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.
<center><iframe style=”width:120px;height:240px;” marginwidth=”0″ marginheight=”0″ scrolling=”no” frameborder=”0″ src=”//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=retrorenov-20&marketplace=amazon®ion=US&placement=B00E3EARZC&asins=B00E3EARZC&linkId=5b85c627c96feb7fc538457d360bd3a5&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true”></iframe></center>
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?
COMMENTS WILL RE-OPEN on MONDAY, DECEMBER 2. For the first time in, like, 13 years, I am taking a real vacation from the blog, to spend un-distracted time with family. As part of this, Commenting on the blog is paused. Meanwhile, please enjoy reading all the many stories in our archives -- and come back Monday, Dec. 2 when I will launch our annual giveaway of a vintage ornament wreath made by Georgia Peachez -- and when comments will reopen so you can enter to win! HAVE A HAPPY THANKSGIVING, EVERYONE!
Ruth says
Had bathroom carpeting for a long time.Loved it. I’ m looking to replace it.
Tiffani says
Great information! I am seeking bath carpet to cover an unsightly tile job in a recently purchased fixer-upper, until the remodel which is not in the near future. The issue is the bathroom floor measures 12L x 6W. JAG has a max of 5W. I had already checked them out. I will try the others listed above. If anyone knows of any other retailers please reply.
Currently my options are order 2 pieces from JAG or go with the more expensive linoleum.
Mary Wilson says
Bed Bath and Beyond has bathroom wall to wall carpet on line.
MARIE says
I am looking for a green bathroom carpet 6X10 had gotten from penny’s years ago but they don’t have that size now do you?
Eileen Hickey says
do you have 8×10 carpet that can be cut
Pam Kueber says
Eileen, we don’t sell anything here. Refer to the resources profiled in the stories — the bold brite blue text are clickable hotlinks
Eileen says
Yes, I love it for my very large bathroom. I use to buy it at Marlburn’s but they haven’t had it for over a year. I need another one but can’t find one. I only paid about 40 dollars for the 5 x 8.
james votinelli says
looking for a carpet for my kitchen area whih is quite large but carpet must be washable?any links????
pam kueber says
Hi James, I don’t know an answer to this question…. Carpet squares perhaps???
Vin says
James,
I found this link and it has some machine washable kitchen rugs in it that are at least 5 x 8 foot in size. I’m not sure what ‘quite large’ is nor what you meant by ‘washable’? (I only assumed you meant via washing machine). So… depending on the size of the area you want carpets, perhaps more than one ‘rug’ would be your best solution, as it needs to be small enough to fit at least into a commercial washing machine. I think they have 6 designs there, and give the links for them, Here is the link I found and I wish you good luck, hope this helped! 🙂
http://www.housebeautiful.com/shopping/home-accessories/tips/g1208/kitchen-area-rugs-washable-0512/
pam kueber says
Yes, I think there are a lot of indoor/outdoor rugs right now made out of polypropylene and the like that can be taken outside and hosed down. Of course, check with the manufacturers for usage and care specifications.
Helen Randle says
How do I order these wall to wall bathroom carpet
Pam Kueber says
click on the hotlinks – brite bold blue text
Vin says
Love ONLY washable carpeting in the bathroom! Non skid backing is a must as we have a child who is disabled. Finding one that we like has been a problem, so thank you for these choices. One question… you have one carpet that is pink and shows other color choices, it appears to be ‘sculpted’ (between 2 & 3 above). I’ve checked all the sites you give here, and haven’t found that carpet on them, am I missing something or is it perhaps no longer available? Thanks..Vin
pam kueber says
Hi Vin, this post was written a few years ago so I suspect that if you can’t find it on the sites/sources linked to anymore that it has been discontinued. The one you are pointing to looks like Bed Bath Store, you could always reach out to them and ask… good luck.
Jerry Glick says
Hi I’m Jerry Glick, the owner of JAG Carpet Wholesalers, referenced in the post above. We’ve expanded our line to more than 17 colors. If you want to see all of them, here’s the link on our website. http://www.jagcptrugs.com/store1/bathroom-carpet/
Pam Kueber says
Thanks, Jerry!
Linda says
I can’t get your color sample illustration to enlarge and they are tiny on my device, so I can’t discern amidst the blues on your website. Pity. Don’t know maybe you can email enlarged version?
Pam Kueber says
click the links – they are the brite bold blue
Cheryl says
I am looking to purchase some washable cut to fit bathroom carpet with a non skid rubber backing. Thinking about either a Burgundy or Navy color. Do you or anyone in your audience know of any stores that carry bathroom carpet in stock, on the shelf? I personally don’t like buying products on line. Old fashioned gal here. I would like to see it, feel it, & look it over to make sure the color is right and the quality is decent. Thanks in advance for any help/leads. Appreciated!
ALLISON says
JC Penneys carries bath room carpet in their Ultim collectiona; maybe not in stock but you should be able to see the colors and quality of the other Ultima area rugs and mats.