Oh, I thought you were looking for a husband.:)

Michael

Perhaps one of these waterhogs from LLBean that have some texture or design would be better?

mats

too funny brushworks.. .

Les, the patterns are nice but kelly green, beige, and that red don't work for me. What I really would want is one of susan sargent's mini hooked rugs, but that wouldn't be practical and they would look awful fast. I have even thought about designing my own logo and getting custom entrance waterhog mats . . .Not cheap though.
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Can't say enough about the waterhog mats. I've had them in my current home for 6 yrs but, like you, wanted something with a little more personality for the large breezeway of the cottage we just built.

I finally went with the khaki waterhogs and really appreciated having them this past weekend when we all stomped in with our snowy boots.

One thing having the plainer mats afforded me was the opportunity to go with more splashes of color with my accessories, which I'll likely change out with the seasons. For instance, I went with a navy, teal and red striped Roman shade for the breezeway door that brings out the blue shades in the slate tile. The waterhogs sort of blend in to the background and do their job.

Just shining another light on the decision, so you won't feel as disappointed if you end up going with waterhogs.

I see a caution in the details tab about the backing of the waterhogs possibly discoloring linoleum or vinyl. How will I figure this out? We've had our vinyl 10 years and I don't want to ruin it with a doormat.

I see a caution in the details tab about the backing of the waterhogs possibly discoloring linoleum or vinyl. How will I figure this out? We've had our vinyl 10 years and I don't want to ruin it with a doormat.

How about this one? I've been considering it myself.

Here is a link that might be useful: Frontgate rug

I am getting this mat from LL Bean for my mother for Christmas - it's a waterhog, but with a bit more pattern and nicer colors, IMO. Doesn't look quite so industrial...

Here is a link that might be useful: LL Bean Coir Style Waterhog

lk, that one does look very nice. I got mine 2 years ago and they have a chainlink pattern. The waterhogs are expensive but they are excellent; we have terrible winters so mine have really been put to the test. They don't even show stains, everything seems to sink into them.

I bought that Frontgate one. It's very nice and thin, so it doesn't get in the way of the door opening. I can't attest to how well it works though, we haven't had a lot of company coming to our front door.

Mitch - we've had ours from LL Bean (also a chainlink) for 5 years now - it's at our main family entrance door and takes a LOT of abuse, and it still looks brand new. The only issue we had with it was when the cat peed on it - it was difficult to get the smell out since you can't wash it. I ended up spraying it with enzyme cleaner and leaving it outside in the sun/rain for a few weeks. All good now, but I was panicked for a while at the thought of having to toss my $80 doormat, LOL!

For those of you with the water hog mats and pets.....how is it to vacuum dog hair from those mats? I have an industrial type mat by my back door - charcoal gray - and it's a PITA to get dog hair off of it. And itty bitty pine needles get stuck in it and I have to pick them out - the vacuum can't get them. Just wondering if I'd be trading one headach for another and not gaining anything.

I have a waterhog mat, a cat, and 2 dogs. I haven't noticed a problem with dog hair. We have a central vac and only have the bare floor brush since we have mostly hardwood floors. It takes a few passes over the mat to get all the dirt but it all comes up fine. It would probably be easier if I had a vacuum with an actual beater bar for lifting dirt.

It seems like because of way the mat is grooved, most of the hair and superficial dirt stays on top and is easy to vacuum. Occasionally a piece of mulch or a rock will work its way down into the groove and then usually I have to pick it out by hand as it doesn't vacuum easily.

For those with dogs and waterhogs, if they do go potty on them, how do you clean it? My doggy will use an occasional rug if its placed in front of the door if she can't get outside? But since we put in the hardwoods and use our front door a lot, I notice I have to sweep at least twice a day on the weekends and about every day during the week, just to get up the stray grass and dirt bits.

Christy

How do the Waterhog mats hold up outdoors? We need mats for 3 sliders outdoors on our wood deck. I am considering the Waterhogs. Anyone with experience on decks - do they trap water between the mat & the deck?