The Ultimate Guide to Choosing Rugs for Patios

Finding a rug for your patio can be challenging if you're decorating a compact space like a balcony or backyard of a townhome, for example. Or, most of your backyard may feature a luscious sprawling lawn with a smaller patio for rest and relaxation. Being limited on space often means you're limited on product selection. But don't let the size of your patio discourage you. There are countless ways and pieces to utilize that will make the area comfortable, inviting, and splendid.

From furniture for small outdoor spaces to rugs that help ground and tie the area together with perfect style, we're here to provide tips and tricks to get the set-up you envision at a price you're sure to love.

When decorating your outdoor oasis, rugs for patios may not be top of mind, but there are countless benefits of incorporating them into your design. Rugs for patios can help prevent surface damage to your pavement or stone, avoiding food stains and beverage spills from discoloring the area or rust stains that can build up from exposure to the elements.

Additionally, they're a great addition to help avoid slips and falls, minimize mildew and algae in the area and more. Most importantly, having the right rug on your patio ties the entire space together. It makes your furniture arrangement look more intentional, defines the area's boundaries, and adds a pleasant detail to show off your style. Not only are outdoor rugs practical to serve a function, but they're also an excellent way to catch the eye and spruce up your spot.

Old Time Pottery has a wide selection of potential pieces for your open-air home extension and tips to consider when purchasing to ensure longevity. Keep reading for pointers on selecting the proper size rug, design elements to note before buying, and helpful information on properly caring for your new patio rug to ensure it faces everything life has to throw-- at the ground.

What Rugs Are Best for Patios?

When it comes to rugs for patios, the most essential thing to consider is material, material, material. A rug that works inside the home will likely deteriorate in as little as just a few days outside. You want to avoid water damage, fading, and maintain the needed features. The only way to do this is to get a rug made from a suitable material.

Polypropylene rugs are the way to go. During the manufacturing process, they're specially treated to withstand UV rays which helps prevent fading and keeps that brand-new look you've seen since the day you brought it home.

It's also easy to wash these rugs with an outdoor hose, meaning there's less hassle when it comes to maintenance—no more vacuuming, steam cleaning, and laying rugs out to dry. Polypropylene doesn't get soggy or waterlogged, making it the premier choice regarding durability to last through those rainy or snowy days.

What Size Rug Should You Get for Your Patio?

Now it's time to measure, measure, measure. Having the right size rug is the best way to ground your space, making it look cohesive, well thought-out, and neatly finished. You don't want a rug that runs right to the edges of your patio, as this can make the area look cramped and cluttered–it provides the opposite effect of creating a clean look that's meant to be.

Instead, ensure that your rug leaves at least one foot in each direction around the edges and can fit at least two inches under furniture such as benches and loveseats. If you're looking for patio rugs to fit under small tables, you'll want them to extend past the top surface area of the table.

You may have a smaller balcony that you're looking to decorate, either just outside the master bedroom or off the side of the apartment. If you have a space like this that's particularly narrow, consider using an outdoor runner instead. Look for the same polypropylene material, and again make sure there are at least several inches on all sides to create the appearance of open space.

How to Choose the Right Patio Rug

Once you're prepared with the knowledge of what material to look for and the dimensions you need to fill your space correctly, it's on to choosing the right rug for you. This comes down to a few key considerations.

If you have existing furniture that you're planning to keep, choose a patio rug that complements the existing design. For example, if you have natural light wicker furniture, stick with neutral tones like dark browns and espresso for a contrast that looks like you purchased a complete patio set.

For metal furniture, look at the color of the finished surface or the cushions if they're there. Again, complementing the existing scheme is the goal. Dark blues and grays often look great in these arrangements.

If the patio rug is your first purchase when creating your outdoor set-up, look at the whole picture. What furniture are you planning to buy, and what size and shape will it be? Remember to stick within the recommended size parameters, choose your favorite color and design, and then build the rest of your scape around that.

In the end, choosing the right patio rug comes down to your style, taste, and the vibe you want when you're outside. Geometric designs or bright colors may be the way to go if you're looking for something funky, fashionable, and fun.

How to Care for Patio Rugs

One of the best things about having a patio rug made with the right material is that proper care and maintenance are a breeze. Often, you don't have to do anything at all. However, a change of season can bring a slew of autumn leaves to your patio, snow accumulation, or lots of rain and sun. Over the years, you're also likely to experience some spills or crumbs that fall while you bask outside to enjoy a treat at the end of the day.

There's no need to bring an outdoor rug inside due to the weather, so that's one less thing to worry about. The other stuff, though, is bound to happen. But when you have the right rug, there's no need to worry. You can hose down an outdoor polypropylene rug or give it a good sweep to get rid of debris. Since these patio rugs are designed for outdoor activity, they're low maintenance and highly functional.

Shop Old Time Pottery Today

For affordable patio rugs and runners, shop Old Time Pottery today. We can help you find a rug with the correct measurements made with the proper material. With various colors and designs to choose from, you're sure to find the patio rug you need and adore at a surprisingly low price. It doesn't have to cost a fortune to create an outdoor haven and enjoy countless days to come enjoying the sunshine or nighttime stars.

Browse our online selection and order for in-store pick-up, or come see us today, and we'll get you on your way to finding all the best rugs for patios at Old Time Pottery.