GO AHEAD, WALK ALL OVER ME.

Byline: - Jaime Spangrude

Doormats say a lot about a home - and they've come a long way from the traditional recycled rubber. Now welcome mats come in various shapes, styles and materials, with a rise in demand for materials like natural coir fibers, teak and aluminum. Personalized mats, too, have become popular, with bright colors bursting onto the scene.

``It's the first welcoming piece to the home,'' says Lisa Ridolfi, a spokeswoman for Crate and Barrel. ``People want happy and bright, whether color or stripes are involved.

``The most important thing is the statement they want to make,'' adds Ridolfi. ``If they want bright and durable, go with the Sandy Feet. If it's whimsical and light, go with the Fun Flowers. It really depends on the exterior design, regional taste and personal taste.''

Color is not the only characteristic you want in a mat. Durability, functionality and quality should be considered as well.

``You want a hearty material that's going to be real vigorous and long- lasting,'' says Dave Glassman, director of marketing for Restoration Hardware.

Williams-Sonoma stands by the classic coir, or natural fiber, doormat. The company can personalize a mat with a customer's monogram, full name or even home address.

``The most important thing when picking out a mat is that it has to be functional and have a good surface area to remove dirt prior to entering the home,'' says Sally Geller, senior buyer for the Williams-Sonoma catalog.

So, when's the right time to replace your doormat? It depends on the wear and tear on the mat and whether it bears a fleeting holiday-inspired theme or is more generic in style.

``Replacing mats depends on what kind of exposure the mat has had,'' says Geller. ``If it's protected, replace it once every two years. If it's endured a lot of sun or moisture, then once a year for coir mats. Rubber 'wrought iron' has a longer life.''

When it's time to invest in a new doormat, stores like Bed, Bath and Beyond, Crate and Barrel, Restoration Hardware and Pier 1 have tons of fun mats just waiting to be stepped on, so check them out.

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(1 -- cover -- color) MONOGRAM: Handwoven and made of natural coir, the mat features strong bristles that ditch dirt like a scrub brush. Available in a topaz/cafe or silver sage/green border and inscribed in fade-resistant dye with your monogram. It's 36 inches by 22 inches and is 1 1/2 inches thick ($59). www.restorationhardware.com.

PERSONALIZED: This mat is a carbon copy of the Monogram mat, only this one offers more than your initial when personalizing. It fits two lines of personalization and up to eight characters or numbers on each line, so you can use your name or a special greeting ($69). www.restorationhardware.com.

Photo courtesy of Restoration Hardware

(2 -- color) The Wipe Your Paws doormat is perfect for homes with dogs - but can they read it? Available at Bed, Bath and Beyond stores ($14.99).

Tina Burch/Staff Photographer

(3 -- color) SANDY FEET: This handwoven polypropylene UV- and stain-resistant doormat has that ``beachy'' feel and is durable and easy to clean. It's 28 inches by 18 inches and comes in bright colors - red, green and blue ($21.95). www.crateandbarrel.com.

(4 -- color) FUN FLOWERS: This 30-by-18-inch doormat offers a colorful floral motif that is stenciled right on the rugged mat. It's easy to clean - just shake or sweep - and is 100 percent coir ($29.95). www.crateandbarrel.com.

(5 -- color) SALSA STRIPE: Brighten your doorway with this handmade, biodegradable doormat. Featuring bold reds and oranges with green and brown accents, this coir-jute blend is 30 inches by 18 inches and should be used in a protected place ($21.95). www.crateandbarrel.com.

(6 -- color) BEACH BALL: Whimsical and fun, this 100 percent coir fiber mat is designed like a cluster of beach balls and is 18 inches by 30 inches ($9.99). www.bedbathandbeyond.com.

(7 -- color) SUNFLOWER WELCOME: Add a little sunshine to your porch with this sunflower welcome mat. This 100 percent coir fiber mat makes a great addition to your outdoor setting and is easy to clean. It's 35 inches by 14 inches ($19.99). www.bedbathandbeyond.com.

(8 -- color) TERAMO: This doormat displays a clever design of long-lasting metal, slate and stone. It's 26 inches by 16 1/2 inches and is 3/4 inches thick ($40). www.pier1.com.

(9 -- color) VILLA HALF-MOON: If you're looking for a stylish doormat that can withstand difficult outdoor weather, the Villa Half-Moon is the one for you. Made of cast iron, the mat is 27 3/4 inches by 14 1/3 inches and is 3/4 inches thick ($28). www.pier1.com.

(10 -- color) WELCOME WITH LEAF BORDER: This natural-fiber, tan 20-by-30-inch mat has an appealing green leaf border. Not only is it fade-resistant, but it has a sturdy nonskid backing ($14.99). www.bedbathandbeyond.com.