Indoor Outdoor Rugs give your home an instant beauty treatment
Chances are, if you’re reading this, that you want to buy a rug. (Or else you’ve landed here by mistake – in which case, welcome anyway!)
Area rugs are hugely versatile. If you’re looking for a quick, simple way to revamp a room without effort, get a rug. Indoor outdoor rugs offer a great way to add color and style or definition to any area, bringing character to an otherwise ordinary space.
On a practical level, whether you want softness underfoot, to insulate from draughts or sound, to conceal flaws in your carpet or flooring, or protect from excessive wear and tear, an area rug can be a simple and effective solution.
It really couldn’t be simpler: there’s no flat pack, or “self assembly required” label. No hours of perplexed toil surrounded by bolts and screws and odd bits of metal or wood or plastic that bear no resemblance to any part of the item you naively thought you were purchasing. Just unwrap and unroll. Voila!
And if you move house, simply pick it up and take it with you!
There’s a rug to suit any space in your home – inside or out.
Indoor outdoor rugs combine beauty with practicality, giving you the best of both worlds. Excellent for anywhere that needs a hardwearing, easy-to-clean floor covering that can also be cosy and cool (or as uncool as you like)!
Perfect for college dorm rooms, and for the kitchen, hallway, basement, garage and porch. These rugs are generally stain-resistant and washable. So pets, kids, muddy footprints – no problem! They are ideal under kitchen or dining tables, under office chairs – and for comfort underfoot (and to catch any stray drips) as you toil away at the kitchen sink.
Outside, rugs can add decorative interest to your backyard deck or patio, terrace or flat roof. Using indoor outdoor rugs, you can turn your outside areas into comfortable spaces that feel like a natural extension of your indoor environment.
Outdoor patio rugs protect bare feet from the heat of sun-baked paving stones or deck, and are generally softer and more comfy underfoot. On the safety side, outdoor rugs by the pool can help to prevent slipping, and will also help to keep other areas free from wet footprints.
Although some indoor outdoor rugs are perhaps better restricted to outdoor or porch areas only, others are stylish enough to grace any room in the house.
The right indoor outdoor rug – or any kind of area rug – can revitalize your living space in an instant.
“What is the right area rug?” you may ask. They come in such a variety of colors, styles, materials, shapes and sizes that making a decision can seem daunting. It doesn’t need to be.
Choosing the ideal rug is hardly rocket science, but there’s more to it than simply picking a design that you like! It’s important to choose a rug that will suit the particular room or area that you are placing it in. So it makes sense to take certain factors into consideration. These include: cost, size, color, style and material.
Cost
Indoor outdoor rugs are available in all price ranges, starting at under $25. If you’d like to filter by cost, click here and scroll down to see the price options in the left hand column.
Rug Pad
You might feel it’s worth spending a bit more to get a rug pad for your new rug. A pad will keep your rug in position and will also help to prolong its life. There are outdoor rug pads made specifically for outdoor rugs.
Size and Shape
The size and shape of your rug can make all the difference to its success or otherwise in enhancing the look of the room. Define the exact area you want the rug to cover, and measure it. Don’t just take a guess.
Tip: Use masking tape and/or sheets of newspaper to help you visualize and choose the right size and shape.
A rectangle or square will echo the lines of the room; a round or oval rug can soften hard angles.
Do you want to complement or contrast with existing shapes?
One rule of thumb: Have items of furniture sitting completely on the rug, or have no furniture at all on the rug. Either of these options looks much better than partly on partly off.
Tip: If you want a rug under your dining room or kitchen table, it needs to be the length and width of the table plus about 4ft – to allow 2ft on each of the four sides. Not only does this look better, but it ensures that all the chair legs remain on the rug even when pushed back from the table, preventing scuffed floors or entanglements with rug edge.
Tip: If you are buying a room-sized rug, be sure to leave a 1ft to 3ft border of exposed flooring all round to give breathing space.
Color and Style
Do you want your rug to add a splash of color or be subtle and understated? A lot depends on your personal taste. A rug can act as a striking focal point, complement the decor, or unite a mixed collection. Color, pattern and texture all combine to give a rug its character, which defines its style.
Material
Indoor outdoor rugs are often made from weatherproof materials such as polypropylene or acrylic, and designed to be resistant to water, stains, sunlight and mildew. They are washable too, and can simply be hosed down to remove any dirt, which just runs off. Washable cotton rugs can work well too, but tend to take a long time to dry.
Natural materials such as sisal and bamboo, jute and seagrass are also used for indoor outdoor rugs. Some people prefer them simply because they are natural and obviously look good in outdoor surroundings, but they tend to be a bit less durable and resistant to the elements than synthetic rugs. Natural/synthetic blends can be a good compromise.
Brand/Manufacturer
If you have a particular brand or make of rug in mind, you might find it here. (Tip: If you don’t see the name you’re looking for, click on the alphabet letter for a full list.)
Otherwise, have a browse. It’s vital that the rug you choose fits in with your decor and your personal style – and you may have a very clear sense of what you want. That’s great, but before you buy, a quick exploration into uncharted territory could pay dividends. For instance, if you tend to go for “traditional” – check out the “contemporary” rugs. And vice versa. You might just discover an unexpected gem!
Window shopping (below)… a quick inspirational peek!