At the heart of the Australian lifestyle is our love for the outdoors – dining, relaxing and entertaining in the open air. We want our outdoor spaces to function just as well as the indoor ones, being beautiful, comfortable and reflective of our taste and style.
Outdoor rugs are a great way to add character to your outdoor area, and one of the best tools to create ‘zones’ for dining and lounging. Adding that finishing touch, outdoor rug also help to transition an area seamlessly from the indoors to the outdoors.
There are a few things to consider when purchasing outdoor rugs, which we have outlined below, as well as answered some FAQs that we often get asked in our showrooms across Australia.
If you’re still not sure on which outdoor rug is best for you – get in touch with a design consultant at your nearest Cosh Living showroom, and we will be more than happy to assist.
Tribu rug in Linen, seen here with the Pure sofa.
What to consider when purchasing an outdoor rug:
Shape
Most rugs are available in a rectangle, square or round format.
When deciding on shape, it’s good to think about the overall shape of your surrounding space, and the shapes of your nearby furniture.
What is the shape of the space? Would you like your rug to imitate this shape, or a rug that will contrast with it? For example, when you have a rectangular courtyard and place a rectangular rug in the space, it usually fits well and has a calming effect.
Perhaps you would like a round rug to introduce a circular element in a linear space. This effect produces a contrast, and adds interest and character.
What is the rest of your furniture like? Do you have a round dining table, or a rectangular one? The same concept applies here, think about if you’d like to imitate these shapes or introduce a contrast.
An example of a round rug used for contrast, adding a decorative and energetic element to the space. This is the Gloster Deco Rug, seen with our Grid Sofa and Bay Lounge Chair.
Size
The size of your rug depends on what area it’s going into, and the effect you’d like it to have. There aren’t any strict rules about the sizing you need, but we like to follow a few guidelines.
An outdoor rug for underneath a dining table should allow for chairs to move backwards without coming off it.
Large rugs are dramatic and can define a lounge setting with multiple pieces. We like to have the front legs of a furniture piece sitting on the rug, or just near the border, to integrate the setting.
Smaller rugs are generally more decorative and great for occasional accent chairs and feature pieces.
Here, the large rectangular rug helps to define the space, and bring the lounge elements together. Featured here is the Tribu rug in Wenge, with the Senja Sofa and Hexagon tables
Material
Our practical outdoor rugs are made from the highest quality materials and are built to withstand the elements. At Cosh Living, we don’t offer natural rugs for the outdoors, our offering is all man-made fibres.
Polyester, Acrylic, Polypropylene – these are the materials you will see in our collection of outdoor rugs. These terms mean they are synthetic, engineered fibres. These materials are fantastic for outdoor spaces because they will not absorb water, and are quick to dry.
Unlike natural materials like Hemp or Wool, synthetic fibres are UV resistant to protect against sun fading, are mould, mildew and stain-resistant.
Our all-weather outdoor rugs are from trusted European brands Tribu and Dedon. These leading brands work closely with industrial designers to ensure the rugs are both beautiful and durable.
Rain, hail or shine – with the right care - your outdoor rug can be left outside year-round and will be looking great for years to come.
Our Tribu outdoor rug in Linen, made of PVC coated polyester
Maintenance
Just like your outdoor furniture or your car – outdoor rugs can be left outside, but still require some care and maintenance.
When considering the space you will place the rug, take note of the drainage and airflow. If you are placing this into an area with not much drainage, keep in mind you will need to tend to this more frequently.
The DEDON VID Outdoor Rug.
OUR OUTDOOR RUG CARE FAQs
Will my rug get mouldy?
No - your rug won’t inherently grow mould, as it is made of synthetic, engineered fibres. However, natural elements like dust, leaves, dog hair, bird droppings and food, all have the potential to grow mould and other nasties. These things all need to be cleaned off the surface of your rug to keep it clean.
Sometimes mould or mildew can appear on the underside of outdoor rugs. This can be due to poor drainage and ventilation, where natural debris (like those mentioned above) have been trapped and combined with heat and moisture breed mould.
After times of heavy rain and humidity, we recommend airing out your rug and cleaning any debris that may be stuck underneath it.
Can I leave it outside all year round?
Yes – with the right care – you can.
When we say the right care, we mean that you need to be brushing off dirt and debris, airing out your rug after periods of heavy rain and humidity and cleaning with mild dish soap and water when needed.
Will my rug fade in the sun?
Our outdoor rugs are UV resistant.
Here this Tribu rug has created the dining area nicely, the large size allowing room for the whole chair to be seated comfortably on it.