Outdoor Area Rugs
What to consider when buying an outdoor area rug…
Size, shape, color, woven, plastic, plain or patterned, luxury or cheap disposable are all questions you should ask yourself before deciding which outdoor area rug to purchase.
Size and Shape
Measure the dimensions where you will place the area rug with all of the furniture in position. Consider how close the edges will be to all of the furniture legs as well as the traffic pattern where the rug will go. An area rug that is placed too close to furniture can make even an outdoor room appear small and cramped. If the rug is being placed in a heavy traffic area you will need to consider the durability of the rugs material and how well it will stay in position.
Keep in mind that when having an outdoor kitchen or a grill, leave enough buffer space between the rug and the cooking area to prevent the area rug from being repeatedly soiled from food preparation and cooking.
An oval or round area rug that is approximately the same size as a rectangular or square rug will appear to be smaller and may be a better overall enhancement for the space. The round edges will help to soften the appearance of the entire outdoor room.
Color and Pattern
Choosing an attractive color and pattern for your outdoor area rug is just as important as matching the color schemes of an indoor room. If the outdoor furniture is already in place or you are purchasing the furniture at the same time as your rug, you will want to coordinate the colors of the furniture cushions along with the outdoor throw pillows and lamp shades on any outdoor lighting you may purchase.
Also consider the amount of foot and pet traffic the area rug may receive and what color and pattern will work best at camouflaging any soiling.
Woven or Plastic?
Outdoor area rugs are manufactured in a wide and varied range of materials. Plastic is typically not the first material that comes to mind when you are considering an indoor rug but for many situations plastic is the perfect choice for any outdoor area rug.
New manufacturing methods have made plastic area rugs soft and subtle to the touch even when walking on them barefoot. The diversity and intensity of the colors in an outdoor area rug will give the space a “pop” and set your outdoor space apart from the norm.
Woven or power loomed rugs can produce a flat weave area rug for a cabana beach house look or one with a low to medium pile will give a softer more elegant appearance.
Luxurious or Cheap Disposable?
There will always be an association between how much or how little you pay and the quality of the outdoor area rug you take home. But in some instances an inexpensive rug may be the smarter choice because of the situation in which it will be placed.
If you need to have an area rug around an outdoor kitchen or hot tub or a heavy traffic area that will frequently be trampled on by dirty shoes, it is probably better to go with a less expensive area rug and replace it more often. Spend the most of your budget on the area rug that will be the focal point and centerpiece of your outdoor room.
Care and Maintenance
Most all outdoor woven or fabricated area rugs are manufactured with some type of manmade fibers. They are extremely durable, very stain resistant, and can easily be spot cleaned or cleaned with a brush and hose. After a heavy shower you may need to turn back the edges to speed up the drying process, but that’s about all the care they will generally need.
Consider these suggestions before you buy your outdoor area rug, and you will have a much greater chance of satisfaction with your purchase.
Home Infatuation offers many options of outdoor area rugs in choices of color, patters, size and shape. You may find this and other fantastic outdoor living products when visiting www.homeinfatuation.com.