The line between indoors and out continues to blur as people take advantage of warmer temperatures, patio heaters, and the freedom to work wherever they please. More people are dining al fresco, enjoying leisure activities on the patio, and spending more time in the backyard. It’s only natural to embrace these outdoor spaces as a bonus living room!
Rugs offer a simple way to add color, style, and comfort to these open-air lounge spaces. Outdoor rugs visually integrate entertaining areas inside and outside the home and expand the livable square footage. If you’re ready to buy one of the best outdoor patio rugs, keep reading for must-know shopping tips and some of the best picks. Each of the top outdoor rugs was selected after thorough product vetting and an in-depth review of the market.
- BEST OVERALL: nuLOOM Wynn Braided Indoor/Outdoor Area Rug
- BEST STRIPED: Seavish Outdoor Area Rug Striped Cotton Handmade
- BEST FLORAL: Nourison Aloha Indoor/Outdoor Floral Area Rug
- BEST MODERN: AllModern Brylee Geometric Indoor/Outdoor Area Rug
- BEST COASTAL: Fab Habitat Outdoor Rug
- BEST BOHEMIAN: Mistana Tomas Indoor/Outdoor Area Rug
- BEST COUNTRY: Nicole Miller Patio Country Indoor/Outdoor Area Rug
What to Consider When Choosing the Best Outdoor Rugs
To perform well in outdoor living spaces, a rug needs to withstand the stresses of the natural environment. Thanks to modern advances in fabrication, these textiles have never featured such a range in durability and design. When shopping for an outdoor rug, keep the following key features in mind.
Synthetic vs. Natural
Rugs fall into two broad categories: synthetic and natural fibers. Synthetic fibers provide a great combination of both vibrant colors and durability. You’ll find most of these outdoor rugs in polypropylene. Nylon, polyester, and acrylic rank among common construction materials, too. Each brings its own set of pros and cons.
- Polypropylene, a solution-dyed fiber, doesn’t absorb liquid or stains. Indoor/outdoor area rugs made of 100 percent polypropylene resist mold and mildew. Additional UV treatment prevents fading due to exposure to sunlight. Users can clean them easily with a hose, and bleach won’t impact the color. Some polypropylene outdoor rugs are made in part or entirely from recycled plastic bottles, which makes some of these rugs eco-friendly.
- Nylon, another resilient fiber, won’t become matted down in high-traffic areas. It’s also strong, easy to clean, colorfast, and stain resistant. On the downside, nylon gets hot in the sun and has a significant negative impact on the environment.
- Polyester offers a number of positive attributes, including vivid colors that resist fading and non-oil-based stains. But, polyester may shed, pill, or become matted down in high-traffic areas. Like nylon, polyester production takes a toll on the environment.
- Acrylic comes closest in appearance to natural fibers. It features a soft finish that feels cushiony underfoot. Acrylic absorbs and releases moisture readily, so it resists mold and mildew. The fairly colorfast textile also dyes well and resists most stains. It does, however, tend to crush and pill.
Bamboo, sisal, hemp, jute, and seagrass rugs come from natural, sustainable materials. Natural rugs feel soft and luxurious underfoot and, though they dye well, often come in natural hues that complement outdoor spaces. That said, they do have a few disadvantages worth noting: Rugs made with natural fibers tend to fade in direct sunlight, are generally less durable than their synthetic counterparts, and typically absorb water so they’re more susceptible to mold and mildew growth. Additionally, these rugs tend to cost more than synthetic options, too.
Construction
Produced in a variety of ways, indoor/outdoor area rugs may come hand-hooked, machine-made, or braided. Have a look at the differences between these before you make your choice.
- Hand-hooked rugs, which feature a short handmade pile, cost more than other options due to the higher-quality materials and the additional time that goes into manufacturing these types of rugs. These come in the most color and design options and range from $200 to $1,000 for a 5-by-7-foot size.
- Machine-made rugs, manufactured more quickly and efficiently via power looms, come in at a lower price from $40 to $750 for a 5-by-7-foot rug. To keep the price affordable for consumers, these machine-made floor coverings tend to feature less detailing and more basic materials than comparable hand-hooked rugs.
- Flatweave rugs—including the familiar flat-braided, cable-braided, corded-and-stitched, and kilim style rugs—have no pile. Instead of tufting, manufacturers knot or weave polypropylene yarns together into a textile with less cushion to produce these outdoor rugs. Flatweave rugs typically have no backing, which makes them reversible. They come in at prices comparable to those of machine-made rugs.
Colors and Fade Resistance
Both synthetic and natural fiber outdoor rugs come in a veritable rainbow of colors and patterns. Geometrics, stripes, and medallions rank among the most popular styles. Bold florals, tropical looks, and novelty designs make a splash in the market, too. Woven patterns offer superior colorfastness and durability.
Solution-dyed rugs make some of the best outdoor rugs because manufacturers add the color to the chemicals used to create the fiber rather than adding them to the yarn afterward. This method ensures that the rug resists fading—a special concern for outdoor rugs, which may get limited shade from the sun. Solution-dyed rugs also resist stains and hold up better to cleaning compared to those colored through other methods.
Our Top Picks
Now that you’ve learned more about patio rugs, it’s time to start shopping. Check out these top picks for the best rugs for your outdoor living space.
Photo: Amazon.com
This braided rug from nuLOOM looks elegant and stylish and has a natural aesthetic despite the synthetic polypropylene construction. A low-pile rug, it withstands heavy-duty use in high-traffic areas, making it a great choice for households with pets or young children. This rug is available in 37 sizes and comes in rectangular, round, oval, and square shapes for use as a runner, an accent rug, or to delineate an outdoor seating area.
Shoppers can choose from eight tasteful colors to best suit their outdoor living area’s decor style. Since it’s water resistant, users may clean it with a hose or a rug cleaner as needed. The manufacturer recommends pairing this product with a rug pad to keep it in place.
Product Specs
- Material: Polypropylene
- Sizes available: 37 size options
- Colors: Tan, aqua, charcoal, ivory, light blue, light gray, pink, salt and pepper
Pros
- 37 sizes available
- Multiple color options
- Made from durable polypropylene
- Water-resistant material
Cons
Get the nuLOOM outdoor rug on Amazon, Bed Bath & Beyond, and Overstock.
Photo: Amazon.com
Seavish’s indoor/outdoor rug comes in several fully reversible striped and plaid patterns with the same print on both sides. Available in seven sizes, the hand-woven rugs are made with a unique crimping process that creates a textured appearance.
Made from cotton, this non-waterproof indoor/outdoor carpet works best in covered outdoor areas or climates that don’t get frequent heavy rainfall. On the upside, however, its cotton construction makes it machine washable for easy cleaning.
Product Specs
- Material: Cotton
- Sizes available: 7 size options
- Colors: Black and white striped, blue and white striped, gray and white striped, black and white plaid, gray and white plaid
Pros
- Reversible
- Machine washable
- Hand-woven
Cons
Get the Seavish outdoor rug on Amazon.
Photo: Amazon.com
Nourison’s cheery floral-patterned rug brings a bright pop of color to either indoor or outdoor spaces. A UV-protected polypropylene rug, it comes in several shades and several different sizes, resists fading, and repels water. A 3D texture lends this rug a high-end feel.
The flat-woven style features an easy-to-clean low pile. Simply vacuum or clean it with a damp cloth indoors or rinse it with a hose outdoors. The manufacturer recommends a rug pad for outdoor use and indoor storage during extreme weather to make it last longer.
Product Specs
- Material: Polypropylene
- Sizes available: 18 size options
- Colors: Multi Color, Turquoise Multi Color, Silver Gray, Red Multi Color, Natural, Ivory/Navy, Green, Blue Multi Color, Black/White
Pros
- UV protected for fade resistance
- Water repellant
- Multiple size and color options
Cons
Get the Nourison Aloha outdoor rug on Amazon, Lowe’s, The Home Depot, Bed Bath & Beyond, and Overstock.
Photo: anrdoezrs.com
For patios with a modern style, AllModern’s gray-and-white geometric pattern adds a subtle contemporary twist. The product carries Wayfair’s Made Clean label, which ensures sustainable creation without the use of potentially harmful chemicals. Unlike many of the other options featured on this list, however, this model comes in only a single color and in limited sizes.
Despite its elegant look, this outdoor rug stands up to stains, fading, and the elements. For easy cleanup, vacuum this rug with an upholstery attachment.
Product Specs
- Material: Polypropylene
- Sizes available: 3 size options
- Colors: Gray/white striped pattern
Pros
- Durable polypropylene construction
- High-end braided look
- Affordable price
Cons
- Limited size options available
- Only one color available
Get the AllModern Brylee outdoor rug at Wayfair.
Photo: amazon.com
Low-pile, versatile, UV- and stain-resistant, and waterproof, the Fab Habit Outdoor Rug is made for beaches, pool parties, and beachside patios. Power-loomed and made with polyester, polyester blends, and 100 percent premium recycled bottles, this Fab Habit rug is sustainable, eco-friendly, and stylish in all 11 colorways it comes in.
This reversible rug is also offered in multiple sizes to fit any space in need of a rug and each rolls neatly in case they need to be put away. Plus, each rug comes with elastics for easy storing. Finally, this pick comes with a GoodWeave certification, meaning they have been constructed ethically.
Product Specs
- Material: Polyester, polyester blend, recycled bottles
- Sizes available: 7 size options
- Colors: Teal, ash, candy, green, indigo, lemon & apple green, midnight, multicolor, sunset, turquoise & moss green, and blue
Pros
- Eco-friendly construction
- Waterproof and UV-resistant
- Comes in multiple colorways and sizes
Cons
- Pricey compared to similar options
Get the Fab Habitat rug on Amazon.
Photo: wayfair.com
Give your indoor or outdoor space a bohemian look with Mistana’s artfully faded rug. Its on-trend Southwestern print comes in three classic, neutral color combinations. Shoppers may choose from 15 sizes in round, square, and rectangular shapes.
An ultra-low 0.03-inch pile makes this rug a great choice for high-traffic areas both indoors and outdoors. Since the thin material doesn’t provide much cushion or support, a rug pad makes sense. Though outdoor-friendly, the rug requires spot cleaning and won’t withstand cleaning with a hose.
Product Specs
- Material: Polypropylene
- Sizes available: 15 size options
- Colors: Blue/Khaki, Dark Blue/Gray, Aqua/Gray
Pros
- Wide variety of size and shape options
- Low-pile for high-traffic areas
- Three colors available
Cons
- Not stain resistant
- Must be spot cleaned
Get the Mistana Tomas outdoor rug at Wayfair.
Photo: amazon.com
This rug by Nicole Miller comes in a gray/blue or gray/black azalea print and features a timeless medallion centerpiece that suits a number of different decor schemes. Made from durable UV-treated polypropylene, the rug resists fading. According to the manufacturer, this rug withstands the elements for three seasons a year; users should store it indoors for the winter.
One downside: Shoppers have only two sizes to choose from.
Product Specs
- Material: Polypropylene
- Sizes available: 2 size options
- Colors: Gray/Black Azalea, Gray/Blue Azalea
Pros
- Durable polypropylene construction
- Timeless medallion design
- UV resistant
Cons
- Limited size and color options
- Not appropriate for all seasons
Get the Nicole Miller outdoor rug on Amazon, Wayfair, and Overstock.
Our Verdict
After reviewing this guide, you now know more about shopping for rugs for your outdoor living areas. We recommend the nuLOOM Wynn Braided Indoor/Outdoor Area Rug for its high-end braided look, multiple size and shape options, and relatively affordable price. Those looking for an alternative option may appreciate the Seavish Outdoor Area Rug Striped Cotton rug which features a graphic striped design and cotton construction.
How We Chose the Best Outdoor Rugs
Years of experience evaluating home products as well as extensive product research went into creating this guide. We explored more than 40 outdoor area rug options and weighed a number of practical considerations before making our recommendations.
- Sizes: We primarily included rugs that came in a wide variety of shapes and sizes to suit the largest number of shoppers.
- Weather-resistance: We prioritized weather-resistant, waterproof, UV-treated rugs that could handle plenty of wear and tear.
- Value: Both indoor and outdoor rugs vary widely in price, but we aimed to only include models that offered excellent value based on their material, construction, and additional features.
FAQs
While you now know more about choosing the best outdoor rugs, you might still want more information about them. Read on for answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about outdoor rugs.
Q: What type of carpet can be used outside?
Rugs made from both natural and synthetic fibers can be used outdoors. Bamboo, sisal, hemp, jute, polypropylene, nylon, and polyester rank among the most popular materials. Wool rugs don’t work outdoors.
Q: Do outdoor carpets get moldy?
While rugs woven from natural materials may get moldy when exposed to water, synthetic outdoor rugs for patio use resist mold and mildew.
Q: Are all outdoor rugs waterproof?
No, not all outdoor rugs are waterproof. Waterproof outdoor rug options are generally made from synthetic fibers like polypropylene.
Q: Can you leave outdoor rugs outside in the rain?
All outdoor rugs are designed to withstand rain, though some may dry more quickly than others depending on what material they’re woven with.
