Ground Rules — 12 Outdoor Rugs That Redefine the Alfresco Living Room
Proof that everything, even your patio, looks better with something soft underfoot


The phrase “outdoor rug” might sound like an oxymoron. Fiber and weather? Softness and soil? It feels instinctively wrong. But the category has come a long way. Today’s best options are engineered to endure the elements while delivering the warmth, texture, and polish we associate with indoor spaces.
“Rugs are a great addition outdoors,” says Johanna Constantinou, interior trends expert at Tapi Carpets & Floors, noting that they help define a space and “create contrast with the surrounding environment.” And this year, with backyard ideas continuing to evolve into extensions of our interiors, the demand is clear: we want form and function. Comfort without compromise. Style with staying power. What we don’t want is that faded, palm-fronded monstrosity you bought at a big-box store back in 2011.
It’s 2025. Our standards are higher. Your outdoor living room deserves a finishing touch. You have garden parties to host, aperitivos to pour, casual dinners that will, inevitably, turn into late-night hangs. That means the rug can’t just work— it has to wow.
So I did the digging (quite a bit of it) to curate a lineup of the best rugs that would look just as at home inside as they do out. I trusted only the brands with proven staying power and combed through every last review. Because summer’s here, and the key to actually enjoying your outdoor furniture? A proper foundation.
Everything’s better with a fiber underfoot. So, without further ado: here's the 12 best outdoor rugs to shop in 2025.
Price: $185
Size: 5' 8'
“From the subtle weave of the jute fabric to the white rectangular borders and undulating perimeter, this scallop-trimmed jute rug just oozes summertime style, and is somewhat reminiscent of the well-loved coastal grandmother trend,” says my style editor counterpart at Livingetc, Devin Toolen, of this unexpectedly chic Walmart find. If you know, you know.
Price: $175
Size: 5' x 8'
Geometry, shading, depth — this outdoor rug reads like an antique Italian print underfoot. And somehow, it’s under $200. It pulls together the usual suspects (side tables, armchairs, stray planters) and turns the setup into a proper living room.
Price: $409
Size: 6' x 9'
Justina Blakeney’s Ruggable collab is a certified Livingetc favorite. Why? This geode-inspired stunner is all the proof you need: coral pinks, terracotta, lavender, and bright peach collide for a palette made for escape. Add wicker, outdoor swing chairs, and leafy greens and voilà: you’re gone.
Price: $225, Was: $345
Size: 10' x 13'
Harlequin diamonds: timeless, but never stiff. (Trust me — I’m looking at one to my left as I write this.) This high-contrast black-on-beige outdoor rug feels crisp and confident. Easy to clean, chic near a pool, medium pile for lounging. A classic that doesn’t act like one.
Price: $170
Size: 7' x 10'
Imagine a Persian rug, then shrink the pattern until it becomes almost abstract. That’s the brilliance of this 4.8-star favorite — intricate, but impossibly modern. Indoor-coded, but made to live outside.
Price: $398
Size: 5' x 8'
Zoom in on this new addition to Lulu and Georgia's summer 2025 outdoor collection — you’ll want to. Terracotta, green, and beige collide in a mosaic pattern inspired by Mediterranean villa tiles. Add fringe patio umbrellas and striped everything (outdoor sofa cushions are a solid start). Suddenly, it’s vacation.
Price: $146.85
Size: 8' x 10'
This floral-bordered beauty stopped me in my tracks. Choosing a color? Nearly impossible. Chocolate brown, sage, or blue — they're all good. One glowing review says it best: “Unbelievable, it is so beautiful, the colors are so vibrant and the quality is excellent.” Agreed.
Price: $139, Was: $298
Size: 7' x 10'
Jill Zarin (yes, that Jill Zarin — the Real Housewives of New York OG) designs rugs — and they’re really, really good. This one is a standout: yellow, blue, a splash of animal print. Think Roberto Cavalli meets alfresco. 4.8 stars. Avant-garde, outdoor edition.
FAQs
What is the best outdoor rug material?
According to designer Kit Kemp, it’s all about recycled plastic or PET (polyethylene terephthalate) fibers — not just smart, but circular. These repurposed materials, sourced from single-use plastics like bottles and food containers, keep waste out of landfills and give it a new (chicer) lease on life. Fewer microplastics in the ocean, more visual polish underfoot.
What is the best outdoor rug size?
As interior trends expert Johanna Constantinou puts it, rug sizing is all about proportion. “A rug that is too small can look disproportionate and make the space feel cramped, while a rug that is too large can overwhelm the space.” Her advice? Scale the rug to suit both your furniture and your layout. It's the same as working out how big your living room rug should be, just for outside.
Should I opt for a flatweave or tufted outdoor rug?
Consider this your choose-your-own-textile-adventure moment.
Flatweaves are sleek, streamlined, and refreshingly low-maintenance. Lightweight and low-profile, they’re easy to hose off and hard to trip over — ideal for patios, balcony decorating ideas, or under a dining set.
Tufted rugs are analogous to bedroom-level comfort, but outdoors. More plush, more pile, more luxury. Sure, you’ll sacrifice a bit of portability (and ease of cleaning), but if you’re creating a barefoot-worthy lounge zone, this is your winner.
What outdoor rug styles are trending for 2025?
The outdoor rug playbook this year reads exactly the same as the latest indoor rug trends. Translation: if you wouldn’t style it in your living room, don’t settle for it outside.
“Elevated” is the word — that means rich borders, sculptural abstracts, and organically-inspired designs. The days of defaulting to dated patterns are numbered.
What are the best outdoor rug brands?
Start with the standouts above. Ruggable wins for durability (plus those designer collabs with Justina Blakeney, Jonathan Adler, and Iris Apfel). Rugs USA follows closely behind with accessible, design-forward picks.
Want something a little extra? Ernesta and Lulu and Georgia deliver designer-grade craftsmanship that outperforms expectations — texture, weave, pattern, the works.
And as always, Anthropologie sits squarely in the middle. Its edit spans cult brands like Marimekko and its own one-off gems perfect for warmer weather. You can always expect the unexpected.
Still missing something to place on top? Browse our edit of the best outdoor sofas to complete the picture.
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Formerly covering fashion at L’Officiel USA, style maven Julia Demer brings her love of design to Livingetc’s world of interiors. As the title’s New York-based Style Editor, Julia's work reflects a sharp eye for detail and an innate passion for aesthetics. Her journey began with a strong foundation in design, honing her craft at renowned establishments like The Row and even establishing her own eponymous fashion brand. Julia’s design background is evident in the way she thoughtfully curates shopping edits, always maintaining a focus on emerging trends while preserving timeless sensibilities. For Julia, fashion and interiors go hand in hand, reflecting her lifelong commitment to perfecting the art of style.
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