Waterproof Outdoor Rugs

Rain, sprinklers, wet swimsuits — these rugs are built to take it. The polyester chenille pile sheds water rather than soaking it up, and it dries remarkably fast: the difference between a rug that's usable an hour after a downpour and one that stays damp for two days.

Water-resistant, mildew-resistant and quick-drying, with a non-slip backing that holds on wet decking. Spot clean rather than soaking — see the care notes on each product page.

60 products

Waterproof outdoor rugs: what the word actually means

Almost every outdoor rug sold online is described as waterproof, and almost none of them are. It is worth knowing what you are buying, because the difference decides whether your rug survives its first proper downpour.

A genuinely waterproof rug would repel water entirely, the way a tarp does. What is actually sold under that name is water-resistant: the fibers do not absorb much, so rain runs off or dries out rather than soaking in and sitting there. That is what you want underfoot. A truly waterproof surface would also be a plastic one, and nobody wants to stand on that barefoot.

Can outdoor rugs get wet, and do they get moldy?

Ours are woven from polyester chenille, a synthetic fiber that holds very little water. A shower runs off the surface and the short, dense nap dries quickly in open air. The polyester backing does not rot, and the whole rug is mildew-resistant, so a wet week does not leave you with a smell.

What they will not survive is being soaked and left flat. Water trapped between rug and decking has nowhere to go, and that is what damages both. After heavy rain, lift the rug and stand it on edge for an hour. It is a thirty-second job that adds seasons to its life.

Cleaning: spot clean only

This matters, and it is where the waterproof label misleads people. Do not machine wash, pressure wash or hose these rugs down. Chenille holds water in the pile once it is fully saturated, and forcing water through the backing can separate it. Blot spills as they happen, spot clean with a damp cloth and a little mild detergent, and shake or sweep the rug weekly to keep grit from working into the fibers.

Choosing for your conditions

If your rug lives somewhere exposed — an uncovered deck, a balcony that catches driving rain — a dark or busy pattern will serve you better than a pale one. Rain leaves marks on cream that it does not leave on navy or charcoal. On a covered porch, where the rug only meets the occasional splash, pale grounds hold up perfectly well.

Every rug in this collection comes in four sizes, from a 24″ × 36″ by the back door to a 60″ × 84″ that takes a bistro table and two chairs. Free US shipping on every order.