The doormat is probably the smallest decorating decision you make for the front of your house.
It may also be the first one anyone sees.
Before your guests notice the beautiful front door, the landscaping, the architecture or the fact that you spent an unreasonable amount of time deciding between two nearly identical shades of exterior paint, they have to step over the mat.
So you might as well tell them something useful.
Especially if there’s a dog on the other side of the door who has already announced their arrival to everyone within a three-block radius.
There are plenty of pet doormats available.
Welcome to our home.
Wipe your paws.
Hope you like dogs.
All perfectly respectable.
We thought we could do better.
So we imagined ten pet doormats we’d happily put outside our own homes — along with the beautiful entrances where they belong.
Some are practical.
Some are welcoming.
And some provide visitors with information they probably should have had before ringing the doorbell.
1. The Dog Has Been Informed of Your Arrival
THE DOG HAS BEEN INFORMED OF YOUR ARRIVAL
There really isn’t any reason to knock.
Or ring the bell.
Or send a text saying you’re outside.
The household notification system detected your presence approximately four houses ago.
By the time you reach the front step, management has been fully briefed.
The Entrance: A spectacular contemporary home with an oversized natural-oak pivot door, pale limestone, architectural grasses and enormous panes of glass.
And through one narrow sidelight beside the door?
A dog’s nose.
Just the nose.
Surveillance is underway.
2. Please Wipe Your Paws. You Too.
PLEASE WIPE YOUR PAWS.
YOU TOO.
House rules should apply equally to everyone.
If the dog has to stand there while someone attacks its feet with an old towel, the humans can make a little effort too.
The Entrance: A beautiful modern-country mudroom entrance after a rainy afternoon. Warm brick, painted cabinetry, hooks, baskets and a built-in bench.
Beside the mat sits a pair of muddy rubber boots.
Beside those sits an equally muddy dog.
Both parties deny responsibility.
3. Welcome. Your Background Check Is in Progress.
WELCOME.
YOUR BACKGROUND CHECK IS IN PROGRESS.
You have been permitted onto the property.
This should not be confused with approval.
References are being checked.
Your pockets may be searched for treats.
The Entrance: An elegant city home with a glossy black door, brass hardware, clipped evergreens and beautiful stonework.
Behind the glass sits a stern elderly Schnauzer.
The sort of dog who looks as though he has concerns about several things on your résumé.
4. The Cat Will Decide If You May Enter
THE CAT WILL DECIDE
IF YOU MAY ENTER
The homeowners technically own the property.
This is largely an administrative arrangement.
Final decisions regarding visitors are handled elsewhere.
The Entrance: A gorgeous restored townhouse with old stone steps, an enormous dark-green door, traditional lanterns and overflowing planters.
Inside the partially opened doorway sits one beautifully groomed cat.
Perfect posture.
Completely expressionless.
Your application is not going particularly well.
5. Deliveries Here. Squirrels Keep Moving.
DELIVERIES HERE.
SQUIRRELS KEEP MOVING.
Clear instructions save everyone time.
Packages are welcome.
Pizza is particularly welcome.
Squirrels should understand that this property has an active security department and a very generous pursuit policy.
The Entrance: A striking mountain-modern house with cedar siding, black steel, stone and a wide covered porch.
A delivery box sits neatly beside the door.
Through the window, a dog is staring intensely at something completely unrelated to the photographer.
We can probably guess what.
6. We Cleaned. Please Don’t Look Under Anything.
WE CLEANED.
PLEASE DON’T LOOK UNDER ANYTHING.
There was vacuuming.
There was dusting.
There may even have been a brief and highly optimistic attempt at removing dog hair from the sofa.
The house is now ready for company.
Provided nobody moves a cushion.
The Entrance: An immaculate contemporary foyer with pale oak, warm plaster walls, a sculptural console and beautifully restrained furniture.
Everything looks perfect.
Except for one tiny tumbleweed of dog hair drifting majestically across the floor.
Nobody saw it.
7. Come In. We’ve Already Barked About You.
COME IN.
WE’VE ALREADY BARKED ABOUT YOU.
The introductions are essentially complete.
Your arrival has been discussed.
Opinions have been expressed.
Several departments participated.
You may now enter.
The Entrance: A welcoming family home with a deep blue front door, traditional brick, large sidelights and beautiful pots filled with greenery.
Behind the glass are two dogs.
One looks thrilled.
The other appears to have reservations.
The meeting was apparently not unanimous.
8. Shoes Off. Dog Hair Stays.
SHOES OFF.
DOG HAIR STAYS.
Every home needs boundaries.
Outdoor dirt stays outside.
Shoes come off at the door.
The dog hair, however, has established permanent residency and is no longer subject to removal proceedings.
The Entrance: A gorgeous Scandinavian-inspired home with pale timber, concrete floors, simple black hardware and an exceptionally clean entrance.
Sitting beside the mat is an enormous fluffy dog.
There is enough fur on this animal to upholster a small chair.
The minimalist phase of the house was lovely while it lasted.
9. You’re Here! — The Dog. Oh. It’s You. — The Cat.
YOU’RE HERE! — THE DOG
OH. IT’S YOU. — THE CAT
Few things illustrate the difference between dogs and cats quite as efficiently.
One considers your arrival the greatest event of the day.
The other acknowledges that circumstances have changed.
The Entrance: A bright modern home with a huge glass front door.
On one side sits a dog practically vibrating with excitement.
On the other sits a cat.
Same visitor.
Two customer reviews.
10. Welcome Home
WELCOME HOME.
THE DOG MISSED YOU.
THE CAT NOTICED YOU WERE GONE.
And perhaps this is the one we’d actually keep.
Because beneath all the barking, muddy paws, dog hair, suspicious cats and completely unnecessary investigations of arriving guests, there’s something rather wonderful about a pet waiting on the other side of your door.
You leave.
You go to work.
You run errands.
You disappear into the enormous world outside.
And eventually you come back.
The Entrance: A beautiful home at dusk.
Warm light spills through the windows onto the front step.
Inside, a dog waits eagerly near the door.
A cat sits a few feet behind it, maintaining an appropriate level of emotional restraint.
Both know exactly who is coming through that door.
One is simply considerably more willing to admit that they’re happy about it.
The First Thing Guests Learn About Your Home
A doormat doesn’t need to say much.
It has a fairly simple job.
Catch some dirt.
Survive the weather.
Try not to slide across the porch.
But when you share your home with animals, it can also provide a little advance warning about the household visitors are about to enter.
There may be barking.
There will probably be hair.
Someone may inspect their shoes.
And depending on the cat, admission remains entirely at the discretion of management.
So choose your doormat carefully.
After all, it isn’t merely something people wipe their feet on.
It’s the first opportunity your pets have to set expectations.
