If you’ve decided to dedicate some time to your home’s outdoor space, you surely have many ideas in mind. From sprucing up the façade and landscaping to potentially adding some new features, there is a lot you can do. However, one thing you don’t want to forget about is getting outdoor mats. Here is what you should know when deciding on the best ones for your home.
Table Of Contents
Take purpose into account
For starters, you need to think about the purpose of the mat. Outdoor mats can be used for all sorts of areas so it’s important that you understand what you need a mat for. The most common use is certainly for drying one’s feet before entering a home. If you plan on placing a mat in front of every entrance, you want those that can trap and retain moisture as then your household members and guests will not leave wet and dirty marks on your floors and carpets. Besides preventing people from bringing dirt and debris into your home, having a mat where they can wipe their feet also lowers the risk of slipping and falling. Having two doormats in front of the entrance is the best approach if you have the space – a scraper mat will get rid of dirt and debris while an absorbent one will ensure all moisture from shoes is soaked up. Plus, a mat placed at the front door also has the purpose of improving the home’s entryway.
Furthermore, you might also need a decorative mat for the outdoors. If you want to cozy up your patio and make the concrete or porcelain tiles less cold, adding a mat is a great option.
Then, if you like to keep busy in your backyard, you should also look into mats that you can stand on for a long time. Whether you like gardening or carpentry, an anti-fatigue mat that is easy to clean is definitely something that you could use.
Research available materials
Once you know what you need a mat for, it’s time to decide on the material you think will be best for the purpose. The material will determine how durable and stain-resistant the mat is.
For one, you can opt for coir mats. These popular eco-friendly mats are made of coconut fiber and can be PVC-backed and unbacked. Moreover, as they are quite abrasive, placing them in front of an entrance is a great option if you want your visitors to easily scrape dirt off their shoes. In addition, you can easily have them customized to match your needs.
Another option at your disposal is rubber mats. Although they are typically found in commercial settings, you can still make the most of them at home. For example, you can use them for your gardening and carpentry hobbies as well as place them in the garage. As they usually have holes, water will go straight through them while they also easily remove dirt.
There are also synthetic mats that come with a rubber edge which stops dirt and moisture from coming off the mat. Their abrasiveness is great for scraping off dirt and they are very easy to clean. These polypropylene mats are a popular choice among people that need large outdoor rugs.
Other options you can find when looking into quality outdoor mats include PVC mats that are durable and low-maintenance and aluminum mats that look very chic and are effective at removing dirt.
Find the right thickness
The next aspect you need to think about is the thickness. It’s important that you understand that a thicker mat is not necessarily better. As a matter of fact, shorter piles typically have firmer brushes that are more effective at removing dirt. What is more, you don’t want the mat to be too thick and prevent you from properly opening your doors.
Decide on the appropriate size
Something else you have to consider is the size of the mat. If you’re looking for one to place in front of the entrance, you don’t want it to be too small. That way, visitors might not even notice it and enter your home with dirty shoes. However, you also don’t want a mat that is too big for your porch. If it’s hanging off or being smooshed against the wall, it will simply look unappealing. With that in mind, you want a mat that is big enough to be noticed and effective at cleaning shoes.
Get the best shape
The shape you opt for matters as well. As mats come in a wide array of shapes, you shouldn’t have any problems finding one that matches your needs, whether it’s oval, round, or rectangular. Moreover, you can even opt for the customized approach and get some unique shape. That being said, keep in mind that the rectangular shape is the most recommended as it can cover the entire space in front of the entrance, thus maximizing the chances of visitors properly wiping their feet.
Pick a design
Designs also abound and in addition to all the available options, you can even come up with a personalized design. However, something you should bear in mind is that darker shades are typically preferred by décor experts as light colors appear dirty rather quickly. Of course, you can also have a few mats that you will change up depending on the occasion.
Look into special features
You should also know that some mats have special features. For example, when looking for an outdoor mat, it’s always good to know that there are weather-resistant and UV-resistant mats as well. Some are even designed for colder climates and have the ability to melt snow.
Don’t forget about the price
Lastly, you need to take the price into account as well. As there is no guarantee that the most expensive mat will be the most durable, best-looking, and comfortable, you want to do some research by reading online comments and reviews to see which options would suit you.Here Maple Ridge Estates Conway SC available beautiful homes for you.
While getting an outdoor mat might seem like an easy decision, there are several factors that you need to take into consideration before you make a purchase. Keep these tips in mind to not overlook something important.