Bringing living room comforts outside has been a huge trend over the past few years, and outdoor rugs never go out of style. This type of garden accessory is nothing new, but thanks to huge improvements in materials and manufacturing techniques, they now last longer and stay smarter with far less effort from you. The range of colours, designs, shapes, and sizes is growing by the day, so you'll be sure to find your ideal one.
Finding the perfect garden decor is fun, from mirrors to complement your copper garden accessories to vintage pieces, dressing the garden is just as exciting as your interiors. It's not just about furniture either, from decor for garden walls to your floors - we are here to help you liven up your space. Plus, outdoor rugs are longer poor imitations of their indoor counterparts, the quality and intricacy of the latest outdoor rugs make them a worthy focal point of any seating area.
The best outdoor rugs at a glance:
• Best rug with a range of sizes: Miami Leaf Print Indoor Outdoor Rug – View on Dunelm
• Best reversible rug: Fab Hab Sydney Outdoor Rug in Gold & Cream – View on Cuckooland
• Best circular rug: Padua Circle Geometric Indoor Outdoor Rug – View on Dunelm
Perfect for pulling together low-slung sofas, armchairs and side tables, these style-setters will smarten up any outside space in seconds. Handy for disguising less-than-lovely decks or paving, they’re also useful to set up an impromptu seating area on the lawn. Increasingly affordable and easy enough to store, many people are buying a few so they can switch up their garden style in seconds.
So if you haven’t indulged already, now’s a great time to treat your patio or decking to a dash of colour and pattern. We've scoured the market for the cream of the crop and have rounded up the best outdoor rugs available:
Best outdoor rugs
Best rug with a range of sizes
www.dunelm.com
Description
With this beautiful foliage design, you'll be sure to make your patio green and leafy. Made from polypropylene, it feels smooth underfoot and is simple to keep clean.
Customer review: "Great for indoor and outdoor use. Kept up to date with delivery and was quick."
Pros
- Beautiful foliage design
- Made from polypropylene
Cons
- Bring in before very heavy rain
Best reversible rug
www.cuckooland.com
Description
Boost both your style and eco-credentials with this gorgeous rug made from recycled plastic bottles. With a reversible design, you can flip it over for a fresh new look. It's also wipe-clean and mould-proof.
Customer review: "Love these reversible outdoor rugs - all so attractive was a difficult choice to make. Material is fit for purpose and should be easy to clean and maintain appearance."
Pros
- Lightweight design
- Resistant to mildew, mold and UV
- Made from polypropylene from recycled plastic bottles
- Reversible
- Includes carry bag with handle
Cons
- Only one review
Best circular rug
www.dunelm.com
Description
Want to make a small space feel bigger? Opt for a circular rug. This bold geometric design in chic anthracite and stone is made from easy-care polypropylene.
Customer review: "Bought to put in new summer house. Looks great. Great value."
Pros
- Bold geometric design Anthracite and stone colours
- Made from resistant polypropylene
Cons
- Do not pull loose fibres, just trim with scissors
Best geometric rug
www.scionliving.com
Description
It's hard to resist the uber-chic charms and contemporary colours of this abstract polypropylene beauty. Mustard, blush and rust are this year's hottest shades, and the neat loop construction gives this a luxury edge
Customer review: "Excellent choice."
Pros
- Weatherproof
- Two sizes
- Contemporary design
Cons
- May be too big for some spaces
Best simple woven rug
www.laredoute.co.uk
Description
A simple way to create an outdoor lounge look is to combine two very different patterns in the same shade. Both these rugs can be used indoors as well as out and, made from robust polypropylene, can withstand spills, dirt, sun, rain and even snow.
Customer review: "I bought this for a high-traffic area where the rug I had got really grotty, being plastic, this one is going to be a lot easier to clean."
Pros
- Flat woven rug with geometric print
- 100 per cent polypropylene
- Three sizes
Cons
- May not suit all decor
Best rustic rug
www.johnlewis.com
Description
As jute rugs need to be kept dry and are best used in a covered area or summerhouse, better-quality indoor products will do the job just as well and are often cheaper than their outdoor counterparts.
Customer review: " Bought this to put in my kitchen and I am highly delighted with it. Good quality and looks fantastic on my tiled floor."
Pros
- Made of a rustic natural fibre called jute
- Excellent quality
Cons
- Best under some shelter
Best handmade rug
www.etsy.com
Description
Inspired by the traditional woven carpets of India, this stylish, vibrant rug will add a pop of colour to your patio. Fully waterproof and made of 100% polypropylene, it'll be able to withstand a spot of rain, or whatever else life throws at it.
Customer review: " Good design; colour a tinge darker than online photos, but that was desired."
Pros
- Boho design
- Stylish and incredibly versatile
- Can be used both indoors and outdoors
- Weatherproof and stain-resistant
Cons
- A bit darker than the photos
Best cotton rug
www.habitat.co.uk
Description
Available in a range of colours to suit your outdoor space, this indoor/outdoor rug is patterned with gorgeous, rich orange, blue and pink geometric designs. It is made from cotton, so bear that in mind.
Customer review: "Loving my rug, great colours and well made. Robust and ideal for under my dining table which is in daily use. Such great value too."
Pros
- Three colours and designs
- Pure cotton design
Cons
- Best under partial shelter or summerhouses
What material is best for an outdoor rug?
Man-made materials
With the UK's climate switching from sunshine to showers in seconds, your first decision should be whether you want to leave your rug out in all weathers. If you do, synthetic fibres are the best fuss-free option. Water repellent, pliable and resistant to dust, mould and mildew, they can happily stay outside for most of the year without deteriorating.
These man-made materials are designed to be dyed so come in bright colours that won’t fade and are easy to work with, making complex patterns possible. Just be aware that you need to keep these away from fire, sparks and intense heat as the fibres can melt.
Polypropylene
This is the best material to choose if you want a fuss-free rug that’ll look good for ages. This is the most popular synthetic option and the tightly twisted material is also known as olefin, synthetic sisal and artificial wool. Exceptionally hard-wearing, stain-, water- and fade-resistant, it’s used to create many flatwoven and looped rugs. The smooth antistatic fibres don’t shed or harbour dust or mildew, making them a great choice for allergy suffers.
Acrylic
These rugs tend to be fine, well-cushioned and silky to the touch so if the feel of a rug under bare feet is important to you then this option will suit you. Cellulose-based, these fibres have a similar feel to natural fibres but cost far, far less. Acrylic dyes well too, which makes these rugs pretty fade- and stain-resistant. The compromise comes in the longevity – this isn’t the most hard-wearing of synthetic materials but, given the budget price tag, that may be an acceptable trade-off for its toe-happy texture.
Polyester
These rugs are similarly suited to the changeable weather but can look and feel more artificial than acrylic. Made from a petrochemical-based fibre, they can flatten and shed when used in high-traffic areas and oily and greasy substances can leave unsightly stains. However, many manufacturers are using polyethene terephthalate (PET) or 100% polyester that is made from recycled PET bottles. They're also eco-friendly!
Natural fibres
Many rugs on the market are made from natural materials. Fast-growing, sustainable and biodegradable, these beautiful fibres bring wonderful texture and winning good looks. But there is a price to pay – and not just in their heftier price tags. Although some natural-fibre rugs are treated to provide some protection, they will gradually fade in the sun. It’s also vital not to leave them out
How long will your outdoor rug last?
Although designed to be used and left outside, outdoor rugs are constantly exposed to the sun’s UV rays which can degrade the material and fade the colour. Natural fibres tend to fade and bleach gradually under strong sunlight, with different materials changing at varying rates and deeper tones losing their natural richness and lustre.
Ultimately natural materials are biodegradable so if they’re left to sit in wet conditions, they will start to rot. They’re also far more likely to stain and more difficult to clean so you may decide it’s past its best before the fibres start to break down.
Man-made yarns are a more stable option as they absorb far less water, and chemicals are used to fix and protect the colour pigments from paling. So these will last for much longer without too much faffing from you.
A more durable but costly option is to look for products that are labelled as ‘solution-dyed’. These have the dye added while the fibres are formed, ensuring the colour penetrates the complete depth of the yarn.
Keep it clean
Avoid getting natural fibres wet at all costs. Soak up any spills straight away using absorbent kitchen towel and blot until dry.
✽ Wipe up any spills on synthetic rugs and for stubborn stains use a mild detergent such as Bissell SpotClean Emergency Carpet Stain Remover. Scrub gently with a soft brush and rinse with water.
✽ Vacuum flatwoven rugs regularly to remove dirt.
✽ When your synthetic rug needs a good wash, simply hose it down, lightly scrub if needed and then hang up to dry.
✽ Rotate natural rugs and turn over regularly to even out wear and fading.
✽ Snip off any protruding strands rather than pulling.
✽ To store, roll rugs up and stash somewhere dry and well ventilated to prevent mildew.
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Description
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Jill Morgan writes regularly for Modern Gardens, and loves everything to do with gardens, plants and outdoor living.