Outdoor rugs are the new rage for most who want to add extra style to their outdoor living area.
Whether you're looking for an affordable, appealing and easy-to-maintain option for a patio... a stylish way to welcome your friends and family into your home or a stunning design accessory for your foyer or hallway-- outdoor rugs are versatile enough to accommodate every inch of your interior and exterior needs.
So how do you know which one is right for you?
You've heard about the benefits, placement and style options? What about maintenance issues? And how does it even attach to your deck or patio?
We'll tackle all these questions here, and hopefully, by the end of this article, you'll have a pretty good idea of whether an outdoor rug is right for your space.
The Benefits of Outdoor Rugs
There are many reasons why outdoor rugs are an excellent addition to your outdoor space:
- They add a touch of elegance and flair to any patio or deck.
- They're easy to clean and maintain.
- They come in an array of styles and colours
- They keep dirt off your floors so you don't have to constantly sweep or hose down your patio or deck.
- They absorb rainwater so it doesn't pool up on the surface.
- Mould-resistant (an important consideration if you live somewhere with dampness issues).
Materials Used in Making Outdoor Rugs
Outdoor rugs are often made of long-lasting materials that will withstand different weather and prevent stains or fading. The finest outdoor rugs are usually synthetic.
These synthetic materials are affordable, lightweight and quick to dry, making them ideal for outdoor rug production.
Examples of such materials include:
Polypropylene
Polypropylene is a synthetic material that's used to make outdoor rugs. It resists stains and cleans easily, but it also feels soft underfoot—a welcome comfort when you consider how durable this rug material really is!
Polyester
Polyester rugs are soft, durable and easy to clean. They're water resistant, which makes them perfect for outdoor spaces in rainy climates. Polyester rugs can also withstand UV rays, making them ideal for summer use.
Acrylic
Acrylic material is the best choice for outdoor use. It’s the most durable and easy to clean, making it the ideal option if you have children or pets in your home. Acrylic plastic outdoor rugs are also great for high-traffic areas, like a mudroom or entranceway that sees lots of traffic every day.
Plus, these rugs are easy to clean and maintain—just vacuum them regularly using your household vacuum cleaner!
Nylon
Nylon rugs are a synthetic material, which means they're made of plastic. This makes them very durable, so you can count on your nylon plastic rug to last a long time—even in high-traffic areas.
Nylon rugs are ideal for any room in your home because they can withstand water and dirt without staining or tearing. And since they don't absorb moisture easily, cleaning them is much easier than with wool rugs, which tend to attract dust and dirt more easily. Nylon also feels soft underfoot (and doesn't make the same scratchy sound that wool does).
Jute
Jute is the most popular material used in making outdoor rugs. It's a natural fibre that is grown in Asia, Africa and South America. It can be recycled up to six times and is biodegradable. Because it doesn't have any synthetic fibres, jute can be cleaned with soap and water or by vacuuming it on the outside of your home.
Sisal
The sisal material is a natural, durable and eco-friendly fibre that can be used as indoor outdoor rugs. This material is popular for its ability to stand up to high-traffic areas in your home.
Perfect Place to Style an Outdoor Rug
In an effort to make your life easier, we've created a list of the best places to style a rug.
On the patio. A rug can add warmth, character, and colour to any patio. Perfect for those who want to bring the indoors out and vice versa.
Entryways. Outdoor rugs are a great way to bring the outdoors inside and make your home feel more welcoming. They can also add a little bit of extra warmth when coming in from the cold.
Under a deck. If you have a large deck or patio, you may want to consider placing a rug underneath it. This will help keep dirt and leaves from getting into your home and also provide some extra cushioning for bare feet!
Living rooms. If you have a large living room and want to create a cozy space for entertaining guests, consider adding an indoor outdoor rug. It’s easy to wash and will help keep dirt off your floors while still looking beautiful!
By the pool. A pool area is one of the most popular places to put down a plastic outdoor rug. The texture of most rugs makes them perfect for use around water because they are easy to hose off after use!
Any spot for kids to play and make messes.
Or as a bed for your pet...
The possibilities are endless!
BONUS TIPS!
Use bright colours like red, orange and yellow.
These colours can make your home feel more inviting, especially if they're paired with neutral tones like white or grey.
Choose a patterned rug instead of a solid colour.
Patterned rugs can be used to create a focal point in your outdoor space while still being subtle enough not to distract from other décor elements like plants or lighting fixtures.
Keep the size of your rug proportional to the size of your patio or deck so it doesn't overwhelm its surroundings otherwise, you may end up with an awkward-looking floor plan.
Cleaning and Maintenance
Whether you’re looking to give your outdoor space a new look or have recently purchased an outdoor rug and want to ensure its longevity, cleaning and maintaining your outdoor area rugs is key.
Here are some tips for keeping your outdoor rug looking its best!
- Always hose off your rug when it gets dirty. You can use a hose or a spray bottle, whichever works best for you.
- Sweep or vacuum up any debris that has fallen onto the rug since the last time you cleaned it. If there's a lot of dirt, this will help get rid of it without having to scrub too hard.
- Cleaning a specific section of the rug is better than trying to clean the entire it. Wipe up debris by dipping a towel or sponge and scrubbing it vigorously until the stain disappears.
- Avoid direct sunlight, which can fade the colour of your outdoor rug. If you do have it in direct sunlight, rotate it regularly so that it doesn't fade more on one side than the other.
NOTE: Always read care instructions before washing anything outdoors because different materials may require different methods for washing safely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you leave outdoor rugs out all the time?
Outdoor rugs are designed to withstand the elements of nature, including sun, rain and snow.
What happens if an outdoor rug gets wet?
They can withstand a certain amount of moisture, but all-natural fibre rugs should not be left out in the rain. If you leave your rug outside, the mildew will eventually discolour, smell bad and decompose.
The best choice for an outdoor rug is a synthetic material like propylene that resists mildew and rot—so it won't be ruined if left out for long periods of time.
How do you take care of outdoor rugs after rain?
Roll up the rug and stand it upright to allow any excess water to drip off. Then lay your rug down or hang it over a railing or fence in sunlight, where the direct exposure will help dry both sides fast as well as prevent mould from growing.
Can I leave my outdoor rug out year-round?
While outdoor rugs are designed to withstand the elements, there’s no reason to leave them outside when they’re not in use. By rolling up your rug and wrapping it tightly in plastic before storing it away from moisture, you can make sure that your investment stays safe from pests or other damage.
It will be ready for use again when warmer weather returns. If your rug curls at the corners, you can usually flatten them by dampening them and then allowing them to dry overnight with weights on top of each curled section.
Are outdoor rugs safe for wooden decks?
Outdoor rugs are an excellent way to protect any type of flooring—wood, tile or stone—from scuffs and scratches.
Like any rug, it's important to place a non-skid pad underneath the carpet so that it stays in place and won't be damaged by friction or wear.
Some types of padding can cause discolouration on wood floors, so make sure you're using padding with its tacky side facing up—otherwise, fibre may leave marks as they move across it during vacuuming.
What type of rug is best for outdoors?
Outdoor rugs that are made from synthetic material are often the best choice for people who live in rainy, damp or humid climates.
Polypropylene is the most popular outdoor rug material. It's stain-resistant and easy to clean, won't fade from sunlight, and can handle high moisture & heavy foot traffic making it perfect for exposed areas like porches or poolside patios.
Can you put outdoor rugs inside?
Outdoor rugs can be used indoors, as they are sturdy and weather-resistant. Due to their synthetic fibres, they are also less prone to mould—a big plus in high-footfall areas like kitchens or bathrooms! When searching online, these rugs are called indoor-outdoor rugs.
Where can I buy an outdoor rug?
Right here on our website Cheap Rugs Australia, of course!
At Cheap Rugs Australia, we believe that the best way to get a great deal on your next outdoor rug is to shop from the comfort of your own home.
That's why we make it easy for you to browse, compare, and buy our vast selection of outdoor rugs from the comfort of your own living room!
But not only do we have cheap rugs, but we also have the widest range of rugs online and offer the best possible customer service.