Square WaterHog surface split into fours showing the affects of difference light variants has on the color of the mat.

Your eyes aren't playing tricks on you, it could be your lighting.

The type of lighting in your space can make your WaterHog mat look lighter or darker and give it a blue, orange, or green tint. But it's not just the lighting, wall and floor colors, furniture, and even the time of day and weather can alter how your mat appears.

To show you what we mean, we've taken a camel color WaterHog and photographed it in four common light settings. But most of times, the light will vary from household light bulbs to daylight.

That's right - both are camel.

Even your floors and walls can affect your mat color.

This effect is due to the way light interacts with both the mat and the surrounding environment. Darker colors tend to make mat colors appear more vibrant, and vice versa.

WaterHog Lattice indoor/outdoor mat in tan, featuring a crisscross design, displayed on grey tile flooring in front of a single door, with shoes placed on top.

Take a glance at all WaterHog colors.

Overhead image of WaterHog Squares mat in bluestone, shown in four different lighting types to show the variance - a soft, warm light, a fluorescent light, a natural light, and a cool white light.
WaterHog Square Bordeaux overhead, its surface split into fours showing the effects of different light variants on the color of the mat.
WaterHog Square Camel overhead, its surface split into fours showing the effects of different light variants on the color of the mat.
WaterHog Squares pattern in charcoal shows four lighting types to show the color variances - a soft, warm light, a fluorescent light, a natural light, and a cool white light.
An overhead of WaterHog Squares pattern in dark brown shows four lighting types to show the variance - a soft, warm light, a fluorescent light, a natural light, and a cool white light.
An overhead of WaterHog Squares surface int he color evergreen with four lighting variance - a soft, warm light, a fluorescent light, a natural light, and a cool white light.
The overhead image of WaterHog Squares mat in medium grey shows four lighting types to show the variance - a soft, warm light, a fluorescent light, a natural light, and a cool white light.
Overhead image of WaterHog Squares mat in Navy, shown in four different lighting types to show the variance - a soft, warm light, a fluorescent light, a natural light, and a cool white light.

Not confident in your color? Let's dive deeper...

Is there a best color for a doormat?

As all our mats are designed to be stain & fade resistant, there is no bad choice. However, certain colors may have practical or aesthetic benefits, such as:

  • Darker colors can hide dirt and stains better, making them ideal for high-traffic areas or outdoor use.
  • Bright or light-colored mats may need more frequent cleaning, but they can brighten up a space or create a fresh, airy look.
How does my floor impact the color of my mat?
  • Contrast: Dark mats on light floors create bold contrast, while light mats on dark floors look bright. Similar colors make the mat blend in.
  • Warm vs. Cool Tones: Warm floors can dull cool mats, while cool floors enhance warm mats.
  • Glossy vs. Matte: Glossy floors make colors brighter, while matte floors soften them.
Can the color of a mat impact the mood or energy in a room?
  • Blue: Calming, peaceful, and serene.
  • Camel & Grey: Neutral and grounding, suitable for modern, minimalist spaces.
  • Black: Sleek, elegant, and timeless.