Outdoor Rugs Ideas to Transform Your Patio, Terrace or Garden
Interior Styling Blog for Real Homes: Ideas, Advice & Inspiration
Hi, I’m Sandra, this blog is about interior styling for real homes. If you love interiors and want your home to feel stylish, pulled together, yet still personal, you’ve come to the right place. I’ll be sharing styling advice to help you edit, layer, and finish your home with confidence, alongside articles on what’s happening in the interiors world — from design events to colour stories - so you get the full picture.
I also take you on tours of beautifully styled homes from around the world, offering inspiration and styling ideas to steal for your own space. Ultimately, I’ll show you how a little bit of styling can be transformational and take your home to a whole new level.
In today’s post, I’m sharing with you outdoor rug ideas to help you create an indoor feel outdoors and give an instant upgrade to your outdoor space.
Photo credit: Weaver Green
When the sun is shining, there’s nothing that makes me happier than sitting outside in a stylish seating area. I’ve realised that outdoor rugs are one of the simplest yet most effective ways to elevate and define an outdoor space. They bring your indoor comfort and style outside, making your patio or garden feel like a natural extension of your home. By defining an outdoor seating, dining or lounging area, a rug can transform an outdoor area into a room-like setting by adding texture, warmth and colour to hard flooring such as paving or decking. Even the smallest space, such as a balcony, can be reimagined into a vacation moment with a rug.
Outdoor rugs come in many different shapes and styles, including runners for narrow spaces, circular styles for a pair of sun loungers or oversized rugs for dining or seating areas. Designed to handle the elements and produced in easy-clean materials, they are available in a wide range of styles, from budget-friendly geometric styles you might find at a garden centre to more luxurious, textural weaves. I particularly love the vintage look of the Nomad Xanthos rug shown here by Weaver Green. With its intricate motif repeats and borders, it’s not only stylish but is eco-friendly, having been hand-loomed from up to 5,400 recycled plastic bottles!
You can choose a rug that reflects your interior style and complements your indoor colour scheme. For example, aqua was an accent colour in my home, so I opted for a rug in similar tones for my balcony, allowing the eye to carry the colour through from inside to out. Alternatively, you may prefer a completely different look to your interior, such as bold tropical colours, calm neutrals or a blue-and-white Mediterranean vibe. Whatever the style or tone you choose, a rug is one of the most impactful pieces for bringing a cohesive look outdoors. If you would also like to look at different seating and soft furnishing options for outside, you might like to read my feature on Outdoor Living Space Styling Ideas while for more about Interior Styling in general, you can read my post on What is Interior Styling and How to create a Beautiful, Cohesive home.
Many rugs are now referred to as inside-outside rugs, as their durability also makes them ideal for indoor high-traffic areas such as hallways, kitchens, boot rooms and dining rooms. I have one under my dining table and it’s so easy to simply wipe away any spillages. Made from synthetic materials such as polypropylene, most outdoor rugs are weather-resistant, so they won’t fade in strong sunlight or get damaged if they get wet. I have a particularly hard-wearing outdoor rug, which I leave outside all year round and simply jet wash in the spring. There are also natural options, such as hemp, jute, seagrass and sisal; these are durable and can be used outdoors but are more suited to covered terraces as they might not withstand getting too wet. In this article, I’ll share with you a range of rugs in different shapes, sizes, colours and textures to give you a better idea of the options available. But first, let’s take a look at the different materials and types available.
What are outdoor rugs made of and what areas are they best for?
Polypropylene is highly resistant to moisture and can cope with all weather, and is one of the most practical materials for outdoor rugs.
Recycled plastic bottles give the rugs the look and feel of wool, while being environmentally friendly.
Nylon/polyester rugs feel and look more luxurious than those made of polypropylene and are still durable.
Viscose rugs have a silk-like sheen, often used in braided rugs, and are blended with polypropylene to make them more weather-resistant.
Hemp is a durable natural fibre, but the rugs are not completely waterproof.
Jute, bamboo and seagrass are natural and eco friendly but not as durable as synthetic options.
Can an outdoor rug be used indoors?
There are now many rugs marketed as indoor/outdoor rugs and these are ideal for kitchens, dining areas, conservatories, boot rooms, hallways and even bathrooms as they are easy to clean and quick to dry. To make the indoor/outdoor rug feel more plush when you are using it inside, purchase non-slip underlay cut to the size of your rug. This will add cushioning to the rug, and make it feel thicker and softer underfoot, and feel and look far more luxurious.
Care of an outdoor rug
Rotate your rug regularly and hose it down with a mild soap solution to prevent mould or mildew. If it’s double-sided, you can also flip it over occasionally.
Consider the weight of your rug. While heavier woven rugs are more stable and will stay in place, they are more difficult to lift or rotate to clean. A lightweight rug is much easier to roll up and carry, but can also blow around in the wind.
Think about where you place your rug. On wooden decking, natural-fibre rugs can retain moisture which may damage the wood underneath over time.
If your rug is not fully weather-resistant, it’s best to bring it in during the winter. Store it in a dry, well-ventilated place, which will extend its lifespan.
Different types of outdoor rugs
Patterned rugs - these are often geometric or striped and are an ideal way to add interest to a space.
Tufted rugs - I have one of these on my balcony and it is more luxurious and looks convincingly like an indoor rug.
Reversible rugs - typically flat-woven rugs often feature a pattern which has different colourways on each side.
Natural fibre rugs - these bring an organic look to a space, with some styles featuring a coloured border.
Woven rugs - are more textured and often have intricate weaves, making them look even more like an indoor rug.
Globally Inspired Natural Woven Design
When choosing an outdoor rug, a woven design like the one shown here can look every bit as convincing as an indoor rug. This level of detail and texture will turn any outdoor space into a room-like setting and, being neutral, it complements many different interior styles. Although it is made from 100% durable polypropylene, this rug captures the look and natural charm of jute while being completely weather-resistant, making it ideal for year-round use. With its versatile, globally inspired design, the Tarah rug by Traumteppich looks especially beautiful paired with other natural elements, like the woven bench and rattan pendant light pictured here.
Photo credit: Traumteppich
Tufted Aqua-toned Patterned Rug on a Balcony
This is my own rug, which I bought from Wayfair a few years ago and keep on my balcony from spring to autumn. As it is tufted, it has a wool-like look and feels soft underfoot. My decking is made of a newer type of dark-toned composite as opposed to wood, which in high summer is almost too hot to step on, so the rug is not just a styling element but a practical one too. Despite being exposed to the elements, it has lasted five years. As you can see, I have paired it with cushions in similar aqua tones for a more styled, cohesive look. If you would like to look at the different outdoor cushions available, check out my recent Outdoor Cushion Styling Ideas feature.
Photo credit: Sandra van Aalst
A Stylish Striped Rug on a Veranda
An outdoor rug is perfect for a veranda or covered terrace, where it can look every bit as stylish as an indoor room. The added benefit is that you don’t have to worry as much about it being affected by the elements as you would if it were exposed outside. This wide-striped rug in two tonal colours by Laura Ashley looks elegant and helps to elevate this covered seating area. As it is made from 100% polypropylene, it is suitable for both indoor and outdoor use.
Photo credit: Traumteppich
A Neutral Rug with a Pop of Colour
A neutral-toned rug brings a stylish look to wherever you place it. What I particularly like about this rug is the addition of the soft red border which helps to anchor the seating area, styled here with a plant and rattan pouffe. If you prefer to let the colours of your garden take centre stage but still want a subtle accent, this type of rug works beautifully. From the Anywhere Ca-rPET collection by Alternative Flooring, it is made from innovative synthetic sisal that is not only hard-wearing but also soft underfoot. It is ideal for high-traffic areas in the home and can be made into a kitchen runner, bathroom mat or conservatory carpet.
Photo credit: Alternative Flooring
A Refined Grey Rug with a Playful Pattern
This grey rug has a charming dotted pattern that adds a touch of character and playful sophistication to any space. Its texture gives it that refined impression of linen, and it looks particularly striking in this poolside setting, juxtaposed against the rocks. Made by Pappelina, the rug is handwoven in Sweden using phthalate-free PVC and polyester. Built for durability, it is resilient and well-suited to outdoor environments such as this one.
Photo credit. Pappelina
Natural Braided Hemp Rug
Many of us are drawn to the rugged charm of organic elements in the garden or on the terrace, and natural fibre rugs like jute, sisal and hemp work beautifully outside. In this gorgeous rustic outdoor dining setting, with earthy-toned cushions paired with a wooden table and benches, the braided hemp rug by Nkuku is the perfect fit. Hemp is one of the strongest natural fibres, containing antimicrobial properties that help prevent mould and mildew. It is also UV resistant and durable, although if it becomes thoroughly soaked, it's best to dry it out properly.
Photo credit: Nkuku
A Monochrome Outdoor Rug to Jazz up your Patio
Monochrome rugs like this one are perfect for jazzing up your outdoor space, and bringing definition and contrast to a patio, garden or terrace. Crafted from high-quality plastic straws, this type of rug is durable, withstanding rain and resisting mould or mildew. Lightweight styles like this one are also easy to bring indoors for storage, roll up and move to different parts of the garden, or even take along for a picnic.
Photo credit: Sue Ryder
Luxury Outdoor Living Room Rug
Inspired by one of the world’s most elegant holiday destinations, this luxurious outdoor seating area calls for a statement rug to match its sophisticated furniture. This grey striped rug by Covet House does exactly that. An oversized rug like this helps to anchor the entire arrangement of outdoor sofas, tables and chairs, creating a more cohesive room-like feel.
When it comes to choosing the size, you don’t necessarily have to follow strict rug guidelines, as every space varies so much. Indoors, you would generally aim for the largest rug that fits the room so that the feet of the sofa and chairs sit on the rug. However, outdoors it’s more about what works visually in the space so that it defines the area and feels balanced.
Photo credit: Covet House
Fresh Tones to Bring Vibrancy to your Outdoor Space
Add a fresh feel to your outdoor area with a rug in tonal greens. Shades like this create a calm, contemporary look that pairs beautifully with natural wood or rattan furniture in neutral tones. This retro striped rug by Cox & Cox is made from a durable flat-weave material that combines lightweight practicality with long-lasting strength, and is designed to withstand UV rays while still maintaining its vibrant appearance.
Photo credit: Cox & Cox
Botanical Prints for that Tropical Touch
Botanical leaf patterns, like this green and beige indoor-outdoor rug by La Redoute, always bring a tropical feel wherever they are placed. Specifically designed for outdoor use, the rug is made from stain-resistant polypropylene, so if you drop food or it picks up any other marks, it’s easy to clean. If you want to position your rug as a standalone feature, without any furniture to hold it in place, you can use heavy-duty double-sided rug tape to secure it. Just bear in mind that it is harder to lift the rug for cleaning or to allow it to dry out, which is why polypropylene rugs, like the one shown here, are the most practical choice.
Photo Credit: La Redoute
Opting for a Round Outdoor Rug
I have a round rug in one part of my garden with two loungers on it. It’s a lightweight black and white reversible design and would easily blow around if it were not anchored by the weight of the furniture. Just like in the image here, mine is a 200cm circle set within a paved circular area, which works particularly well, although round rugs can also help soften the lines of a square or rectangular terrace. This light grey rustic weave rug by Click Style works perfectly with the two garden rocking chairs, which slightly overlap the rug with a coffee table placed between them.
Photo credit: Click Style
Outdoor Movie Area Styled with Multiple Rugs
Create an outdoor cinema area by layering a few rugs together, as shown here. These handmade rugs are crafted from strips of recycled fabric, made up of 95% cotton, and feature a bold weave in tones of slate, grey, ochre and taupe, finished with a bound edge. Although not as durable as synthetics, they can easily be brought inside when it rains. This particular look shows how effective it can be to mix multiple designs to create a relaxed outdoor area, perfect for an outdoor movie night.
Photo credit: Walton & Co
A Colourful Outdoor Runner
A runner is a wonderful way to break up flooring and bring colour and interest to an outdoor area. It shows that rugs are not just for seating areas, but can also enliven walkways and narrower spaces such as slim balconies. This pale orange rug by Pappelina stands out beautifully against the faded grey wood decking, while also pairing with the warm tones of the timber-clad exterior.
Photo credit: Pappelina
Anchoring a Large Seating Area with an Outdoor Rug
For some seating areas with larger outdoor sofas, such as corner or modular designs, you can position your rug similar to you would indoors. As shown in the image here, the front of the chair legs are on the rug, while the bag legs remain on the flooring. For larger terraces, an oversized rug like this handwoven striped grey rug by Daals, is ideal for defining the space, and you could also use separate rugs for distinguishing between dining and lounging areas.
Photo credit: Daals
A Stylish Alternative to a Doormat
Now that we’ve looked at stylish rugs for outdoor seating, lounging and dining areas, there’s no reason to overlook the entrance, so consider swapping out your plain doormat for something far more inviting. A small rug, like the one pictured here in a mix of earthy greens and hedgerow tones, is decorative and elevates the whole entrance area. Handmade from 100% organic jute, it is both sustainable and biodegradable. There are also other coordinating pieces in the range, like the basket with the plant shown here, so your entrance will feel as stylish and pulled-together as the rest of your home.
Photo credit: Braided Rug Company
LET’S SUM UP
I hope you enjoyed looking at the different types of rugs available and have ideas to transform your outdoor space.
