An outdoor rug turns a stretch of terrace into a place to be. Under a lounge set it keeps the seating area together, under a dining table it turns the table into a dining room, and on tiles it feels softer underfoot. But a rug that is too small looks lost, and a rug that lies wet on the tiles for weeks does more harm than good. In this guide you'll read which size you need for your furniture, what to look for in the material, how to deal with rain, and how to clean and store the rug over winter. With examples from our range.
In brief: choose the size for your furniture, not for your terrace. Under a lounge set, at least the table and front legs should sit on the rug. Under a dining table, allow about 60 cm on each side. Choose a rug that is made for outdoor use, let it dry thoroughly after rain, and only lay it on a dry surface. In winter, store it clean and dry.
What does an outdoor rug do on your terrace?
Indoors, you put a rug under the sofa to define the seating area. Outdoors it works in exactly the same way. An outdoor rug does three things:
- It defines the space: on a large terrace or in an open garden, a rug shows where the seating area begins and ends. Loose pieces of furniture become one whole.
- It softens the space: on tiles or decking, you walk more comfortably in bare feet, and between hard walls, textiles muffle the sound.
- It ties colours together: bring a colour from the rug back in your cushions or pots, and the terrace looks calm and finished.
To see how a rug fits into the rest of your layout, with zones, shade and light, read how to arrange an outdoor living room. If you have a walled courtyard, take a look at arranging a patio. This guide is about the rug itself: size, material and care.
Which rug size for which furniture?
The most common mistake is a rug that is too small. So don't base your choice on the size of your terrace, but on the furniture that will go on it. Two rules of thumb:
- Lounge set: the lounge table and at least the front legs of the sofa and chairs should sit on the rug. If everything fits on it, even better.
- Dining table: allow about 60 cm on each side of the table. That way the chairs stay on the rug when someone pulls back their seat.
Most outdoor rugs in our range come in 120 x 170, 160 x 230 and 200 x 290 cm, and some are also available round in Ø160 or Ø200 cm. This table is a guide only; always measure your own layout.
| Furniture | Rug size | What sits on it |
|---|---|---|
| Two lounge chairs, side table | 120 x 170 cm | Table and front legs |
| Bistro set on the balcony | 120 x 170 cm | Table and chairs |
| Compact lounge set | 160 x 230 cm | Table and front legs |
| Spacious lounge set or corner sofa | 200 x 290 cm | Table and front legs |
| Round table for 4 | Ø200 cm | Table and chairs |
| Dining table for 6 | 200 x 290 cm | Table, some chairs |
A 160 x 90 cm dining table with a 60 cm margin all round theoretically needs a rug of around 210 x 280 cm. With 200 x 290 cm, you get fairly close. If your table is longer, the chairs at the ends will partly sit off the rug; that's not a disaster, as long as the chairs along the long sides are properly on it. To find out how much room you need around the furniture itself, read how much space you need for a lounge set and how much space you need for a garden table.
Before you order, lay a few old sheets or some masking tape on the ground in the size of the rug. Place the furniture on it and pull a chair back. In one minute you'll see whether the rug is big enough.
Quiz: which rug size suits you?
Torn between two sizes? Answer three questions and see which size best suits your seating area.
Which rug size works well under your seating area?
What will go on the outdoor rug?
- Two chairs with a side table or a bistro set
- A compact lounge set with a sofa and two chairs
- A spacious lounge set, corner sofa or long dining table
- A round table with chairs around it
How much free floor space do you have for the rug?
- Little: a balcony or a narrow strip of terrace
- An average terrace with room to walk around
- A large terrace several metres wide
- A square area or a corner of the terrace
What do you mainly want the rug to achieve?
- A soft accent under my feet
- To keep the seating area together
- To define the whole zone, even when the chairs are pulled back
- To follow the round shape of my table
120 x 170 cm suits you. It's big enough for a side table and the front legs of two chairs, or for a bistro set on the balcony.
160 x 230 cm is your size. The lounge table and the front legs of a compact set will sit on it, and there's still room to walk around.
You need 200 x 290 cm. A large rug keeps a spacious seating area or a dining table with pulled-back chairs together.
A round rug suits you. Under a round table for four, Ø200 cm follows the shape of the table, with the chairs around it.
Round or rectangular?
Keep the shape of the rug in line with the shape of your layout. A rectangular rug belongs under a rectangular table, a sofa or a corner sofa. A round rug suits a round table or a set of chairs arranged in a circle. A round rug under a long sofa looks unsettled, because the corners of the sofa hang over the edge.
For a corner sofa, you usually choose a rectangular rug that sits under the lounge table and has the front legs of both sections on it. You don't need to cover the entire L-shape. You can read more about choosing such a sofa in what to look for when buying a corner lounge set.
Material: what should you look for?
An outdoor rug must be able to cope with rain, sun and dirt. An indoor rug, made of wool, cotton or jute, isn't designed for that: natural fibres absorb moisture and dry slowly, and that gives mould and a musty smell the chance to develop.
Many outdoor rugs are made of polypropylene, a plastic that absorbs little water and therefore dries relatively quickly. For the Portmany and Naturalis rugs in this overview, polypropylene is listed both in the product details and in the retailer's specifications. For some other rugs, the sources contradict each other, so we don't state the material for those. If you're unsure, check the product page or ask the retailer.
| What to look for | Why | Where to find it |
|---|---|---|
| Weather-resistant | Can handle rain and sun | Product information |
| Low-pile | Dries faster, collects less dirt | Specifications |
| Thickness | A thin rug lies flat | Often around 1 cm |
| Care instructions | Keeps it looking good | Product page |
The rugs in this overview are low-pile and roughly 1 cm thick. That lies flat, so a chair won't catch on it and the conservatory or veranda door can still swing over it.
Outdoor rugs from our range
Four rugs in the most requested sizes, from small to large. All four are from Garden Impressions, weather-resistant and come with a 2-year guarantee. You can see the current prices on the cards.
| Rug | Size | Fits under |
|---|---|---|
| Portmany | 120 x 170 cm | Bistro set, two chairs |
| Naturalis desert taupe | 160 x 230 cm | Compact lounge set |
| Naturalis desert taupe | 200 x 290 cm | Spacious set, dining table |
| Condor round | Ø200 cm | Round table |
Portmany: small rug for a balcony or bistro set
The Portmany measures 120 x 170 cm and is made of polypropylene. The rug is low-pile and 1 cm thick, so it lies flat under a bistro set or a pair of lounge chairs. A good size for a balcony or a corner of the terrace.
Portmany rug 120 x 170 cm
For more ideas for a small outdoor space, see how to arrange a balcony.
Naturalis 160 x 230 cm: for a compact lounge set
The Naturalis rug in desert taupe is made of polypropylene and weighs 4.5 kg. At 160 x 230 cm, it fits under the lounge table and the front legs of a compact set. The taupe colour blends calmly with both light and dark cushions.
Naturalis outdoor rug 160 x 230 cm desert taupe
Naturalis 200 x 290 cm: for a spacious seating area or dining table
The same rug in the large size: 200 x 290 cm and 8.5 kg. Big enough for a spacious lounge set or corner sofa, or for a dining table where the chairs stay on the rug.
Naturalis outdoor rug 200 x 290 cm desert taupe
Please note: a large rug is heavier to lift and to dry. Handle it with two people.
Condor Ø200 cm: round rug for a round table
The Condor in taupe is round, with a diameter of 200 cm. Under a round table for four, the rug follows the shape of the table and the chairs stay on it. The rug is low-pile, 1 cm thick and weather-resistant.
Condor outdoor rug Ø200 cm taupe
Looking for a table or set to go with it? Browse our garden sets.
Also worth a look, with a green leaf pattern or a darker colour:
Naturalis Ø160 palm leaf
View rug →
Naturalis 200 x 290 palm leaf
View rug →
Delhi 160 x 230 dark taupe
View rug →You'll find all sizes and colours in our outdoor rugs section. Still deciding which furniture should go on the rug? Then try our selection tool.
Rain, drying and the surface
An outdoor rug can handle rain, but it must be able to dry afterwards. The same goes for the surface underneath. Anything that stays in the same place for a long time retains moisture, and that's where green algae gets its first chance. To find out how to remove it, read how to remove green algae from your terrace.
| Surface | Suitable? | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Tiles or paving slabs | Yes, the easiest option | Only lay the rug on a dry terrace |
| Wooden decking | Yes, with care | Lift regularly, the wood needs to dry |
| Grass | Temporary only | Grass yellows without light |
| Balcony | Yes | Keep the drain clear |
After a downpour
After a heavy shower, a thin rug often dries on its own on a sunny, breezy day. After a wet spell, lift the rug up, or hang it over a few chairs or the balcony railing, so that both the rug and the floor can dry. Only put it back down once the tiles are dry.
On wood and grass
A wooden deck needs air and dryness. A rug that lies on it for weeks keeps the wood underneath damp. So lift it more often than you would on tiles. On grass, a rug is handy for an afternoon at a picnic spot, but take it away afterwards: after a few days without light, the grass turns yellow.
Is your rug blowing away?
A light rug can curl up or shift in strong wind. Place furniture on the corners or edges and it will stay put. On a high balcony or open roof terrace, roll up the rug when a storm is forecast.
Maintenance in 4 steps
Outdoor rugs need little maintenance, but a regular routine saves a lot of trouble. The care instructions for Garden Impressions rugs are brief: remove dirt with a soft brush or vacuum cleaner, wash with lukewarm water and mild soapy water, and let the rug dry completely before storing it. In steps, it looks like this:
Remove leaves, sand and crumbs with a soft brush or the vacuum cleaner. Do this regularly, before the dirt works its way deep into the rug.
Lay the rug on a clean, flat surface and wash off stains and dirty patches with lukewarm water and a little mild soapy water. Don't use harsh cleaning products.
Rinse off the soap residue with clean water, so that no sticky film is left behind for dirt to cling to.
Hang the rug over a few chairs or a railing and turn it halfway through. Only store it or roll it up once it is completely dry on both sides.
Cleaning the terrace at the same time? Then read how to clean or wash a terrace. Always remove the rug before you start on it with a pressure washer or patio cleaner.
Move your furniture a few centimetres every season. That way the legs don't always stand in the same spot, and the rug won't develop permanent dents.
Your outdoor rug in winter
In winter a rug on the terrace is of little use, and the terrace dries poorly in those months. So store the rug away in autumn:
- Clean it: brush and wash the rug as described above, so you don't carry last year's dirt into spring.
- Dry it completely: a damp rolled-up rug will smell musty. Choose a dry day.
- Roll it up, don't fold it: roll the rug up with the top side facing outwards. That way you avoid creases and it lies flat again more quickly in spring.
- Store it dry: in the shed, in the loft or in a storage box. Don't put anything heavy on top.
To find out what else to do with your garden furniture and cushions as the weather turns colder, read what to do with garden furniture in winter and how to store garden cushions.
Checklist for a good outdoor rug
- Size chosen to fit the furniture: the table and at least the front legs sit on it
- Shape suits the layout: round for a round table, rectangular for a sofa
- Weather-resistant rug, made for outdoor use
- Low-pile and thin, so it lies flat and dries quickly
- Only on a dry surface, lifted regularly
- Stored clean, dry and rolled up in winter
Tick off what you've already sorted:
- Measured the seating area or dining table, including pulled-back chairs
- Marked out the size of the rug on the ground with tape
- Chosen a rug that is made for outdoor use
- Decided where the rug will dry after rain
- Placed furniture on the edges to stop it blowing away
- Arranged a dry place for winter storage
Common mistakes
A rug that is too small
A rug that only sits under the table makes the seating area look messy. Choose a size where the front legs of the sofa and chairs also sit on it.
Bringing an indoor rug outside
Wool, cotton and jute absorb moisture and dry slowly. Outside, mould and a musty smell will quickly take hold. Choose a rug that is made for outdoor use.
Laying the rug on a wet terrace
Moisture gets trapped under a rug on wet tiles or decking. Only lay it on a dry surface and lift it after a wet spell.
Rolling it up while damp
A rug that goes into the shed wet will smell musty in spring. Let it dry completely on both sides first.
Chairs falling off the edge
Under a dining table, chairs slide backwards. If the rug is too tight, the chair leg catches on the edge. Allow about 60 cm on each side of the table.
Frequently asked questions
What size outdoor rug do I need under a lounge set?
Measure the seating area from the sofa to the chairs and choose a rug that fits at least the coffee table and the front legs of all the seating. As a guide: 120 x 170 cm under two chairs with a side table, 160 x 230 cm under a compact set, and 200 x 290 cm under a spacious lounge set or corner sofa.
How large should an outdoor rug be under a dining table?
Add roughly 60 cm to each side of the table's length and width. That way the chair legs stay on the rug when someone pulls their chair back, and a chair doesn't catch half on the edge. For a round table, a round rug with the same margin works well.
Can an outdoor rug be left out in the rain?
An outdoor rug is designed to withstand rain, sun and dirt, but it needs to be able to dry afterwards. After a wet spell, lift it up or hang it over a chair or railing so that both the rug and the surface beneath can dry. Only roll it up once it is completely dry.
Can I place an outdoor rug on a wooden decking or on grass?
You can on decking, but lift the rug regularly so the wood underneath can dry. On grass, only lay a rug temporarily, for example for an afternoon or a party: the grass beneath receives no light and turns yellow. For permanent use, a tiled patio is the most practical option.
What should I do with an outdoor rug in winter?
Clean the rug, let it dry completely and roll it up with the top side facing outwards. Then store it somewhere dry, for example in the shed or a storage box. That way it won't lie on a patio that already drains poorly during the wet months.
How do I clean an outdoor rug?
Follow the manufacturer's care instructions. For Garden Impressions outdoor rugs, this means: remove dirt with a soft brush or vacuum cleaner, wash with lukewarm water and mild soapy water, and let the rug dry completely before storing it.
