The 7 best outdoor rugs, according to designers — and how to pick one that lasts

Shape: Rectangular, runner | Color options: Royal blue (shown), natural, black | Features: Washable, nonslip, stain resistant, easy care | Area rug size: 2'6" x 7', 2'6" x 10', 3' x 5', 5' x 7', 6' x 9', 8' x 10', 9' x 12' | Material: Recycled polyester | Thickness: 0.125"

If you ask me, Ruggable can do no wrong. These durable floor coverings promise to be stain resistant and nonslip, and in my experience, they more than live up to the hype. I've mostly used them indoors — I own five! — but I am confident the outdoor options would hold up well against moisture and dirt. They have a water-resistant barrier that the brand claims resists fading and mildew, plus you can toss them in the washing machine, where they clean up like a dream. (Just make sure your washer is big enough to accommodate your rug; here are the sizing guidelines.)

I recently interviewed Katie Tamony, chief marketing officer for the plant company Monrovia, about easy ways to upgrade your garden, and unsurprisingly, a Ruggable was on her list. "It's what I use in my own yard," she says. "They have so many options that work well for the outdoors."

Like all the brand's products, the outdoor versions come with a separate pad that grips onto a top layer. Patterned, colorful outdoor rugs sometimes look gimmicky, as if someone supersized a beach towel. Not the case with this pick, which has a Moroccan-inspired trellis design in a rich blue. It would add so much personality to a wood deck or stone patio.

Ruggable makes its rugs in several thicknesses, with the outdoor versions on the thin side. Though the material feels soft, it won't be sink-your-toes-in cozy. Most shoppers don't seem to have a problem with that, though: This rug earns a near-perfect 4.8 stars from almost 150 reviews.

Shape: Rectangular | Color options: Beige (shown), dark gray, light gray, brown, blue | Features: Easy care, stain resistant | Area rug size: 5' x 7', 6' x 9', 8' x 10', 9'3" x 12', 10' x 14' | Material: Polypropylene | Thickness: 0.3"

"Solid color rugs are a great option as they allow for a lot of versatility with other furniture," says landscape contractor and designer Sara Bendrick, who called out this affordable pick from Wayfair. And she's right: This neutral shade is no-fail. Doesn't it feel very summer-in-the-Hamptons chic? A tight weave helps with water resistance, and the brand says it has a UV coating to help prevent fading.

It receives raves from shoppers, to the tune of 4.6 stars from more than 1,500 reviews. Most called out the quality, especially for the price. And while the rug is very thin and flat, some fans even praised how it felt underfoot. 

"Great material, it’s comfortable under my bare feet and it looks great on our patio!" wrote one casual customer.

Though Bendrick likes more vibrant colors too, she points out that rugs in tans and browns like this one "can be great at hiding debris, which can happen easily outside." (On that note, she warns against black rugs, which can quickly start looking dirty.)

Here's another vote for going subdued, from Jessica Nicastro, founder of Jessica Nicastro Design: "I like a neutral color just to add a layer, but not be the wow moment."

Shape: Rectangular, runner | Color options: Cream | Features: Easy care, machine washable | Area rug size: 2' x 8', 4' x 6', 5' x 7'10", 6'7" x 9'4", 7'5" x 9'6" and 1 more | Material: Polyester | Thickness: 0.25"

Not only is this rug a total bargain — aside from our budget pick, it's one of the most affordable I've seen! — but it has an elegant floral-and-paisley pattern that would look right at home in an English country estate. Woven from polyester fibers, it also happens to be machine-washable: Just toss it in a gentle cycle on cold.

Colombo Heckler loves this pick for its vintage-inspired design, which she says works especially well for the outdoors "because it has a slightly faded look to begin with, so any effects from the sun won't be super noticeable."

It doesn't yet have a ton of reviews on Amazon, but those who like this rug really like it: "Love this rug. Very soft, lays flat and is as described. Almost too nice for outside, but it’s under a covered porch. I might buy another one and put in my TV room," wrote one potential repeat buyer. 

Shape: Rectangular, runner, square, round | Color options: Green, fuchsia, yellow, teal, navy and 13 more | Features: Easy care, water resistant | Area rug size: 2'2" x 8', 2' x 10', 3'1" x 5', 3'11" x 6', 5'3" x 7'7" and 4 more | Material: Polypropylene | Thickness: 0.19"

Looking to make your patio pop? Let me direct your attention to this cheerful outdoor rug, which comes in a rainbow of hues, including fuchsia, teal, orange and yellow. Variegated threads give it a handmade look, and the Moroccan-inspired pattern has a boho vibe I'd expect from a store like Anthropologie — but this baby is an Amazon find, and a top seller at that.

More than 4,300 shoppers have given it a five-star rating, calling out the rug's vibrant colors and how quickly it dries. "This is exactly what I needed and all I could've hoped for! I have this on a cement patio and it not only looks great, but any rain or spills will go right through," wrote one outdoorsy decorator.

Exclaimed a pleased parent, "I’m so happy with this rug! I bought it to freshen up our patio space, and it instantly gave the area a clean, modern look ... The flat-weave construction feels durable yet soft underfoot — perfect for high-traffic areas. We’ve got kids and a dog, and this rug handles it all like a champ!" 

Though there aren't many complaints, the ones that are out there revolve around the rug's size. Some shoppers say what they purchased is several inches smaller than expected, so if you need very specific dimensions, this may not be the best pick for you.

Shape: Rectangular, runner | Color options: Tan/ivory | Features: Easy care, water resistant | Area rug size: 2'3" x 3'9", 2'3" x 10', 3'9" x 5'9", 5'1" x 7'7", 7'8" x 10' and 4 more | Material: Polypropylene | Thickness: 0.125"

Lots of rug companies do collabs with designers, but few get as much love as Amber Lewis's line for Loloi. The pro, who's known for her California-casual style, used her collection of antique rugs and textiles as inspiration.

Both Colombo Heckler and Kallan Nelson Chavez, owner of Kallan Interiors, are fans. "One company continues to impress me with outdoor rugs, and it's Loloi," says Colombo Heckler, who owns several from the Amber Lewis collection. "The designs are relevant to today's current styles and trends without being overly trendy. And the construction is really high quality."

Stripes are always a good pick for the outdoors, but this rug takes it up a notch with a modern broken stripe. The neutral colors mean it'll go with anything — and the fringe at the edges makes for a fun, breezy detail.

Shape: Rectangular, runner | Color options: Bluestone (shown), brown, camel, charcoal, evergreen and 2 more | Features: Easy care, nonslip, stain resistant | Area rug size: 5'11" x 4'11", 5'11" x 6', 5'11" x 7'2", 5'11" x 8'1", 5'11" x 9'1" and 1 more | Material: Polyester | Thickness: 0.375" 

Waterhog mats are designed to serve as doormats, so if you're looking for the best outdoor rug for rain — and whatever else Mother Nature throws your way — they make a smart pick. I speak from personal experience: My waterhog mat has survived dirt, dog poop (ick, I know) and even a flood! 

This oversized version features the same rubber backing and water-absorbing fibers as the doormat. In fact, L.L.Bean claims the rug's raised border can hold up to 1.5 gallons of water per square yard. Dirt and debris easily brush off the rug, but you can hose it down for deeper cleaning.

"These waterhog doormats are virtually indestructible! I have two that still look great after TWENTY THREE years of daily use through all seasons," raved one longtime customer. "Not one stain, no fading, no pilling, and the rubber backing has not degraded or become brittle with age. I’ve bought them as gifts and recommended them to family and friends for years because the quality simply cannot be matched!"

Just note that the sizing on these isn't typical area-rug sizing (the biggest option measures 5'11" x 9'10", so it's basically a giant runner). 

Shape: Rectangular, round, square, runner | Color options: Umber (shown), Warm Gray, Pearl | Features: Easy care, stain resistant | Area rug size: Customizable | Material: Polypropylene | Thickness: 0.43"

Buying an unusually sized rug used to be extremely expensive and difficult to do if you weren't a professional designer. Then, in 2022, three co-founders of Peloton launched Ernesta. The company, which sells directly to shoppers, lets you customize any of its 350+ rugs down to the inch.

That's a big win if you're trying to decorate a tricky space, but even if you're looking for a standard-size rug, Ernesta's offerings are worth a peek. Most of the designs come in neutral colors and tone-on-tone patterns — they're very quiet luxury! — and the indoor/outdoor polypropylene rugs have a natural look that impressively mimics jute or sisal.

Designer Hallie Henley Sims thinks this pick, with its Greek key pattern, is so sophisticated, and she recently used it in a client's bedroom. "We have increasingly been using polypropylene rugs for interior use as they’re bulletproof and chic!" she says.