C LO S E TO H O M E
A Soft Place to Land Patio rugs improve landscape, climate and comfort By Shelley Sakala
A
backyard transformation is quite different than an interior makeover. When it comes to the outdoors, you’re doing more than just decorating. You’re taking an area that is harsh, rough and uncomfortable and turning it into someplace beautiful and inviting. You can achieve this a number of ways: Control the landscape by replacing dirt with grass, trees, rock or hardscaping. Control the climate by adding a pool, a hot tub, fans, fireplaces or shade. Control the comfort by adding tables, chairs and couches. But there’s one item often overlooked that helps improve landscape, climate and comfort: a patio rug. A quality rug feels fantastic. Compared
RESIST
Look for rugs that “resist”—stains, moisture, mold, mildew to outdoor stone or tile, a rug is and UV. They’re all perfect features for an outdoor rug. always warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. Whether stains and resists fading. If you’d like to go you’re dripping wet from the pool or bundled up and sipping coffee, a rug turns with something a little more eco-friendly a hard patio into a cushiony and and exotic, try bamboo, hemp or sea grass. inviting gathering point. It’s like While they lack some of the durability of polypropylene, they look great and give you furniture for your feet. What makes a rug an out- something interesting to brag on when your door rug is the materials and frenemies come to visit. There’s a wonderful freedom that comes construction used to create it. with decorating for the patio. You can do Outdoor rugs are crafted from things in your backyard you’d never do in synthetic fibers designed to your family room. A Caribbean blue rug? Abwithstand the elements: moissolutely. Bright orange? Go for it. Bold colors ture, sunlight, heavy winds and and patterns look fantastic beneath a blue the occasional haboob. Some sky, a shade umbrella or a few outdoor throw rugs can even be hosed off after pillows. Contrast or coordinate your rug with a big spill, a party or a dust storm your patio furniture and create the setting for (don’t try this with that Persian the perfect pool party. rug in your living room). When it comes to price, you can spend While it’s possible to put an indoor rug outside, it’s not rec- about as little or as much as you’d like. Smallommended. Outdoor rugs are er rugs begin at $50, while high-end outdoor typically made from polypro- rugs can easily set you back $4,000 or more. pylene, which repels water and With plenty of quality options in the $100 to $200 range, you may not need to invest in a four-figure patio rug. GET A GRIP But you do you. Rug pads are a smart (and cheap) way to keep your rug from slipping, especially on smooth concrete or tile. The smaller the rug, the greater the hazard. And don’t forget the door mats!
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85085 | MARCH 2020
Shelley Sakala is a local Realtor with The Sakala Group, and an 85085 resident.
