Vintage Rugs as Doormats
A doormat is like the first page of a book. It’s setting the stage for the story to come- only this story is your home. Your inner doormat holds the first clues to what the rest of your home will feel like, the energy it evokes, it’s the first taste of your own personal style. You want your doormat to greet you and all who enter your space with joy upon arrival, and that’s one of the reasons why I definitely recommend using a real wool vintage rug.
You may think- “oh, a vintage rug is too precious and will get ruined”- but think again. Unlike synthetic fiber or even cotton doormats- wool rugs are naturally anti microbial, wick moisture, and even function as passive air filters. My ideal vintage rug doormat would be one with low pile and medium to sturdy weight. Bonus points for choosing a rug with a more intricate design, mixture of color, or an earthy color palette to help disguise dirt or debris that can easily be tracked into the house. A 100% wool rug, meaning wool pile on a wool foundation, will be best for keeping things dry if you live in an ultra rainy environment, but don’t rule out a rug with a cotton foundation. Often a rug with a cotton foundation can have a heavier weight or sturdier handle which is a great option for this high traffic area.
A few things to consider when choosing a vintage rug for a doormat:
How much clearance does your door have? Make sure to plan ahead and measure for this so that your door will open easily over your rug. You should also account for some additional height when using a rug pad.
A thin rug pad, used mostly for grip, will not only keep your rug in place but it will also protect your floor and help prolong the life of your rug. For a smaller doormat sized rug you can often repurpose an old or unused yoga mat cut down to size for the rug pad!
If you are worried about wear and tear, or are a person that feels like a vintage rug is too precious for wiping your feet on- just choose a low pile rug in a more accessible price point for this place in your home. Your doormat rug doesn’t need to break the bank, save some of those funds for a splurge on the living room rug or something to keep your feet cozy in the bedroom. You’ll find that in the long run a vintage rug will outlast any synthetic or inexpensive doormat literally tenfold, so while there may be a bit higher investment up front, it will indeed save you money in the long run.
Pop over to our previous journal post on The Easiest Way to “Wash” a Vintage Rug for my favorite way to keep all of your vintage wool rugs fresh with very little effort!
The bottom line is that real wool rugs are made to last, and withstand the test of time- kids, pets, and real life included!
xo,
Anna
