I Never Thought I’d Fall In Love With a Bath Mat — Until I Found This Stylish One
In my time at Apartment Therapy, I have tested a lot of bathroom products. From bath towels that turned my space into a five-star suite to organizers that finally gave me the under-sink storage I was in desperate need of, I’ve been pretty lucky with my bathroom finds. Except when it comes to one product: a bath mat. I know, it seems like a simple find that most people don’t even give much thought to, but for as long as I’ve been living on my own, I’ve never had a bath mat that I loved. The soft, Insta-famous one I tried? That one had no backing and would stick to my wet feet whenever I stepped out of the shower. My self-drying diatomaceous earth mat I got? It was great… until it cracked. The wooden one I tried to really make my space feel like a spa? I have one word: splinter. I had given up hope of ever finding a bath mat I loved — until I came across the Medium Cool Bath Mat from Cold Picnic.
Now, a little bit more about Cold Picnic and its bath mats. Founded in 2010 by partners Phoebe Sung and Peter Buer, Cold Picnic is a line of chic textiles and home goods designed by the pair in Brooklyn, New York, with each piece handmade by artisans in both India and New Jersey. One of the brand’s many bath mat offerings, the Medium Cool Bath Mat is inspired by the heyday of fun bathroom decor — the 80s and 90s. Featuring a fun abstract pattern, it’s made from 100 percent organic cotton, features a durable non-slip backing, and a cut pile for the coziest feel.
When I first came across this bath mat, I knew I had to have it. I recently began a small project of transitioning my bathroom’s color scheme from blue to green and knew that this would be the perfect way to pull in colors from everywhere in the room, including some faux plants and this gorgeous Sonic Editions print of Bianca Jagger I had recently hung. When I unpackaged this rug I was immediately taken by its weight and how intricate the stitching on the non-slip backing was — I could tell this thing was quality. And when I gave it a step test, I instantly loved that 1.) It stayed put and 2.) It felt luxuriously soft under my feet without enveloping them in the fabric. But the thing that sold it for me? How well it washed. When I pulled this mat out of the dryer, it was perfectly intact and somehow softer. I did it, dear reader, I finally found the one.
The Medium Cool Bath Mat comes in at $70 and is also available in a serene blue scheme if green isn’t your thing. Now look, I get it that this may seem like a lot for a bath mat. But when you’ve met as many duds as I have, you come to understand how some things are worth the investment. Plus, when it’s this stylish, high-quality, and supporting a small business, I’m more than “medium cool” with spending a bit more for something I know will last me for years to come.
Buy: Medium Cool Bath Mat, $70