“I tend to use outdoor rugs most commonly under sofas and sectionals because it feels like creating an outdoor living room,” says New York-based landscape designer Amber Freda. “You’ll want it to be around the same proportions as an indoor rug, where the furniture pieces help anchor the rug usually to create a whole seating set.” After more than a day of testing and hours of research, we compiled the best outdoor rugs for all needs and budgets. Our top pick is the Dash & Albert Geometric Diamond Rug, a stylist-approved piece boasting a versatile wool-like appearance and a low-maintenance design. Scroll down for the best rugs for your outdoor space. Despite its durable construction, our tester said this rug feels more like an indoor rug: “Some outdoor rugs feel more like a glorified yoga mat than an actual rug, but this one is surprisingly soft,” she said. “In fact, we took a second look at the label to make sure it wasn’t some kind of natural fiber or blend based on the feel alone.” She also appreciated the wide range of color options for the geometric print. And though the larger sizes are somewhat pricey, you can expect this weather-ready piece to last longer than most others in its category. Sourced from 100 percent recycled plastic, this UV-resistant polyester rug earned extra sustainability points from our home tester. It’s super lightweight and comes with a carrying bag, too—making it ideal for camping trips and other outdoor excursions. We love that it comes in several sizes (seven, to be exact) and several fun colors and patterns. Unlike natural jute, this synthetic option has a smooth and soft feel that’s resistant to fraying and other wear typically seen in natural fibers. It’s handwoven from a blend of recycled polyester-polyurethane, giving it a versatile, bohemian appearance. During testing, we found this rug to be incredibly smooth and soft to walk on. It effectively cushioned our tester’s feet, protecting them from rocks and other sharp objects that we placed underneath. For day-to-day cleaning, just shake it out or sweep it to get rid of dirt, rocks, and other debris. You can pick from seven sizes, including runners and round options, in four unique colorways. During testing, this rug proved to be durable, too. It’s machine-woven from polyester and polypropylene fibers, which have been treated to stand up to stains and exposure to the elements. Upon arrival, there were no loose threads or snags—“Especially given the detail of the weave, it’s impressive,” said our tester—and it stayed firmly in place throughout our various tests. After spilling BBQ sauce and grape juice on the rug, we were able to get any stains out with a brush and detergent; leaves and other debris were easy to vacuum up. Just note that it’s not the most quick-drying option on the market: after hosing the rug down and leaving it to dry overnight, it was still pretty soaked with water. In terms of appearance, this rug scored high—the flat-weave material is space-dyed, creating a striated effect typically seen in traditional yarn. We also love that you can choose from 10 different hues, ranging from bold statement colors to warm earthy tones. It’s also easy to clean: just hose it down and let it air-dry while lying flat to prevent ripples and curled corners. The McKenzie Area Rug is made in Turkey from 100% polypropylene, giving it a sturdy yet soft feel that provides sufficient cushioning again hard objects like rocks and sticks. The manufacturer recommends spot treating any stains, though you can also hose the rug down for larger messes. Just note that it will take more than a few hours to dry. This rug comes in six sizes—ranging from 4 feet to 10 feet long—and has been power-loomed in Turkey from durable polyester, which is then treated to be mildew-resistant (ideal for areas with a pool). The top is made with 100% wool, giving it a soft, plush feel that our testers loved. The non-slip backing stayed firmly secured to the ground during testing, preventing the rug from bunching or sliding around. Despite its length, this rug is lightweight and easy to move. We appreciated that it didn’t bunch up easily during testing, and cleaning proved to be a breeze (though, per the manufacturer, this rug is spot clean-only—no hosing allowed). One issue that we had is that there’s not much of a difference in the appearance of the two sides. This makes the reversible factor more functional than purely aesthetic, ideal for messes and stains. The Rowan is surprisingly soft and luxurious for a synthetic rug. And since it has virtually no pile height, it lies flat (almost like a heavy wool blanket) and rolls up easily. This outdoor rug can be vacuumed, spot-cleaned, and hosed off as needed. We only wish it came in more sizes. Available in eight colors, the textured design offers an organic, down-to-earth touch to outdoor dining and sitting areas. It’s easy to maintain too: thanks to its water-resistant design, the Wynn can be hosed down and spot-cleaned as needed using a synthetic carpet-cleaning solution. This two-toned area rug is woven from 100 percent polypropylene, an exceptionally durable material that stands up to year-round weather. Beyond playing well with precipitation, it’s resistant to sun-fading, mildew, and stains. The Kaari is reversible, too, so you can flip it over in the event of permanent stains. The Farella is made of 100 percent polyester to ensure weather resistance and lasting durability without sacrificing softness. Thanks to the strong weave and resilient fibers, it’s ideal for high-traffic spaces and easy to clean with a vacuum, broom, or hose. To prevent mold growth and help it dry quicker, West Elm recommends placing it over the brand’s indoor/outdoor rug pad, which you’ll have to buy separately.
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What to Look for When Buying an Outdoor Rug
Material
NYC-based interior designer Jennifer Hunter says the most important thing to consider when buying an outdoor rug is the material. “You want something that is stain- and mold-resistant, waterproof, and won’t fade from direct sunlight,” she said. Most of the options we tested are made of polyester or polypropylene (a type of thermoplastic), which tends to be softer underfoot than natural fibers like jute. Plus, while waterproof options are a little harder to come by, synthetic materials offer some water resistance. When shopping, Decorist designer Elise Payne says to think about the climate and whether the area will be covered. “I love a jute rug for outdoors, but a natural material would be better suited for a covered area, as it isn’t quite as mildew-resistant as a synthetic rug,” she notes. “Synthetics, on the other hand, are pretty indestructible.”
Maintenance
“The great thing about outdoor rugs is they are typically so easy to clean,” says Payne. Though it depends on the material and weave, most polyester and polypropylene options can be rinsed off with a hose and air-dried in the sun. Flatter weaves can also be swept, vacuumed, and even scrubbed if needed. Beyond standing up to the elements, this low-maintenance appeal is why many people use outdoor area rugs in high-traffic indoor spaces.
Size
Outdoors or inside, no matter where you place it, sizing is crucial. As with indoor area rugs, outdoor rugs should be big enough that either all furniture legs can be placed on top or just the front two. For dining areas, make sure it’s large enough that the entire table and all chair legs can go on top, preferably even when pulled out.
Why Trust The Spruce?
Theresa Holland is a freelance commerce writer specializing in home design, outdoor living, and textiles. For this story, she interviewed two interior designers for product recommendations and insight into the best materials, colors, and styles. She then compiled insights from our home testers and researched dozens of today’s best-selling outdoor rugs. The chosen options ultimately stood out in terms of quality, maintenance requirements, durability, size and color options, and overall value. Theresa has been contributing to The Spruce since 2019, covering furniture, decor, and cleaning products. Payne recommends multi-toned outdoor rugs. “This doesn’t mean it has to look colorful from afar, but if you look closer, it may actually be made up of many colors woven together,” she explains. “This will help hide dirt and other things that will inevitably end up on your outdoor rug.” The Spruce’s Lily Sperry contributed additional research and reporting, interviewing landscape designer Amber Freda for further insight on outdoor rug considerations and styling. Lily has been with The Spruce since 2019.
