12 outdoor rugs to merge your indoor and outdoor spaces

An outdoor decking area with rug and sofa

(Image credit: Simon Brown. Design: Kit Kemp)

last updated 23 March 2023

An outdoor rug might, at first, seem like a bad idea - you wouldn't want your indoor rugs at the mercy of the weather and dirt from the garden, after all. However, outdoor rugs are surprisingly durable and easy to clean, and now that they've become a more common fixture for our outdoor spaces too, they've really upped it in the design stakes.

In 2023, there's such a range of designs available for your backyard with outdoor rugs too, from eye-catching geometric looks to more calming, subtle shades. These are my pick of the best outdoor rugs for sale to snap up in time for spring.

12 of the best outdoor rugs

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$920

Gofre outdoor rug

The Garden Layers collection, designed by Patricia Urquiola and inspired by Mughal architecture and culture, includes a wide range of outdoor rugs in various sizes. I like the olive green coloring of this rug.

From $24.65

Palmetto rug

I like the tasteful pattern on this navy blue Palmetto outdoor rug. Machine loomed in a surprisingly soft weave of washable, fade-resistant polypropylene. Use of a rug pad is recommended.

From $229

Offset striped rug

Available in navy and a darker black pattern, the classic stripe is tastefully offset with horizontal lines against a neutral background. It's machine-washable which is always a plus for outdoor rugs

From $165

Conover rug

I love the subtle checkered pattern and fringing of this outdoor rug, designed with durability in mind. It has been handwoven from weather-resistant materials, so it is super tough, yet it is soft to the touch.

From $68

Marlo sprout outdoor rug

I like the zesty lime coloring of this outdoor rug from Annie Selke. This bold, tightly-woven rug is a stylish and sophisticated take on subtle patterning. Delicate, end-on-end mini stripes are intersected by intermittent bars of the ivory overlay.

From $70

Mod desert outdoor rug

An absolute steal with a distinct, geometric look, I love this patterned rug from Target. The rug has a Kilim style which is on trend, and the flatweave means it's perfect for high-traffic areas, or zoning by being placed under a dining table.

From $89

Baja outdoor rug

Available in three different colorways, this outdoor rug has a geometric pattern that could make for a boho look in your backyard. It's also available in a variety of shapes.

From $57

Robinson stripe rug

This is a bargain buy is a perfect performance rug for the outdoors, made from polypropylene. It's got a subtle striped pattern and is available in varying sizes.

From $299

Arroyo sonora rug

I like this subtle ombré pattern woven into either end and subtle checks throughout the center. It's quite a large area polyester rug and would make a great addition to a wooden deck.

From $299

KORSNING outdoor yellow rug

A joyous yellow outdoor rug that will add color and a fresh new feel to your backyard space. This bold rug with playful stripes is both durable and stain resistant and will keep its charm come rain or shine.

From $39.99

LYDERSHOLM rattan-look rug

This has a rattan look that will bring a natural feel to your space. and will work for all styles of backyard. It’s durable and easy to clean making it a good choice for outdoor use.

From $108

Folly handwoven rug

If you're looking for color, this playful rug design from Annie Selke is just the ticket. It's available in a variety of fun colorways, but I like the pink and blue version, perfect for a summer party.

How to choose an outdoor rug

An outdoor rug is a clever backyard addition that can help merge your indoor and outdoor spaces in a seamless way, helping to emphasize your backyard layout. Designer Kit Kemp has some great ideas for how to make the most of your backyard in simple steps. 'With brighter days, garden and outdoor areas command our attention,' she says. 'And these areas bring an entirely new opportunity to express color,' says Kit.

When deciding how best to pick your rug, think first about the material you go for. Most outdoor rugs are made from polypropylene, a synthetic plastic that is water-resistant and stain-resistant. Because this material doesn't absorb moisture it makes outdoor rugs mold and mildew resistant so that they can be left outside during a shower. However, most manufacturers will recommend them being stored somewhere dry over winter.

The best outdoor rugs you can buy are options made from recycled plastic or recycled PET fibers. These repurpose already existing single-use plastics from things like plastic bottles, drinking straws, and food-grade containers, preventing new materials from being extracted from the earth and stopping single-use plastics from ending up in landfills (where they take many years to break down and in so doing leach harmful chemicals into the environment).

Outdoor rugs tend to come in either a flatweave or a tufted design. A flatweave outdoor rug will be thinner and won't add as much insulation underfoot, but the bonus is that they're usually lightweight, easy to move, and because they lay very flat to the ground have less potential to be a trip hazard. The flatweave also makes it harder for outdoor debris to become trapped, so they're easy to freshen up with a quick shake or a hose down.

A tufted rug usually has a much deeper pile which makes it a more luxurious option for sinking your toes into and adding insulation to the floor, however, the deeper pile adds extra weight, so this is unlikely to be an option for picking up and taking onto the beach or the lawn. The deeper pile makes debris a bit harder to shake out, and the extra raised thickness could potentially be more of a trip hazard.

Most outdoor rugs are water and mildew resistant due to being made from non-absorbent polypropylene, but UV resistance — which determines whether the rug's colors will fade in the strong sun — is dependent on the types of dyes used in its manufacture, so it's worth checking the small print to see if your preferred option comes with this added longevity protection.

Best brands for outdoor rugs

Oonagh is a content editor at Livingetc.com. Previously, she worked on a London property title, producing long-read interiors features, style pages and conducting interviews with a range of famous faces from the UK interiors scene, from Kit Kemp to Robert Kime. In doing so, she has developed a keen interest in London's historical architecture and the city's distinct tastemakers paving the way in the world of interiors.