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Our editors have furnished their homes with sustainable decor for the past decade — these are our favorite nontoxic, eco-friendly, and super durable rugs for your outdoor space.
We love grabbing a drink and sitting out on a local patio, or getting dinner and eating al fresco at a restaurant, but there’s something so cozy and special about settling into our own outdoor spaces at home. And making your space look and feel like you is a big piece of that. We curated a list of sustainable and aesthetically pleasing outdoor rugs that’ll make your space beautiful – and comfortable – so you can soak in the sun all summer long.
Outdoor rugs are a great way to elevate the design of your outdoor space, but they serve functional purposes too. First, they protect your flooring, patio, or deck from weather, dirt, and stains, and they make your space easier to clean when those things inevitably come into play. They also protect your feet from the ground, and add a sense of ease, knowing that you have a soft surface to let your kids or pets play outside. We prioritize sustainable rugs because they are made from materials that are better for us and our homes.
What materials should you look for in a nontoxic outdoor rug?
Rugs made from jute or abaca, which are plants, are the best sustainable choice for rugs. One thing to note, however, is that these rugs can be much more expensive. Another sustainable option is to opt for rugs made from recycled materials, like recycled PET from water bottles, which are giving new life to plastic waste that otherwise would’ve ended up in landfills or the ocean. Rugs made from recycled materials tend to be more durable and able to withstand weather and wear and tear, too – an added benefit for outdoor rugs!
How to care for your sustainable outdoor rug:
Outdoor rugs are inevitably going to get dirty. While many of these options are great at resisting dirt and stains, if and when it happens, it’s important to know how to clean them. Be sure to look at the specific rug’s directions for cleaning directions, but generally, it’s best to vacuum regularly, shake the rug out every once in a while, spot treat any stains, and wash it as needed (only machine wash if the rug is machine-washable).
Our criteria:
Our editors have lived with, researched, and corresponded with sustainable brands for a decade. For this guide, we’ve put together a list of our favorite sustainable brands making nontoxic and eco-friendly outdoor rugs that are easy to maintain and made to withstand weather for years. We regularly update this guide with new favorites that meet the following qualifications.
- SUSTAINABLE/NONTOXIC | We’ve hand-picked brands that avoid using hazardous chemicals in their production of rugs and opt for natural, recycled materials instead. These options are good for the earth and good for you too.
- EASY TO MAINTAIN | Outdoor rugs have to weather a lot! This guide focuses on options that are easy to maintain so they’ll stay looking fresh for years to come.
- DURABLE | Whether it’s recycled materials, natural ones, or a combo of both, these rugs are woven to last.
Decorating your whole outdoor space? Check out our guides to sustainable outdoor furniture and garden beds!
1. Nordic Knots
Best For | Our overall favorite
Sustainable materials | Abaca, recycled PET
Prices starting at | $545
Founded in 2016, Nordic Knots is a Scandinavian rug company that focuses on thoughtful, functional, timeless design. The rugs are also Goodweave Certified, which means they’re made by adult artisans, not by children or forced labor. Nordic Knots offers three outdoor rug designs. Acre-01 is made from all-natural abaca, and Terra-01, which comes in two colorways, is made from recycled plastic bottles. All of the rugs come in various sizes, ranging from 5’x8’ to 10’x14’. They’re all made in small batches, so there’s a limited quantity of each size available at a time. If you’re unsure which of the two types of rugs is a better fit for your outdoor space, Nordic Knots offers sample squares of the rug for $10, cut right from the rug so you can feel the texture and see the color in your space.
2. West Elm
Best For | Fair Trade certified rugs
Sustainable materials | Wool, GRS certified recycled polyester
Prices starting at | $300
West Elm has an abundance of outdoor rug options, from ones with patterns to more minimalist designs. Several of the rugs are Fair Trade Certified, sustainably sourced and/or made from recycled materials. Many of their outdoor rug options are made from GRS-certified recycled polyester and wool, and they’re handcrafted, which West Elm defines for their products as “help[ing] sustain skilled artisans and their communities worldwide.” West Elm offers front door delivery and easy returns, allowing for returns within 30 days of purchasing. They also offer rug swatches for $25 so you can see how it works for your space before you invest.
3. Ruggable
Best For | Washable outdoor rugs
Sustainable materials | Recycled polyester
Prices starting at | $129
Ruggable is known for their machine washable rugs, and their outdoor rugs are no different. They have dozens of rug designs and colors, from bright patterns to simple neutrals. The rugs are made from recycled polyester, and they’re made to order to reduce waste. They also have non-slip floor grip, and they’re durable in all kinds of weather and pet-friendly. Ruggable also gives back to their community, through donating returned items that are in good condition to furnish homes for those aging out of foster care in partnership with A Sense of Home and Chicago Furniture Bank. They also sponsor life-saving surgery and treatments for pets of families who cannot afford it through partnerships with Face Foundation and Best Friends Animal Society.
4. Quince
Best For | Affordable outdoor rugs
Sustainable materials | Recycled polyester, recycled water bottles
Prices starting at | $60
Quince is a favorite for affordable, quality products made with intention and sustainability in mind. The brand’s direct-to-consumer model cuts down the cost of their products and waste because it ships directly from the makers to the consumer, no middleman involved. Their outdoor rugs are made from recycled materials like recycled polyester and 100% PET made from recycled water bottles. And they come in various designs, from colorful florals to solid colors and neutrals. The rugs are great for homes with kids and pets, especially because they’re highly resilient to stains and moisture.
5. Loomy
Best For | Artisan woven rugs
Sustainable materials | Recycled plastic bottles
Prices starting at | $598
Loomy’s outdoor rugs, which can also be used indoors, are UV-treated for fade resistance, highly stain-resistant, and easy to hose off for cleaning. They’re also durable, shed resistant and come in many colors and designs, like this abstract blue and white one or this simple white palm leaves one. Loomy’s outdoor rugs are made from 100% PET from recycled plastic bottles and have a soft, wool-like texture. Artisans hand make the rugs using ancient loom techniques, creating the patterns row by row. It takes 15 days to make each rug and a team of over 45 artisans, all using ethical practices. Loomy outlines the entire production process, from sorting to weaving, here.
6. Ferm Living
Best For | Scandinavian design
Sustainable materials | Post-consumer plastic
Prices starting at | $145
Ferm Living is a Copenhagen-based home design brand. Their outdoor rugs are made from 100% recycled PET yarn made from post-consumer plastic and weaved into design-forward and functional rugs, like this abstract one inspired by Nordic landscapes and this one with asymmetrical fringe. They come in various sizes, and even though this is a Danish brand, it ships to the U.S. Ferm Living is committed to being transparent about its goals for sustainability, including working toward reducing resource consumption and CO2 emissions. Read more about their commitments here. You can also read about exactly where the outdoor rugs are made, and see photos of the artisans making them here.
7. Outer
Best For | Outdoor rugs that hide dirt
Sustainable materials | 100% recycled PET
Prices starting at | $495
Outer’s outdoor rugs are soft, stain-resistant, and made from 100% recycled PET made from 1,188 recycled plastic bottles. The woven rugs come in two sizes and three colors: Sand Dune Beige, Pebble Gray, and Seashell Gray. Outer doesn’t offer returns on its rugs, but it does have a limited warranty. These rugs are durable, weather resistant, and camouflage dirt, mud, and spills really well! Outer is committed to sustainability and creating products that last a long time, all while bringing people together outside.
8. Revival
Best For | Colorful rugs
Sustainable materials | 100% recycled PET
Prices starting at | $329
The sustainable outdoor rug from Revival is beautiful for your home and the planet. It’s a colorful weaved pattern of rose quartz, powder blue, and goldenrod yellow, and it’s made from 100% recycled PET yarn made from around 460-500 recycled plastic bottles per rug, depending on the size. The sustainable outdoor rug from Revival comes in four sizes, ranging from 5’x8’ to 10’x14’, or you can order a custom size to fit your specific needs here. The rugs are soft and durable, and the rugs are handmade – revival partners with a small, family-run weaving house.
Featured image is from Nordic Knots
Brianna Schubert is a Contributing Editor at The Good Trade and the Digital Editor at Milwaukee Magazine. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Since 2023, Brianna has combined her expertise and investigative skills to deliver thoughtful reviews of sustainable products and home goods, helping readers make informed, eco-conscious choices. Brianna is also the writer behind The Mood Board, a Substack newsletter for creativity and inspiration. When she’s not writing, you can find her cooking up a new recipe, reading and recommending books, cuddling with her cat, or finding hidden gems at vintage and thrift stores. Say hi on Instagram!
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