Outdoor rugs are extremely useful. Chances are you already have one as a welcome mat or a rug to wipe your feet on so as not to track dirt into the house. But outdoor rugs have come a long way from being just a place to collect soil from the bottom of shoes. They are now available in many styles and colors, and a wide range of natural and synthetic fibers. They are emerging this year like outdoor lighting did a couple of years ago as many manufacturers expand or add the line to their offering. The possibilities are endless when choosing an outdoor decorative area rug

Before you buy a rug for your outdoor space you should consider the rugs durability. Outdoor rugs are different than regular rugs because they are made to endure the outdoors. They are weather-resistant, designed to withstand the elements but they aren’t all created equal. While still being comfortable and great to look at, the highest quality rugs are made to weather the elements. If you have a covered porch or other type of protection it can help keep a poor quality rug from deteriorating, but not for an extended period of time. Durable outdoor rugs clean up easily – just brush or hose off.

Polypropylene and nylon blends are very durable and bamboo is also a good choice adding style and charm to your outdoor living area. Bamboo rugs can be used outdoors or indoors and will not mold, mildew, or decay (under normal circumstances). Polypropylene is the material most commonly used in outdoor rugs, providing soil- and stain-resistance and quick drying.  It is a plastic product that, if it bears the recycled label, means it was made out of recycled plastic milk jugs. Some polypropylene products are virgin but others are recycled. Duracord is another popular rug material – one with the softness of cotton. Natural-fiber rugs such as sisal, jute or seagrass would not be a good idea for an outside rug because of the way they can absorb moisture or fade in direct sunlight.

Natural fibers used from animals often especially hold the qualities needed for a wonderful outdoor rug as these fibers created by nature were meant to protect the animal from which they came from the elements. So rugs that contain wool from sheep, goats, llamas, and the like are naturally resistant to the elements and make incredibly durable outdoor rugs.