While we may live in the UK, we still love spending time in our gardens and if you use yours as a space to host or entertain friends or family, adding an outdoor rug is a brilliant way to instantly create a living area in your garden, patio or even balcony.
Because prices range from as little as £10 and up to £200, it's a really affordable way to spruce up your outdoor space and you can choose from a wide variety of shapes, sizes, colours and designs.
Daniel Prendergast, design director atwww.rugseller.co.uk, explains why homely finishing touches are set to be at the heart of garden design schemes in 2021.
“We’ve seen demand for outdoor rugs grow and grow over the past few years and as this trend has intensified, so too has demand for a greater variety of colours, patterns, textures and finishes.
“While one of the biggest homes trends in previous years was to ‘bring the outdoors in’ – a major movement in the last couple of years was the reverse… ‘taking the indoors out’ - and this trend is set to be huge again in 2021."
Outdoor rugs to buy
To help narrow down your choice, we've selected nine gorgeous outdoor rugs you can buy today.
Just so you know, whilst we may receive a commission or other compensation from the links on this page, we never allow this to influence product selections.
1 of 9Palm Tree Indoor Outdoor Rug
Pairing a monochrome colour palette with a woven effect for a neutral vibe, this 100 per cent polypropylene Palm tree rug is both hard-wearing and weatherproof, perfect for parties on the patio or adding some comfort to hard floors. Available in sizes: 60 x 110cm80 x 150cm120 x 170cm160 x 230cmReview: "Perfect. Just as it looks in the pictures. Good quality textile, outdoor rug. Would look equally good indoors."
2 of 9Florence Alfresco Padua Circle Round Outdoor Rugs in Anthracite Beige
Durable and weather-resistant, this round flat-woven rug in beige is ideal for patios, decking as well as dining rooms, kitchens and conservatories.Available in sizes: 160x160cm
3 of 9VRENSTED Rug
This bargain outdoor rug is reversible so you can switch the look up whenever you fancy. It's made from easy-care polypropylene that can handle wear and tear whether you're outdoors or indoors. Available in sizes: 133 x 195cm
4 of 9Global Gathering Outdoor Rug
Add a splash of colour to your garden with this vibrant plastic rug. It's fully waterproof, making it great for grandchildren, pets, drink spills or anything life throws at it.Available in sizes: 120 x 180cm Review: "Perfect for our outdoor seating area on our decking. Adds some bright colour and is much nicer under foot than wood. Was easy to clean any food or drink that was spilled on it."
5 of 9Indurial Flatweave Yellow Rug
Offering a touch of oriental charm, the rug is a real statement piece. Made of sturdy material, it's hard-wearing, UV-resistant and easy to clean. Even when wet, the rug is non-slip thanks to its backing.Available in sizes: 80 x 150cm120 x 160cmReview: "Better than I thought it would be. Got it for outside, it's lovely and bright and thick too, doesn't feel like a composite either."
6 of 9Howa Blue/Beige Rug
With striking patterns, the stylish rug is robust and easy-to-clean rug as well as being naturally UV-resistant. Even when wet, the rug is non-slip and safe for everyone.Available in sizes: 60 x 100cm80 x 150cm120 x 160cm160 x 220cm200 x 280cm240 x 340 cmReview: "Stunning rug, easy to clean. Perfect for those with pets with muddy paws or clumsy partners with red wine. Comes straight off with a bit of flash and doesn't ruin the colour."
7 of 9Ofrah Indoor/Outdoor Rug
Made from recycled PET with a wool-like feel, this hard-wearing rug is easy to clean.Available in sizes: 160 x 230cm
8 of 9Outdoor Rug - Blue
With a contemporary, geometric design, this 100 per cent Polypropylene rug is weatherproof and water-resistant. Plus to clean, you simply need to just hose it down.Available in sizes: 1.8 x W1.2m
9 of 9Green Decore 42 Rug
Whether you want to use it indoors or out, this colourful rug is resistant to moisture and can simply be wiped clean when dirty. The vibrant colours won't fade in the sun and it's lightweight enough to use as a blanket at the beach or for a picnic.Available in sizes: 120 x 180 cm150 x 240cm180 x 270 cm240 x 300cmReview: "Was happy to find this rug online - I needed a new one for my patio and am currently "grounded" from being out and about to shop. Spring is here, time to get my patio ready for the warm weather and this is exactly what I was looking for. Having experienced a propylene rug before on the patio and being happy with it (although they break down in bright sun and heat after a couple of summers), I was ready for this new one. I like the feel of it under foot and the style / colour is just what I want."
Outdoor rug cleaning tips
“Advances in the materials used and construction of outdoor rugs means they’re very long-lasting and can easily withstand whatever the Great British weather throws at them. But they will need to be properly cared for to stop a build-up of mud and mildew to extend their life," says Daniel.
“Often outdoor rugs are manufactured from weatherproof material, some being completely waterproof. Polypropylene is a popular manmade fibre that’s often used for outdoor products because it’s affordable, durable and easy to clean. A lot of natural materials such as jute and hemp can also be used outdoors and are brilliant for adding texture but they’re slightly less durable than their manmade counterparts.
“It’s still advisable to store any outdoor soft furnishings inside though, or in a waterproof container, when not in use.
“You should always consult the care instructions and find out what the rug is made from before attempting to clean it. If the care instructions say the rug can be washed, then use a mixture of washing up liquid and warm water to gently rub away dirt and stains using a sponge or soft cloth. Gently hose off the rug and hang it out to dry afterwards.”
“Mud is easier to remove when it’s dry, simply shake or brush off. Outdoor rugs can also be vacuumed but ensure they’re dry and be sure to shake off the worst of the dirt first.”