The UK is experiencing its third (yes, third) heatwave of the year, but this doesn’t mean it’s too hot to enjoy our gardens — especially as garden experts are recommending this stylish garden furniture idea to help keep your patio cool.
It would be fairly annoying to discover that all your patio ideas have gone to waste if it is too hot to sit out and enjoy the outdoor space this summer. Thankfully, there are plenty of ways to cool a patio, including this unusual method you probably haven’t considered yet.
Experts have revealed that outdoor rugs are useful for far more than simply making your garden seating ideas look good. They can also help cool your patio.
How to use outdoor rugs to cool a patio
If you’ve been wondering whether garden rugs are worth it, from a cooling perspective, yes, they absolutely are. This is because outdoor rugs don’t tend to retain as much heat as patio stone, so they feel cooler underfoot.
‘As temperatures continue to rise, creating a cool and comfortable outdoor space becomes just as important as styling it. If your patio is paved with stone, you’ll know how quickly it can heat up under the sun, making it almost impossible to walk across barefoot,’ says Kirsty Barton, Brand Storytelling Manager at Alternative Flooring.
‘A great way to avoid this is by incorporating outdoor rugs into your patio area. Not only do they help define seating and dining spaces while introducing colour, pattern and texture, they can also create a softer surface underfoot, helping to reduce the heat radiating from the sun-soaked paving stones.’
When selecting a rug for your garden, you’ll need to ensure you use the correct material. Experts recommend selecting rugs made from recycled PET or polypropylene, as it absorbs less heat than stone. Dunelm’s stylish blue striped indoor/ outdoor rug (£35) is 100% propylene, and a good option.
‘Since many outdoor rugs are made from synthetic fibres (ours are made from 100% recycled PET plastic bottles), they don’t retain as much heat as hard surfaces, helping to create a comfier and cooler floor to walk or sit on. Your pets will thank you too as it’ll prevent them from burning their paws during hot weather,’ says Reilly Gray, co-founder of Suns Lifestyle.
However, Reilly does also point out that outdoor rugs are not the only way to cool a patio, nor are they what you should rely on to cool a patio. While great for helping your floor feel cooler, you will need to provide shade, too – which you can do with a sun sail (£34.99, Amazon) or pergola (£145.99, B&Q).
‘Outdoor rugs are definitely a worthwhile investment to add comfort and reduce glare, but they would not be a cost-effective way to cool an entire patio. Instead, introduce shade with pergolas, awnings or sails to help block direct sunlight and reduce heat buildup. Pairing your shade solution with outdoor fans, strategically placed planting and lighter coloured paving will help create a much cooler and more enjoyable space, especially during the hotter weather,’ says Reilly.
Shop outdoor rugs
Here are a few of my favourite outdoor rugs for a stylish patio. Made from recycled PET for a cooler feeling underfoot.
Dunelm
Striped Indoor Outdoor Rug
About Home
Handmade Indoor / Outdoor Area Rug
The Rugs
Urban Reversible Two Sided Waterproof Abstract Outdoor Patio Garden Rug
RUGVISTA
Mare Rust Red Rug
Furn
Polypropylene Green Rectangle Outdoor Rug
When used alongside other cooling methods, an outdoor rug can make your patio feel cooler and more comfortable to walk on. It will earn you instant style points, too!
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