Outdoor rugs come in many different varieties. Some of the common varieties are handmade, machine made and those made of bamboo or sisal. Each of these contributes differently to the overall appearance of your outdoor space depending on their particular features.

Handmade rugs: The designs of the handmade rugs are more intricate and pleasant to look at. They come in various color combinations and beautiful designs. Being high end designer rugs they are more expensive than the machine made rugs. They are much softer and last long as well. For this reason, many of the handmade rugs also serve well as indoor outdoor rugs and are an excellent option for those who prefer to make their patio or deck more personal and attractive.

Machine made: These are usually more durable than handmade outdoor rugs because they are more tightly woven, and usually made of tougher, more durable materials that would be difficult to work by hand. Most machine made outdoor rugs can withstand almost any amount of wear and tear. The most common materials used in the construction of these rugs are acrylic blends, olefin or nylon which can be suitable for areas with heavy traffic and all kinds of weather conditions.

Bamboo/sisal: Natural fiber outdoor rugs are often made of bamboo and sisal. Though not very durable they have their own special charm because they are made of natural fiber. You can find them in natural color tones which will be suitable for outdoor use. Both being strong materials, the rugs made of these will also be strong and durable. Sisal is less durable than bamboo however, and both materials are notably less durable than synthetic alternative. Still, both of these natural materials are attractive options for those who prefer to forego the use of synthetic materials.

Maintaining any of these outdoor rugs is very easy. All you need to do is wash or wipe the rugs. Use them again when they are completely dry. You can also make use of vacuum cleaners for regular maintenance. So you needn’t worry about getting them dirty, even if they are outside!

Outdoor rugs are specially designed and constructed to be highly resistant to damage; they would need to be strong and durable since they will deal with all kinds of weather and traffic. They’re usually made of nylon, olefin or acrylic blends because these are extremely resistant to the elements as well as other damaging factors like mildew or plain fading. Outdoor rugs are power loomed or machine woven and they’re dyed with special types of dyes in order to reduce the impact of sunlight on the colors.

Due to their very adaptable properties, outdoor rugs can be also used in various ways around one’s home but especially in areas that see a high degree of traffic. Due to their tough construction, outdoor rugs are very resistant to usual wear and tear so they can handle the high traffic, they can also be used on concrete in order to cushion the impact on feet. Outdoor rugs are relatively simple to take care of and they come in a wide variety of shapes, colors, textures and dimensions – for some really crazy styles you should definitely check out the Mad Mats Outdoor Rugs. And it’s precisely because of this versatility and diversity that outdoor rugs can be used pretty much anywhere and have an impact.

Outdoor rugs can be split into four categories by the way they are made: there are handmade rugs, machine made rugs, bamboo rugs and outdoor mats. Each can be used as outdoor rugs for patios.

Handmade rugs or hand hooked rugs as they are also called are much more intricate and colorful if you compare them to machine made outdoor rugs. These are usually designer outdoor rugs and they will cost more than the machine made ones, but they have a soft texture, are very long lasting and will be great in a highly personalized outdoor environment.

The outdoor rugs that are machine made are usually much more cost effective than the ones that are hand-made; machine made rugs are highly resistant and light weight, and are very weather resistant. Besides their pricing there other advantages are that they’re easy to maintain and are rather attractive as well as comfortable.

Bamboo outdoor rugs are a great choice to be used outside because of the natural feel they offer and their relaxing shades of green. These types of outdoor rugs are padded in order to prolong their durability, but they shouldn’t be kept outside for too long because weather conditions like rain or snow will affect these in a greater way than the other types.

The outdoor mats and outdoor area rugs are great for smaller areas, and they’re great because they come in a huge array of colors, they’re cheap and trouble free because they’re easy to maintain. Also of note is that these outdoor rugs are usually manufactured from post recycled plastic.  Prices are also great for these, as you can often find these rugs on clearance.

When you’re looking to outfit your home with some outdoor rugs, always keep in mind what size you need, what color or pattern you’re looking for and your budget. photo credit: wwhyte1968

First thing to always keep in your sights is the price, especially in these troubled economic times. A particular rug might be the perfect match for material, size and color to what you want but if you’re not shopping in the right place then you may not be making the most affordable choice. Striking that crucial balance between quality and price will require some research on your part because you’ll want something that is both durable but also affordable.

When considering the durability of an outdoor rug you need to have decided already where exactly you’ll want to place the rug; will it be in a covered patio or somewhere more exposed to the elements? Any kind of covering will make a huge difference in the durability you need from your area rug. For instance, if you’re planning to install the rug in a covered area with light foot traffic then you can spend more time looking for the perfect size, pattern and shape rather than durability. If on the other hand the rug will be in an area that is directly exposed to the elements then durability should be your main concern.  Karastan rugs are another option if your rug will not have a lot of exposure to the weather elements; they are very attractive looking and will help create a trendy feel for the space.

Before you go out looking for an outdoor area rug, you’ll want to know how much of it you’ll need for your plans; this means that you need to measure your desired area to see what size will fit best while also taking into consideration the personality and flow of the outdoor area in question. Most people tend to opt for a décor that flows with their over-all deck design, but this isn’t a problem because many outdoor area rugs come in a plethora of sizes and shapes that range from circular and oval to square and rectangles from the size of mouse pads to the size of a twin mattress. In some cases storage might represent an important factor, because you may want to roll the rug up during the heavy rain and snow seasons, so the space that the rug will take up during that period is important.

Now after considering the price, durability and size of your outdoor rug it’s time to actually look at it and try to find something that will fit with your over-all color scheme, or with your patio furniture. Nowadays outdoor area rugs can be dyed in hundreds of nuances of colors, as well as various patterns and designs, so finding something that works for your particular case or for your taste shouldn’t be particularly difficult; however what is important is to keep in mind that some colors may look powerful when you view the rug on its own but it will different once it is in your setting with furniture on it.