rubber

Rubber is the perfect outdoor floor mat. It is tough, durable, and can stand adverse weather conditions like rain and snow. Rubber floor mats are often the best choice as entrance mats. A combination of rubber and foam can also serve as a heated floor mat.

Durability

Durability is a factor that ensures you get the best value for your money. Most people buy floor mats as a long-term investment, especially when they intend to live in a particular place for a long time. Floor mats made of hard-wearing materials last longer.

Understanding the strengths of the materials listed above will guide you to purchasing the floor mat that will suit your needs. For instance, jute and sisal are both durable materials. But sisal can handle heavier traffic. Using jute in high-traffic areas like hallways or kitchens can lower its durability.

Style

When you think of floors as horizontal walls, you realise that they play a vital role in your room's decor. Furniture may occupy a sizable portion of its space, but the free space should not be bare. Thankfully, floor mats come in various colours, so you can choose floor mats to complement your interior decor.

Style goes beyond colour; the design is also crucial. There are plain and patterned floor mats. You can also have your floor mat designed with welcome messages for an increased fee. Although the colour is usually a decision of style, black or grey floor mats mask stains better.

Size

You don't want a large floor mat that is too big to fit into the designated site. But getting an oversized mat is not the only danger. A floor mat that's too small can look awkward, and one that covers every inch of the room can feel stuffy. Choosing the right size is a matter of style too. Here are tips to help:

For your dining place, the mat should be large enough for your dining place to accommodate the table and all the chairs. In your living room, you should try a small mat at the centre that can conveniently take the coffee table, and if the mat is for your bedroom, then placing two runners on either side of your bed will be right.

Budget

The primary purpose of all floor mats is to decorate and protect the floor, but as the preceding paragraphs have shown, they are not all equal. Depending on the design, material, and size, the price for floor mats varies.

Price can be a constraint, but it's usually best to consider it last. Once you have identified what you want, you can check out online shops in the UK for the best market prices.

2. Positioning

The position of a floor mat is a crucial factor to consider. Entrance mats differ in texture and size from those in the rooms.

Entrance Mats

The entrance mat is the first thing you step on before getting into your living room. They are super absorbent floor mats made of rubber (like in link design mats) or other thick fabrics to absorb moisture, remove dirt, and increase grip on the ground. For entryways, try a long, narrow mat to ensure that anybody coming in takes at least two steps on it.

Living Room/Bedroom Mats

Mats in the living room, bedroom, or even reading room are primarily for decoration and comfort. If you want to buy a mat for your room or a floor piano mat, you should consider cotton or wool mats because of their soft and warm feel. You can also try thick and sturdy interlocking baby floor mats around your toddler's playground.

Bathroom Mats

Are you looking to get a mat for your bathroom? Stepping onto the floor with wet feet is dangerous if you have tiled floors. A hot tub floor mat that absorbs moisture will provide traction and prevent you from slipping.

Gym Floor Mats

Interlocking rubber floor mats are perfect for home gyms. They are thick and sturdy. They are floor protection mats that provide a cushion for your floor against the weight of heavy barbells.

Hallway/Kitchen Floor Mats

These locations usually get high foot traffic in the house, so kitchen floor mats are ideally durable and hard-wearing mats like sisal and acrylic. Another great choice is polypropylene. These floor mats pack durability with a considerable degree of comfort. So it's indoorsy yet tough enough to withstand traffic.

3. How to Care for A Floor Mat

Dirt can build up in floor mats after a while. Cleaning them gives them a sheen and increases their lifespan. Cleaning is of different degrees.

— Wet and dry vacuuming is the most common procedure, and it suffices in areas with low foot traffic. However, wet vacuuming can harm some materials like sisal.

— You can also spray the floor mats. Rubber mats on entryways can make good housing.

— For mats in the kitchen or other locations that may be difficult to remove regularly, a simple mop and wipe could do the job.

Of course, all these procedures depend on the type of materials and foot traffic. It would also help to check the manufacturer's instructions for guidelines as to what floor mat cleaners to use. Deep cleaning should only come periodically.

Floor mats have many benefits. They add warmth and style to your home and also offer friction on smooth surfaces to prevent you from falling. On BritainReviews, you can access customer reviews of stores selling floor mats or home accessories.