I Splurged On this Stunning West Elm Bath Mat and Have Zero Regrets

Renting an apartment in New York City is an exercise in the art of compromise. Having a “normal” size kitchen can make up for a lack of sunlight, and original hardwood floors somehow ease the pain of lugging groceries up five flights of stairs. As for me, I have an awesome (for the most part) floor plan that happens to have a small, not-so-user-friendly bathroom. Ever since I’d moved in, I’d avoided taking on the task of decorating the bathroom — until I came across the Quiet Town Arco Bath Mat from West Elm. Way more stylish than your average bath mat, this beauty’s unique minimalist design is inspired by architect Paolo Soleri’s Arcosanti in Arizona. And its made all the difference in my decor scheme.

My bathroom is too small to fit separate mats near the sink and tub, which is why I love that, at 31″ x 24″, this one is large enough to cover most of the floor (including hiding some cracked tile… ) without overwhelming the space. I’m not a fan of thick, plush bath mats, which is another score for Quiet Town’s cotton version. It’s lightweight and quick-drying — and just a quarter of an inch thick. Quiet Town recommends hand washing it, but tbh, I’ve been machine washing it in cold water and air drying it, and almost a year later, it still looks brand new.

West Elm offers the Arco Bath Mat in a variety of color palettes, as well as several different designs. And while $78 may be a hefty price to pay for a bath mat, the durability and washability definitely justify the cost. Each one is hand-woven in India at a GOTS-certified, REACH factory that is investing in Biogas energy, clean water practices, and the community. It’s truly been the perfect centerpiece in my apartment’s less-than-ideal bathroom.

Buy: Arco Bath Mat, $78