Making an entrance

When taking steps to freshen the entrance to your home for summer, don't overlook the doormat. It's so much more than a place to wipe your feet when coming in out of the mud from seasonal rain. Doormats may be the first opportunity to greet guests.

Not too long ago, it was a fairly safe bet that you'd find a plain black mat at most front doors. The only differences among the mats might be the kind of lettering spelling out the word "Welcome." Mats were not design elements, but strictly utilitarian.

Not anymore.

Doormats are available in an ever-wider variety and can be used to provide color, texture, style or that wow factor to a front porch. There are mats made of aluminum, cedar, coir, iron, recycled rubber, river stones, teak. They usually come in rectangular, half-moon and other shapes.

Mats can be personalized with a homeowner's name, address or a favorite sports team's logo. Some mats also come with inserts that give homeowners the option of changing their look seasonally. While they come in a range of colors, earth tones are very popular.

For the cost of a mat, generally $15 to $200, homeowners can put a conversation starter at their front door.

Charleston Gardens, which sells online, has a selection of aluminum mats.

"When you combine good design with function, you have a winning product," says Leeda Marting, its founder. "Aluminum is lightweight, durable and never rusts. Its properties allow for more intricate detail than iron or other materials. The aluminum mats get the job done.

"The pineapple doormat is always in our top two sellers in this category. This symbol of hospitality is popular throughout the USA, not just in the South where it originated. We sell bronze because it is the most popular finish."

At Hyams Garden & Accent Store on Folly Road, river stone mats are among the most popular, says Carol Thomas, manager of the garden center. People are drawn to the mats because they are fascinated by the polished stones and the smooth flat stones feel good underfoot, she says.

The river stone mats, which are about 20-by-30 inches in size, come in black or earth-toned stones, Thomas says. They have a felt backing that lets water pass through them, allowing them to dry quickly. In addition, the rugs are heavy and won't slide around.

Reach Wevonneda Minis at 937-5705 or wminis@postandcourier.com.