How To Choose an Outdoor Area Rug Based on Your Lifestyle

Are you looking for a rug to transform your outdoor space? Explore how to choose an outdoor area rug based on your lifestyle to find the best fit for you!

What Materials Should You Use?

The most significant factor determining whether a rug is suitable for a space is its material makeup. You’ll need a carpet that can weather the conditions, especially you plan to place it outdoors. The choice will come down to synthetic fabrics and natural materials. Rugs made of natural materials don’t hold up well with moisture. So you’ll only want to use those rugs in enclosed areas like porches. For exposed areas, you should stick with reliable synthetic materials.

Synthetic Materials

Synthetic materials are trustworthy because of their durability and stain-resistant properties. The most common choices for outdoor rugs are polypropylene rugs. People rely on them because they don’t stain easily, don’t fade under the sun, and hold up very well when wet. Also, they won’t wear down due to heavy foot traffic. However, you shouldn’t use any polypropylene materials near fire pits because they’re highly flammable.

Polyester is another popular outdoor rug choice. This synthetic material is better in dry conditions, but it does have water-resistant properties. The rugs are also naturally stain-resistant but not against oils. So you shouldn’t use them as dinner table rugs. However, unlike polypropylene, polyester is fire resistant.

A third synthetic rug material option is nylon. Nylon is perfect in high-traffic areas and has stain-resistant properties. The only problem with nylon is that it’s sensitive to heat, and the surface will heat up when left in the sun all day. Therefore, you shouldn’t use nylon rugs in hot climates or unshaded areas.

Natural Materials

Sisal and jute are eco-friendly rug materials with firm fibers. Rugs made of these are biodegradable, which is excellent for the environment. But this can be detrimental to their durability. The rugs can collect mold and mildew if they get wet, and their colors will fade in the sun. That’s why you should only use natural fibers in covered patios and porches.

How Big Should the Rug Be?

There are a few sizing guidelines to help you figure out how big a rug should be when picking it out. In the dining room, the rug should extend two feet from all edges of the table. In areas like the living room, all the front legs of the furniture should rest on the carpet. After that, you just need to measure the space and figure out the best fit.

Now that you have the information to figure out how to choose an outdoor area rug based on your lifestyle, you should check out the catalog at Koeckritz Rugs. You can find an extensive collection of outdoor porch carpets and other outdoor rugs with us.