How to Choose Elegant Teak Shower Mats for Small Bathrooms: 5 Quick & Easy Buying Tips

Are you thinking your shower is too small for a luxurious teak shower mat?

Maybe.

Maybe not.

Let’s find out…

First, don’t assume you need to look for the smallest shower mat you can find.

After all, what good is a shower mat if you only have room to place one foot on it, while the other foot remains on a cold shower floor.

The challenge is to find a teak mat large enough to comfortably stand and move around on, but small enough so it doesn’t make getting in, getting out, or turning around a nightmare even for a contortionist.

So how do you choose the right size teak shower mat for a small bathroom?

It really comes down to three things: the “usable” floor space in your shower, your body size, and what you like to do in the shower.

And there’s one other important consideration:

A beautiful teak shower mat that doesn’t properly fit your shower is no bargain — even if it’s on sale, and looks great in a photo on a website…

So here’s what to do, and look for.

1. Measure Your Actual “Usable” Shower Floor

Before clicking “Buy,” grab a tape measure.

Don’t merely guess. Don’t stand in the middle of your shower, look down, and think, “That should fit.”

That’s how you end up with a mat that looks perfect on a website but won’t lie flat on your shower floor.

Measure the length and width of your actual shower floor – not the distance from wall-to-wall.

Many pre-formed shower stalls made of fiberglass or acrylic have a small upward curve along the edges where the floor meets the shower wall – effectively decreasing the length and width of your shower floor.

In short, look for anything that reduces the floor space or your standing area:

For example, Teak Culture’s Designer Teak Shower Mat measures 32 inches long and 20 inches wide.

So, if your shower floor meets your shower wall at a right angle (there is no curving where they meet), and the length and width of your shower floor is at least ½ inch longer and wider, our luxury teak shower mat will be a perfect fit for your shower!

2. Make Sure the Mat is Large Enough for You

This sounds obvious.

But many people only ask, “Will it fit in my shower?”

That’s only the first question. The second question is:

Can I stand on it comfortably?

A shower mat can physically fit inside a shower – but still feel too small for the person standing on it.

If you’re tall, have large feet, or shall we say a large girth, and simply want room to move freely, a tiny teak mat can be more annoying than useful.

You should be able to:

You don’t want to feel like you’re balancing on a small wooden platform.

And you certainly don’t want half your foot hanging over the edge.

A properly sized mat should give you a secure, comfortable place to stand while you shower.

3. Make Sure it’s a Shower Mat and Not an Obstacle Course.

A teak shower mat may fit in your shower with plenty of room to spare. But what if the shower mat is still too small for what you like to do in the shower – and I’ll leave that to your imagination?

Yes, you want room to get in, get out, move around - but you also don’t want to lose your balance on it!

A mat that’s too small will make you feel like you’re falling off it every time you turn around, wash your legs, bend down, or simply step out of the shower.

And what if your shower door swings inward?

Make sure the mat isn’t going to interfere with it… which leads us to…

4. Don't Forget the Mat's Height

When choosing a shower mat, most people think only about length and width.

But height matters, too.

Teak Culture’s teak shower mat stands 1.5 inches high thanks to its non-slip rubber feet.

This gives you a raised platform above the cold shower floor while also allowing water to flow through the open slat design and down the drain.

However, before purchasing any raised shower mat, consider, too, your shower threshold and door clearance.

You don’t want a mat that fits perfectly on the floor but creates a problem when you open or close your shower door.

5. Luxurious Teak Shower Mats Come in Many Sizes and Shapes

Some people think:

“I have a small shower. Why waste money on a luxury teak mat?”

A cheap plastic, rubber, or bamboo shower mat won’t fit in a small shower space any better than a teak shower mat.

Sure, acacia and bamboo shower mats are comparatively inexpensive – and for good reason.

First off, bamboo is not even a wood. It’s a type of grass.

And just like acacia and other woods that are not waterproof, these inexpensive mats tend to warp, swell, crack, and eventually fall apart.

Teak is different – quality teak is waterproof!

For centuries, teak has been used in boats and everywhere else where water resistance matters. Its natural oils help it resist not just water, but also rot, mold, mildew, and insect damage.

So, don’t settle for a cheap wood or synthetic shower mat — not when you can easily find a teak mat that’ll fit in your shower even if it costs a few dollars more.

Best of all: teak looks great wet or dry — but especially when it’s wet, because it literally shines!

Which leads us to this Bonus Tip...

6. Choose a Teak Mat that Makes Your Bathroom Feel Large and Classy, Not Humdrum and Small

A small bathroom doesn't have to look cheap, crowded, or boring.

A teak shower mat – of any size – adds elegance, warmth, color, and a sense of luxury to every shower and bathroom.

Whether it’s our full-size Designer Teak Shower Mat – or even a smaller teak mat – that’s hand-sanded and finished with teak oil to bring out the natural beauty of the wood, your eyes will be immediately drawn to your teak mat – not to the size of your shower or bathroom.

In short, as they say in Hollywood – teak is a scene stealer! Teak captures attention.

Teak has warmth and character.

It makes any shower feel like a private spa.

You may not be living on a tropical island paradise in the South Seas – but a finely crafted teak shower mat can certainly make you feel like you are!

So, What Size Teak Shower Mat is Best for a Small Bathroom?

The answer depends on your shower, and you.

Before purchasing, consider:

The “usable” floor space in your shower
Your body size and how comfortably you can stand on the mat
The location of the drain and other fixtures
Whether your shower door swings inward
How much room you need to enter, exit, and move around

Almost any teak shower mat can be an excellent choice for a small bathroom, as long as your usable shower space can comfortably accommodate it and you.

Teak shower mats typically require no assembly – our Designer Teak Shower Mat, for example, arrives fully assembled.

Simply place it on your shower floor and enjoy the amazing difference.

Bottom Line:

Choosing the right size teak shower mat for a small bathroom isn’t just about finding the smallest mat you can squeeze into your shower.

It’s about finding a teak shower mat that makes your daily shower feel exotic and special.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. How should a teak shower mat be designed?

A. A quality teak shower mat should have good drainage and stable footing. It should have an open-slat design and raised rubber feet that allow water to drain through.

Q. Why choose teak instead of bamboo or cheaper woods for a shower mat?

A. Teak is a hardwood naturally suited to wet environments because of its natural oils. Bamboo is a grass and, just like some woods, may be more prone to swelling, warping, or cracking when constantly wet.

Q. Can I use a teak shower mat outside the shower?

A. Of course! A teak shower mat can also be used as a front door mat, on a deck by the pool, in a spa, sauna, outdoor shower, patio, RV, and on a boat.