A doormat does a whole lot more than block your door and serve as a place for you to wipe the soles of your shoes. It’s the first thing your guests see when entering your home, so it’s a chance to make a statement or, at the very least, set an inviting tone for your indoor space. And the market has come a long way from the humble brown “Welcome” mat. So to help you find the best, actually-stylish door mat, we asked interior decorators, prop designers, editors, and Strategist writers for all of their favorites for keeping the outdoors out — some of which are (almost) too nice-looking to use to wipe your shoes. To make things a bit easier to browse through, we’ve organized this list by type of material, from more classic-looking coconut fiber options to indoor-outdoor rugs.
Best traditional coir doormats
Traditional doormats — those tan, bristle-y ones — are most often made from coir, a natural fiber that’s made from the outer husk of coconuts. Coir is tougher and more stain-resistant than jute or fabric, making it a popular choice for those with busy entryways in wetter climates (though it does tend to catch more lint and dust than other fibers, so you win some and you lose some). For a more modern take on traditional coir, this doormat from West Elm is a favorite of prop stylist Cat Dash, who likes that it’s been upgraded with a “fun half-circle shape and a Memphis-inspired dash pattern.” The navy stripes appear surprisingly neutral (and would help to camouflage dirt), and at just $30, it’s also one of the more affordable options on this list.
The pattern on this one from Target adds just enough whimsy to my entryway without looking too bohemian, and it’s plenty durable: I actually own this doormat, and I live with three roommates who are constantly coming and going. Even after four months, it’s yet to show any significant wear.
Best woven doormats
Another way to get natural fibers in front of your door is with a woven doormat, like this one that comes recommended by Julia Marcum, interior designer and co-founder of design blog Chris Loves Julia. It’s made of coir but in an intricate nautical-inspired weave.
For a wider range of sizes, including an extended option for extra-wide front doors, but a similar knotted look, try this coir option from Terrain, Anthropologie’s home and garden shop. It comes recommended by The Wing co-founder Audrey Gelman, who told us back in 2018 that she purchased this “handsome welcome mat for our house” to make her entryway feel more “grown-up.”
Woven textiles aren’t limited to coir. Marcum also “loves” this windowpane plaid doormat because it’s “so classically fall and would be so beautiful layered on a front porch.” It’s made from handwoven jute, and comes in three different sizes, including a runner for longer entryways. “Autumn leaves would enhance this one,” she assures.
For a weave that would look good indoors as well, Marcum recommends this basket-woven mat from Pottery Barn, made from goes-with-everything handwoven jute, has a no-slip latex backing to keep it secure, and looks a touch less outdoors-y than the woven mats above. “A two-by-three, two-by-four, or three-by-five rug can go so many places from under a door, to in front of the sink, to inside of the door. All are great ideas,” she says.
Best flatweave door mats
If you want to add more texture to your front door, Marcum recommends layering a doormat over a flatweave rug, like one of these. “Instantly your outdoor space looks polished and welcoming,” she says. But Dash also likes using flatweave doormats on their own, and her favorites are hand-dyed, hand-woven hemp ones from Brooklyn-based rug company Tantuvi. “They come in a 2 feet by 3 feet size that’s perfect in front of a door,” she says, and their “asymmetrical, geometric designs feel like art — they’re, hands-down, the coolest doormats you’ll find right now.”
Another benefit of using a flatweave mat is that you’re able to infuse a bold pop of color into your entry, and that’s why Lydia Geisel, associate digital editor at Domino Magazine, likes this cheery doormat from Hay. It comes in pink and red — “one of my favorite combos of the moment,” she says, along with black and green and blue and yellow. The “hint of black really brings out the woven texture,” she adds, and it’s “just as functional as your basic tan door mat, just looks better.” Strategist writer Nikita Richardson told me that she’s had her eye on it as well, ever since she spotted it months ago on Coming Soon’s website. “It’s made of a combination of durable jute rope and wool, and it’s so pleasing on the eye,” she says. “I seriously regret not buying it right then and there because now they’re near impossible to get.” And, in fact, it’s so popular that it’s only available for preorder on the Hay website.
Best indoor-outdoor door mats
While the flatweave mats above are made from outdoor-friendly fibers like hemp and jute, indoor-outdoor mats are made from polyester — a softer material that looks nice enough to be used indoors, but is durable enough for outdoor use. Dash likes this indoor-outdoor mat from Heymat, which “functionally can’t be beat.” That’s because it’s made from recycled plastic, has a non-slip rubber backing, and can be machine washed. “It’s designed in Norway, so it has a Scandiniavian-cool vibe,” Dash says. It’s also offered in two different neutrals — breezy beige and cloudy gray — that would work with a wide range of decorating styles.
Another neutral indoor-outdoor option, Marcum “loves” this recycled-fiber doormat from Pottery Barn for its versatility. “It goes with every color palette,” she says, “and doesn’t show wear and tear easily.” The subtle diamond pattern will certainly help disguise stains, and it’s offered in two different colorways and seven different size options.
For layering under coir mats, Marcum opts for either plaid or striped rugs. “One tip,” she offers, is to “size down almost any flatweave rug to a 2 feet by 3 feet for doormat size.” She suggests pairing this striped flatweave rug with the knotted mat up above for a “polished” and “welcoming” look. This one is made from recycled fibers, and can be machine-washed and enjoyed indoors once the weather turns wetter.
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