Doormats & Entryway Rugs

Should the rug go inside or outside the door?

Inside is where the rug works all year, and outside it can join in when the weather is mild. Just inside the door, a Pappelina rug catches the rain and grit that shoes bring in, in front of a shoe rack or bench on the way to the hooks. From spring to autumn, a second rug on the step outside takes the first scrape of dirt, and because the PVC weft doesn't absorb water, it can stay out through rainy days and keep its color in the sun. Once temperatures drop below freezing, bring it in. Set each rug square to the door so the first step lands in the middle of it, and keep it clear of the door's swing so the door opens without catching.

Which design suits my entryway?

Choose the design for the space around the door, since the rug is the first thing you see when it opens. A plain entryway can carry a bold stripe or dot, while one with coats, shoes and bags on show usually looks calmer with a solid tone. Blended and patterned designs are the most forgiving of everyday dirt between cleans, which matters more at the door than anywhere else in the home. If the rug sits by a glass door or a bright window, the color holds in direct sun, so the design keeps its look.

Why choose a PVC rug for the entryway?

Because the entryway takes wet shoes and more footsteps than any other floor in the home, and PVC handles both. A cotton or coir doormat holds water and grit in its fibers, while a PVC weft keeps them on the surface, where a wipe or a rinse clears them. Pappelina plastic rugs are woven in Leksand, Sweden, from phthalate-free PVC. For the busiest front door, a tighter weave is the most durable choice, while a softer weave gives a little underfoot at a quieter side entrance and a mixed weave adds texture variation within the surface.