Indoor Outdoor Rugs
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Learn why an indoor outdoor rug might be the best fit for high traffic rooms in your home! You’ll get the secrets for where to buy a quality indoor outdoor rug, maintaining and cleaning, and so much more! Plus, you’ll find out why Polypropylene rugs are key for durability!
The right outdoor rug cannot only transform your exterior, making it feel like an extension of your home, but it can also work as an effortless to maintain rug inside your home!

If you’ve been following along for a while – you know my love for Indoor Outdoor rugs. If not, you’ll learn why I utilize them whenever I can!
As their name implies, these rugs can work in virtually any space inside your home or out. There are a variety of ways to incorporate these sturdy, virtually indestructible rugs into your spaces!
Because I have so much love for warm, gorgeous hardwood floors, I’m always on the search for the perfect rugs! I just love the layered look of adding the perfect rug over hardwoods or even carpet.
Rugs can bring warmth, dimension and cozy texture and charm into any space, even if you’re a bit of a minimalist like me! Read on for all the details on why indoor outdoor rugs might be the best choice for your home, and read here for my best tips about purchasing a rug.

I love chatting outdoor living inspiration with you! Check out this charming Tree Swing and our favorite Solo Stove.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love Indoor Outdoor Rugs
- They’re stain resistant
- They’re easy to clean (more on that to come)
- They’re customizable
- They’re durable and long-lasting
- There are so many options
While all styles of indoor outdoor rugs have something unique to offer, they’re not all created equal!

My favorite indoor outdoor rugs are made of high quality polypropylene (also known as olefin). It’s durable, colorfast and can be easily rinsed clean. Keep reading to learn more about this product!
They are durable in a variety of spaces, and versatile for virtually any room in your home! They’re not only kid friendly rugs, but they’re pet friendly rugs, too!
Polypropylene Rugs
Many indoor outdoor rugs are made of high quality polypropylene (also known as olefin). It’s durable, colorfast and can be easily rinsed clean. Rugs made of this material have been most durable, in our experience.
Polypropylene is used frequently throughout items in our lives like packaging, textiles, and reusable containers. You probably use it every day without even knowing!
Polypropylene is a go-to product for rug manufacturers because it easily is made to look like wool, sisal, or other fibers, without the maintenance.
They are soft underfoot and machine woven for affordable manufacturing. Polypropylene rugs are especially perfect for indoor outdoor situations because they are extremely mildew resistant and still soft underfoot!
Using an Outdoor Rug Inside
One of the questions I frequently receive is how do you Maintain a Clean House? The answer is simple – utilizing smart decor.
Outdoor products tend to be very forgiving and easy to clean. They’re made to withstand extreme weather, so you know they can handle everyday wear and tear – even from an active family!
Not only do they protect your floor from scratches, define the space and feel soft on foot, but they hold up to debris, sun, and moisture. You don’t have to worry about fading!

Our favorite indoor outdoor rug is so soft underfoot! Yes, much more so than a traditional, natural sisal. Just one more reason they are pet and Kid Friendly Rugs! Read all about my favorite sisal rug you can actually clean as well as tips for Layering Rugs on Carpet and Bedroom Rug Size and Placement Guidelines!
Flat weave or low pile, indoor outdoor rugs are excellent for repelling moisture. This means rain when they are outdoors, but they also hold up well to stains indoors!
They also look great! Our indoor outdoor rugs have held up incredibly well. Did you know we even used an indoor/outdoor runner to refinish our basement stairs? It made an incredible impact and for very little investment!
Even in high traffic areas like the front door, these rugs will give you a great bang for your buck!

Using Indoor Outdoor Rugs Outside
Adding a rug adds another layer of interest, texture, pattern and warmth. It defines a space and makes it feel like an extension of your home. Rugs ground your decor. They’re just as important to use outdoors as they are in.
Outdoor rugs offer added comfort creating a cozy ambience and are so soft on foot.
They’ll completely transform your patio, deck or balcony and make your seating area out outdoor dining area feel more intimate. You can also use a small rug to prevent dirt from entering your home.
Absolutely! I do it all the time, in fact! They are durable and hold up well in virtually any location inside or outside your home.
Yes it can! They are perfect for repelling rain and humidity outdoors, and they work just as well for repelling kid and pet stains indoors- or even the occasional glass of red wine!
Man indoor outdoor rugs can be power washed, yes. However, we generally just hose ours off and they clean up beautifully. Before power washing, I suggest testing a small area to see how it holds up!
How to Clean an Indoor Outdoor Rug
My secret isn’t really a secret at all! I run the vacuum whenever necessary, of course. I also spot clean whenever necessary.
However, we have also been known to hose down our indoor outdoor rugs when they receive a lot of wear! We love that this style of rug is so easy to maintain… hit them with the hose in the driveway every once in a while and you’ll be all set!
I’m always amazed at how well they bounce back after being hosed off. The durability is excellent!

Tried and True Indoor Outdoor Rugs
Here’s a few of my favorite indoor outdoor rugs that I have used and LOVE!
- Our Sisal-look ivory family room rug (these are custom, but ours is Belize for the pattern and Frost for the color, with outdoor binding.)
- Our blue and white striped rug in our lake house kitchen.
- The pet friendly rug from our living room, so soft underfoot!
- The striped stair runner on our basement stairs.
- The indigo blue herringbone rug at our lake house entry.
- Ivory and soft blue stripe
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B says
I started using outdoor rugs inside with our new home. I found designs/patterns that were better suited and yes, they are easy to maintain.
Julie Blanner says
Yes!
Ellen | Ask Away Blog says
They really are so much easier to clean!
Julie Blanner says
Hi Ellen! I totally agree, they make such a difference in maintaining a clean house!
Hope you have a beautiful week.
Julie