Balcony Rugs: Sizing a Narrow Space
A balcony rug should leave 15 to 30 cm of bare floor at the railing and stop short of the door sill. On the 4 to 6 ft deep covered balconies of most Indian apartments, that means a rug about 3 to 5 ft wide, laid lengthwise.
In short
- A balcony rug should be about 30 to 45 cm narrower than the depth of the balcony, so floor shows at the door and at the railing.
- A 5x8 ft rug suits a covered balcony at least 6 ft deep when laid lengthwise; shallower balconies need a narrower custom size.
- Flat, handwoven reversible rugs such as the Rugberry Stella, Rift and Sandstorm rugs suit a covered balcony because they lie low and dry quickly once lifted.
- No balcony rug should stay out in monsoon rain; bring it indoors before the rains and whenever water reaches the floor.
A balcony in an Indian flat is often the only outdoor floor the household has. A rug makes it a room for morning tea, but only if it is sized to the space and brought in when the weather turns.
What size rug fits a narrow balcony?
Measure the balcony depth from the door sill to the base of the railing, then subtract 30 to 45 cm. That is the widest the rug should be.
| Balcony depth | Rug width | Rug |
|---|---|---|
| 3.5 to 4 ft | About 3 ft | Custom runner |
| 4 to 5 ft | 3.5 to 4 ft | Custom size |
| 6 ft and more | 5 ft | 5x8 ft (150x240 cm), lengthwise |
| 7 ft and more | 6 ft | 6x9 ft (180x270 cm), lengthwise |
The smallest Rugberry stock size is 5x8 ft. For a shallower balcony, the Stella, Rift and Sandstorm rugs can be made to any size, so a 3x8 ft piece is a matter of asking.
How do you measure a balcony for a rug?
Measure the depth, the length and anything that interrupts the floor. Balconies hide more obstacles than rooms.
- Door track: a sliding door track or a raised sill means the rug must start beyond it.
- Drain and slope: balcony floors slope towards a drain, and the rug must stop short of it.
- Planters and the AC unit: pots drip and outdoor AC units drain water, so keep both on bare floor.
- Railing gap: leave 15 cm or more at the railing so rain splash does not reach the rug.
Tape out the rug and place the chairs on it. Two chairs and a small table need about 5 ft of length; a swing or a daybed needs more.
Which Rugberry rugs suit a covered balcony?
For a covered balcony, choose a flat, handwoven reversible rug over a pile rug. A flatweave lies low under a door, shakes out easily and can be turned over when sun fades one face.
- Stella Reversible Rug: handwoven in recycled and natural fibres, flat and light with two usable faces, in 5x8 ft from about ₹24,000.
- Rift Reversible Rug: the same handwoven construction in a dark ground with pale marks, in 6x9 ft from about ₹30,000. The darker face hides dust.
- Sandstorm Reversible Rug: handwoven in recycled and natural fibres, in 5x8, 6x9 and 8x10 ft, from about ₹24,000.
The indoor and outdoor rugs range groups the flatweaves suited to covered spaces.
A balcony rug is a fair weather rug. Bring it in before the rains do.
What happens to a balcony rug in the monsoon?
A balcony rug should come indoors for the monsoon. Even a covered balcony takes driven rain, and a rug that stays wet for days can stain, smell or weaken.
When rain is forecast, roll the rug and bring it in. If it gets wet, hang it over a railing indoors or lay it flat with air on both sides until both faces are fully dry.
Store it rolled, not folded, in a dry place through the rains. Our guide to rugs in the monsoon explains how to keep damp out.
How do sun and dust affect a balcony rug?
Strong sun fades any dyed fibre over time, and balcony dust settles faster than indoor dust. A reversible rug helps with both, since you can turn it and shake it.
- Sun: turn the rug over every month or two in summer so both faces fade evenly.
- Dust: shake it out or vacuum it weekly, since city dust in Delhi or Mumbai builds up quickly on a balcony.
- Heat: a west facing balcony gets hot afternoon sun, so roll the rug back on the hottest days of May and June.
Should a balcony rug match the room inside?
A balcony rug does not need to match the living room rug, but sharing a tone links the two spaces when the doors are open. A warm beige inside pairs well with a rust or sand flatweave outside.
For more on covered outdoor spaces, see our guide to outdoor rugs in India.
Frequently asked questions
Can a balcony rug stay outside all year?
No, a balcony rug should come indoors for the monsoon and whenever rain reaches the balcony floor. Through the dry months it can stay out on a covered balcony if it is shaken out and turned regularly.
What is the best size rug for a 4 ft deep balcony?
A 4 ft deep balcony takes a rug about 3 to 3.5 ft wide, so floor shows at the door and the railing. That is narrower than any stock size, so it is usually made to order.
Why choose a reversible rug for a balcony?
A reversible rug has two usable faces, so when sun fades or dust marks one side you can turn it over. It also lies flat and light, which makes it easy to roll and bring indoors.
Measure the floor, watch the sky. Material first.
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