Can You Use an Outdoor Rug Inside?

You have an active household, and while you love the excitement and adventures that brings, sometimes all that energy can be a bit rough on your furnishings. We hear you, and we have a solution.

Use an outdoor rug, indoors. 

Outdoor rugs are a smart, stylish hack for hectic households. In this post we explain why, when, and where to consider using an outdoor rug inside your home.

Top Benefits of Using Outdoor Rugs Inside

Outdoor rugs are durable enough to withstand heavy traffic and accidents

Kids and pets are super cute and tons of fun. They’re also super messy and hard to predict. If indoor rugs could talk, they’d say, “keep those beasts away from me!” 

If outdoor rugs could talk, they’d say, “let’s play!” 

Outdoor rug fibers are extremely strong, so they can take on heavy traffic without wearing out too quickly. Outdoor rug fibers are also much better equipped to withstand accidents like paw prints, food spills, and botched science experiments.  

Outdoors rugs are resistant to mold and mildew

Using outdoor rugs in high-moisture areas like basements and bathrooms is a great way to liven up these areas without risking a health hazard. Most indoor rugs, on the other hand, are not designed to handle moisture and are thus more likely to attract mold or mildew. 

Outdoor rugs come in indoor-friendly styles

Just like indoor rugs, outdoor rugs come in many different designs, shapes, sizes, colors, and textures — you’re sure to find an outdoor rug to match your indoor space, and your personal style. 

If you love the look of natural-fiber rugs, consider polypropylene. It’s got that looks-great-anywhere aesthetic and you’ll find plenty of styles to choose from.

Where to Use Outdoor Rugs Indoors: Rooms and Use Cases

Your living quarters are uniquely yours. Your neighbors’ high-traffic and potentially problematic spaces may vastly differ from yours. 

So, if you have a space that seems to call for an outdoor rug but you don’t see it listed below, go for it anyway. Or if you see an outdoor rug that’s bolder than most indoor rugs but it’s perfect for you, give it a go. After all, you know your space (and its occupants) a lot better than we do. 

That said, here are some indoor spaces where outdoor rugs are usually a good idea.   

Kitchen

The kitchen is a hub for cooking and cleaning, eating and spilling. It’s not uncommon for families to spend hours each day pacing through this space. 

Plus, to prepare food is to make an eventual mess — there’s really no way around it. With an outdoor rug in your kitchen, you can chop, pour, and saute with more comfort and style, and a lot less stress.

Entryway

Let’s be real. You don’t need us to explain why the entryway is a good spot for an outdoor rug. The world would be more peaceful if we stopped expecting our loved ones to keep every spec of dirt outside, and started using outdoor rugs in the entryway.  

Playroom

Speaking of peacefulness, kids should be able to play without constantly being told to be careful. Outdoor rugs in the playroom are a great way to prevent carpet fibers from getting snarled, hard floors from getting scratched, and little bodies from getting hurt. 

Basement

A rug is like a sweater for a cold-looking basement. They’re great for family areas, laundry rooms, and utility rooms. And since basements tend to be damper and wetter than the rest of the house, it just makes sense that its sweater should be water resistant. 

Style Options to Consider

The most important consideration when choosing your outdoor rug for inside your home is whether you like it. It’s your home and it's your rug — get one that complements your space and brings a smile to your face. 

If you’re not sure where to start and you want a helpful nudge, you can’t go wrong with the Riviera indoor outdoor Polypropylene rug collection. It comes in all shapes and sizes and has all the advantages of an outdoor rug — stands up to heavy traffic, is resistant to stains, can be hosed down. — while having a warm, indoor look and feel. The collection has a classic natural fiber aesthetic that looks amazing anywhere.

Another outdoor rug that easily passes the indoor-rug style test is the Palm Island Polysilk outdoor rug collection. It’s a stunning design crafted by hand-loom using a braided yarn that beautifully emulates the texture of sisal and jute. Its thick weave and generous use of thread creates a bold and heavy construction that is sure to please your feet. 

The Great Indoors

When you consider an outdoor rug for inside your home, you unlock a whole new level of stress-free style options for those high use, high-moisture areas in your home. 

Check out our vast selection of low maintenance, high-quality polypropylene outdoor rugs. Need a custom size? Special orders don’t upset us!