Darren has a broad portfolio, having studied fine art & graphic design, originally working in advertising and owning his own graphic design company. After succumbing to his true passion, Darren now operates his own interior design studio and has been a judge on numerous seasons of The Block.
Outdoor spaces have the same requirements as their indoor spaces - you need to consider furniture, scale, position, purpose, and the layering opportunities of hard and soft décor and throw rugs. You can start and finish with an outdoor lounge setting, but you will be denying your outdoor spaces the opportunity to truly shine.
To get the best out of your outdoor areas you need think about how to delineate a space to carry out different tasks or serve different purposes, especially as outdoor areas often require zoning even more than indoors, due to their openness and available area.
One of the best ways to create an outdoor zone is to start with a rug. Not just any rug (obviously) - but a quality indoor outdoor rug for alfresco areas or an outdoor rug for areas that are more exposed to the elements.
One of the most common mistakes that people make with both indoor and outdoor rug selections is the size that they require. You’ll need to use one that is large enough to fit under a dining table and chairs, or at least under the feet of any lounge furniture within your entertaining zone. As a rule, a rug that is correct in size will allow your furniture to sit comfortably with dining chairs that can be moved on and off the rug with ease. If your coffee table, lounges, and occasional chairs all fit on your outdoor rug, then you’ve used the size that’s best for your outdoor entertaining area.
I’ve included Carpet Court’s Terrace collection in my own projects - more times than I care to recount! It’s a brilliant indoor solution - especially for spaces that are high in foot traffic – as the range is hard wearing and beautifully simple. It also suits the outdoors extremely well due to its durable construction. My favourite colourway in the range is Diamond Natural, as it compliments almost any colour scheme.
The Piazza rug range is another beautiful option – it replicates the coastal chic of a sisal rug in an outdoor appropriate, long lasting polypropylene fibre. Its low pile height and robust construction makes it perfect for high-risk outdoor areas, as it can resist mildew and water, making it the ideal rug for the entertaining season.
The Bamboo Aztec rug also does a great job of creating interest in an outdoor area thanks to its tribal inspired patterning and high contrast appeal. It has similar features to the Terrace range, but with a more complex pattern that is bound to create interest without adding another colour to your palette.
The Reduce Diamond range also offers some beautiful, patterned options. With the added benefit of being made from 100% recycled materials, this is an innovative rug for those looking to make an eco-friendly decision. Made from recycled plastic bottles, this rug is also stain and water resistant making it the perfect inclusion for your outdoor space this entertaining season or all-year round.
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