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Best Outdoor Rugs
Standout Picks
Criteria Used for Evaluation
Materials
The type of materials used is important to consider before purchasing. There are usually two kinds available in the market: natural and synthetic. Synthetic fibers are a favorite by many users because of its durability and resistance to mold and mildews. It also comes in various colors and patterns to suit your outdoor ambiance. Majority of these usually use polypropylene but there are also other synthetic variations such as polyester, acrylic, and nylon. Every item comes with its own advantages and disadvantages.
Polypropylene is an eco-friendly, fiber-based fabric made out of recycled plastic bottles. It is liquid, mold, mildew, and stain resistant. In some cases, these fabrics have anti- UV treatments to keep the colors and design from fading that comes with constant contact with sunlight. You don’t have to worry about picking the right cleaning agent since this is also bleach resistant thus maintaining the quality and color of your mat.
Nylon-based are made for heavy-duty use. When you anticipate a lot of foot traffic, consider getting nylon made mat. These are sturdy and stain-resistant and relatively easy to clean. However, nylon has a tendency to overheat after some time of exposure under the sun. It can also build up a lot of static electricity. Polyester, just like the other two types, is also liquid resistant and has a robust quality. It is, however, not resistant to oil-based stains and can mat down with frequent foot traffic. Acrylic has almost the same features as those of natural fibers but it’s more cushioned and soft. This type absorbs any liquid easily, thus making this item susceptible to mildew and molds. This type is relatively colorfast and stain-resistant.
Ease of Use
When it comes to maintenance and cleaning, you may want something that doesn’t take much time and effort to clean – especially with larger ones. For synthetic or man-made, these are the easiest types to clean. You just need to hose them with some soap and water. Using a soft brush should help get the debris out without damaging the quality and design of the item. Most manufacturers suggest you vacuum them every month and do some spot cleaning for stubborn stains. Using a teaspoon of white vinegar mixed in a quart of warm water should also help clean stains.
Natural man-made mats such as cotton, jute, and wool have a soft quality that will require extra care to maintain the integrity of the product. Since this type absorbs liquid easily, it is susceptible to mildews and molds. For wool types, it is essential to vacuum every week or month. Liquid spills may leave stains on the carpet so spot cleaning is essential. If you happen to spill a drink or salsa on it, clean up excess moisture first before spot cleaning using a teaspoon of vinegar mixed with warm water. For jute material, club soda can clear out stains but always proceed with caution as excessive use can destroy the stained portion. For small cotton ones, most manufacturers may allow it to be machine-washed on gentle setting using mild soap.
Size
The principles used for interior designing may still be applied for outdoor styles. The shape of it should complement the shape of your furniture. If it’s going to be placed under a nice rectangular dining set, it’s only natural to go for rectangular-shaped sizes. An 8-foot mat will complement a 4-seater patio dining set. In choosing this product, you need to allow enough margins from the furniture. A good margin would be a 30-inch allowance from all edges starting from the edge of the table to the edges of your mat. You can comfortably pull out chairs without the risk of dragging in the fabric.
Placing runners creates a walkway or smaller balcony area. If your intention is to cover the entire patio, give a 12 -24-inch allowance from the edge of the mats to that of the patio’s space. This gives an illusion that your patio is larger. For furniture set with chairs, it should cover all the furniture legs. If the coverage falls short, at least the front legs of the chairs should be covered.
Style
It can be overwhelming to shop for one when there are so many options on the market. Though you can stick to a theme-centered style, you can also do an ‘anything goes’ approach to this. Your creativity is the limit. Blue is an ideal color if your concept is all about the sea and sky. Blue hues are ideal for this type of concept. For modern outdoor styles, you can opt for the conventional white, black, and gray hues. This is suitable for the minimalist concept. If your furniture has this color concept, a combination of black, blue, white or cream stripes may complement these combinations. You can also opt to place this as a runner on the side of your pool.
Choosing darker shades creates an environment of intimacy. On the other hand, lighter shades create an illusion of a bigger space. Rustic concepts may include wooden furniture. For this concept, you can choose rust, red, or orange hues to intensify its surroundings. Fabrics made of synthetic and natural fiber covers various color combinations and intricate designs from geometrics, creative splashes, flowers, and other tropical details. There are also plain-colored ones that have beautiful color-combination whether its color-blocking or color fading.
When it comes to colorfastness, woven designs are better options compared to other constructions. You may want to look into solution-dyed ones. These means that the colors were added to the chemicals to create the fiber instead of dyeing the mats after it has been created. This type resists color fading and works best for places where it’s under constant exposure under the sun. Woven types are often resistant to natural wear and tear that comes with heavy foot traffic and still retain its intricate design. There are printed patterns that would look wonderful in patios and decks. However, keep in mind that these types are a bit delicate. Expect patterns to fade after a certain period of time.
Top 10 Picks
1. Fab Habitat Copenhagen Gray
This design is eco-friendly and intricately designed by adult hands. Add a touch of color to your interior with one of its 8 beautiful designs.
Read moreMaterials
It is made of polypropylene fabric. It has mold, mildew, and UV resistant features suitable for places with frequent foot traffic and direct sunlight. This multi-functional product is ideal for indoor and outdoor use. The fabric is resilient but won’t scratch or damage your deck or patio. This item is stain-resistant and does well against wine, sauce, and coffee spills.
Ease of Use
It can be cleaned once a week at the most. Using hosed water and mild soap can easily clean debris. This should be air dried on both sides to keep moisture from being trapped in the bottom.
Sizing
This comes in five sizes: 3X5, 4X6, 5X8, 6X9, and 8X10. All of theses measured by feet.
Style
You can choose from 8 vibrant designs in shades of red, blue, and gray. It comes with trendy patterns suited for modern to conventional concepts.
2. Unique Loom Geometric Teal
This is a beautifully made Moroccan-inspired design. It comes in 5 colors to fit conventional to modern themes.
Read moreMaterials
This is made of polypropylene. It is mold, mildew, stain, and UV resistant and would be suited for frequent outdoor use.
Ease of Use
This carpet is easy to maintain using mild soap and water to clean debris and dirt. It also has a long lifespan so you don’t have to worry about getting a new replacement any time soon.
In the cases of long winter months, you can just roll this in a tight plastic bag and store it in a dry place. Just plop it open again in your patio, deck, or lawn in time for summer. This product weighs 14 lbs.
Sizing
This item comes in seven sizes: 2X6, 4X6, 5X8, 6X9, 7X10, 8X11, and 9X12. All measured by feet. The small items may be used on the beach or for picnics.
Style
If you’re a bit unsure about what kind of design you should go for, this is a good choice to come by. It features a wonderful geometric design and fits popular colored themes. It’s durable and versatile that works well in various set-ups. This features a Moroccan lattice geometric pattern. It comes in five colors: black, rust red, blue, teal, and brown.
3. Green Decore
Beautiful geometric design and durability all rolled into one, this outdoor item fits most contemporary themes. You get décor and functionality in one product.
Read moreMaterials
It is made of recycled plastic. This product is resilient against molds, mildews, moisture, and UV rays, suitable for patios constantly under direct sunlight. Designs stay firm even with prolonged sun exposure. This product weighs only 3 lbs.
Ease of Use
It’s easy to maintain and clean. It’s stain-resistant so you won’t have a hard time clearing off coffee, wine, and oil stains.
Sizing
This comes in six sizes: 4X6, 5X8, 2.3X6, 3X5, 6X9, and 8X10. All are measured in feet. This may suit smaller patios and decks best.
Style
This versatile product is a good accessory for your outdoor décor. This comes in a beautiful geometric pattern, a safe choice if you still don’t have any concept in mind. There are 11 color combinations to choose from. Whatever concept you may have, this item may suit most contemporary patterns often complementing two-toned color concepts.
4. Safavieh Courtyard Collection Area
Exquisite courtyard design fit for outdoor patios or indoor living room spacers. This is a multi-purpose item that fits most themes.
Read moreMaterials
This is made of polypropylene fiber fit for spaces with heavy foot traffic. It has a short pile height of 0.25 inches ensuring long-lasting durability. Despite its material, this is soft and won’t leave any scratches on your decks or patios. These are power loomed construction to ensure that you’re getting a quality product and wonderful decorative enhancements.
Ease of Use
It only requires regular cleaning using mild soap and water once or twice every week, depending on foot traffic. These are also made of durable fabric with designs that won’t fade with regular cleaning. It is mold, mildew, and stain resistant and designs don’t easily fade even with constant sun exposure. This can also be used indoors to cover floors in your living room, kitchen, and bedrooms. This weighs 11 lbs.
Sizing
This comes in 2X3 to 9X12 sizes fitting small to large spaces. All sizes are measured by feet. Smaller ones may be used as décors as well.
Style
This product comes in contemporary and classic designs fit for any theme. You can have your pick on conventional to smart patterns to complement your concept.
5. Reversible Mats Patio Mat
This is three-toned with a wonderful design fit for contemporary spaces. It’s a multipurpose mat that you can use outdoor or indoor.
Read moreMaterials
This is made of polypropylene material that’s moisture, mold and mildew resistant. The color and design can also withstand constant sun exposure without showing signs of colors fading.
Ease of Use
Clean dirt, spills, and debris by hosing water on the item with some mild soap. Let it air dry on both sides so as not to trap moisture on the bottom. If you have wooden floors, you may want to let the floor completely dry first before placing the items back on top.
It’s easy to maintain, weather resistant, and fit for heavy foot traffic. It also comes with a carry-on bag so you can use this in your trips to cover RVs against the heat of the sun or other outdoor activities. This item weighs 11.6 lbs.
Sizing
This comes in two sizes: 9X12 and 9X18. All measured by feet. These are suitable for larger patio and deck spaces.
Style
This product comes in 5 colors with three-toned themes. It may best suit contemporary concepts or if you want to add a splay of colors to your space. A combination of three-toned designs creates a bold statement or blends in nicely with your space concept.
6. Seavish Cotton Printed
Whether you’re going floral, tropical, or Bohemian, the design fits the theme. You can add this as décor or a multi-functional item on your porch or patio.
Read moreMaterials
This man-made cotton can function as décor or a mat. It is non-reversible with grip skid resistant features to prevent slippage. The chindi braided construction ensures durability.
Ease of Use
Unlike polypropylene cloth, this is made of wool and will require extra care from stains, mildews, and molds. It should be machine washed using mild soap and warm water to take away dirt, some stain, and molds. Take note that these absorb liquid so stains may be unavoidable if not spot treated immediately. It can be used as a meditation mat, picnic throw and as a small or patio mat.
Sizing
This product comes in two sizes: 20 X 32 and 24 X 36. All measured by feet. For outdoor use, this may suit larger decks and patios. It is not suitable for lawns or other muddy environments.
Style
This is a hand-made cotton mat closed with a tassel fringe for accent. It comes in various colors and patterns from palm leaves, geometric, and mandala designs to name a few.
7. Camco Large Reversible Patio Mat
This is a traditional lattice designed patio mat that suits outdoor use. For a standard mat, this is a safe choice to fit most conventional or rustic themes.
Read moreMaterials
This is a polypropylene outdoor mat that sustains in wet and dry seasons. It fits most outdoor spaces.
Ease of Use
This is easy to maintain and clean. Regular cleaning with mild soap and water can be done once or twice a week depending on how frequent the foot traffic is to space. It is also weather resistant so the product stays durable for months to years depending on your maintenance. During winter seasons, you can just fold this and tuck it away in a dry place to maintain its integrity.
Sizing
This comes in 4 sizes: 6X9, 8X16, 8X20, and 9X12. All are measured by feet.
Style
This brown and tan combination is best suitable for wooden decks. The lattice design accentuates a conventional theme in any space.
8. Nourison Aloha Multicolor
This is a floral-patterned rug and can be used indoors and outdoors. The design is an accent in itself.
Read moreMaterials
It is made of recycled plastic materials suitable in almost any weather conditions. It is mold, dirt, and water resistant.
Ease of Use
The product can easily be cleaned from stains and debris by rubbing mild soap on the item and hosed with water. It is best to air dry on both sides to prevent moisture build-up. This item weighs 11 lbs.
Sizing
This product comes in seven sizes: 6 rectangular and one round. These will fit most patio spaces starting at 2’8” X 4’ sizing. The round sized mat may fit smaller decks.
Style
These come in colorful blue, red, and green hues with a tan background. This may be ideal for most bright-colored settings.
9. Splendid Exchange Hand Woven
Exquisite hand-woven designs that serve as a centerpiece in itself. These are delicate ones that stand out in any room.
Read moreMaterials
This is made of 70% acrylic and 30% polyester synthetic fibers. It works well either as an ornament or centerpiece.
Ease of Use
This may require dry cleaning only to maintain the integrity of the cloth. Never use iron or it can damage the fabric. It’s best to hand wash or machine-wash on gentle cycle using color-safe soap. Air-dry it after washing to prevent stretching. Only use a fabric steamer to remove wrinkles.
Sizing
This product comes in 4 ft. X 6 ft. only. This may fit small to medium spaces.
Style
You can choose from a myriad of bold colors to accentuate your space. It fits Native American, Aztec, Cabin, or Southwestern decors. This is reversible and you can use in any closed outdoor spaces.
10. Epic RV Mat Patio
It features an eye-popping design for an outdoor mat. This is made for endurance from heavy foot traffic, travel, and extreme weather conditions.
Read moreMaterials
This product is made of polypropylene. The woven design makes this a suitable item for lawn uses to prevent damage to your grass.
Ease of Use
Just use some mild soap and hose water to take off dirt and debris. Let it air dry and store in a dry place if not in use. Primarily used for off-road activities with your RV, this also serves as an outdoor mat in your patio or decks. This product weighs 7.7 lbs.
Sizing
This only comes in a 9 X 12 (by feet) size. It fits outdoor lawns and small to medium patios.
Style
This comes in two designs: chevron and floral. You can use this outside your RV or lawn for gatherings or camping activities.
Sources
- , The 7 Best Indoor Outdoor Rugs of 2019, Buying Guide
- , BRING THE INDOORS OUT WITH ONE OF AMAZON'S STYLISHLY VERSATILE OUTDOOR RUGS, Buying Guide