Are you looking to learn how to choose your outdoor Patio rug?
You want to make an educated and Budget Friendly Choice.
I get it, it’s hard to do but as they say,”Knowledge is Power”…so “Let’s Go”.
Out With The Old in with The New
Spring is officially here, meaning everyone is preparing their outside eating and living spaces. I am one of those many, wanting it to be perfect is my biggest hurdle. Are you in a similar situation? Let’s do this together!
I had a new patio built last year in place of a wooden deck. It is open to the elements, sun, rain you name it. I need two area rugs for my seating area and the dining area. What to do, what to do, what to do??
The best part about the arrival of spring is the reminder that we (many of us, anyway) have back yards. So naturally, thoughts turn to getting the most out of that extra space to start enjoying the fresh air and warmer weather.
Once the deck is built, the grill is assembled, and the outdoor furniture is in place, it’s time to think about the extra decorating touches that turn a functional patio into an extravagant, eye-catching outdoor space. That means adding an all-weather rug.
Are you contemplating adding an outdoor rug to your patio or deck? To help you make this decision, I am, including several questions readers have asked in the past. In any investment you want to fully understand what you’re paying for, how long it will last and how to maintain it. We’ve answered six common questions
Why do I need an outdoor rug?
An outdoor rug serves the same purpose as an indoor area rug: it pulls your seating area together into a single, unified space that’s inviting and comfortable. It shows an attention to detail, allowing you to create a truly personalized decor for your yard. It has the added value of helping you keep dirt and other outdoor residue outside where it belongs
Are Outdoor Rugs Safe From Rain?
Unless you’re planning to roll everything up at the first sign of dark clouds, you’ll need a waterproof rug. Wool and other natural fibers may be great for indoor spaces, but they won’t stand up to rain. Even in covered patio areas where the seating area is protected, moisture and stray drops of rain can still sneak in, which can lead to mold or mildew, as well as weakening the rug’s fibers.
Fortunately, most outdoor rugs are made from tightly woven polypropylene or other synthetic fibers that do not absorb water. Not only does this help them withstand spring showers, it also makes them remarkably easy to clean (as we’ll see later.)
Make sure your rug dries out on top and bottom. After a heavy rain, after the top has started to dry out, flip the rug and allow the back to dry as well. Since the back is typically synthetic and won’t absorb water, excess moisture should dry up quickly. Make sure water doesn’t get trapped under the rug, especially if you have a wooden deck. The rug should be protected, but mold can collect underneath on the deck if not properly dried.
Can I leave my outdoor rug out year-round?
If you’re living in a warmer climate, chances are that your patio is open all year. In some cases, you may have a covered deck or patio designed to provide more shelter and create essentially an outdoor living room area, such as the outdoor decor IBB Design shared with us. But if you live in parts of the world where you stop entertaining outdoors when winter comes around, it makes sense to store your rug.
While outdoor rugs are weather-resistant, there’s no reason to expose them to the elements when not in use.
By rolling up your rug and wrapping it in weather-resistant plastic, you can store it in a garage or even against the wall outside. It will be ready to go again when warm weather hits.
TIP: If you notice curling at the corners of your rug, you can usually fix this by dampening the corners, weighing them down and allowing them to dry overnight.
Are Outdoor Rugs Resistant to Mold and Mildew
Typically, outdoor rugs are created from material that’s resistant to mold and mildew. However, it’s still best to thoroughly air-dry rugs after washing or after heavy rains to make sure moisture isn’t trapped under the rug or between the fibers.
Moisture can combine with trapped dirt in the rug and cause mold or moss to crop up, which is why regular cleaning is important. If you do find any mildew or fungus, you can get rid of it.
TIP: by spot cleaning with a vinegar-water mixture.
Bleach is usually effective for removing growth such as mildew or moss, but make sure to check with your rug manufacture to see if this will damage the rug’s color. Test a small section of the rug’s corner first, before using bleach on the rest of the rug. Clean the rug on a driveway or other location where you can divert any run-off away from plants or grass.
Using a rug pad will help avoid moisture build-up, but you should still regularly check under the rug to make sure it’s properly dried and ventilated.
Are outdoor rugs safe for wooden decks?
Rolling out an outdoor rug on your deck. Is that a great way to dress up your out side spaces and make them feel warm and comfortable.
Outdoor rugs are actually made to go on decks, and you have many great rug options to choose from. The key is to take care of them and your deck. Proper care of your rug on your deck is imperative if it is neglected, it can stain your deck, or cause, mold, or mildew.
There are many great deck rug options at her fingertips.
How do you define your Patio Space?
Consider the different purposes for this one space. It is prime real estate, so every inch counts.
It can consist of (Space) of:
- Dining Area
- Conversation Area
- Kitchen Area
- TV Area
I was a little skeptical about getting them. I came from Arizona and my patios were covered so the outdoor rugs always stayed nice and appeared new. I knew it would look great and feel great, but my concern was how it will wear and hold water (SW/PA rain). If I had a pergola (which the contractor suggested for me to have done at the same time) this would have been a no brained and done already. But I didn’t, financially have the Pergola done, it was not in the Budget.
I was worried that I would be buying (rug) a giant sponge(s). LOL.
New Rug Choices
Now that I know that they clean up easily, look beautiful, and complete a space, I am Ready. In my experience all that I had to do was just blow it off with a leaf blower once a week and they look good as new. I am hoping that after rain showers it will dry out quickly. So I am going to take a “Leap of Faith”.
Now that I have laid The Foundation for the patio… Hehehe 
Since you have been provided enough information so that you can feel comfortable with your choice of rug …Tag along as I provide some choices to help you in your quest for that “Beautiful” Patio.
My favorite outdoor rug, is in fact the So that is what I’m going to look for first. I think that that will solve the problem of looking dirty. Or maybe I will go off the deep end and choose some wild and vibrant colored rug. Let’s just see.
Material is Key
Shopping for rugs- they are categorized into two types of materials:
- SYNTHETIC
- NATURAL FIBERS (this wont work for me but maybe will for you)
Synthetic (polypropylene)- rugs are made either partially or entirely from recycled plastic bottles! Say what???????? These rugs are durable, they are also easy to clean. Mild soap (such as dishwashing soap) and a garden hose.
Nylon– is another very resilient fiber. Nylon is also durable, easy to clean, colorfast, and stain-resistant. On the downside, nylon can become very hot when exposed to direct sunlight.
Polyester– has a lot of positives. (vivid coloration that is resists fading and many stains) Negative- it susceptible to oil-based stains.
Acrylic– appearance of natural fibers, featuring a soft finish that feels cushiony underfoot. Acrylic absorbs and releases moisture readily, which makes it resistant to mold and mildew.
Indoor/outdoor same rules apply to the Size:
Where to Use an Outdoor Rug
Think about where you have rugs inside your home: the same spot can be utilized outside. Under the dining table, in front of the sofa and outside of the patio door. Not only does an outdoor rug complement aesthetically, it can also serve a practical function too. For example, concrete that receives direct summer sun can get very hot, even to where it can burn your feet. A few well placed rugs on a patio, or pool deck will solve this problem, generally without breaking the bank. So far so good….
There are only two rules of thumb for adding rugs; if you are placing one under a dining table, allow for the chairs to be pulled out.
An extra two feet all around the table will allow for this.
Rectangular or oval tables look best over rectangular rugs; square or round tables are better suited for square or round rugs.
In fact, a round rug under a square table, or a square rug under a round table makes an interesting combination. I used the later combination in my previous Breakfast Room. I looked very nice.
After all this research and understanding and sharing my surroundings with you …. Which side are you on, rug or no rug? I will be sharing the before and after as I Unfurl the right rug in future posts. I hope this has helped in your decision making and as always share your before and after photos, we all love to see what others have done.
Thanks again for joining us and being a part of The City Cottage Family. I love when we can visit.
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Until next time…..
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