When shopping, look for an indoor-outdoor rug that’s made from sturdy yet smooth materials and comes in a wide variety of colors, shapes, and sizes so you can easily customize your space. To help you find the best indoor-outdoor rug for your home, we tested 31 rugs in our Lab and evaluated them on a number of factors, including quality, texture, durability, ease of cleaning, and value. Our top pick is the Unique Loom Indoor & Outdoor Border Area Rug for its durable construction, pretty design, lack of movement during our testing, and more. Read on to learn more about the best indoor-outdoor rugs and how to choose the right one for your space.
Our Top Picks
Best Overall Indoor-Outdoor Rug: Unique Loom Indoor & Outdoor Border Area Rug Best Budget Indoor-Outdoor Rug: Better Homes & Gardens Multi-Color Striped Outdoor Rug Best Splurge Indoor-Outdoor Rug: Rifle Paper Co. Veranda Monstera Outdoor Rug Best Washable Indoor-Outdoor Rug: Ruggable Border Braid Re-Jute Rug Easiest to Clean Indoor-Outdoor Rug: Nourison Positano Indoor/Outdoor Area Rug Best Quick-Drying Indoor-Outdoor Rug: Rugs USA Aperto Indoor/Outdoor Diamond Trellis Area Rug Best Contemporary Indoor-Outdoor Rug: Urban Outfitters Tillie Reversible Indoor/Outdoor Rug Best Plush Indoor-Outdoor Rug: Pottery Barn Chunky Knit Sweater Performance Indoor/Outdoor Rug Best Indoor-Outdoor Rug With Color Variety: Safavieh Courtyard Indoor/Outdoor Area Rug
Who it’s for: People who want a rug that doesn’t slip, slide, or bunch up. Who it isn’t for: People looking for a more stain-resistant indoor-outdoor rug. Our tester found this rug to be “very reliable” and “high quality” as they put it through our many rounds of tests for indoor-outdoor rugs. The Unique Loom Border Area Rug flattened well when laid out and didn’t bunch up while we walked around it or when we dragged a chair and plant pot across it. We also found that it was easy to clean and flexible enough that we could fold it up and transport it elsewhere, making it a great substitute for a picnic blanket. This flexibility can be attributed to its polypropylene material, which, in addition to being pliable, is also resistant to mildew and mold. Keep in mind that this may not be the best option to lay under or near patio dining sets, as our tester could not get the grape juice and barbecue sauce out. Plus, you want to make sure that any debris is cleared before laying it down. When we placed small rocks down under the rug, the material was thin enough that our tester could feel it when they walked across the rug. Despite these drawbacks, we still found this rug to be a good price and were impressed by the range of color and sizing options. You can get this rug in neutrals including a black/gray and brown, as well as different shades of blue and red.
Sizes: 14 sizes ranging from 2 x 6 feet to 9 x 12 feet Material: Polypropylene Pile Height: 0.17 inches
Price at time of publish: From $35 Who it isn’t for: People who want a rug that will stay completely still without a rug pad. Anyone who has ever had to fully decorate an empty apartment or home before knows that finding affordable area rugs that are good quality can be hard. The folks at Better Homes & Gardens have managed to do exactly that, offering a large, budget-friendly indoor-outdoor area rug that is weather- and fade-resistant (Better Homes & Gardens is owned by Real Simple’s parent company, Dotdash Meredith). Our tester told us that “the quality of the rug is great” and that they would definitely “buy this for myself or recommend it to a friend.” Unlike other rugs we tested, this rug’s corners laid completely flat as soon as we unrolled the rug. Our tester found no imperfections, even on the tassels, and there was no damage to the rugs after we dragged the plant pot and chair across it. However, it did move slightly during the test. The rug was also easy to clean with a broom and vacuum, though our tester could not get the stains we put into the rug out. Still, our tester really liked the colorful pattern of the rug and thought it would look “super cute on my deck.”
Sizes: 5 x 7 feet, 6 x 9 feet, 7 x 10 feetMaterials: Polyester, polypropylenePile Height: Not listed
Price at time of publish: From $57 RELATED: The 20 Best Rugs for Every Style and Budget Who it isn’t for: People who don’t want to have to professionally clean their indoor-outdoor rug. The vibrant monstera pattern present on this Rifle Paper Co. rug will blend in beautifully with the nature surrounding your patio or deck. The Veranda Monstera Outdoor Rug gets its higher price tag due to the materials and make. The rug was loomed in Turkey and is made of wool, providing a comfy, soft cushion for your feet. Meanwhile, the bottom is made of polypropylene, giving it the ability to handle the elements. The rug has been treated to survive UV ray exposure, so you can keep this outside without worrying about the color fading. Our tester agreed that this rug is pricey, but after testing found it to be worth the cost thanks to its “very high quality mat” and the fact that it is “very visually pleasing to look at.” Despite its added weight from the wool, this rug was easy to roll up and carry. It also didn’t slip whatsoever when we slid our furniture items across the rug. We were able to clean it quite well with a broom and vacuum, but we could not get the stains we put on the rug out. The retailer recommends spot cleaning stains as soon as they happen and, to increase the lifespan of the rug, professional cleaning is recommended.
Sizes: 6 sizes ranging from 2.25 x 4 feet to 7.83 x 10 feetMaterials: Wool, polypropylenePile Height: 0.13 inches
Price at time of publish: From $110 Who it isn’t for: People who want more color options to choose from. Ruggable is famous for their machine-washable rugs, both indoors and out. Ruggable rugs come with both a rug and rug pad, with the rug being machine washable (you have to spot clean the rug pad). Although we didn’t put this rug in the washing machine during testing, our tester did wipe and hose it down, which went “pretty smoothly.” They concurred that it is definitely “easy to clean” and were delighted to discover that it is “super soft to walk on.” This comfort is due to the polyester material, so you can get the jute style without having to deal with the scratchy texture that comes with natural jute. We didn’t find any loose snags or threads when initially examining the rug and there were no tears or rips when we dragged our plant pot and chair across it. Plus, our tester said the rug provided “good protection” as they were able to walk comfortably across the rug when rocks were put underneath it. Overall, we found this rug to be “good quality” and something that our tester would “definitely recommend to others.”
Sizes: 5 sizes ranging from 3 x 5 feet to 6 x 9 feetMaterials: Polyester, polyurethanePile Height: Not listed
Price at time of publish: From $169 Who it’s for: People who want to easily clean their rug with a hose. Who it isn’t for: People who want a patterned rug. Cleaning rugs and carpets can be dirty work, but the Nourison Positano Area Rug proved otherwise. Our tester was impressed with how easy it was to clean this rug. Although we had trouble with the edges of the rug staying down at the beginning of our testing, they remained flat as we sweeped and vacuumed up the dirt, debris, and food we placed on the rug. Not only that, but it passed our stain tests with flying colors. Most of the grape juice we spilled on the rug rolled off, while the remaining was taken care of with a damp paper towel. We weren’t able to remove the barbecue sauce via dabbing, but we were able to easily get it off with soap and water. In our other cleaning test, we were able to clean up all of the mess we made of the rug simply by hosing it down. This rug’s ease of cleanliness can be attributed to the polypropylene material, which in addition to being mold- and mildew-resistant, doesn’t absorb liquids. Our tester found this rug to be “nice and smooth.” This rug comes in a variety of sizes, including round options, and features colors ranging from light gray and beige to aqua and yellow.
Sizes: 14 sizes ranging from 3 x 5 feet to 10 x 14 feet Material: Polypropylene Pile Height: Not listed
Price at time of publish: From $35 RELATED: The 6 Best Carpet Cleaners, According to Our Testing Who it isn’t for: People who want a solid colored rug. If you live in a rainy climate, it is super important that you get a rug that can handle excess precipitation. Of all the indoor-outdoor rugs we tested, the Aperto Diamond Trellis Area Rug was one of the few that was able to dry completely overnight after being soaked. Our tester also found the rug to be durable as it went through all of our tests. The rug didn’t slip or bunch up when we dragged our chair and pot across it. The material of the rug was also stiff enough that the tester didn’t feel the rocks we put under the rug, which wasn’t the case with many other rugs we tested. Despite its stiffness, we found this rug to be easy and lightweight to carry, making it easy to transport should you want to shake things up and put it indoors or vice versa. The distinct diamond pattern is certainly a standout and will make any space pop. There are three colors available, including blue, beige, and gray, and three shapes to choose from, including rectangle, runner, and square. Overall, our tester found this to be “comfortable to walk on” and would recommend it to others.
Sizes: 10 sizes ranging from 2 x 3 feet to 8.5 x 13 feetMaterial: PolypropylenePile Height: 0.25 inches
Price at time of publish: From $80 Who it isn’t for: People who want a rug with more size variety. If you’re looking to get a rug that will really make an impact on your space design-wise, consider this eye-catching option from Urban Outfitters. The Tillie Rug boasts a super cool geometric stripe pattern that will add brightness and intrigue to your space. This rug would pair best with neutral, modern outdoor furniture, including tables and chairs with sleek metal frames and white cushions. In addition to its good looks, this rug also proved to be functional during testing. Our tester was able to spot clean this rug super easily, so much so that the stains wiped right off with no additional scrubbing needed. This is likely due to the material, which is entirely made from recycled plastic. Our tester said that the rug felt “squishy and nice under the feet,” but did note that after putting rocks under it, the rug was painful to walk on. Before laying this down, just make sure you thoroughly clear your floors of any debris. This rug is resistant to mold, mildew, and UV rays, making it a great option for people who live in super sunny climates. The one downside of this rug for our tester is that it can’t be cleaned with a hose, only spot cleaned.
Sizes: 4 x 6 feet, 6 x 9 feet Material: Recycled plastic Pile Height: Not listed
Price at time of publish: From $89 RELATED: The 30 Best Welcome Mats for a Great First Impression Who it isn’t for: People who want an indoor-outdoor rug that is easy to clean. One con of indoor-outdoor rugs is that they’re made of weather-resistant materials that aren’t typically soft to the touch. This option from Pottery Barn proves that you can have an indoor-outdoor rug that is both comfy under your feet and is designed to handle the outdoor elements. The rug is made from water-resistant polyester that’s designed to mimic the feel of a cozy sweater, giving you the best of both worlds. The pile on this rug is about a half an inch, which was definitely noticeable in our testing. When our tester walked over the areas of the rug that had rocks underneath, they said the rocks were felt but “it was hardly uncomfortable at all,” which wasn’t the case for other rugs we tested. Our tester affirmed that the cable knit pattern was “soft to walk on” and noted that this rug had a “very good grip” after dragging our chair and plant pot across it. What our tester didn’t like was how hard it was to clean. They had a hard time removing debris like mulch with a broom, and threads started to pull out of the rug when they tried to get stains out. Keep in mind that the retailer recommends keeping this rug away from “excess moisture.” As such, it should be kept in a covered outdoor space and be taken inside during bouts of rain and snow.
Sizes: 5 sizes ranging from 3 x 5 feet to 9 x 12 feet Material: Recycled polyester Pile Height: 0.5 inches
Price at time of publish: From $299 RELATED: The 15 Best Places to Buy Outdoor Furniture Online Who it’s for: People who want a lot of colors and shapes to choose from for their indoor-outdoor rug. Who it isn’t for: People who want an indoor-outdoor rug that doesn’t require a rug pad. You have a wide array of color and shape options to choose from with the Safavieh Courtyard Indoor/Outdoor Area Rug. Options include neutrals such as shades of beige and brown as well as vibrant options such as pink and shades of green and blue. You can also buy this rug in rectangular, square, round, or runner form. This variety allows you to choose a rug that matches your outdoor space, no matter how big or small it is or the color of the furniture you have. Our testing revealed that in addition to being versatile, this rug is also soft to walk on and of good quality. Our tester was impressed with “the detail of the weave” and could tell after initial examination that the rug is really well-made. This Safavieh rug is resistant to shedding, fading, and stains, though we weren’t able to completely remove our barbecue or grape juice stains. Despite this, we were still able to get all debris and dirt off of the rug with our vacuum and broom. You can also clean this rug with a hose. Because the fabric is pretty thin, know that the retailer recommends you buy a rug pad to keep it in place.
Sizes: 27 sizes ranging from 2 x 3.6 feet to 9 x 12 feet Material: Polypropylene Pile Height: 0.25 inches
Price at time of publish: From $33
Our Testing Process
We tested 31 different indoor-outdoor rugs and assessed them based on quality, texture, durability, ease of cleaning, and value. Our first test involved unrolling the rugs and laying them flat on the ground to see if the rugs laid completely flat, and if we could spot defects such as snags, fraying, or inconsistent dye patterns. We then rolled the rugs back up and carried them for about ten feet to see how comfortable it would be to transport inside during inclement weather. We then laid the rugs back down and placed small rocks underneath them to further test their comfort, and whether the thickness of the rugs could provide enough of a cushion if any kind of debris got under the rug while outside. After that, we dragged a patio chair and large potted plant across the rugs to see how susceptible they were to bunching, and noted if any damages occurred to the rugs while doing so. We also wiped our dirty feet back and forth on the rugs to assess whether or not the rugs slid around while doing so. We used a broom and a stick vacuum to clean up the debris from our feet as well as the mulch and chips we sprinkled around the rug. We noted whether or not these were easy to clean up and if it caused any damage to the rug while doing so. We then made stains on the rug with grape juice and barbecue sauce and let them sit for 30 seconds before blotting with a moist paper towel. If the stains didn’t lift with blotting, we tried to get them out with soap and a bristle brush. For waterproof and water-resistant rugs, we soaked the rugs to see if we could clean them with a hose and if they dried well overnight. We used all this information to come up with the best indoor-outdoor rugs.
How to Shop for Indoor-Outdoor Rugs Like a Pro
Material
Material is the most important factor when choosing an indoor-outdoor rug. You want something that will be able to stand up against the weather and be soft under your feet. Most indoor-outdoor rugs are made of polypropylene, which is a synthetic fabric that, according to Gann, is moisture- and stain-resistant. However, the material isn’t known for its softness. If comfort is very important to you, go for something made of or blended with polyester, whichis durable and moisture-resistant, and can handle UV rays. Even though indoor-outdoor rugs are designed to withstand outdoor elements, Gann stresses that they aren’t indestructible. “This doesn’t mean you can set your rug down and then forget about it,” she says. “If your climate is wet and gets lots of rain, be sure to clean your rug on a regular basis to avoid mildew. Even though polypropylene is moisture-resistant, if left in standing water for long periods of time, any rug could still be affected by Mother Nature. So be sure it gets a chance to dry out.”
Size
One of the biggest mistakes Gann sees people make with rugs in general is getting one that is too small. “Most people think a small space means a small rug, but maximizing the rug often makes small spaces like a patio or deck look larger,” she says. “Having a rug large enough to ground your furniture will also help define the room and how it is used.” She suggests getting a rug that’s big enough to fit all the legs of your outdoor furniture. If getting that big of a rug isn’t in your budget, opt for a rug that is big enough to fit under your furniture’s front legs. If you want to put a rug under your patio dining set, she says you need to get something that is big enough that when you move out of your chair, the chair will still be on the rug. Getting a rug that doesn’t cover the whole surface area of your outdoor dining space will result in the legs of the chair getting caught on the rug every time you get out of them. Before you buy, make sure to measure out your space and your furniture.
Design
You should choose a rug design based on your home’s style as well as where you plan on putting it in your home. If you’re using it exclusively as an outdoor rug, both Yost and Gann suggest looking at your surroundings to help you narrow down a rug design. “We often turn to the colors of nature in your backyard or front yard for inspiration,” says Gann. “Greens, blues and yellows are a great way to bring out the energy of the sun, the calming effects of the sky, or the grounding nature of the grass. You can also add a pop of unexpected color by matching a flower in your yard. Highlight your roses with a rug in a pink shade or pick up the lavender’s purple hue with a purple rug.” Yost recommends doing this and looking at outdoor furniture to coordinate. “A textured Southwestern-inspired rug will accentuate terracotta planters and vintage style ironwork furniture,” she says. She also told us that neutral outdoor furniture in particular supports a variety of rug styles, ranging from more elaborate and colorful rugs to classic designs such as a navy rug with a border.
More Indoor/Outdoor Rugs to Consider
Annie Selke Folly Indoor/Outdoor Rug: We love the vibrant colors that make up this rug and would recommend it to anyone who wants to make their rug the focal point of their outdoor space. During testing we found this rug to be very soft and easy to clean but didn’t like how the rug was so creased right out of packaging. Jaipur Living Mckenzie Indoor/Outdoor Rug: We really enjoyed the interesting triangle pattern of this rug and the fact that it proved to have a great grip during our testing. However, we were disappointed to find imperfections as soon as we unrolled the rug, including loose fibers.
Questions You Might Ask
What is the best way to maintain an indoor/outdoor rug?
“Keeping a rug clean always increases the lifespan of the rug,” says Gann. Gann also recommends rotating your rugs once a year: “This helps so that the wear and tear doesn’t just happen in a concentrated area making it look more worn than it actually is.” And if your rug does start to look a bit worn or faded overtime, she suggests flipping it over to give it a fresh look, as a lot of indoor-outdoor rugs are two-sided. And finally, don’t let your rug stay wet for too long. “Make sure your rug isn’t sitting in water. It is designed to stand up to weather but standing water for prolonged periods of time can increase its chances of mildew,” she says. “Promote airflow by hanging your rug over the railing to let it dry out.”
How do you clean an indoor/outdoor rug?
It depends. Some rugs can be cleaned with a hose, while others are only suited for spot cleaning. During our testing, we found that cleaning the rugs with a broom and vacuum were effective means for picking up the dirt and debris we put on the rug. For spot cleaning, we used a damp paper towel to get stains out as well as soap and a bristle brush. Results varied. Be sure to check your rug’s instruction manual or garment tag for your indoor-outdoor rug’s cleaning instructions.
Do you need a rug pad for an indoor/outdoor rug?
According to Gann, it depends. “Outdoor rugs made with polypropylene provide a solid base and don’t often slip,” she says. “If you are indoors and want the rug to have an extra layer of comfort, you can add a rug pad, but it isn’t necessary.” Our testing definitely backed up what Gann told us. We were surprised to find that so many rugs didn’t move when we wiped our feet on them and dragged our chair and plant pot across the rug. However, there were definitely a handful of rugs whose edges did not lie flat. If that kind of thing bothers you, a rug pad will definitely help. If you do decide to get a rug pad for your indoor-outdoor rug, make sure that it’s made of materials that can handle outdoor weather.
Take Our Word for It
This article was written by Rachel Center, a product reviews home writer for Real Simple. We researched the best indoor-outdoor rugs and tested 31 of the most popular options in our Lab, evaluating them on quality, texture, durability, ease of cleaning, and value. We also spoke to Samantha Gann, the Director of Marketing at Rugs.com, and Blythe Yost, co-founder and Chief Landscape Architect at Tilly.
What Is Real Simple Selects?
Next to each product on this list, you may have noticed a Real Simple Selects seal of approval. Any product appearing alongside that seal has been vetted by our team—put through tests and graded on its performance to earn a spot on our list. Although we buy most of the products we test, sometimes we do get samples from companies if purchasing a product ourselves isn’t an option. If that’s the case, we test the product just like we test anything we buy, but we also disclose that we received it for free to be as transparent with you as possible. Love our recommendations? Check out more products that have earned the Real Simple Selects, from humidifiers to cordless vacuums.
