How to Pick the Best Material for an Outdoor Rug
You may have neglected your outdoor space, since it feels peripheral to the interior. However, with a few clever touches, the patio can become a proper area in which to unwind as opposed to a barren piece of pavement. Setting down an outdoor rug is one small change that will go a long way. Still, it does require you to consider the rug’s look and its ability to survive outside. Let’s delve into how to pick the best material for an outdoor rug by exploring your options.
Plant Fibers
Outdoor rugs woven from plant fibers—including jute, sisal, and bamboo varieties—are fitting choices for outdoor spaces, since they’re reflective of the natural environment that surrounds them. Their light brown coloration effortlessly matches the greens and browns of the plants and soil in your yard. Think of them as a rug equivalent to rattan furniture.
Plant fiber outdoor rugs do have a weakness, though—they don’t do well when they get wet. You might want to place them only in a covered porch or patio area in order to protect them from the elements. If you live in a highly humid climate, plant fibers might not be the best material to go for, either.
Cotton
In the world of fabrics, cotton is the old reliable you can trust to last even under heavy use. This is no different for rugs made from the material. A cotton outdoor rug will provide your patio or porch with a soft feel and give you access to a wider variety of color palettes and patterns than you would have with woven plant fiber rugs. You may also find outdoor cotton rugs in double-sided styles that give you two looks to switch between at a whim. Once again, though, you should try your best to keep cotton outdoor rugs dry, as they may deteriorate with constant exposure to moisture.
Synthetics
Synthetics are perhaps the most suitable type of rug for outside use. Prominent examples of synthetics are nylon, polyester, and polypropylene. Synthetic fiber grants a variety of agreeable tactile sensations that you might desire in an outdoor rug—from firmer, thin surfaces to high-pile, fluffier textures. Likewise, the range of colors they come in is effectively limitless.
Because synthetic fibers are manmade, they aren’t vulnerable to water or staining substances. You can put synthetic rugs outside without fear that they’ll face destruction from the forces of nature. Often, cleaning them is a simple matter of hosing down both sides and then letting them dry.
Now that you know how to pick the best material for an outdoor rug, visit Boutique Rugs for gratifyingly handsome area rugs online. You can pick from any of the materials we’ve discussed here to get started decorating your outdoor space.