These are the best outdoor rugs to put the finishing touches on your garden this summer. Affordable and easy to integrate into your surroundings, these rugs will transform last year's outdoor seating area into a space that feels entirely new and welcoming.
A high-quality, stylish outdoor rug can add an extra layer to your garden decor, especially by adding it underneath your outdoor dining table. With a comfortable rug underfoot, you and your guests can enjoy your time outside more with your shoes off, and soak up the sun in style.
The clever element of outdoor rugs is the fact that they are often engineered with specialist features. These outdoor rugs are often thinner and waterproof when compared to indoor rugs, and many are wipe clean to avoid a lengthy cleaning process.
Just as with indoor rugs, there's so much choice out there when it comes to outdoor rugs that you'll be spoilt when it comes to picking out your favourite design. Find all of our favourite picks below, including rugs with bold prints, or more calming, subtle colour schemes.
Want more ideas on creating a stylish outdoor room? Explore our guide to the best garden furniture for the most comfortable lounging and alfresco dining ideas.
Best outdoor rugs
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For comparison's sake we've listed the best price for a 120cm x 170cm rug in each style (or the closest size available) which is a good size for a smaller patio. A 150cm x 240cm option is a good bet for a larger outdoor space, but make sure to measure up first to work out the best size for you before you buy.
Top tip: As with all rugs, generally the bigger the budget allows the better. Ideally go for a size that allows you to place your outdoor furniture onto the rug, rather than beside it. This gives a more generous feel and helps to zone an area, pulling your outdoor seating into one cohesive unit rather than it 'floating'.
Not only do FAB HAB's outdoor rugs come in a huge selection of on-trend colours and patterns, but there are also a brilliant range of sizes on offer; from small 90cm x 150cm rugs that are perfect for a bijou balcony to the biggest 240cm x 300cm options that allow you to create real impact in a larger space.
Even better, all of its outdoor rugs are made from recycled plastic, with the brand repurposing disposable plastic drinking straws to create its eye-catching handwoven designs.
UV-resistant so they won't fade in the sun and waterproof so you don't need to bring them indoors during a shower - and can quickly hose down for a freshen up - these rugs are definitely our top choice for a versatile outdoor floor covering. The smaller sizes are also lightweight enough to pack up and take to the beach, with some even coming with a carry bag included.
The one potential downside is that the flatweave design is meant to be, well, flat, so this isn't a thick rug that you'll be able to sink your toes into.
If you want to add a touch of luxe to your outdoor space and make it feel as cosy as any indoor living area, then a hand-tufted garden rug is a great way to do it.
Seen up close a hand-tufted design is much thicker than a flatwoven rug, and does a better job of providing comfort and warmth underfoot, although this type of weave will be much heavier to move around the garden and - usually - more expensive.
This geometric design from British brand Scion uses muted colours to add joyful pattern to any outdoor (or indoor) space and is crafted to be UV and water-resistant, so you won't need to worry about fading or summer showers.
Even if the weather isn't playing ball, you can still brighten up a grey day with this vibrant sunshine yellow outdoor rug.
We love the diamond-patterned ikat design and the affordable price tag – a great buy considering this garden rug is a little larger than most.
Add to dark decking or a less than sunny courtyard area to bring uplifting colour and positive vibes to your outdoor space.
A circular outdoor rug can be a great option, particularly if you have limited outdoor space, and will create a focal point to draw you towards outdoor seating.
Place centrally under an outdoor bistro set to create an intimate dining space or use offset next to your favourite garden chair or a small outdoor sofa to create a zoned seating area.
This flatweave design features a dark grey geometric pattern that will add interest next to plainer garden furniture and brighten up dark decking or paving.
Available in three different sizes, this rectangular garden rug is perfect for small or narrow outside spaces, with the bold striped pattern leading your eye down the garden and having the effect of visually lengthening an outdoor area.
There are four different colour options to choose from; from graphic black and white to a more muted beige or grey stripe and nautical-themed blue and white.
Weather and stain resistant, the flatweave polypropylene will withstand some outdoor wear and tear, although this garden rug doesn't claim to be UV-resistant.
If you want to create a tropical haven in your garden then this leaf pattern outdoor rug is perfect for adding a botanical feel, and especially useful if your outside space is a little lacking in natural greenery.
It's also a great option for using indoors next to your patio doors or in a garden room, as the botanical colourway will make the garden feel like it's extending into your home.
The flatweave design is also UV-resistant so won't fade in the sun, and there is a good range of size options to help you find the best fit for your space.
This neutral outdoor rug makes a simple yet sophisticated addition to an outdoor living area, and the monochrome design makes it easy to pair with any existing garden furniture.
Up close the subtle woven detail adds interest and explains the slightly higher price point compared to other flatweave options.
Available in beige or grey blue stripe, there are also several other neutral patterns in this range offering easy options for hassle-free coordination and layering.
Inspired by the artwork of Henri Matisse, this bold geometric patterned rug is perfect for a contemporary outdoor space, adding uplifting colour to a modern courtyard garden or urban rooftop garden.
The hand-tufted design adds comfort underfoot and creates a luxurious feel, perfect for contrasting with harder-edged materials like metal garden furniture and paving or decking.
And as it's designed to be both water and UV-resistant, you won't need to worry about this outdoor work of art fading in the sun.
If you're debating an outdoor rug but aren't sure exactly which tones will suit your relaxed garden decor, this wonderful rug from Kukoon is sure to persuade you to take the plunge. It's absolutely the purchase to make if you love soft-toned blues and neutrals, with the sumptuous duck egg blue colour providing the perfect transitional shade from indoor to outdoor.
Inspired by deckchairs and dreamy beach days, this is the perfect rug to spruce up your space this summer and will complement any alfresco dining situation. Made from Polypropylene Flatweave, this weatherproof rug can withstand whatever the summer months have to throw at it, with the material also making for a super easy clean. We tried this rug in our own space and found that it was easy to keep looking pristine, even with just a handheld vacuum, and that it accentuated our space no end.
How to choose from the best garden rugs
Materials
Most outdoor rugs are made from polypropylene, which is a synthetic plastic that is water-resistant and stain-resistant. Because it doesn't absorb moisture this also makes it mould and mildew resistant.
The best outdoor rugs you can buy are options made from pre-used polypropylene - of which there is plenty about in the form of plastic straws and other single-use plastics. Investing in a recycled option prevents new materials from being extracted from the earth, and stops single-use plastic from ending up in landfill where it takes a very long time to break down and can leach harmful chemicals into the environment as it decomposes.
It's also good to check whether your outdoor rug can be recycled itself at the end of its lifespan.
Weave
Outdoor rugs tend to come in either a flatweave or a tufted design.
A flatweave outdoor rug will be thinner and won't add as much insulation under foot, but the bonus is that they're usually lightweight, easy to move, and because they lay very flat to the ground have less potential to be a trip hazard. The flatweave also makes it harder for outdoor debris to become trapped, so they're easy to freshen up with a quick shake or a hose down.
A tufted rug usually has a much deeper pile which makes it a more luxurious option for sinking your toes into and adding insulation to the floor, however, the deeper pile adds extra weight, so this is unlikely to be an option for picking up and taking onto the beach or the lawn. The deeper pile makes debris a bit harder to shake out, and the extra raised thickness could potentially be more of a trip hazard.
UV-resistance
Most outdoor rugs are water and mildew resistant due to being made from non-absorbent polypropylene, but UV resistance - which determines whether the rug's colours will fade in strong sun - is dependent on the types of dyes used in its manufacture, so it's worth checking the small print to see if your prefered option comes with this added longevity protection.
What are outdoor rugs made from?
Clare Vallely, Brand Expert at Kukoon Rugs gave Gardeningetc the lowdown on what makes an outdoor rug different from a standard rug.
'Most outdoor rugs are made from synthetic materials, as they are durable and lightweight. There are a number of synthetic materials to choose from, however if you’re living in the UK & Ireland, we recommend polypropylene as it is best suited to rainy, damp, and humid climates.
Polypropylene is stain-resistant, mould-resistant, mildew-resistant, and easy to clean. It makes for the perfect outdoor rug material as it can handle high moisture and high foot traffic.
Polypropylene rugs are available in an extensive range of styles and colours and, as they are UV resistant, their vibrant colours won't fade in the sunlight. Although polypropylene rugs are inexpensive, hard-wearing, and weatherproof, they still offer comfort, providing the same feel underfoot as experienced with any natural fibre rug.'
Where is the best place to position my outdoor rug?
Though there's a large element of personal preference, choosing where to place your outdoor rug also depends on a few other elements. Clare Vallely, Brand Expert at Kukoon Rugs told Gardeningetc that 'considering the space of your outdoor area is key when choosing the shape of your rug. When opting for a large outdoor rug, you’ll need to ensure it covers the majority of your decking or patio area.
If you plan to place the rug under furniture, it should be big enough to hold the front legs of the furniture that surrounds it. For those wanting to place an outdoor rug under a dining table, you need to select a rug big enough to hold all the legs of a dining chair, even when the chair is pulled out.
How we chose the best outdoor rugs
As well as judging by aesthetics, to find the best outdoor rugs for this list we dived into the specifications to sort the wheat from the chaff, grilled the Gardeningetc team for their expert knowledge, asked friends and family for their top-rated products, and took into account third party reviews on retailer websites and even tested a selection of the rugs out for themselves. Click here to find out more about how we review products on Gardeningetc.
