Bathroom

Small bathrooms get the hardest use of any room: steam, wet feet and frequent washing. These guides cover bath rug sets, bath mats, hand towels and magnifying mirrors, with the sizes, fabrics and backings that last.

Measure before you buy. A standard alcove tub is 60 inches long, and most bath mats come in 17 by 24, 20 by 32 or 24 by 40 inches. For fabric, cotton absorbs and launders well, microfiber dries faster, and latex backings can crack if you tumble-dry them hot.