How to find the best fall doormat
As autumn arrives, you may feel inspired to decorate the entrance to your home. Besides a wreath, door banner or potted plant, consider adding a fall doormat to your front door décor.
Fall doormats add a pop of color and touch of warmth. Simple designs feature seasonal color themes or basic designs, while more ornate doormats feature intricate motifs or novelty shapes. Because the season spans a few events and holidays, including back to school, Halloween and Thanksgiving, you may even want more than one fall doormat.
What you need to know about doormats
What are doormats made of?
Doormats are now made with a wide variety of synthetic and natural materials, with coir and rubber as the most popular options.
Coir doormats, made with coconut fiber, are appreciated for their coarse, abrasive textures. They’re effective at scraping debris from shoes, plus they dry quickly and are naturally water-resistant. However, their designs may fade after several months of exposure to direct sunlight.
Rubber doormats, which have non-slip properties, are considered safe and stable because they’re less prone to sliding across entranceways. They’re weather- and water-resistant and are one of the easiest materials to keep clean. Some rubber doormats may peel or sustain nicks over the years.
How big are doormats?
The average doormat measures approximately 18 x 30 inches; however, it’s hardly the only size you’ll come across. This Gorilla Grip doormat, for example, is available in five sizes. Some novelty doormats, such as NoTrax Coir Crescent Doormat, have larger overall sizes due to their unique shapes.
Indoor vs. outdoor doormats
There are three categories for doormats: indoor, outdoor and indoor/outdoor. Here’s how they compare:
Indoor doormats are made with cotton and polyester, which aren’t suitable for outdoor use or exposure to the elements. They’re soft enough to walk on barefoot, which isn’t the case with most outdoor doormats.
Outdoor doormats are designed to withstand the elements, including wind, rain and extreme temperatures. These doormats are significantly heavier than indoor designs as well. This helps them stay put on decks or porches, even when you wipe your feet on them.
Indoor/outdoor doormats, as their name implies, have flexible-use designs. They may be placed in garages, sunrooms and rooms that have outside doors. While some share the durable construction of regular outdoor mats, others may not last as long.
High-quality doormat features
Basic doormats are suitable for drying or de-gunking footwear, though some designs come with additional perks. Certain doormats, such as this pumpkin-themed design, are machine-washable. Other doormats have UV-protective coatings to prevent sun damage such as fading or cracking. Some doormats are mold- or mildew-resistant.
How much you can expect to spend on a fall doormat
Basic doormats with simple designs start at $15. Seasonal or themed doormats, as well as those with ornate designs, start at $20. Higher-end doormats, which are durable and have several features, may cost $40 and above. Popular style options for fall doormats
Welcome doormats
The classic doormat, which displays “welcome” in big, bold letters, is considered warm and inviting to houseguests. This DII welcome doormat features a buffalo check background. It’s made with coir and has a non-slip rubber backing.
Pumpkin doormats
Pumpkin is a signature theme for the fall, and you’ll find a wide variety of pumpkin-themed doormats. The Juvale Hey There Pumpkin Doormat has a rich, orange-brown color. The simple yet charming design features a pumpkin stencil and a friendly welcome message.
Leafy doormats
Many autumn doormats draw inspiration from falling leaves, like this Home & More Calloway Mills Fall Leaves Doormat. Its vibrant orange background is adorned with maple and oak leaves. The doormat has a densely packed coir, which is effective at scraping dirt and debris from shoes.
Owl doormats
Owls are often seen in fall-themed décor, including doormats. With a cartoon-inspired design, Red Barrel Studio Thersa Owl Welcome Doormat is a fun, lively addition to any doorway. The eco-friendly design holds up well in mixed weather conditions.
Fox doormats
It’s common for fall décor to feature woodland creatures, especially foxes, whose red-brown coats fit well into an autumn color palette. The Viv + Rae Kelly Fox Indoor/Outdoor Doormat, shaped like a sleeping fox, has a modest footprint and is suitable for small entrances.
Halloween doormats
Households welcoming trick-or-treaters choose Halloween doormats. The Holiday Aisle Axl Boo Doormat, as its name implies, features “Boo!” in big calligraphy letters and has a pair of spooky bats. The all-weather coir design also has a non-slip backing.
Thanksgiving doormats
After Halloween passes, many people lay out Thanksgiving doormats, such as Gracie Oaks Duluth Gather Doormat. The woodland-inspired design features leaves, acorns and a message of thanks. The light tan background brightens up darker decks and porches.
Sian Babish is a writer for BestReviews. BestReviews is a product review company with a singular mission: to help simplify your purchasing decisions and save you time and money.
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. BestReviews and its newspaper partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links.
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
