Heated bath mat/heated rug?

[natopotato]

My feet get cold sitting at my desk at home, unless I wear socks, which I hate. Heated rugs are more prevalent in Japan, but not so much here. In fact, I couldn't find one good indoor rug that I would want in my home. Nor did I find any heated bath mats. This has been an idea I've been tossing around for a year, but always gets bumped to the back of my brain. Having said all that, I have a couple questions to bounce off your skulls:
1. Would anybody actually buy one, or would you rather put on socks/blanket/snuggie?

2. The wires are awfully unsightly, especially if you had a heated bathmat, a lot of outlets are up high on the wall in the bathroom, any way around that?

 

Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

[ChickenHawk]

I think a heated rug would be great for lounging in front of the TV. Would I actually buy one? Hmmm...it depends on the price, style, etc. I keep my house fairly toasty, so I don't feel like I need it so much at home. Plus, I live in Alabama, which has more warm weather than cold. But I do think it's interesting that they're popular in Japan, but not here. I could definitely see where this might have some potential.

About a heated bathmat, that sounds comfy, but potentially dangerous. If there were a way around the inconvenience of the plug height and the potential for electricution (due to water and electricity not mixing very well), hmmm...I just don't know.

I do keep a heated "rug" of sorts under my desk at work though, and I absolutely adore it. It looks like a floormat, and it's terrific.

 

[InLikeFlint]

I would definitely use one for my dorm room where the floor is very cold! Also for use in the bathroom, perhaps paired with a heated towel rack...it could be the perfect duo!

 

[ChickenHawk]

I would definitely use one for my dorm room where the floor is very cold!

Oooh, I like that dorm room idea! That's a place where someone doesn't control the overall temperature, so a heated rug might be just the thing.

 

Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

[natopotato]

Didn't think of the dorm either! It is a promising idea. As for the bathmat, if I recall correctly I think I found heating elements that used some sort of carbon fiber weave instead of metal heating elements, which would eliminate the post-shower zapping...

 

[InLikeFlint]

Oooh, I like that dorm room idea! That's a place where someone doesn't control the overall temperature, so a heated rug might be just the thing.

There actually IS a thermostat in my dorm! On the downside the dorm has the old gas powered metal heaters, and they make such a racket and it keeps me up! So sometimes I will just leave it on up until I need to sleep and then turn it off and hope it stays warm for a little while! But I definitely would get one for a dorm room, and I am sure TONS of college students will too!

 

[Alana]

I asked my brother last night who lives in a hard wood floored apartment and has several roommates. He lives in SF, CA (and yes, it’s COLD there) and just got out of college. Here’s what I asked
“Would you or any of your roommates be interested in a heated floor mat if I bought it for you guys for x-mas?”
The 5 of them declined. BUT don’t despair…
There are mats out there that heat up (and don’t have power cords)….and right now they are created primarily for pets (at least from what I know).

Amazon.com: Slumber Pet Thermal Cat Mat - BEIGE: Pet Supplies

(if this site doesn’t come up, just type in Pet Thermal Cat Mat on amazon)

So…..there is a potential market….a niche market…but a market. And like the snuggie (I’ll admit…I bought one for my grandmother)…..it most likely will have gimmick potential. But consider the fact that the Snuggie made millions….

 

Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

[natopotato]

As a guy, I decline any offers of gifts from family, not sure why. Must be a guy thing. Buuuutttt, I'm not too put off by them declining and it's awesome that you asked! I'm going to spend the weekend trying to answer my two questions above to see if these could be done in a non-tacky way.

 

[JAJT]

I'd sooner invest in heated floors (which do exist).

It's just not the kind of problem I would band-aid fix. I'd either get slippers or replace the floors.