Designer FAQs: Indoor & Outdoor Area Rugs
What makes a rug suitable for both indoor and outdoor spaces?
Spills, muddy footprints, and other by-products of daily living can be hard on a handcrafted rug. Indoor/outdoor rugs are woven from durable, stain-resistant materials that are easy to clean, vacuum, and take care of.
These same stain-resistant materials are also UV-stabilized, which means they're fade resistant and won't quickly lighten under the sun's rays. Add their durability factor, and you have a perfect groundcover for all kinds of indoor and outdoor settings.
Is it okay to put an outdoor area rug on a deck? Can you leave a patio area rug out all year?
Placing an indoor/outdoor rug in any outdoor space is better than okay—it's a terrific way to give your deck, patio, veranda, or sunroom the homey and luxurious feel of an indoor room. That’s because a durable indoor/outdoor area rug helps to anchor your outdoor lounging or dining space; it makes it feel like a real and beautifully designed room.
No matter how durable materials are, nature will cause wear and tear over the long term—that’s just life. Rolling up your outdoor area rug and storing it when you’re not using it will help it last longer. You’ll have to find your personal balance of convenience and duration of use—and the longer your rug lasts and is kept out of a landfill, the more eco-friendly your rug investment is.
What kind of rug is best for outdoors? Are outdoor rugs really waterproof?
When shopping for a patio area rug that will work outdoors, look for materials like UV-stabilized polypropylene, which is designed to stand up to the elements and resist fading. It’s also water repellent.
If you’re worried that something may happen to your rug that’s not covered by your warranty, consider a protection plan.
Does an outdoor area rug have to be glued down?
In most outdoor rooms, a rug can be anchored by placing furniture on top of it or by placing the edge of the rug beneath your furniture’s feet. If you’re having issues with the wind lifting your rug’s edges, or with tripping over a loose edge, you can try an adhesive gripper. Just make sure the gripper is made from a material that won’t damage your rug or your patio/deck/sunroom surface if it’s removed; if the rug’s backing is damaged by an adhesive, it could void your warranty.
If you’re having trouble getting the edges of a new rug to lie flat, flip the rug over so the backing faces up. Roll inward from one of the shorter sides—the front of the rug will show on the outside of the roll—and leave it for a day or so. When you spread it out right side up, the edges should lie flat.
Can you use an outdoor rug as an indoor rug?
You sure can—just like their name says! Great news for pet owners: If your pet is prone to tracking in mud or having the occasional accident, an indoor/outdoor rug can be a real lifesaver. Same if you have kids: the stain resistance of an indoor/outdoor area rug can defend you against juice spills and more.
Check out our Luxury Performance rugs, Carissa and Camden: these have the same stain and UV resistance as our other indoor/outdoor rugs, but the feel is as soft as an indoor-only rug.
What indoor/outdoor rug sizes are available?
Every rug is different, particularly if it's handwoven, so check the sizes on each product's page beneath the name for available size options. If you like the rug you see but don't see the size you need, find a Design Center to ask about having the rug cut to a custom size.
How do I know an indoor/outdoor rug will look good in my rooms or on my patio?
Love a bold geometric rug or a charming boho rug, but you’re not sure whether it will suit your space? We have several tools to help eliminate the guesswork.
- To preview a rug in any room (or on any patio), take an image of your space and upload it to our rug visualizer. If you haven't settled on your room's design, you can also try out the rug in our sample room photos to find a look that inspires you.
- For help with how to arrange furniture in relation to a rug, whether you're designing an indoor or outdoor room, check out our rug buying guide.
- To play around with not only selecting a rug but also designing whole rooms, try out our DIY 3D Room Planner.
And of course, any Ethan Allen interior designer can help you select the perfect indoor/outdoor rug at the perfect size; they can even come to your home to take professional measurements. Their help is included in our complimentary design service: click here to make an appointment near you.
Do you have more questions? Click the Designer Chat icon, or contact your local Design Center—we’re happy to help!
