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Wooden bath mats have always intimidated me. Compared to the plush or towel-like bath mats I’m accustomed to, they just seemed impractical. I’d seen them in many a Japanese onsen, where their design history is deeply rooted, but still managed to convince myself that they posed the risk of catching and holding water within the grates, giving me a splinter, or just generally being uncomfortable to step on. The moral of all of this is that when I notice I’m having negative (and usually unfounded) preconceived notions about a certain product, it means I need to dive into testing it. Enter: Avocado’s Wooden Bath Mat.
Upon the very first use, I was surprised by how comfortable this mat is to step on straight out of the shower. The wood, especially when damp, has traction and prevents any slipping, both between the mat and the floor and the mat and me. After weeks of use, I haven’t had to do more than rinse the mat in the shower and leave it in a breezy area to dry. Unlike soft textile rugs and mats, this wooden model doesn’t hold on to moisture, attract bacteria, or become gross after a couple of uses. It saves me the added laundry and, because I have a housemate, it’s so much more hygienic to share.
One of the most unexpected things about this bath mat, though, is that it dries in a fraction of the time it takes for a plush bath math to dry. Its grated, beechwood panels allow moisture to escape and evaporate quickly. This means no mold, mildew, or very much upkeep at all. Avocado’s chic Wooden Bath Mat is low maintenance, surprisingly comfortable, and seriously attractive. I can’t recommend it enough.
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I’m a big picture person. Also, quite literally, I have a lot of big pictures in my home. When it comes to decor, I love statement pieces that make people stop, stare, and offer opinions. As it turns out, it’s the little things that can end up making the biggest impression on guests, and even my housemate and I as we simply move about our living space. The reviews are in and, much to the chagrin of my ego as a wannabe interior decorator, the most impressive thing in my home is my Kassatex Assisi Textured Hand Towel.
While I never thought I’d be competing against a bathroom hand towel for attention, I get it with this one. The Assisi towel by editor-fave linens brand Kassatex is not only striking, with white hanger loop stitches woven atop a subtle background color creating a unique pebble pattern, but it’s near indecentlysoft, too. The 100 percent long staple Aegean cotton material absorbs in seconds, so you’re left there to linger with the towel, just appreciating its luxurious feel. Seriously. I’ve caught my guests doing this (but could also be confessing).
I also have the bath towel and washcloth sizes, which I keep far and away from the guest linens and hoard for my own use (if you know me, good luck finding them). The absorption rate is incredible and I often find myself still wrapped up in the bath towel long after my shower since it’s light as a cloud and somehow doesn’t feel wet after drying. So everything my guests have said about their experience with our bathroom hand towel, from how pretty to how soft to how they want some of their own, I can’t really argue with.
The collection is available in four muted jewel tone colors in addition to an all-white version, so every bathroom in your house can have one on display and still suit the decor perfectly. I plan to grab more to keep myself and my visitors happy, but to give as gifts as well since they can be monogrammed for just $7 more. Who doesn’t love a lush, plush, pretty, and personalized towel?
Do I sometimes wish such a person existed and they’d visit my home? Sure. Am I a little jealous of the acclaim this hand towel has earned against my collection of adorable tchotchkes and homemade life-sized paintings? To be determined. But my Assisi hand towels can only stand to multiply, so it’s just something to aspire to, I guess.
Why settle for a blah beige bathroom when you can easily add a pop of color (or several) to your setup? If you’re unsure how to transform your bathroom into a luxe-looking setup, I’ve got you covered. Check out the 20 vibrant bathrooms below and get ready to be inspired by these bright ideas. Whether you go full-on saturation or make just a subtle splash, getting ready each morning will be way more fun — I promise!
1. Rainbow stripe backsplash
Why introduce just one pop of color when you can incorporate practically all of the colors of the rainbow into your bathroom? Blogger Nicole Q-Schmitz painted these festive stripes on the sink wall herself, and they really take her vanity area to the next level. She even added coordinating rainbow box molding elsewhere in the bathroom, too!
Credit: Heidi Cron
2. Moroccan-inspired magic
There’s no need to call in a pro to rethink your tile situation. The bathroom in this Massachusetts home received a colorful upgrade in the form of stick-on tiles. Paired with embellished fabrics and favorite plant babies, these temporary flourishes now evoke memories of a special trip taken to Morocco and enliven the space in a way plain white tiles never could.
14. Budget-friendly bliss
Blogger Kate Dryer of Kate Decorates barely spent over $100 on her kids’ Jack & Jill bathroom makeover, which is a majorly impressive feat considering she painted the vanity, installed wall shelves, purchased new accessories, and much more. The completed space is soothing and kid-friendly without leaning too young, and I’d say that’s because the powder blue she chose feels so serene and tranquil. It doesn’t hurt that she repeated it throughout the room either, so the space really feels cohesive.