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Professional home stager Jason Saft used a wool rug instead of a conventional bath mat while staging a Brooklyn Heights apartment, according to Apartment Therapy. His suggestion is an aesthetic choice shown in a spacious staged bathroom; the report does not establish that wool rugs are suitable for every bathroom or provide care and safety guidance.
Home stager Jason Saft used a wool rug instead of a conventional bath mat in a staged Brooklyn Heights apartment, according to Apartment Therapy, presenting the choice as a way to make a bathroom feel softer and more like a decorated living space. The suggestion is based on a staging project, not a reported product test or safety assessment.
The example appeared in the fourth episode of “Styled to Sell,” in which Saft staged a pre-war apartment in Brooklyn Heights. The home’s oversized primary bathroom gave him room to use a larger rug alongside a skirted swivel chair. Apartment Therapy reported that the rug was wool; it did not identify a specific brand, price, or construction.
“Never use a bath mat,” Saft says in the video, explaining that he likes a large wool rug in a bathroom. He described the appeal as giving someone stepping out of a bath a soft surface underfoot, calling it “soft and delicious.” The phrase expresses his design preference, rather than a measurable claim about comfort or performance.
Saft’s advice comes with an important limitation visible in the example: the bathroom was spacious, and a generously sized rug suited the staging plan. Apartment Therapy notes that smaller wool flatweaves are available in sizes around 2 by 3 feet, or smaller, including through vintage sellers and Etsy. The report does not say that every wool rug is designed for wet bathroom floors.
A Softer Look for Bathrooms
The idea matters to readers weighing appearance, comfort and space in a bathroom. A rug can bring color and texture into a room that might otherwise feel utilitarian, and Saft’s staging example shows how a soft furnishing can support a more residential look. That may appeal to people who dislike the appearance or feel of standard bath mats.
But the report is about home staging and visual style, not a recommendation supported by testing. A rug placed near a tub or shower may encounter water, and its suitability will depend on its material, backing, placement and care. Readers should not assume that wool is slip-resistant, water-safe or easy to clean based on this single example.
Room size also changes the practical calculation. Saft used a large rug in an expansive bathroom, while the Apartment Therapy writer described avoiding mats in a small bathroom partly because they can make the room feel smaller. A compact flatweave may occupy less floor space, but the article does not compare options or establish which size works best.
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The Brooklyn Staging Example
Apartment Therapy’s report centers on a specific property: a pre-war apartment in Brooklyn Heights staged for the “Styled to Sell” series. The bathroom’s generous dimensions shaped Saft’s design choices, including the rug and chair. It is therefore an example of how a stager furnished one room, not evidence that the same arrangement is appropriate in every home.
Saft also said he likes to make bathrooms feel less sterile and more decorated. The report describes artwork as another part of that approach and attributes to him the suggestion that canvas pieces can withstand steam or water. It does not provide technical details about artwork finishes or specify exposure limits, so that comment should be understood as his design advice rather than a materials guide.
The article’s writer explains that traditional bath mats have felt troublesome to her because they can stain and bunch up, and because she has not found one she likes. That is personal experience, separate from Saft’s staging choices. The report does not include expert input from flooring, textile or bathroom-safety specialists.
Rug Safety and Care Details
Apartment Therapy’s report does not establish whether the wool rug used in the staged bathroom had a non-slip backing, how it was protected from moisture, or how often it would need cleaning. It also does not compare wool with conventional bath mats for drying, mold resistance, stain removal or slip prevention.
It remains unclear whether Saft uses the same approach in bathrooms that are smaller or more frequently exposed to water. The article describes the staging setup but does not report feedback from residents, a sale outcome linked to the rug, or any independent assessment of its performance. The recommendation should be read as design advice for one project, not a substitute for evaluating a rug’s suitability in a particular bathroom.
Check Fit Before Replacing a Mat
Readers interested in Saft’s approach can look for a small, washable flatweave that fits their room, while checking the manufacturer’s care instructions and whether the rug is intended for a bathroom. A suitable non-slip solution and careful placement matter near a tub or shower; the Apartment Therapy report does not offer detailed safety instructions.
The cited development is a staging example rather than a product launch or announced change in industry guidance. Apartment Therapy does not report a follow-up test or additional findings. For now, Saft’s wool-rug choice offers one styling option, with its practical performance in other bathrooms still unverified by the source.
Key Questions
What did the stager use instead of a bath mat?
Jason Saft used a wool rug in a staged Brooklyn Heights bathroom, according to Apartment Therapy.
Why did Saft prefer a wool rug?
He said he wanted people stepping out of the bath to land on something soft, and that rugs can make a bathroom feel more decorated and less sterile.
Does the report show that wool rugs are safer than bath mats?
No. The article reports a staging choice and does not compare slip resistance, moisture handling or other safety measures.
Will a wool rug work in a small bathroom?
The example was a spacious bathroom. Apartment Therapy mentions smaller flatweaves around 2 by 3 feet or less, but does not test how well they fit or perform in small bathrooms.
What should shoppers check before using a rug near a shower?
Check the rug’s care instructions, intended use and backing, and consider how it will handle water and stay in place. The source report does not provide a specific safety or cleaning guide.
Source: apartmenttherapy.com
