Outdoor area rugs are a fairly recent invention. In the time of the settlers it was a struggle to have a handmade rug or two inside the home and now we have luxurious wall to wall carpeting, leather shag pile rugs and even a patio rug for outside our homes.
If you’re looking for an outdoor area rug to enhance your yard, porch, decking or patio you may be wondering what to buy for the best. There are so many shapes sizes and colors but here are the things to think about.
1. Rug Size
Don’t buy a rug which is so small it looks like a door mat if you want to create a bit of impact on your patio or in your yard. On the other hand a rug which is too big for the area you want to use it in is not going to do you any favors either. If you place your outdoor rug on a patio there should be at least a 12″ gap around the edges of the rug where you see the patio surface. If you are placing a rug under an outdoor dining table make sure that it is the right size so that the legs of the table either all sit on the rug or all extend beyond it. You do not want your rug to be the cause of a wobbly table. It is nicest if the whole table and all the chairs are on the rug. For an outdoor runner leading to your door make sure that the runner is slightly narrower than the doorway for best effect.
Outdoor Area Rug (Click image for details)
You can get outdoor rugs in all kinds of shapes. Square and rectangular shapes are good for mirroring the shape of the area where you’re placing the rug. Round outdoor rugs look good at the center of a seating area and semicircular rugs are good at a doorway. The long rectangular outdoor runner rugs are great leading inside and help combat noise of people coming in and out. They are great for a poolside too where you may not have a lot of room to play with.
3. Rug Color
The jury is out on whether rugs should blend with their natural surroundings or add a welcome splash of color. It’s a matter of personal taste really. If you prefer the natural look check out bamboo outdoor rugs or beige, rust or green colored synthetic rugs. These go well with wicker furniture and natural cream colored patio cushions as well as teak and natural wood garden furniture. If you prefer brighter colors tie in the rug colors with your patio cushions for a chic coordinated look.
4. Outdoor Rug Only?
If you will keep your rug outside all year long you only have to consider your garden however if you might want to use it indoors too think about the best color and size to choose to suit both situations where you might use it. Most outdoor rugs are really indoor outdoor rugs but some are definitely better kept to a garden situation. These are the one which are made of rougher dull natural materials. If you want one which will cheer you up indoors then choose one of the colorful polypropylene indoor outdoor area rugs.
See a huge selection of outdoor area rugs HERE
