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Our Guide to Outdoor Rugs

Rugs are not just confined to the boundaries of inside the home, they have expanded out. Now they are bringing the homely feel to your patio areas and porches, allowing you to spruce up your garden area with a whole new look.

Just like indoor rugs, those of the outdoor variety are available in all shapes, sizes and styles. It is an easy approach to adding a pop of colour and comfort to your outdoor space. With the use of larger outdoor rugs, it’s a great way to protect decking areas and keep them clean and tidy.

Outdoor rugs have many of the same qualities as indoor rugs in terms of both style and functionality. However, unlike indoor rugs most outdoor types are made of long-lasting materials that can hold up to varied weathers and are able to resist stains and fading from direct sunlight. So, let’s learn a little more about these rugs to see if they’re for you.

Shape and sizing

When choosing a rug for outside, you need to be even more aware of what is around you and in the area. Pay attention to fountains, pillars or any fireplaces as you need to gauge what would fit in terms of size, shape and design.

On top of that, you also need to consider how much outdoor space you have and how that space is used, what furniture you have out there and the shapes and sizes of these pieces. For example, round patio table will generally always look better on a round rug whereas a seating area may look better with a square or rectangular rug to define the area.

If your rug is being used under a table, it should be wide enough that all chairs can be pulled out and all legs are still situated on the rug. Within a seating area or grouping, it is best to make sure all major pieces of furniture can have at least the front two legs on the rug. For this reason, oversized rugs are brilliant to cover the main area of a deck or patio.

Material Choices

Most of the outdoor rugs that are available are made of long-lasting materials to resist the varied weathers, but that doesn’t mean you don’t get a choice. So, here are a few we believe to be the best.

Synthetic rugs, for example, types such as Polypropylene and Acrylic, are great materials to choose for outdoor rugs as they are available in extensive ranges of colours and styles. They are able to get wet and dry quickly, while synthetic rugs are also extremely lightweight so easy to move and shake surface debris off. These types of rugs are also inexpensive making them a perfect choice for outdoor use. And although synthetic rugs are not as soft and lush as indoor area rugs, they make provide more style.

Another great type of rug used for outdoor purposes is natural rugs, for example, types such as Bamboo or sisal. The use of this material works well outside as it has a great combination of appealing texture and yet an impressive durability factor. However, make sure you bring them in when you can - that natural materials can be prone to mildew or can be worn down if exposed to a lot of moisture.

Perfect Colour Coordination

The colour palette for outdoor rugs has in the last few years had an explosion, and it is now easy to access all types of colours. But how do you choose the right colour combination? When choosing an outdoor rug, if you are going for a vibrant colour and design, it is always best to check the construction of the rug. You will want the highest UV resistance value to ensure that your rug won’t fade in direct sunlight, and will keep its vibrancy and colourfast for the foreseeable future. You of course want to ensure the longevity of your outdoor rug.

If your intention with your outdoor rug is to make a statement and focal piece, you should go for a bold colour and strong design to provide this. You will also need to think about furniture placement for this ensuring it is all quite simple and grouped off the rug. The higher visibility of the rug the bolder the statement will be.

If your outdoor rug is purely there to provide all the benefits of a rug but without all the attention, then go for a more subdued colouring and design. Let your rug blend into your décor, the best way to do this is to pick out colours within furnishings and space and allow the rug to blend in well with these.

The final tip on colouring is to remember that choosing lighter colours will allow the space to look larger and give a spacious feeling while choosing a darker colour will add to a cosy impression.

Rug care and Maintenance

All cleaning recommendations do differ from manufacturer to manufacturer so first, and for most, we will always suggest checking the care labels for any cleaning processes. Although, in general, most are able to clean outdoor rugs with a scrub brush, hose and some dish soap making sure it has been diluted.

To ensure full cleanliness, you will need to clean both sides of the rug then let it naturally dry outside in the sun. Unlike indoor rugs, you don’t need to clean your rug as often, instead clean when it is needed. We generally suggest cleaning it at least once every month to keep in best condition, while also cleaning it at the start and end of the season.

When the cold hits it is important to store your rug away from any snowy or icy conditions, in cold climates it is advised to store it through the whole of the snowy months. When storing your outdoor rugs, always roll them up try to never fold them as this will leave unwanted lines and the rugs once brought back out will potentially no longer lie flat.

Remember, space will inevitably be an issue, so if you don’t have the space to store your outdoor rug in a dry, indoor space, you can also roll it up in plastic covering and store in a garage or even under the decking.

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