By necessity, bathrooms are often cold and hard, shiny and sterile. One way to add contrast, character and warmth to this setting is with oriental rugs and kilims. Usually made of wool, they are naturally stain resistant and effective at repelling water. And their rich deep colors look lovely against marble and tiles.
If you are looking for a new look or want more color in your bathroom (but not interested in making more permanent changes), consider investing in a new rug or importing one from another room in your house. Here are some terrific examples of this inspired look.
Images:
FIRST ROW
1 From Martin Gomez Arquitectos via Desire to Inspire.
2 Max Rollitt bathroom.
3 Carey Dodson Design via Houzz.
4 CWB Architects via Houzz
5 Kristen Buckingham designed room via Covet Living.
SECOND ROW
6 Burnham Design via Attic Mag
7 Natalie Clayman Interior Design.
8 Houzz via Jaclyn Paige
9 Mell Lawrence Architects via Design Manifest.
10 Sheryl Crow's bathroom from Architectural Digest. The 1920s pedestal sink and black tilework are original to the house; the Persian carpet is from Safavieh.
(Images: As linked above.)
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I have one in my bathroom. I kind of over-thought it in the beginning - I didn't know if it would be weird? But I totally love it. I'm on board with all of these looks.
and vintage is best.
Outdoor rugs work great in bathrooms, too. And there are such great colors and patterns to choose from these days.
I've had oriental rugs in my bigger bath (where the shower and tub aren't used daily) for many years. I just keep a cotton shower mat over the tub to place on top of the wool rug when someone is bathing.
They aren't a great idea for a bath that gets hard use, unless you're very careful about keeping them dry (heated floors, excellent ventilation, a maid...).
I've thought about getting a cheapy, small $20 faux oriental from Ikea for use in the bathroom since I have a nice oriental style rug in the living room already.
Don't want to splurge on a nice one though since I live with a boy who wouldn't understand why we can't get the bath rug wet :-P... then again I want to be able to throw the thing in the washer too, haha.
any kind non-traditional bathroom rug or outdoor carpet that can't be thrown into the washer bothers me. Just seems like a mold magnet.
Oh, yes! Please.
One way to keep your bath mat dry (which I feel is not for drying feet but for having something soft to step on) is to lay down the towel and step onto it. Dry your feet and legs first, then the rest of your body. Ta-da, no drips!
AlainNotebook, I agree. I love the look of these (the main pic is divine) but on a practical level...no.
A rug in the bathroom should be washable. Every time you flush the toilet, you spray germs all over the place, even on your beautiful wool rug, then you carry the germs all over the place with your feet.
@skidou Which is exactly why it's good to close the lid when you flush. Nearby toiletries (including toothbrushes!) remain safe from flying poop particles.