What is HEYMAT

Entrance mats and rugs are everyday items used to keep dust and mud from shoes out of the home, but Norway also has a lifestyle of "taking off your shoes indoors." HEYMAT is a brand dedicated entirely to rugs, founded by a husband and wife team: Thoralf Lian, who has been involved in commercial entrance mat work for three generations, and Sonja Djønne, who has a passion for interior design. Through meeting countless mats and the people who use them, the two became convinced of the durability and functionality of commercial-grade mats, and began creating mats that incorporate contemporary designs meant to be cherished for years, while still being suitable for everyday home use.

The Joy of "Coming Home"

HEYMAT. The name comes from the northern Norwegian word "heimatt," meaning "coming home." True to its name, the brand offers a lineup of mats designed to become part of an interior that delivers the joy of saying "I'm home."

Photo: Kim-Åge Abelsen / Rabothytta, Mo i Rana

Choosing Materials with the Earth in Mind

HEYMAT's materials are made from recycled plastic with consideration for the global environment (front: polyester (PET), back: nitrile rubber). The nitrile rubber backing makes for a sturdy mat that doesn't let moisture through and grips the floor firmly so it won't slip, making it safe to use in homes with anyone from small children to elderly family members.

Around the world, efforts to recycle plastics such as PET bottles are accelerating, and the development of recycled materials is progressing across every industry. If knowing about the materials and manufacturing behind everything we choose can help solve these problems, then we should choose things with the earth in mind.

Design Made to Last

Sustainability is something HEYMAT values deeply in its craftsmanship. Its designs are kept simple and timeless, so that they can be used for years and grow on you. In the geometric patterns, using tones from the same color family softens what might otherwise be an assertive design, while the arrangement of squares and circles expresses beautiful color gradations reminiscent of the layered colors seen in natural landscapes, allowing the mats to truly shine as interior pieces.

Every piece is created by a leading Norwegian designer, and the collection boasts a level of design quality that has earned recognition from Design and Architecture Norway (DOGA), the country's top award for architecture and design projects. Caroline Olsson designed the Bláne series, which expresses Norway's nature and changing seasons through geometric patterns and color. With mats named Fall, Summer, and Winter, each rendered in a different color palette, this collection is made up of beautifully toned pieces that make you want to change the pattern with the seasons.

Kristine Five Melvær designed the Hand series, with themes and patterns that make coming home a joy. Its simple grid pattern, in colors and design that suit natural Japanese living spaces, makes it a piece that fits beautifully into any setting.

Speaking of Norway, one famous summer-to-autumn sight is people out picking wild berries. The Mix series, also designed by Kristine Five Melvær, was inspired by those berries, featuring vivid, colorful tones and beautiful gradations created by crossing melange yarns.

The Effect and Practicality of Rugs

The entrance is, in a sense, the face of a home—it's what forms a visitor's first impression. It also plays the role of keeping outside dust and dirt from being tracked indoors. Rugs placed under tables or sofas, meanwhile, protect floors from being scratched by furniture and can also serve to divide up a space. When you're unsure how to choose colors and patterns for a rug or mat, keep this in mind: for a large rug used in a living room, since it will affect the impression of the entire room, a base color that ties the room together is recommended. For a small mat used in a compact space—in front of a door, by the bedside, or at the kitchen or bathroom sink—choosing an accent design or color can brighten and add style to the whole space with just one piece. Because small mats let you redecorate a room far more easily than changing furniture, curtains, or wallpaper, they're an element of interior design you can enjoy changing with your mood or the season.

Easy to Store, Easy to Care For

One of the great things about rugs and mats is that they can be used anywhere, and moved from place to place without any waste. Even a single small piece can bring a rhythm of color to a space and change it vividly. Rolled up, it takes up almost no room, and it's hygienic since it can be washed in a washing machine. Drawing on the brand's experience making commercial-grade mats, HEYMAT products are easy to use in daily life without any worry.

The Power of a Single Piece

In the homes of people who are particular about their interiors, well-designed furniture, lighting, appliances, and plants all seem to be arranged in careful balance—and in many cases, there's also a single rug (or mat) present. Simply laying down a rug creates atmosphere in a room, and its surface area has the power to change the impression of the entire space. If your interior feels like it's missing something, but you don't have room to add more furniture, we recommend trying a rug (or mat) that's both practical and highly effective for your interior.

▽View the HEYMAT product lineup here