The 12 Best Outdoor Rugs, According to Design Experts

Factors to Consider

Material

The best outdoor rugs are uniquely made to handle all sorts of wear and tear. While indoor rugs may be constructed from materials like wool and cotton, outdoor rugs are typically made from plant fibers or synthetic materials (like polyester or polypropylene), which are specially designed to withstand elements like moisture, mold, and sunlight. Translation: These materials are key to scoring an outdoor rug that maintains its shape, color, and structure, ensuring your investment is a worthy one.

One more thing: While using an indoor rug outdoors is generally a poor idea, laying down an outdoor rug inside is fine — and may even be a good idea if your house is home to kids or pets.

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Size

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Just like homes, backyards come in all different shapes and sizes. For this reason, many of the rugs on our list are available in a variety of measurements (and, in some instances, shapes) to help accommodate everyone from apartment dwellers to homeowners that boast multiple acres. While you can bet you’ll always be able to find a rug that is 4 x 6 feet or 5 x 7 feet, other sizes may be more difficult to hunt down, so it’s best to shop with a general idea in mind of what size rug you’ll need.

Function

All outdoor rugs come with a good amount of functionality — they’re made to withstand a lot of wear and tear, after all. That being said, there are a few smaller factors you should keep in mind depending on how you’re planning to use your chosen design. If you’re shopping for an outdoor rug to go beneath a dining table, you’ll want to look for a style that has a low pile, which will prevent food from settling into the fibers and won’t get caught on the legs of chairs as they’re pushed in and out.

Similarly, a full-sun spot may call for an outdoor rug that is made from polypropylene or polyester instead of 100% plastic, which is more likely to feel hot to the touch when warmed by the sun’s rays.

Durability

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When determining the durability of the outdoor rugs on our list, we considered several factors, including their ability to stand up to moisture, the toughness of the fibers, and whether or not the color would fade under the sunlight. When shopping for an outdoor rug that is as tough as it is beautiful, look for buzzwords like waterproof, UV-resistant, and mold- and mildew-resistant to indicate just how hard a piece will work for you.

Care

Even though outdoor rugs are as tough as they come, they will need a bit of care now and then to stay looking their best. All of the picks on our list of best outdoor rugs can be washed using mild dish soap and water (pressure from a garden hose will give you the best shot at dislodging debris); others even have the added flexibility of handling a traditional washing machine. Always read the manufacturer’s care instructions before cleaning your outdoor rug to ensure you don’t ruin the piece or void your warranty.

Our Expertise

Alyssa Longobucco is a freelance writer, editor, and stylist living in New York with over a decade of experience in the food, home, and lifestyle categories. When she’s not diving into the latest trends and products, she’s restoring an 1820s farmhouse in the Hudson Valley alongside her husband and children.

Source: https://gardencourte.com
Categories: Outdoor