Best outdoor rugs: 5 stylish choices for your garden living space

Outdoor rugs are a great way for bringing the indoors out to create a cosy and eye-catching ‘living area’. This is a natural extension of the home and with the sun shining, what better a time to create the perfect place to lounge outdoors and catch some rays in the garden. A stunning rug as a focal point can transform your outdoor space from drab to fab in just seconds – especially when paired with the very best garden furniture.

The best outdoor rugs are durable and hardwearing. They come in all shapes and sizes and vary from vibrant colours and patterns, to a more subtle palette. With so many to choose from though, it’s important to find the right rug to suit your lifestyle.

So, whether it be for spacious gardens to compact patios and balconies, here are the best outdoor rugs for all your needs.  

These Nordic geometric rugs from MADE are a great option if you're looking for something more contemporary and stylish for your garden. Here's everything you need to know:

Stylish design

If you can’t decide on Nordic style or geometric pattern, the Oblique range gives you the best of both worlds. Beautifully woven, this outdoor rug takes on two modern trends and comes up with a Nordic take on geometrics. 

Available in two stunning colours, a mustard/gray and a teal blue/gray/, it’s eye-catching geometric pattern and vibrant appeal really brightens up outdoor spaces. It can also be used indoors as well as outdoors, giving you more versatility. 

Weather proof

Not only does it look attractive, but it’s hardwearing. The Oblique is designed to be durable and shower resistant which is great for those unpredictable raindrops. It is quite expensive though, however the Oblique rugs are of top quality and long-lasting so a worthy investment piece.

This beautifully hand woven, Pemba Mat has both style and sustainability. Crafted from non-toxic materials, this makes it the ideal eco-friendly outdoor rug.  Here's why we love it:

Quality hand woven 

If you want an outdoor rug that is well-made and long lasting, the Pemba offers just that. Intricately, hand woven by Brita Sweden using traditional techniques, the rugs are designed to be exceptionally durable. With natural, contrasting tones such as the powder green, it adds a subtle look to your outdoor space. 

Non-toxic and child-friendly

Sustainable and non-toxic interiors have grown in popularity, and the Pemba mat is a great example. Crafted from vinyl ribbon, this material is completely non-toxic, and food-grade makes it safe for children to play and pets to lounge on.

Convenient

The Pemba rug is extra versatile by being non-slip, reversible and machine washable.
It can also be used indoors as a lovely accessory.

Natural materials are not only more suited to the outdoor elements but look stunning too. This Wayfair Bloomingville Nature indoor/outdoor rug adds a soft and stylish look for any patio. Here's why we love it:

Unique design

If you’re looking for a statement rug, this Bloomingville rug is a beautiful choice. Made in India, the jute has a unique, broken, circular pattern, with a lovely sheen to the fibres. Creating an attractive, rustic and homely feel to any space.

Easy to carry around the home or stash away

The Bloomingville rug is lightweight and quick to roll up after use. As it’s also an indoor rug, it easy to carry or place around the home or store when the weather turns. Best of all, it’s easily maintained by just shaking off any dust.

If you want to create a tropical haven in your outside space, the Fab Hab Panama outdoor rug is perfect for adding the botanical feel and more. Here's why we love it:

Multi-purpose with carry bag

With its eye-catching and durable design, the Fab Hab rug can be used practically anywhere. It comes with a handy carry bag so you can simply roll it up and take it around. Whether it’s relaxing at the beach or park, it can double up as a picnic mat. It can also be used indoors if you want a botanical update.

Environmentally friendly 

The Fab Hab rugs are not only stunning but eco-conscious. Cleverly crafted from recycled materials, Fab Habitat owe their hard-wearing quality to re-purposed plastic bottles! This reversible rug is also designed to be mould, mildew and UV light resistant. So you can enjoy it all year round. Another useful bonus is the rug being low maintenance and easy to wipe clean.

If you want to inject some bright colour and add a warm feel to a rather dull outdoor space, the Makono is the perfect rug. Here's why we love it:

Bright and modern design

The key feature here is the bright, yellow colour with a contrasting black print. This gives it a more modern look, and an attractive addition to any lacklustre outdoor space. Best of all, you can always bring it indoors to brighten your interiors once the winter evenings arrive.

Hard-wearing

The Makono outdoor rug is crafted from polypropylene, which is a hard-wearing material. It makes it more durable and designed to last long. 

How to buy the best outdoor rug

To find the best rug to suit your outdoor living needs, there are a few considerations to know before buying. These include: 

Size and location

Before you choose your outdoor rug, think about where you will place it and size you will need. Outdoor rugs come in all shapes and sizes, so it’s important to find the right size for your space. A super large rug would suit big outdoor spaces but will overwhelm smaller patios. Soft-edged, circular shaped rugs would make a more practical yet stunning alternative. Most rugs can be used indoors so it’s great to find a versatile rug to suit both indoors and out.

Materials

Quality outdoor rugs are durable, weatherproof and hardwearing. When buying a rug, it’s worthwhile noting what material type is best for your space. Polypropylene is a common material used for outdoor rugs as it doesn’t absorb any liquids or stains and makes it mould and mildew resistant. Some modern rugs use jute and hemp materials, while others are made from recyclable materials and eco-friendly.  

Care

Another useful thing to know is how to look after your outdoor rug. After all, you want to ensure you get the best out of it with each use. While most outdoor rugs are machine washable at 30ºC, others can simply be wiped clean or dusted down. It’s best to find one that you can easily maintain to guarantee a long life and enjoy all year around.

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