There’s nothing better than hanging out with your friends on the patio on chilly winter nights, drinking coffee, listening to music, and having fun conversations.
However, if your outdoor arrangement is awkward and uncomfortable, the whole experience can get ruined.
Adding a rug to your outdoor décor can make space appear more welcoming, comfy, and warm.
But you must be fearing that your expensive floorcloth would get ruined if placed outside, right?
Well, in that case, you need to buy a rug that’s strong, durable, and can handle whatever mother nature throws at it!
What are the Best Outdoor Rug Materials?
When buying a rug for your patio, porch, or any other outdoor space, the most important thing to consider is durability, and that largely depends upon the rug material you choose.
Unlike exquisite handmade indoor rugs that are typically crafted using natural materials, such as handmade wool Kazak rugs on sale, outdoor rugs are usually made of synthetic materials.
Want a rug that can withstand direct sunlight, moisture, high foot traffic, and is easy to clean as well?
Here’s the list of 6 best outdoor rug materials:
- Polypropylene
A synthetic rug material popular for its ability to retain its shape even during rainy seasons, polypropylene rugs are a common choice for outdoors.
Not only are these rugs highly-durable, but they’re also stain-resistant and incredibly easy to clean using a vacuum cleaner.
Additionally, a polypropylene carpet can handle direct sunlight and its colors won’t fade even if you live in a hot climatic region.
The best part is, these rugs provide the same soft feel and comfort as natural wool rugs, but at a more affordable cost.
However, polypropylene rugs are highly flammable so avoid using them near a BBQ grill, an open fire, or any other spot that receives intense heat.
- Nylon
Nylon rugs are the best pick for high-traffic areas, such as your garden or porch. The material has all the best outdoor rug qualities, including stain-resistance, fade-resistance, and easy-to-clean because the dirt and dust particles don’t get trapped in a Nylon rug’s fibers.
However, if you want a rug for a spot that would receive direct sunlight, I won’t recommend you to go for Nylon since it tends to get really hot.
- Polyester
If you’re looking for a strong and durable rug that’s best for dry climatic regions, go for polyester.
You can find polyester rugs in a wide range of different colors and styles to choose from. They can handle both high-traffic and direct sunlight, however the rug may get damaged if it comes in contact with oil-based food spills, so it’s best not to use a polyester rug for dining areas.
Apart from that, these rugs are also easy to clean, low-maintenance, and way more affordable as compared to traditional handmade rugs such as Bokhara rugs.
- Sunbrella
Afraid of rug fading due to intense sunlight?
Sunbrella is the most UV-resistant rug material available in the market.
These rugs are commonly used by pool sides, grounds, and other spaces that receive both direct sunlight and lots of moisture.
Although water-resistant, fade-resistant, and incredibly easy to clean, sunbrella rugs aren’t very soft as compared to other synthetic rug materials we just discussed above. So, for your patio or balcony, a polypropylene or polyester rug may be the better option.
Additionally, if cleaning and maintenance isn’t much of an issue for you, and you want something more traditional rather than plain and modern for your outdoor décor, a Kazak handmade rug made of 100% natural wool can also last long if taken proper care of. But you’d need to keep a wool rug out of direct sunlight and in a dry condition, otherwise it might fade or get moldy.
- Jute
Another popular outdoor rug choice, jute is a natural rug material known for the boho-chic vibe that it can add to any space.
Jute rugs are softer as compared to Sisal ones, however a bit less durable as well. Hence, they’re ideal for areas that receive less foot traffic and need something soft for added comfort.
Plus, considering the fact that Jute rugs aren’t usually dyed, they won’t fade even if placed under direct sunlight and would retain their original state for a long time period.
- Sisal
Sisal is again a natural rug material used for outdoor décor purposes owing to its high-durability and fade-resistance.
Originally, the material features a creamy white hue, but it can be dyed any color, which means you can easily get a custom sisal area rug made for decorating an outdoor space. However, the colors may fade under the sun.
All in all, when it comes to choosing a rug for revamping your outdoor décor, it’s best to go for something that’s durable, fade-resistant, and can withstand humidity, moisture, and rain. So, don’t forget to carefully consider the rug material before buying a rug for your patio.