Shower Mats

Shower Mats for a Safer, Drier Shower

The shower is one of the most slippery places in any home. Wet feet, soap and a smooth tray are a risky combination, and stepping out onto cold, wet tiles is not much better. A good shower mat solves both problems: inside the tray, it gives your feet a secure grip; outside the shower, it catches water and gives you a warm, dry place to land.

Our collection brings together non slip shower mats for inside the tray and absorbent mats designed for outside the shower, including square, pebble, curved, corner and L-shaped designs. Whether you have a standard square tray, a quadrant enclosure or a large walk-in shower, you will find the right mat for your bathroom.

Two Types of Shower Mat: Inside the Tray and Outside the Shower

The term shower mat covers two very different products, and choosing the right one starts with knowing where it will go. Here is how they compare.

	Inside the shower tray	Outside the shower
Main role	Grip underfoot while you shower	Absorb water when you step out
Typical materials	PVC, rubber, textured plastics	Soft textiles, chenille, linen, microfibre
How it stays in place	Suction cups or a heavy textured base	Non slip backing on the floor
Drainage	Holes or channels let water flow away	Absorbs water, then dries between uses
Best for	Elderly users, children, slippery trays	Every shower, to protect the bathroom floor

Many bathrooms benefit from both: a non slip mat inside the tray for safety, and a soft mat outside to keep the floor dry.

Non Slip Shower Mats for Inside the Tray

A non slip shower mat placed inside the tray is one of the simplest and most effective ways to reduce the risk of slipping. Its textured surface gives your feet grip even when the tray is covered in water and soap, and it stays firmly in place while you move.

How suction cups work, and when they do not

Most inside-the-tray mats use dozens of small suction cups on the underside. Pressed onto a smooth, clean tray, they create a vacuum that holds the mat in place. For the best grip, place the mat on a clean, wet tray and press firmly across the whole surface. Suction cups need a smooth, non-porous surface to work: on a textured tray, a slate effect or stone resin tray, or a tray with a factory anti-slip coating, they will not hold properly. On these surfaces, a mat is often unnecessary anyway, as the tray itself already provides grip.

Drainage holes and airflow

A good inside-the-tray mat has drainage holes or channels that let water flow straight through to the waste. This prevents puddles forming on top of the mat and reduces the build-up of soap and moisture underneath, which is key to keeping the mat hygienic.

Square and pebble shower mats

Our square non slip shower mat is designed for square shower trays, covering the area where you stand without overlapping the edges. A square shower mat is ideal for the 70, 80 and 90 cm trays found in most UK bathrooms. For a more natural feel underfoot, our white pebble shower bath mat recreates the look of smooth river stones, with a textured surface that adds grip and a gentle massage effect. Our non slip PVC bath mat completes the range with a practical, easy to rinse design. Check each product page for the recommended placement.

Shower Mats for Outside the Shower

When you step out of the shower, your feet carry water straight onto the bathroom floor. An absorbent mat placed in front of the tray catches those drips, protects your flooring and gives you a comfortable, non slip surface to dry off on.

Curved and corner mats for quadrant showers

Quadrant and corner showers have a curved front, and a rectangular mat leaves gaps on either side. Our curved linen bath mat, curved bath mat and black curved bath mat all follow the shape of the tray for a neat, tailored fit, while our white corner bath mat is designed specifically for corner enclosures. You will find more shapes in our curved bath mats collection.

L-shaped mats for corner enclosures

Some corner showers open on two sides. Our L shaped chenille bath mat wraps around the corner to cover both entrances with a single, soft mat, and its chenille pile absorbs water quickly and feels warm underfoot.

Mats for walk-in showers

Walk-in showers of 120 or 140 cm spread water along their full length. A long mat lined up with the open side of the screen catches every step. Discover our long bath mats and runners for these wider openings, or our large bath mats for more coverage.

Shower Tray Sizes and Which Mat to Choose

Knowing your tray size is the quickest way to choose the right mat. Here are the most common formats in UK bathrooms.

Shower tray	Common sizes	Inside mat	Outside mat
Square	70 x 70, 80 x 80, 90 x 90 cm	Square non slip mat	Standard or small bath mat
Quadrant	80 x 80, 90 x 90 cm	Square or round mat	Curved or corner mat
Offset quadrant	100 x 80 to 120 x 90 cm	Rectangular mat	Wider curved mat
Rectangular	100 x 80 to 140 x 90 cm	Rectangular mat	Large or long mat
Walk-in	120 x 80 to 160 x 90 cm	Long rectangular mat	Runner or long mat

Inside the tray, leave a few centimetres between the mat and the edges so water can reach the drain freely. Outside, choose a mat that covers the width of the opening.

Non Slip Shower Mats for the Elderly and Less Mobile

For older people and anyone with reduced mobility, a non slip shower mat for the elderly is one of the most important safety additions in the bathroom. Falls in the shower are a leading cause of injury at home, and a secure grip underfoot makes a real difference to confidence and independence.

A few simple principles help. Choose a mat that covers as much of the standing area as possible, so there is no smooth patch to step onto by mistake. Pick a colour that contrasts with the tray, such as a dark mat on a white tray, which makes the edges easier to see for anyone with reduced vision. Outside the shower, use a flat, low profile mat with a firm non slip backing rather than a thick, fluffy one that could catch a foot or a walking aid. For the best protection, combine your mat with grab rails and, if needed, a shower seat. A mat improves grip, but it does not replace professional adaptations where these are recommended.

Shower Mats for Children and Family Bathrooms

Children move quickly and rarely stand still in the shower. An inside-the-tray mat with a strong grip gives them a safer surface, and a soft mat outside the shower gives them somewhere dry to land. In a family bathroom, an easy to rinse PVC or pebble design is the most practical choice, as it can be cleaned in seconds after a busy bath time.

How to Stop a Shower Mat Going Mouldy

Mould is the main enemy of any shower mat, especially one with suction cups, where water can stay trapped underneath. The good news is that a few simple habits prevent it almost entirely.

After each shower, lift the mat and hang it over the shower door, the bath edge or a rail so both sides can dry. Leaving it stuck to the tray all day is what allows mould and soap residue to develop. Once a week, rinse it in warm, soapy water and scrub the underside and the suction cups with a soft brush. For a deeper clean, soak the mat for an hour in warm water with a cup of white vinegar, then rinse and hang to dry. Keep your extractor fan running for at least 15 minutes after showering to reduce humidity. And if dark spots appear that no longer come off, it is time to replace the mat. Always follow the care instructions on each product page.

Common Mistakes With Shower Mats

The most common mistake is using a suction mat on a textured or anti-slip coated tray, where it will never hold properly and may even become more slippery than the tray itself. The second is placing the mat over the drain, which slows the flow of water and leaves puddles in the tray.

Another frequent error is using an ordinary bath mat inside the shower. Textile bath mats are designed to absorb water outside the shower, not to sit in running water, where they become heavy, slippery and quickly unhygienic. Finally, many people leave their mat in place permanently, which is the main cause of mould and discolouration.

Bath Mats and Shower Mats: Complete Your Setup

If you have a shower over the bath, a non slip mat inside the bath works on the same principle as a shower mat. Explore our non slip bath mats for more grip options. For a coordinated finish, discover our bath mat sets, or add a matching mat around the toilet from our pedestal mats collection. You can also browse all our bath mats by type, size and colour.

Why Buy Your Shower Mat from Bath-Mat.co.uk?

Bath mats and shower mats are our only speciality. Every mat in this collection is selected for its grip, its fit and its practicality, whether it goes inside the tray or on the floor outside. Every order benefits from free UK delivery and secure payment, and our customer service team is on hand to help you find the right shower mat for your bathroom.