5 places to buy machine-washable, cut-to-fit plush carpet for your bathroom

Terri’s 1960s bathroom had non-descript 1980s ceramic floor tiles — so when making suggestions to brighten up the space, Pam suggested I search for machine-washable, cut-to-fit-, soft, cushy and comfortable wall-to-wall bathroom carpet. I found five places to buy this retro product. Hey: Keep it clean by machine washing often, and your toes (and blah floor tile) will thank you for it! Photo above from J.A.G. Carpet Wholesalers, Inc. website.

Mom’s yellow bathroom circa 1977 — check out that shaggy yellow bathroom carpet!

To begin my research into wall-to-wall bathroom carpeting, I asked my Mom if she ever had any herself. She told me that in her and my Dad’s first house — a 1962 ranch that they purchased in the mid 70s — had bright yellow wall-to-wall carpeting and original 1962 fixtures. To make the space more groovy, she removed the original wallpaper and put up new white and yellow butterfly wallpaper. She also reminded me of my Nana’s bathroom in the 1972 ranch house they built that had mint green wall-to-wall bathroom carpet. Nana installed the wall-to-wall carpet in her bathroom because the builder accidentally put slick wall tiles on the floor — a mistake she initially thought would be ok — but later proved to be a dangerous fall hazard. Adding carpet was a quick and inexpensive way to remedy the situation.

While I know that there are many folks today who squinch their nose at the idea of carpet in the bathroom, it seems that most people who choose to install wall-to-wall bathroom carpet do so because:

• They love the feel, comfort and livability of wall-to-wall carpeting
• To make unheated, cold tile floors feel warmer
• To cover up a damaged, unattractive or slippery when wet bathroom floor in an inexpensive and easy manner instead of spending more money or undergo construction to retile

Now of course you can’t just put any old kind of carpet in a bathroom. Bathrooms are high moisture areas and moisture is the enemy of carpet. Here are a few things I think you should consider when choosing wall-to-wall bathroom carpet:

• Buy carpet specially made for bathrooms. This will likely be a 100% olefin material, or a water resistant nylon carpet.
• Go for the wall-to-wall bathroom carpet that is machine washable. Note, you may need to take it to a laundromat with a bigger machine depending on the size of your room/carpet.
• Choose low pile carpet. The lower the pile, the less carpet there is to soak up moisture.
• Use a separate bath mat on top of wall to wall carpet near the tub or shower. This will help soak up excess water where it is most problematic and can easily be taken up to dry or be washed.
• Keep it clean.
• Replace often. Know that wall-to-wall bathroom carpet will not last as long as tile or linoleum in a wet space like the bathroom. Even if you are fastidious in your cleaning regimen, know that you will likely have to replace the carpet after four or five years.

1.  J.A.G. Carpet Wholesalers, Inc. has the most vivid, retro colors of cut to fit bathroom carpet available that I could find. They offer 17 shades (Peony is discontinued) that are available in 5′ widths and can be custom cut in any length from 3′ to 60′ and sell it at $13.00 per linear foot. Their 100% nylon carpet is machine washable, is made in the USA and has an anti-skid backing similar to what you’d find on a bath mat.

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Above: Also available via Amazon.

2.  Townhouse Linens has 15 colors of Royale wall-to-wall bathroom carpet by Mohawk ranging from neutral to bright. They offer three sizes — 5’x6′, 5’x8′ and 6’x10. This carpet is advertised as being machine washable, fade and mildew resistant and made in the USA. Townhouse Linens also has two other types of wall-to-wall bathroom carpet — Elegance and Madison Reflections — which are available in several colors and sizes, too.

3.  UPDATE: Link no longer working… BedBathstore has several options of wall-to-wall bathroom carpeting available from a variety of manufacturers in a range of colors, styles and sizes.

4. Kohl’s has 6 colors of cut to fit Garland Rug Bathroom carpet in either 5’x6′ or 5’x8′ sizes, available online only. These same bathroom carpets are also available at Home Depot (online only).

5. A tip from reader Jessica led us to this Ultima Bath Rug Collection from JCPenney. The carpet is available in eight colors and a variety of sizes from 17 x 24 inches to 72 x 96 inches. An affordable option for wall to wall bathroom carpet, you can find the Ultima Bath Rug Collection on JCPenney’s website or at JCPenney outlet malls — where reader Jessica found hers.

Whether you love it or not, wall-to-wall bathroom carpeting is an affordable way to add color and comfort to any retro bathroom.

Readers — have you ever had wall-to-wall carpet in your bathroom?