Leftover Corks Could Become A Wine Lover's Favorite Accessory In Their Bathroom

If you're a wine lover with a vast bottle selection, your leftover corks could become your new favorite bathroom accessory. Wine bottle corks are small, sustainable components, many of which come from the cork oak forests in Portugal. While used corks are often seen in wall art and other creations, they can also be transformed into a chic, yet practical bath mat. With a few tools, you can create a genuine mat with your old corks that is reminiscent of your top wines or winery. 

What are the benefits of a cork bath mat? Strong and resourceful, the natural material of cork is able to handle various levels of moisture that typically occur in bathrooms. A cushy sensation for your feet, you can place this rustic, yet comfy mat wherever you might frequently use it, like the bathtub, shower, or vanity areas. If you don't know what to do with your oversupply of wine corks, a handmade bath mat may be a wine lover's ultimate accessory in the bathroom.

For wine connoisseurs with an overabundance of used corks, repurposing them into a DIY project may open up a variety of design possibilities. Whether it's for your personal bathroom, a guest bath, or a gift, certain shapes and sizes of mats will draw interest upon entrance. You might consider a round, sun-ray formation or a rectangular shape in a standard 20-by-30-inch size. The faint tan and brown colors of the corks will pair well with a variety of colors like gray, white, black, and blue. You may even have an assortment of shades to play around with from the variations of stained corks. Whatever style you invent, select your favorite pieces for a light and spongy surface for your bare feet, sandals, or shoes.

Similar to the quality of bamboo and teak, an all-natural cork mat may also make a lasting impression. While corks are dependable seals that help aerate wine bottles over time, a similar thing happens when the porous stoppers meld together. Highly resistant to mold and humidity, a cork-based mat is ideal for regularly wet bath or spa areas, and it also has shock-absorbing properties. Although cork is strong and dependable, keeping it clean and dry will also help sustain it through the years. 

There's a variety of ways to forge leftover wine corks together, no matter how you slice them. Basic tools that you may need are a non-adhesive shelf or drawer liner, a hot glue gun, a knife, a ruler, and any other items to maintain a clean work area. If you don't have access to a hot glue gun, you can also use a wood glue of your choice. Depending on the size of your piece, you may need about 150 to 200 corks. For a secure, non-slip mat, you can cut the corks lengthwise in half and glue each one into place. While corks may be tricky to cut, you can boil them in water first, then cut and let dry before applying them. 

Another way is to cut them into small, circular pieces, as seen in the above image. The short rounds can be assembled onto your liner for a thin, lightweight mat. For a more dense piece, cut the corks in half. You could install them in an isolated space for a more permanent, built-in style. For a raised look that's nice for resting slippers on, stand them upright and simply glue them one at a time. When all of your corks are fastened, you can press them down firmly with a board to even out the surface. After about 24 hours, you'll have a unique mat that any wine enthusiast will cherish in their bathroom.