This Outdoor Rug Is a Landscape Designer’s Go-To

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Take a tip from professional interior designers: Treat your patio or deck like it’s another room in your house, and you’ll have an outdoor space where everyone loves to hang out. Of course, choosing one of the best outdoor rugs is key, since it’s the centerpiece of the space and a chance to make a style statement—not to mention, it’ll add texture and make your patio look so much more chicer.

Landscape designer Brantley Snipes sees outdoor rugs as a way to tie spaces together. When she’s working with clients on patios and porches, she says the first step is to figure out what you’re using the space for and measure from there. As a rule of thumb, get a rug that’s slightly bigger than what you think you need. “A lot of times I see rugs that are too small for the space, and so we really want to make sure that it’s appropriately scaled to the size,” Snipes says.

Outdoor spaces need to be divided similarly to indoor ones, separating cooking areas from dining and sitting, and you can use accessories like area rugs to refine that design. “It should all flow,” Snipes says. “It’s the connector from your yard to the inside. This is a great way to transition between the two, and rugs allow you to do that.”

With an outdoor rug, you can go bolder, brighter, or more graphic than you might indoors, and you don’t have to worry about it being too high maintenance since it’s meant to stay outside. One thing to keep in mind: While these rugs are designed for outdoor use, a lot of exposure to UV rays can cause them to lose their color or even disintegrate over time—that’s just nature. If you want an outdoor rug that’s more of an investment piece, look for information on UV and mold resistance as you shop, and if you can find an outdoor rug pad to go with it, that’s even better!

All of these area rugs can be used outdoors or indoors in addition to being budget friendly—in fact, many of the rugs seen here are available in a 5’x7′ size for under $200. Yes, really!

Braided Jute Oval Rug

If you’re on the hunt for an oval rug, this braided jute one is a smart choice. Plus, there’s a good chance the neutral color will fit right in with your existing decor.

Avalyn Striped Area Rug

Looking for a pop of color? This graphic choice from AllModern is like art for your floor. Made of weather-resistant polyester, the striped design is stainproof, so you can use it to anchor your patio space for your next barbecue.

Jill Zarin Outdoor Rug

Reminiscent of the American flag, this outdoor rug would make a chic statement both at a Fourth of July gathering and year round.

Wavy Blue Chevron Outdoor Rug

This cool, wavy chevron rug has a subtle color scheme but a bold, unique pattern.

Woven Cable Indoor/Outdoor Rug

Keep it simple in your outdoor space with this woven cable rug that imitates jute but is even more durable.

Double Diamond Moroccan Rug

Suitable for outdoor and indoor spaces, this modern rug features a geometric design in tonal colors.

Mcclintock Area Rug In Beige

This chic reversible rug is handwoven of PET yarn (better known as recycled plastic bottles) to be eco-friendly. Despite the fringe detailing and light color, it’s surprisingly low-maintenance: It does well in high-traffic areas and is stain-resistant.

Diamond Brim Indoor/Outdoor Rug

If you have neutral furniture and want to punch it up a bit, try a rug in a graphic pattern and a striking but soft color, like this light petrol blue.

Fauntleroy Medallion Outdoor Rug

The distressed indigo rug is perfect for giving your patio a moody, boho vibe. Just add plants to complete your hangout.

Outdoor Lattice Rug

Pink and green are color complements, so this bright shade is a natural choice for the outdoors. This fun rug with gray diamonds adds a pop of color to a screened-in porch or patio.

Ombre Pop Indoor/Outdoor Rug

Variegated stripes in naturalistic tones can bring color into your outdoor space without being too in your face.

Blue Area Rug

Looking for bohemian outdoor rug? This option features an intricate medallion pattern and multicolor palette.

Dash & Albert Coastal Blue Indoor/Outdoor Rug

Textured chevrons overlaying marled blue yarn make this handwoven rug stand out. It’s ideal for an outdoor space with modern coastal vibes.

Chevron Vinyl Rug

In addition to peel-and-stick wallpaper, Tempaper has great patterned rugs. This durable one features a chevron motif in a soft shade of pink that’s surprisingly versatile.

Sicily Indoor/Outdoor Area Rug

You can’t go wrong with a black-and-white rug, and this ultra-affordable pick is timeless—you’ll never see a stain! Made of washable polypropylene, it’s designed to withstand the inevitable wear and tear of backyard get-togethers.

Sierra Moroccan Diamond Outdoor Area Rug

Made in Belgium, this printed piece makes for quite the stylish pop of pattern. It has a low pile height, so your outdoor chairs won’t get snagged, and the polypropylene material is super easy to clean: Just use a carpet cleaner on any little spills.

Hollain Polyester Area Rug

This Southwestern-inspired rug is the perfect way to make any outdoor space feel warm and cozy. We love this charming look with white linen outdoor furniture, wicker lanterns, and plenty of greenery in ceramic vessels.

Adara Indoor/Outdoor Rug

With five size options and three color choices, Pottery Barn’s Adara rug is sure to complement—and elevate—any space in your backyard, whether you place a rectangular one under the dining table or a runner alongside the swimming pool.

Flatweave Striped Area Rug

The Summer Classics performance rugs are landscape designer Snipes’s tried-and-true outdoor rugs. They’ve held up beautifully under the foot traffic and containers in her storefront, and she reports that they wash well. This classic navy stripe is a great fit for any coastal decor scheme.

Tiny Diamond Hand Hooked Area Rug

This rug is designed for indoor and outdoor use, and the durable fabric doesn’t sacrifice comfort. “It’s not that hard plastic feel that so many rugs come with,” Snipes says. “They really refined the materials that go into them.”

Outdoor Botanical Indoor/Outdoor Rug

For a subtle botanical option, go with this two-tone floral motif. It’s evocative of a garden in a quiet way—and ideal for the porch where you have your first sip of coffee.

Why Trust Us?

We consulted landscape designer Brantley Snipes to learn how outdoor rugs fit into exterior design. Snipes has a master’s degree in landscape architecture and has been working in outdoor design for 12 years, and she has put the best outdoor rugs to the test in the controlled environment of her retail store. With her help, we determined what to look for in an outdoor rug that’s stylish and durable, and we found some of the best you can buy, including her personal favorites.

House Beautiful’s shopping editors are outdoor rug experts in our own right since we’re always learning about the best products for the home, including outdoor spaces. We’ve used our know-how to help you find investment pieces like the best outdoor furniture and fun accessories like the best pool floats. We round up stylish products at a range of prices to help you find exactly what you want for your space.

What Should I Know About Choosing An Outdoor Rug?

These rugs can be a brilliant choice for an outdoor space, but Snipes says they often aren’t used correctly. There’s more factors at play, such as their exposure to the elements.

“Outside conditions are so much more extreme, clearly, than inside conditions,” Snipes says. “So you’re looking at things such as mildew and moths, rain and leaf debris that stains if it sits on a textile too long. Or you’ve got dogs, or you’ve got kids, or you’ve got a fire pit and a spark flies up and burns a section of it.” Her suggestion? Steer clear of natural fibers such as seagrass and sisal.

How Much Should I Invest In An Outdoor Rug?

That comes down to how much wear and tear it’ll receive. “For a covered space, investing in a higher-end rug is totally a necessity,” Snipes says. “It will be covered and you’ll have an added level of protection. I would tell clients on fully exposed patios that don’t have any coverage: ‘Maybe your rug is something you don’t spend as much money on, and you can change it from year to year.’”

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