Geoffrey needs some advice: I'd really love to have a mat right outside my shower, but my boyfriend is highly resistant to the idea of a normal bathroom rug. I've seen some teak mats that look great (like this one), but the huge constraint we have is space — there's only 11" of clearance between the tub and the toilet. Any ideas on where I might be able to find a slimmer teak mat to fit my narrow space?
(Note: Include a pic of your problem and your question gets posted first. Email questions and pics with QUESTIONS in subject line to: newyork(at)apartmenttherapy(dot)com)
Worst case scenario...the teak placemats at Pearl River.
view I Love Upstate's profile
Get a rectangular one...
...and turn it the other direction anto go in front of your toilet.
view bepsf's profile
You haven't said why you want a mat. If it's just for you to use after a shower, put a suction cup towel rack in the shower, use the mat and then hide it. If you want to add something new to the bathroom, that's an interesting mat. Just having 11" shouldn't be a deal breaker. There are few mats that are made of something that can't be sawn or cut. If your boyfriend doesn't want a traditional mat, does he know what he wants?
view LauraE's profile
looking at the pic of that mat from LNT, i bet you could just saw off some of the width to make it maybe only 5 or 6 slats wide.
view hoboken_melanie's profile
I have 10" squares of teak from Snap Deck. They fit together as large or as small as you want. Like tiles.
view hdtex's profile
you have nice tile. so, i'd suggest not covering it up. i would just use one of those mat mats that are more like a thick towel. you can just fold them over the side of the tub & wash them. that way, you only have to set it out when you use it.
view mariegael's profile
does your boyfriend have bad aim or something?
view amt230's profile
They have those teak deck tiles at Ikea. I think they're 16"x16". I'd put a couple of rubber strips on the bottom to keep it from skidding around, but other than that I bet it would work great!
view pxlchk1's profile
ack. it does not go with your tile..
view tashar's profile
TeakWorks4U can make you a custom mat that will fit your space and the prices are pretty reasonable.
view grlwprls's profile
Because I'm also opposed to bath rugs, I like the suggestion to get something that can hang over the tub, and then be put down when someone takes a shower. Otherwise, you'll have to put your feet on the teak mat when you use the toilet--that seems awkward to me. Plus, your tiles are really nice.
view redmakesmehappy's profile
Same situation. I used a $5 bamboo placemat from CB2 http://www.cb2.com/family.aspx?c=238&f=4415. You'll need a rug pad to keep it from slipping. I love it!
view Amy@NYC's profile
The biggest downside to a teak mat in a small space is how tall it is. If you use a standard teak mat the full 11" you would have to halfway step on it to use the toilet, and the height difference would be noticeable.
I was thinking of using a placemat in my bathroom like Amy suggested, but was worried it wouldn't hold up. The link she posted to the mat is good, it just has an extra period at the end. If you wanted to go that route there are also these:
wood placemat at Crate & Barrel
bamboo placemat at Pier1
If you're worried about the rug pad showing through, you could also glue a few little rubber feet to the underside instead.
view okayperson's profile
There's also a wooden bath mat (not teak) called Hinoki at VivaTerra. CB2:s mat has weird plastic things in between the wood, Crate&Barrells is nicer. (And on sale!)
I just bought one, but can't use it in my bath, since we have porous tile that could get discoloured from the oils on the mat. Oh well, now it's in the sink-room (our bath is split), which had cold floors too :)
view Lilli K.'s profile
Thanks to everyone for the great ideas!
Given the compliments on the floor and the point about having to put one foot on a raised mat whilst using the toilet, I'm leaning toward getting something that can be put away when not in use. Some of the designs linked to above look really good.
Thanks again,
Geoff
view shocksternyc's profile