A Soft Place to Land

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 to outdoor stone or tile, a rug is always warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. Whether you’re dripping wet from the pool or bundled up and sipping coffee, a rug turns a hard patio into a cushiony and inviting gathering point. It’s like furniture for your feet.

What makes a rug an outdoor rug is the materials and construction used to create it. Outdoor rugs are crafted from synthetic fibers designed to withstand the elements: moisture, sunlight, heavy winds and the occasional haboob. Some rugs can even be hosed off after a big spill, a party or a dust storm (don’t try this with that Persian rug in your living room).

While it’s possible to put an indoor rug outside, it’s not recommended. Outdoor rugs are typically made from polypropylene, which repels water and stains and resists fading. If you’d like to go with something a little more eco-friendly and exotic, try bamboo, hemp or sea grass. While they lack some of the durability of polypropylene, they look great and give you something interesting to brag on when your frenemies come to visit. There’s a wonderful freedom that comes with decorating for the patio. You can do things in your backyard you’d never do in your family room. A Caribbean blue rug? Absolutely. Bright orange? Go for it. Bold colors and patterns look fantastic beneath a blue sky, a shade umbrella or a few outdoor throw pillows. Contrast or coordinate your rug with your patio furniture and create the setting for the perfect pool party.

When it comes to price, you can spend about as little or as much as you’d like. Smaller rugs begin at $50, while high-end outdoor rugs can easily set you back $4,000 or more. With plenty of quality options in the $100 to $200 range, you may not need to invest in a four-figure patio rug. But you do you. Shelley Sakala is a local Realtor with The Sakala Group, and an 85085 resident. RESIST Look for rugs that “resist”—stains, moisture, mold, mildew and UV. They’re all perfect features for an outdoor rug. GET A GRIP 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!