An outdoor rug is the fastest way to turn a slab of concrete or a run of decking into a room, and the fastest way to make a good seating group look cramped if the rug is too small. The rules are the ones that work indoors, with two differences: the rug has to drain, and it has to survive sun. This guide covers the sizes that work under lounge furniture, dining tables and on balconies, the front-legs rule, when a runner is the right answer, which materials hold up, and what to do about pads and drainage.

The one rule: front legs on the rug

Every piece of seating in a group should have at least its front legs on the rug. That ties the sofa, the chairs and the coffee table into one zone and stops the rug from reading as a bath mat in the middle of the floor. All four legs on the rug is better still, and on a dining rug it is mandatory, because a chair leg that catches the rug edge every time someone pushes back is a daily annoyance. When in doubt, go up a size; an outdoor rug that is too large is almost never the problem.

Rug sizes for a lounge area

Measure the seating group, not the patio. Lay out where the sofa, chairs and coffee table will sit, mark the front legs at the edges of the group, and buy the rug that reaches those marks with a few inches to spare.

Leave 12 to 24 in. of bare floor between the rug edge and the patio edge or house wall where you can; the border makes the rug look placed rather than wedged. On a small patio where that is impossible, run the rug to the wall on one side and keep the border on the open side.

Rug sizes for a dining area

A dining rug has to cover the table plus the chairs pulled out. Add 24 to 30 in. to every side of the tabletop so a chair stays on the rug even when someone pushes back from the table. A table 72 in. long and 40 in. deep therefore wants a rug about 120 to 132 in. long and 88 to 100 in. wide, which is an 8 ft by 10 ft rug. A 48 in. round table wants an 8 ft round or an 8 ft square. Under a dining table choose a flat weave rather than a thick pile so chairs slide and crumbs sweep. The dining set size guide has the table dimensions to start from.

Balconies, runners and odd shapes

On a balcony the rug usually becomes the floor. Measure the clear floor inside the railing posts and buy the largest standard size that fits with a couple of inches to spare, or a runner laid along the long axis. Runners, typically 30 or 36 in. wide and 96 to 144 in. long, also work along a narrow side yard, down a set of deck steps, or behind a counter-height outdoor bar where people stand. Two matching runners side by side can cover a long, narrow terrace more cleanly than one rug that leaves the ends bare.

Which outdoor rug material holds up?

Most outdoor rugs are polypropylene, polyester or a blend. Polypropylene, also sold as olefin, is the workhorse: it is solution-dyed, so the color runs through the fiber and resists sun fading, it does not absorb water, it dries fast and it cleans with a hose. Polyester has a softer hand and takes richer prints and is fine under a covered porch; in full sun it fades sooner than polypropylene. Natural fibers such as jute and sisal belong indoors; they mildew in the first wet week. Machine-washable outdoor rugs exist in the smaller sizes and are a practical pick for a balcony that collects city grime, but check that the backing is meant for outdoor use. Whatever the fiber, a flat weave drains and dries faster than a thick pile, and it stops a chair from rocking.

Drainage, pads and fading

Water is the enemy of any rug left outside. A rug that drains through its weave onto a deck dries from both sides; one on a sealed concrete slab or a solid-surface balcony can trap water underneath and leave a stain or encourage mildew. Lift the rug after a heavy rain if it sits on a solid surface, or raise it on a breathable outdoor rug pad. A pad also stops a light polypropylene rug from sliding and keeps the edges from curling. Choose a pad sold for outdoor use; an indoor felt pad holds water like a sponge. Rotate the rug once or twice a season so the sun fades it evenly, and store it rolled, dry, over winter if you can; the winter storage guide covers the rest of the patio.

Lead times and delivery

Outdoor rugs sold here ship in 48 to 72 hours. Delivery is free curbside in the continental US; a rug arrives rolled and is easy to carry in. Eligible items can be returned within 30 days of delivery, unused and in the original packaging, with a Return Authorization Number obtained first.

Frequently Asked Questions

What size outdoor rug goes under a patio sofa set?

An 8 ft by 10 ft rug (96 in. wide and 120 in. long) fits a sofa, two chairs and a coffee table with the front legs of every seat on the rug. A sectional usually needs 9 ft by 12 ft.

Should an outdoor rug go under the dining table?

Yes, if it is large enough that chairs stay on it when pulled out: about 24 to 30 in. beyond the tabletop on every side.

Can an outdoor rug stay out in the rain?

A polypropylene rug can. Make sure water can drain from beneath it, lift it after heavy rain on a solid surface, and let it dry fully before rolling it for storage.

Do I need a rug pad outside?

On a smooth deck or slab, a breathable outdoor pad stops sliding and curling and lets air under the rug. Use a pad made for outdoor use, not indoor felt.

Will an outdoor rug fade?

Solution-dyed polypropylene fades slowly and evenly; polyester and printed rugs fade faster in full sun. Rotate the rug each season.

Shop outdoor rugs

Browse outdoor rugs by size, then anchor them with lounge sets, dining sets and outdoor pillows. For sizing the furniture itself, read the sofa and sectional guide.