Moss Bath Mat

The other day my colleague and I were discussing about how wet bath mats get due to people stepping out of the shower/bath with wet feet.

From this we did a little research on how we could make this useful in everyday life whilst also saving us from having to dry our mats out all the time. Here's the conclusion that we came to... Why not make your own DIY Moss Bath Mat!

In the spirit of natural living and even being eco-chic, this... quirky little project is just the thing. Originally the Moss Bathroom Mat is a concept designed by Swiss designer named Nguyen La Chanh, but that doesn't stop you from making your own. The moss provides both a comfortable cushion footfall and grip for no slipping on wet feet. This unique craft project is also great even if you don't have green-fingers as the moss is low maintenance and you don't have to worry about watering it due to it being able to thrive off the steam in the room as well as your wet feet.

So if you're feeling creative, why not give it a go!

What you'll need:-

• 2 layers of Plastazote foam roll/mat (approx. 1 inch thick)

• Scissors

• Stanley Blade or equivalent

• Silicon or Hot Glue Gun

• Chalk/Marker

• Assorted Moss Plugs

• Stencil for cutouts and shape (optional)

Note: Plastazote foam is available online but can also be found in most home improvement stores. This plastic foam is ideal for wet/dry use. If you can't find Plastazote, you could also up-cycle a couple of old yoga mats or use high density foam.

Step-By-Step:-

• Choose the size of your mat. This can be as big or small as you'd like it to be, depending on your bathroom. Make sure you have 2 layers of foam in order to have enough depth to the mat for your moss. I would strongly advise to not use a bamboo or wooden tray for the mat base as they have a tendency to produce mould and mildew under the conditions to keep moss alive.

• Design the shape of your mat using the chalk/marker, smooth side up. You will need several cut outs on one layer of the mat for your moss. The shape of the cutouts and the edge of the mat is entirely up to you!

• Now carefully use your Stanley blade to cut out the shapes you have stencilled onto the foam.

• Time to assemble the pieces together using the glue gun or silicon to stick both pieces together. Personally I would suggest a silicon caulk to work best as it'll create a watertight environment for you moss. Also, please note if you're using a glue gun it can often cause the foam to melt slightly. Press the layers together an wipe up any excess adhesive that may have squeezed out of the sides. Use books or something heavy to weigh down the mat until the adhesive has dried.

• Once dried, it's time to prep your mat. Use a spray bottle or your shower to mist the surface of the mat. I'd recommend to keep the spray bottle handy in the bathroom as the moos gets established.

• Finally plant the moss! Insert the moss into each cut out, until the mat is covered. Irish Moss, Spanish Moss and some forms of live Sphagnum Moss thrive well in these living Moss Mats.

Let us know how your one goes!

If this wasn't your type of thing, how about making your own Cork or Stone bathroom mat instead!