The Outdoor Rug Mistake That Could Cost You Your Entire Deck

Making every corner of your house feel like home is important if family and friends are going to feel comfortable. If you have a great deck for entertaining, it's likely that you want your outdoor living space to be as enjoyable as your indoor areas. One way to extend this homeyness to the outdoors is to fit your deck with an area rug, making the patio space feel like an open-air living room. While an area rug on your deck can look amazing, one simple mistake could cost you your entire deck.

What is this irreversible rug error, you may ask? Believe it or not, the innocuous-seeming error is using a traditional rug on your outdoor deck. This is because normal area rugs made from natural fibers are not designed to face the elements that they will have to contend with outdoors — namely rain and trapped moisture — as a result, all of that water that gets soaked into an area rug can lead to rotting wood underneath. Not only will your deck suffer the consequences of your floor-covering blunder, but the rug itself, once sufficiently saturated with water, can begin to grow bacteria, leading to its breakdown both visually and practically. Although these outcomes sound dire, there are ways to avoid this pitfall while still enjoying and promoting a comfortable and inviting deck.

While a traditional area rug may be a no-go for your outdoor deck, this doesn't mean that you have to resign yourself to a stark patio space. Instead, opt for a more suitable floor covering. The best contender for an environment that will regularly be exposed to moisture is recycled plastic fiber rugs. These rugs are, as their name implies, made from plastic that has been recycled, reworked, and converted into an area rug. They are naturally resistant to moisture and stand up well to foot traffic; they also get bonus points for being available in fun and exciting colors and patterns — perfect for summertime gatherings.

Even though these rugs are waterproof, you should still periodically hang dry or move the rug. After it has gotten very wet, a plastic rug can still trap some moisture, so allowing it to dry in the sunlight will keep it and your deck looking great for a long time. Another approach is to simply roll up the rug before a rainstorm, then wait until the deck is dried before putting it back out. You'll also want to periodically sweep under the rug, as debris can easily fall through the loose weave of the fibers and get trapped underneath. Armed with the deck cleaning tricks you should be using yourself, you can also clean your plastic rug by wiping any spills, spraying it down with a hose, and letting it air dry. Since these plastic rugs are not grippy like traditional area rugs, you can secure it under the legs of patio furniture or use a strong double-sided tape to prevent slippage.

Plastic rugs can be a wonderful alternative to a traditional area rug, but if that's not your cup of tea, there are still ways to give your deck that outdoor-living vibe. One creative approach is to add style to your patio with a rug made from chalk paint. Essentially a mural for your floor, a well-painted floor rug eliminates the need to worry about a real rug's upkeep, while still providing that stylish visual you're craving. Ensure that you're using appropriate materials and prepping your deck properly beforehand to ensure that your hard work pays off. After it has dried, you'll want to be cautious when moving furniture or dragging items across your painted rug, to avoid scratching your masterpiece.

Lastly, while an outdoor area rug — painted or otherwise — can go a long way in dressing up your deck, there are plenty of rug-free, gorgeous DIY patio ideas to turn your backyard into an outdoor oasis. Choose furniture that has comfy cushions to lounge on (complete with decorative cushions, of course) install a pergola to foster that indoor-outdoor quality, decorate with cafe lights or lanterns, place side tables conveniently so you have surfaces for holding drinks and small plates, and fit your deck with outdoor speakers that can help set the mood for whatever kind of gathering you're having.