taking it outside: indoor/outdoor rugs
RUG FEATURED: MIKA IVORY/MULTI
The sun is shining, the birds are singing, and the grill is HOT! You know what that means? More time spent outdoors on our decks and patios! As we move outside, we want to make our outside spaces just as comfortable as our indoor ones. Patio furniture with colorful cushions, hammocks for lounging, and bright umbrellas are all patio staples. Outdoor rugs have long been a thing purchased in haste with little selection - typically bright colors and often cheesy motifs left much to be desired - but outdoor rugs have come a long way in the past few years. You do not have to sacrifice taste in order to get a rug that will withstand unpredictable Missouri weather, wash clean, and resist sun fading. The best part is, the indoor outdoor rugs of today can be every bit as comfortable as they are stylish. In this SPOTLIGHT we will cover tips and tricks for finding an outdoor rug that will make you want to spend all your time on the patio, options for all budgets, and even some of our favorites.
why get an indoor/outdoor rug?
We love using indoor/outdoor rugs on a porch or patio – these super durable, stain- and fade-resistant rugs instantly transform an outdoor space, creating the finished look of an outdoor “room.” Indoor/outdoor rugs are perfect for the outdoors due to their construction. Many indoor/outdoor rugs are constructed with a heat set polypropylene or polyester - this refers to a stage in the yarn production process where two or more yarn fibers are twisted together and then heated to ensure the yarns remain joined, permitting greater design flexibility and appearance retention, perfect for outdoor wear and tear and withstanding weather conditions. This treatment makes the rugs hold up to hours of sunshine, and are super easy to clean.
Another reason we love indoor/outdoor rugs lies in the name itself! Indoor/outdoor rugs are versatile – you can easily clean up an indoor/outdoor rug and take it from your patio to your living room, or vice versa, when you want to change things up! How easy? Just hose it off outside when it needs a refresh, or spray it down and let it dry before taking it inside! Bonus: you can keep these rugs indoors year round and just hose them off outside as needed.
An outdoor rug serves the same purpose as an indoor area rug: it pulls your seating area together into a single, unified space that’s inviting and comfortable. It shows an attention to detail, allowing you to create a truly personalized decor for your yard. It has the added value of helping you keep dirt and other outdoor residue outside where it belongs. Designing an outdoor space is similar to an indoor space. Consider how you want the space to feel, and what the space is being used for. Ask yourself how you’ll be using it throughout the season. Do you need multiple sitting areas? A dining space? A space for grilling out, or pool parties? A space for kids? Maybe you want to cover some patio imperfections. You can create all kinds of different vignettes outdoors, and there’s no better place than outdoors to define a space with a rug.
Synthetic rugs maintain their color despite sun and weather – so you don’t have to worry about fading or colors bleeding. This makes it easy to keep the rug as an anchor and simply switch out accents such as pillows, which is a budget-friendly consideration.
current trends.
What’s the latest trend in outdoor rugs? A little bit of everything! The hot thing right now is to have an outdoor living space - more than just a grill or a firepit, this new trend brings the indoors outside. Comfortable seating, lots of cushions, and touches of glam are all current trends. You may want to pick a major statement, like an outdoor chandelier or hanging bed, and build your outdoor living space around that element. Whatever you choose as your major feature, there is an area rug option that will compliment your style and complete your look. Here are some of our current indoor/outdoor favorites and collections we have available to order here at BEACON KC.
First off is MIKA - an indoor/outdoor rug that is truly able to hold its own in any space. The patterns are bold, interesting, and very on trend in a way that won’t go out of style in a week. The construction resembles flat woven rugs while still offering the durability needed in a rug that may live outside. Our own manager, Virginia, chose a MIKA design to put under her dining table - easy to sweep clean after meals and able to be hosed off outside if someone makes a bigger mess! The MIKA line has been very hot with our customers for everywhere from outside spaces to entry ways and dining rooms. MIKA is the perfect addition for a mudroom or recreational area as well. Message us for details if you want pricing or to see the entire MIKA line - we offer 8 samples of the 13 available designs and carry a few options in stock! You can also see this information in our special order catalog Clearview by typing MIKA in the search bar.
Next up is RAZA. Satisfaction, coziness, and durability are the embodiment of the RAZA collection. This group of texture-rich designs create an inviting retreat, complemented by soothing neutral tones. Don’t be fooled by the machine made, easy-care olefin construction, the plush texture is inviting and will elevate any outdoor space to the next level. We can’t rave about the high-low pile enough! If you want to create an outdoor living area that invokes the comfort of indoors in a fun and trendy way, RAZA is the way to go.
Lastly, we feature RIVER. This beautiful collection is hand-woven of 100% polyester but feels like cotton. The reversible construction gives you versatility and interest. We can’t get enough of the black and white RIVER in this room scene - the way it provides the perfect backdrop for a dramatic pop of color looks so expensive - but it is affordable for almost any budget!
RUG FEATURED: GARRETT
RUG FEATURED: CAYMAN
RUG FEATURED: ISLE
RUG FEATURED: ISLE
how do I know what size I need?
So how do you choose the right rug shape and size for an outdoor space? To choose the correct size outdoor rug, follow the same principles as those for indoor area rugs.
To start, choose a rug shape that complements the shape of your furniture. A rectangle or oval rug looks great under a rectangular patio dining set, while a larger, round rug works well with a four-person round patio dining set.
Choose a long, narrow runner to add interest to a walkway or smaller balcony space.
If you’re covering an entire patio, try to allow 12 – 24 inches from the rug’s edges to the perimeter of the patio space. This allows room to walk around the furniture, and can also make a space seem larger.
You may want a rug large enough to accommodate all of your outdoor furniture, or, a more flexible option for conversation or “living” areas is simply making sure the rug’s edges are underneath the front legs of the furniture pieces contained in the space.
For sectionals, love seats, and club chairs, you want your rug to be large enough to place at least the front legs on the rug. Placing all 4 legs on the rug is optional but you’ll have to play around with it on a case by case basis. Here’s a quick idea of when to use each method:
2 Front Legs on the Rug – Helps bring your outdoor space together while expanding the space at the same time.
All 4 Legs on the Rug – Brings the room together tightly. Can be used to create conversational seating arrangements.
Some on Some Off – Place some chairs all the way on the rug and others with just the front two feet on. This style works well for eclectic outdoor spaces. You can vary seated grouping to create an asymmetrical layout that is contemporary and chic.
what if I want to put it inside?
As their hybrid name suggests, we equally love indoor/outdoor rugs in indoor areas. And if you’ve never seen or felt any indoor/outdoor rugs before, you may question the idea of using something that’s specifically made for roughing it outdoors inside your home. However, you may just change your mind. Here are some reasons why we love using indoor/outdoor rugs inside, too.
Style and durability meet with indoor/outdoor rugs, something many parents and pet owners have known for a while. As we mentioned earlier this week, indoor/outdoor rugs are usually woven from polypropylene or a blend for incredible endurance, making them perfect for your busiest spaces. They’re fashionable enough for a dining room, but tough enough to take a red wine spill. Other tough-love areas we often suggest using indoor/outdoor rugs in are: kitchens, mudrooms, kids’ spaces, hallways and even bathrooms.
Dry clean only? No way! Thankfully, many spills and stains on indoor/outdoor rugs easily wipe clean with a damp cloth. To give your indoor/outdoor rug a deep clean, take it outside, hose it down and clean with a mild soap and scrub brush. And because they’re lightweight rugs, they dry quickly. How easy is that?
how do I keep it clean?
If you haven’t figured it out already, cleaning an indoor/outdoor rug is pretty much a breeze. Hit it with the hose if it’s outside, or drag it outdoors and spray it down and let it dry before taking it back in. We aren’t kidding - it is really that simple. If you find yourself with a stubborn stain, try scrubbing it down with a mild soap, like dish soap, and scrub gentle with a non abrasive scrub brush.
CARE TIP: When placing a rug outdoors on a wood deck, be attentive to how much water your rug gets exposed to. While weather resistant and waterproof, if a wet rug sits on your wood deck for long periods of time it can be damaging to the deck, as water can pool underneath the rug. You might want to consider rolling the rug up during rainy seasons or hanging it over a railing to dry if it gets soaked. Make sure your rug dries out on top and bottom. Using a rug pad will help avoid moisture build-up as well, but you should still regularly check under the rug to make sure it’s properly dried and ventilated. There are also rugs advertised as “moisture-proof” have a backing that prevent water from pooling beneath them.
so how do I buy one?
Picking out rugs is kind of our specialty here at BEACON KC. If you haven’t seen one that speaks to you yet in this article, please send us pictures of your space and a little bit of info about your style, colors, size, and budget and we will get back to you with some options just for you! Best of all - we will ship right to your door!