TL;DR
Get furniture and decor delivered free with Prime
- Fast, free delivery on millions of items
- Prime Video, Amazon Music and more included
- Member-only deals all year
A viral Instagram video by Los Angeles interior designer Isabella Diane recommends shopping for a runner rug instead of a traditional bath mat. The idea is a decor suggestion, not evidence that people broadly are abandoning bath mats; absorbency and bathroom suitability depend on the rug.
An Instagram video from Los Angeles-based interior designer Isabella Diane is drawing attention to an alternative to traditional bath mats: placing a runner rug in the bathroom. Apartment Therapy reported on the suggestion, which offers a different way to add floor coverage and decorative texture, though the article does not establish that consumers broadly are giving up bath mats.
In a video filmed at HomeGoods, Diane advised viewers to skip the bath-mat aisle and choose a runner sized to fit the room. “Don’t even think about shopping in this aisle for bath mats and shower curtains,” she said. “Instead, get a runner rug that fits the space proportionately.” Her recommendation is to use the rug’s dimensions and the bathroom layout to guide the choice, rather than defaulting to a small mat made specifically for bathrooms.
Diane said runners are available in different sizes at home retailers, including Walmart. A longer or wider bathroom may have room for a runner extending across areas near the shower, toilet and vanity; in a smaller room, a shorter one could cover the floor by the shower or vanity. These are design suggestions, not measurements or rules that will work for every bathroom.
Apartment Therapy described the appeal as the broader range of patterns and designs available in rugs, which can make a bathroom feel more coordinated with the rest of a home. The report also said runners may be absorbent depending on the model. It did not name a particular product as suitable for wet bathroom floors or provide testing, care instructions or safety information.
A Decor Swap With Practical Limits
The suggestion matters to readers because it reframes a routine household purchase as a design choice: a runner may cover more floor and offer a different look than a conventional bath mat. For renters or homeowners seeking a coordinated bathroom, the approach could widen the choice of colors, patterns and sizes available.
Appearance alone does not establish that a rug is appropriate beside a shower. Bathrooms can expose floor coverings to frequent water and humidity, and the report offers no evidence about how particular runners perform when wet, how quickly they dry, or whether they stay in place. Readers considering the swap would need to check the product’s materials and care guidance and decide whether it suits their floor and routine.
Products Worth Considering
Levoit Vital 100S-P Air Purifier with Washable Pre-Filter
Ring Alarm 5-Piece Wireless Security System
Sonos Era 100 SL Compact, Microphone-Free Speaker – Black
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
How the Runner Idea Spread
Apartment Therapy presented Diane’s recommendation as a response to an Instagram video it described as viral. The story linked the idea to a broader home-decor aim: making a functional room feel more like a considered part of the home. It also referenced a second video in which Diane discussed different runner sizes and said they are sold at stores such as Walmart.
The source does not supply a date, view count, audience survey or sales data. Its headline suggests people are ditching bath mats, but the reporting supports a narrower statement: one designer proposed a runner as an alternative, and her video attracted attention. It does not show how many viewers adopted the idea or whether retailers have seen changes in demand.
““Don’t even think about shopping in this aisle for bath mats and shower curtains. Instead, get a runner rug that fits the space proportionately.””
— Isabella Diane, interior designer, in an Instagram video filmed at HomeGoods
Questions About Wet-Floor Use
The report does not identify a specific runner model or confirm that the rugs shown or recommended are designed for bathroom use. Absorbency varies by product, according to the article, but no performance tests, drying times, cleaning requirements or slip-resistance details are provided. It is also unclear whether the rug’s backing is suitable for the reader’s flooring or whether a separate nonslip underlay would be needed.
The scale of the trend is unverified. Apartment Therapy calls the video viral but gives no view count, engagement figures or evidence of a broader shift in purchasing. The article also does not report reactions from rug manufacturers, retailers or safety experts.
Check Fit, Care and Grip
Anyone interested in trying the idea can compare a runner’s dimensions with the open floor around the shower and vanity, then review its label for materials, cleaning instructions and guidance on use in damp areas. A rug that looks right may not be practical if it is difficult to wash or keep dry. Buyers should also check that it lies securely on their particular floor, rather than assuming every runner is suitable for a bathroom.
Apartment Therapy’s report does not announce a product launch or a follow-up test. The next useful information would be product-specific details about water absorption, drying and slip resistance, along with evidence about whether the online suggestion is changing consumer behavior. Until then, the runner remains a decor alternative to consider, not a verified replacement for every bath mat.
Key Questions
What is Isabella Diane recommending?
She suggests choosing a runner rug sized to the bathroom instead of buying a traditional bath mat. The recommendation comes from Instagram videos described in Apartment Therapy’s report.
Can any runner rug be used in a bathroom?
The source does not say that all runners are suitable. Check the specific rug’s materials, care instructions and suitability for damp areas before using it near a shower.
Does a runner provide enough grip on a bathroom floor?
The report provides no slip-resistance information or safety testing. Whether a runner stays in place depends on the product and the floor; verify the product guidance rather than assuming it will be secure.
Are people broadly replacing bath mats?
That is not established by the report. It describes attention around one designer’s video but gives no audience data, sales figures or evidence of widespread adoption.
Source: apartmenttherapy.com
