Why You Should Hang a Beach Mat over All Your Glass Doors (It’s So Smart!)

Summer might be winding down, but it’s hard to believe that sweater weather is just around the corner when I’m still blasting my AC at full strength and keeping my blinds down to seal in as much cool air as possible. One Instagram creator claims to have found a seasonal dollar store find that adds the same protective power (and some extra privacy) to your glass doors year-round — and the “genius” hack also adds some beach-inspired vibes to your home.

According to Jackie Lindsay of @SoBrightHome, a woven beach mat is the unsung hero of glass doors, which can cause issues in your home due to a lack of privacy and insulation. Instead of spending money and time getting custom blinds or curtains, the lifestyle blogger revealed that a $3 beach mat at Canadian discount chain Dollarama unexpectedly became a game-changing solution for the door leading out to a backyard. 

In the Instagram video, Lindsay demonstrated how an inexpensive beach mat — a 100% natural straw mat that measured 24×72 inches — quickly transformed into makeshift blinds with a little renter-friendly DIY prep. Hanging up two hooks on either side of the top of the door frame, she was able to hang up the beach mat and pull it down to cover the door’s glass planes. Whenever it’s not needed, it’s easily rolled up and tied in place to the mat’s attached ties.

“Best $3 I’ve ever spent at Dollarama! I did this three years ago and still use it,” the creator said, adding, “You even take off the edges of the beach mat and sew new fabric like I did with this brown linen, but you definitely don’t have to.”

While American shoppers can’t shop at Dollarama stateside, you can check out your local dollar store’s end-of-summer stock or order this similar Amazon style from Dependable Industries that’s the same length and width, but more expensive, at $15.99 per two pack. 

The creator uses the beach mat for an outside-adjacent door, but you can also use it anywhere you want a little extra privacy (and insulation) without taking away from the aesthetic of your home. In addition to covering up glass panels, you can also hang up these mats to create a flex apartment space with a roommate, to make a makeshift door for your bedroom, or divide up a small studio. Plus, they’ll act like blinds by keeping your home cooler during the summer and warmer during the winter. Who doesn’t want to feel like their home is serving tropical vacation vibes all year long?