Best Outdoor Rugs: 12 Buys to Make Your Backyard Cozier

(Image credit: Joss and Main; 2modern; Ruggable; IKEA)

last updated 31 May 2024

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Even the best outdoor rugs might initially seem like a bad idea — you wouldn't want your indoor rugs at the mercy of the weather and garden dirt, after all. However, outdoor rugs are surprisingly durable and easy to clean. Now that they've become a staple in our outdoor spaces, they've significantly upped their design game.

In 2024, there's an incredible range of designs available for your backyard, from eye-catching geometric patterns to calming, subtle shades. According to Johanna Constantinou, interior trends expert at Tapi Carpets & Floors, ‘Rugs are a great addition outdoors’ because they define the space and 'create contrast with the surrounding environment.’ For instance, if you have a predominantly neutral outdoor space, a rug with bold colors or patterns will make it stand out. Conversely, if your outdoor space is already vibrant, a more subdued rug will balance the overall look.

I might not have tested these rugs in person, but my job involves consulting experts, heeding their advice, and finding the best items accordingly — so rest assured I've got this search covered. I did all the heavy lifting: scoping the best outdoor furniture brands, sifting through reviews, and reading descriptions. My selections are thoughtfully based on all of the above. So, without further ado, here are my top picks for the best outdoor rugs to snap up just in time for summer.

12 Best Outdoor Rugs

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LYDERSHOLM Rattan-Look Rug

Price: $39.99

Size: 2'7" X 4'11"

Rattan rugs can cost a pretty penny, but this rattan-look option appears nearly identical and at a far sweeter price. I love the natural feel that it brings to any space, and with its neutral brown hue, will work for all styles of backyard. It’s durable and easy to clean making it a fantastic choice for outdoor use.

Palmetto Rug

Price: $52.50

Was: $75

Size: 4' X 5'7"

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. Pair with vibrant furniture for a fun touch.

Baja Outdoor Rug

Price: $49

Was: $138

Size: 4' X 6'

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 such as runner, round, rectangle, and square. Pairs well with similarly natural materials like rattan.

Offset Striped Rug

Price: $229

Size: 5' X 7'

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. And, just when you thought it couldn't get any better, this rug has a remarkably high customer ratings (4.7/5 stars on average).

Conover Rug

Price: $314.99

Was: $450

Size: 5' X 8'

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. Stick to sandy tones for a costal cool vibe.

Marlo Sprout Handwoven Indoor/Outdoor Rug

Price: $314

Was: $448

Size: 5' X 8'

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.

Mod Desert Outdoor Rug

Price: $220

Size: 9'2" X 12'

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. Plus, it's got a rare 4/9/5 stars — an impeccable reputation if I say so myself.

Gofre Outdoor Rug

Price: $920

Size: 35" X 79"

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. Sustainable and handcrafted, let's just say this rug's a best-seller for good reason (and well-worth the luxury price tag).

Robinson Stripe Rug

Price: $85

Size: 5'1" x 8'

4.8/5 star rating rug would be enough on it's own, but its bargain price tag makes for a perfect 10. Made from polypropylene, it's meant to withstand the elements. It's got a subtle striped pattern, which would pair well with just about anything, and is available in varying sizes.

Arroyo Sonora Rug

Price: $299

Size: 6' X 9'

Article continually impresses with its relatively low prices and top-tier quality. 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.

KORSNING Outdoor Rug

Price: $29.99

Size: 2'7" X 4'11"

A joyous green 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. Oh, and 4.9/5 stars — is buying one even a question?

Folly Multi Handwoven Rug

Price: $79

Was: $264

Size: 3' X 5'

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. Pair with light, solid hues like cream to balance out the look.

What is the best outdoor rug material?

Designer Kit Kemp says that 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).

What is the best outdoor rug size?

According to interior trends expert Johanna Constantinou, it’s important to ‘pay attention to the scale of your rugs in relation to the size of your outdoor space and furniture.’ She notes that ‘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.’ Johanna advises aiming for a rug size that is proportional to the size of your furniture and outdoor area.

What is the best outdoor rug design?

According to designer Kit Kemp, 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.

Best Outdoor Rug Brands

If, for whatever reason, you didn't see something you like, peruse some of our favorite outdoor rug retailers:

Oonagh is a content editor at Livingetc.com and an expert at spotting the interior trends that are making waves in the design world. Writing a mix of everything and everything from home tours to news, long-form features to design idea pieces on the website, as well as frequently featured in the monthly print magazine, she's the go-to for design advice in the home. 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.

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