If you want to refresh your patio without a major renovation or breaking the bank, there’s one design trick interior designers swear by: layering outdoor rugs. This styling technique, once reserved for indoor rooms, is now taking outdoor spaces by storm—and for good reason.
Hollis Loudon, a Boston-based interior designer, recently shared in a home design interview, “Just like you would style your living room, your patio deserves the same attention. Layering rugs adds warmth, texture, and a sense of completeness that instantly elevates the space.”
You may have spotted this trend on Pinterest or Instagram—starting with a larger neutral rug as the base and topping it with a smaller, patterned or colorful rug. The contrast brings depth and visual interest, while softening the often hard surfaces typical of patios, like concrete, stone, or wood.
Lindsey Zborowski, head of hospitality design at Wayfair, highlights another great advantage: seasonal versatility. She suggests picking a durable, neutral base rug suitable for year-round use, then swapping out the top layer according to the season. Bright florals for spring, ocean blues for summer, cozy stripes or bohemian prints for fall and winter—this simple swap can keep your outdoor style fresh with minimal effort.
Besides style, layered rugs also help define distinct zones on large patios. If your space hosts multiple furniture setups—say, a dining area, lounging section, and a swing chair spot—layered rugs can anchor each space and create a natural flow. “Just like indoors, rugs visually divide and organize seating areas,” Lindsey explains.
Take Emma, an artist from Oakland, California. Last year, she and her husband built a wooden platform patio in their backyard. “At first, the space felt too empty,” Emma recalls. “A friend suggested layering two rugs under the swing chair to create a cozy nook.” She chose a beige woven rug as the base and layered a smaller blue-and-white geometric rug on top. Now it’s her favorite spot to sip coffee, read, and hang out with friends.
So how do you nail this look? Start with the colors and patterns. Designers recommend a neutral base—think beige, soft gray, or taupe—which allows you to experiment with the top rug’s colors and prints. If you’re feeling adventurous, mix patterns but keep the color palette consistent and vary the scale—like a bold geometric base with a delicate floral on top.
Size matters too. If the rugs are nearly the same size, the layered effect gets lost; if the top rug is too small, it looks out of place. A good rule is to let the top rug be 12 to 24 inches smaller on each side than the base, so the bottom rug frames it nicely.
Don’t forget practicality—outdoor rugs should be made of weather-resistant materials like polypropylene, which are water-resistant, fade-resistant, and easy to clean with a simple hose-down.
Ben, a photographer in Brooklyn, NYC, swears by this technique for his rooftop patio. “Before, guests would complain their feet got tired on the hard surface,” he says. “I layered a beige flatweave rug with a vibrant Moroccan red rug on top. Now, it’s the go-to hangout spot in our friend group.”
Ultimately, your patio is an extension of your home and lifestyle. As Hollis Loudon says, “Treat it like any other room—focus on proportion, contrast, and that collected, effortless look. That’s what makes outdoor spaces truly feel welcoming.”
So next time you’re enjoying a cold lemonade outside, try layering your outdoor rugs. It’s a simple upgrade that can completely transform your space—adding comfort, style, and that little bit of magic that makes your patio feel like a true retreat.