Best Christmas Door Mats: What to Buy and What to Skip
Our picks for the best Christmas door mats, from classic coir welcome mats to layered plaid rugs for a festive entry.
Your front door is the first thing guests see during the holidays, and a festive mat is one of the easiest ways to make it feel welcoming. A good mat also does real work, trapping snow, mud and salt before they reach your floors. Our guide to the best christmas door mats covers classic coir welcome mats, oversized statement mats and layered plaid looks, plus what to skip so your mat survives the whole season.
Below the product table you will find our three top picks, a buying guide, the main styles, styling ideas for your home, safety tips and answers to common questions.
Our Top 3 Christmas Door Mats at a Glance
These three cover a well sized mat for most entries, a budget classic and an extra large statement piece. All are in the product table above.
Best for Most Homes: Calloway Mills Merry Christmas Doormat 24 x 36
This roomy Merry Christmas mat fits most front doors and has a 4.8 star average from more than six hundred Amazon buyers. It costs around $31.
- Generous 24 x 36 inch size that looks balanced in front of a standard door.
- Classic holiday message that works with traditional and farmhouse decor.
- Larger surface that gives guests more room to wipe their feet.
The trade off is that a larger mat needs more clearance from the door swing. It is a smart choice for most porches and covered entries.
Best Value: Calloway Mills Red Merry Christmas Coir Doormat
This red coir mat is a cheerful budget pick with a 4.7 star average from nearly a thousand reviews. It costs around $17.
- Natural coir fibers that scrape dirt and snow from shoes.
- Non slip vinyl backing that helps keep it in place.
- Compact 17 x 29 inch size for apartments and smaller entries.
The drawback is that coir sheds fibers when new, so give it a shake outside before placing it. It suits renters and anyone who wants a festive touch for little money.
Best Splurge: LuxUrux Extra Large Merry Christmas Welcome Mat
For double doors or wide porches, this extra large coco coir mat makes a bold statement. It has about two thousand ratings and a 4.5 star average, and it costs around $60.
- Extra large size that suits wide entries and double doors.
- Coco coir surface that traps dirt and moisture.
- Heavy duty backing that helps the mat stay flat and in place.
The downside is the higher price and the need for more porch space. It is ideal for larger homes and anyone who wants the entry to stand out.
How to Choose the Best Christmas Door Mats
Christmas door mats look simple, but material, size and backing matter a lot in winter weather.
Style and Color Palette
Red lettering on natural coir feels classic, black and white plaid suits farmhouse porches and novelty designs add humor. Match the mat to your wreath and porch decor for a pulled together look.
Size and Placement
A mat should be at least as wide as about 80 percent of the door. Standard doors work with 18 x 30 or 24 x 36 inch mats, while double doors need extra large sizes. Leave clearance so the door opens freely.
Materials and Quality
Coir is the most popular choice because it scrapes dirt well and dries quickly. Rubber mats like the CHICHIC heavy duty mat handle high traffic and slush, and cotton plaid rugs are best for layering under a coir mat on a covered porch.
Indoor vs Outdoor Use
Coir and rubber mats belong outdoors. Cotton and printed mats work best indoors or under a roof, since they soak up water in rain and snow.
Thickness and Backing
A non slip backing keeps the mat from sliding on wet steps. Thicker mats trap more dirt but can catch the bottom of a low clearance door, so check the gap before buying.
Storage and Reuse
Shake off dirt, let the mat dry completely and store it flat or loosely rolled in a dry place. A seasonal mat stored well can be used for many years.
What to Skip
Skip thin printed mats with foam backing for uncovered porches, since they soak up water, slide around and fade quickly in winter sun. Also skip mats that are much smaller than the door, which look lost and leave guests stepping straight onto the floor with wet shoes. Finally, avoid novelty mats with raised decorations that can catch heels or trap ice.
Types of Christmas Door Mats
Here is how the options in our table compare.
Traditional
The Calloway Mills Classic Christmas doormat, the THEODORE MAGNUS Merry Christmas coir mat and the 30 x 17 inch Merry Christmas coir mat all feature timeless holiday lettering.
Modern and minimalist
The CHICHIC rubber entrance mat has a simple design and heavy duty construction, a good base for minimalist porches when paired with a small festive accent.
Rustic and farmhouse
The LuxUrux Premium Christmas door mat and the 17 x 30 inch coir Christmas mat suit rustic porches with wreaths and lanterns. A Nightmare Before Christmas themed Jack mat adds a playful twist for fans.
Layered mat sets
The MUBIN cotton buffalo plaid rug is sized at 27.5 x 43 inches to pair with an 18 x 30 inch welcome mat on top. Layering creates a designer look for very little money.
Styling Ideas
A door mat works best as part of a bigger holiday scene.
Entryway and Porch
Layer a coir Christmas mat over a buffalo plaid rug, then add a wreath on the door and a pair of lanterns or potted evergreens on either side. The combination looks warm and inviting from the street.
Living Room and Mantel
Carry the same colors inside. If your mat is red and black plaid, echo it with throw pillows, stockings or a plaid tree skirt for a coordinated look.
Dining Table
Tie the theme together with a plaid runner or red napkins at the table, so the welcome at the front door continues through the meal.
Cleaning Through the Season
Coir mats release dirt when you shake them or tap them against a railing. Rubber mats can be hosed off on a mild day, and cotton plaid rugs are often machine washable on a gentle cycle. A quick weekly cleaning keeps the mat looking fresh for guests and helps it trap more dirt.
Are Christmas Door Mats a Good Holiday Gift?
Yes. A festive mat is an easy hostess gift, housewarming present or gift for new homeowners. The top rated christmas door mats in our table range from budget coir mats to statement pieces, so you can match any budget.
Planning your full holiday look? See our guide to the best artificial christmas trees.
Safety Tips Before You Buy
Choose mats with non slip backing, especially on stone or wood steps that get icy. Make sure the edges lie flat so nobody trips while carrying packages.
Avoid placing thick mats where they block the door from closing fully. In snowy climates, shovel and clear the mat regularly so ice does not build up underneath.
FAQs
Quick answers to common questions about Christmas door mats.
When should you put up Christmas door mats?
Many people put them out right after Thanksgiving, along with wreaths and outdoor lights, and keep them out through New Year's.
How do you keep Christmas door mats looking good year after year?
Shake or vacuum the mat often, let it dry after rain or snow and store it clean and dry after the season.
Are layered Christmas door mats worth it?
Yes. Layering a coir mat over a washable plaid rug adds style, and the bottom rug can be used year round.
How do you store Christmas door mats after the holidays?
Clean and dry the mat, then store it flat or loosely rolled in a dry closet or garage shelf.
When should you buy Christmas door mats for Christmas?
Buy in November for the best selection, before popular designs sell out.
Final Thoughts
The best christmas door mats make a warm first impression and protect your floors all season. The Calloway Mills 24 x 36 mat is our top pick for most homes, the red coir mat is the best value and the LuxUrux extra large mat is a bold splurge for big entries. Compare prices in the product table above and give your front door a festive welcome.
