1. Blending traditional and contemporary styles is a popular trend in today's outdoor living industry. With our elaborate selection of styles and sizes of outdoor rugs, you'll be sure to find an outdoor rug to take center stage on your patio.
2. Accurate measurement is important when choosing the size and shape of outdoor rugs. Measure the area you plan to cover with the furniture already in position. You should consider how close the outdoor rugs will be placed to the edges of the furniture as well as the path of the heaviest traffic. If it is a high-traffic area, you'll want to consider purchasing more durable outdoor rugs.
3. In today's wide selection of weaves and designs, you'll find almost as many options for outdoor rugs as you will for indoor rugs. Braided rugs offer a more classic and relaxed look. Machine-made outdoor rugs offer more detail and may more closely resemble an outdoor rug you would lay in your formal dining room.
4. Although they can resemble the styles of indoor rugs, outdoor rugs must be made of durable materials if they're going to last outside in the elements. When planning to accent your patio, make sure you look for rugs crafted for outdoor use, often featuring water-resistant, UV-protected, and mold-resistant properties, to get the longest wear out of your purchase.
5. Eco-friendly rugs and manufacturing practices are becoming increasingly popular among outdoor rug industry leaders. Outdoor rugs or rug backings made from recycled materials or renewable resources reduce the impact on the environment. Using vegetable dyes and washing rugs with river water rather than chemicals are other trends in efforts to "go green."
6. Outdoor rug weaving isn't an exact science. Sizes can differ, due to the nature of crafting and weaving. Rug sizes are generally rounded to the nearest whole size. It's best to allow 2 to 6 inches of leeway between a rug's stated size and the actual size. A 9 x 12-foot rug could be estimated at 8.5 x 11.5 feet.
7. Cleaning and maintenance of outdoor rugs is almost as important as style when it comes to choosing the right rug for you. Many rugs are now machine-washable, making them ideal for high-traffic areas. Other outdoor rugs can be spot-cleaned or even sprayed down with a garden hose. Stain-resistant and quick-drying rugs are handy, too, in the event of spills.
