The 10 Best Outdoor Rugs
Editor's Notes
June 04, 2020:
During this round of updates, while most of our previous selections maintained their positions, we did remove the Fab Habitat Cancun and Green Decore Nirvana due to availability issues, and decided to eliminate the Mohawk Home Alexa Medallion, noting repeated complaints of how much water it held and questioning whether it was a suitable choice for this category. Our new additions are the Mad Mats Daisy — a handmade option with a floral print, the Unique Loom Traditional — which comes in a dozen colors and nine sizes, and the Reversible Mats 159183 – an extra-large model that comes with a drawstring carrying bag.
A few things to think about for this category:
Suitability for Outdoors: This point touches back briefly on our decision to eliminate the Mohawk Home Alexa Medallion. While it might be tempting to select a cushioned model like this, that likely feels much better on your feet than a standard polypropylene option, it should also be noted that it can be problematic if you plan on laying the rug anywhere it’s liable to get rained on or windup wet. Rugs that retain water are liable to lead to mold and mildew, and can cause deck rot if they’re laid over wooden planking. Breathable polypropylene models like the Reversible Mats Garden and Reversible Mats 159183 – and indeed, many other selections for these rankings – are designed to shed moisture, meaning that mold, mildew and deck rot are unlikely, and you can even use them over top of grass for short periods without damaging the lawn, although prolonged use would eventually hurt the sod by depriving it of sunlight.
Size: Of course, how much rug you’re hoping to get is going to depend on the size and shape of the space you’re decorating. While some selections come only in a single size, many models have multiple versions available, which greatly increases your odds of finding a suitable choice. With nine versions available, the Unique Loom Traditional is a good example of a rug that comes in various styles; on top of six rectangular sizes, it’s also offered as two widths of runner and a four-foot round model. If you’re looking for the largest rug possible, the Reversible Mats 159183 is a good place to start, with its extra-large model measuring nine feet by 18 feet.
Color: Many manufacturers will release several, different-colored versions of the same design, which both helps to cut costs and offer value to their customers. With that in mind, as you peruse your options, don’t be too quick to write off a design you like simply because its colors don’t work with your room. Instead, take a moment to check and see if there’s an alternative version available that might be just right for you. While some models will only have a few options to choose from – like the Mad Mats Daisy that comes in three color schemes or the Ottomanson Jardin that’s simply available in gray or brown – others allow users to pick from a more diverse color palette — like the Unique Loom Traditional which is available in a dozen colors.
If you haven't found an option that catches your eye on this set of rankings, or if you're more interested in an indoor model, we also maintain a separate set of rankings for door mats, indoor/outdoor rugs, area rugs and even oriental rugs and artificial-grass rugs