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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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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
- 2modern outdoor rugs
- Amazon outdoor rugs
- At Home outdoor rugs
- Ballard Designs outdoor rugs
- Birch Lane outdoor rugs
- Crate & Barrel outdoor rugs
- Frontgate outdoor rugs
- Home Depot outdoor rugs
- IKEA outdoor rugs
- Joss & Main outdoor rugs
- Lowe's outdoor rugs
- McGee & Co outdoor rugs
- Overstock outdoor rugs
- Rugs.com outdoor rugs
- Rugs Direct outdoor rugs
- Rugs USA outdoor rugs
- Serena & Lily outdoor rugs
- Target outdoor rugs
- Wayfair outdoor rugs
- World Market outdoor rugs
- Ruggable outdoor rugs
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