Everything you need to know about Outdoor Rugs

Rugs can now be taken outside! If you have a patio, a deck or furniture placed outside, a complimentary rug can be used to zone off the area and complete the look. These rugs are a great way of defining an outdoor 'living area' by tying in all the accessories together as they would in an indoor environment. Having a rug can create a stark contrast against the rest of the garden and produce an eye-catching focal point.

The material of the rug is very important

The conditions outside are harsher than the inside and so the rug will experience rain, intense sunshine, excessive dirt exposure and consistent changes in temperature. The material of the rug will need to be able to handle these conditions otherwise the rug will not last very long. The longevity of the rug is determined by the rugs construction and the material used. Handmade rugs are made from wool, cotton and sometimes silk to which these materials aren't suitable for outside weather and are more appropriate for indoor use. Unless there will be a roof over the rug, wool or cotton rugs shouldn't be placed outside, even if it looks perfect. It will wear and fade in a shorter expected time and won't hold up to the expectations you would have.

There are natural fibres, like jute and sisal, that can handle the weather better than cotton and wool. These materials are organic as well but they are derived from plants that are sun-dried to create long, shiny fibres of thin, durable fibres.

Tropicana 725 K Floral Rug by Oriental Weavers

Essentially, any material rug can be placed outside but what separates an outdoor rug from indoor rugs is that the go-to material for outdoor rugs is polypropylene. This material is perfect for the weather and can endure harsher conditions than wool and cotton. Unlike wool and cotton, it won't have to be placed under a roofline, it can be placed in the open air, if that is what you are going for. It will last the longest so longevity of the rug isn't an issue even if it'll be under the boiling sun or heavy rain. Even though jute and sisal are better outdoor materials than wool and cotton, polypropylene is still better than jute and sisal because it is resistant to stains and spillages. Stains from outside elements are inevitable, therefore, a material that can withstand stains is a must.

A flatweave outdoor rug made from polypropylene can be made to look like jute and sisal. Jute and sisal fibres follow and nude to brown shade range which can easily be mimicked with polypropylene fibres. If the aesthetic you are going for is boho, which jute and sisal provide, but want durability, polypropylene rugs can definitely be used. This goes for cotton and wool rugs as well. Rather than go for a rug that has a flatweave, look for a polypropylene fibre rug with a very low pile height and is densely packed. This can help mimic the desired appearance you are going for in your outdoor living area without affecting the longevity of your rug.

Cleaning/ care

Stains and spillages on an outdoor rug are to be expected – it is inevitable. With harsh conditions and open-air, anything is bound to happen to a rug that is left outside. It is important that the rug you have chosen to use outside can be cleaned easily and won't wear away after excessive cleaning. How often an outside rug needs to be cleaned depends on the state of the area it is placed in. If it is placed near dirt and mud, it might have to be cleaned regularly, but if it is placed on a patio or has a roof over its head – it might not need repeated cleaning but rather be cleaned occasionally.

Boardwalk Pastel Multi Rug by Asiatic

Outdoor rugs made from polypropylene, or nylon even, are easy to clean as not much is needed other than a high-powered hose and soap. Any generic soap can be used to get the dirt out of the rug – the fibres are resistant to spillages so the dirt spills right off. A high-powered hose can be used for stains that are a little bit more stubborn and can show a very clear difference before and after the rug is cleaned. Once they are cleaned, they can be left outside to dry off, without needing any more attention.

Outdoor rugs do need to be manually cleaned. The fibres may ensure that the rug is durable and resistant to environmental changes, but it also means that the rug is thick and heavy. You won't be able to put it into the washing machine – it won't clean as good as doing it manually and might result in a few of the fibres stringing out.

Outdoor rugs don't have to be limited to the outside

Outdoor rugs are more durable and resistant to wearing and fading prematurely - there is no question of it. They are designed to endure harsher conditions but that doesn't mean they have to be limited to the outside. Outdoor rugs can be brought indoors and used as regular rugs.

Dara Green Abstract Rug by Asiatic

If you have kids and pets, an ordinary rug made from wool or cotton, like a white shaggy rug, won't perform the same as a flat-weave or low pile height polypropylene rug. The rug is guaranteed to get messy and covered in stains, so having an outdoor rug in usage means it can be easily cleaned and can withstand heavy traffic.

Even if there are no kids about, a polypropylene rug is slightly thicker – it can be used to the flooring underneath from scratches and marks. You won't have to worry about wearing and fading as is it designed to handle tougher conditions.

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