Outdoor Rugs for Indian Balconies and Verandahs

A rug works on an Indian balcony or verandah when the space is covered, the rug is flat and light, and it can be lifted indoors when the weather turns. That is the brief behind the Rugberry indoor outdoor rugs, which are handwoven flatweaves in recycled and natural fibres.

Can you put a rug on an Indian balcony?

Yes, if the balcony is covered and the rug is chosen for it. A pile rug on an open balcony will hold rain and dust; a flat, light, two sided rug on a covered one will not.

Look up before you buy. If the rain reaches the floor in a strong monsoon shower, that patch of floor is not a place for any rug, and the rug should sit further back or come inside for the season. For a holiday home by the sea, see rugs for Goa homes, including how to store rugs when the house is shut.

What are Rugberry's indoor outdoor rugs made of?

They are handwoven in recycled and natural fibres, with no pile. Rugberry describes them as flat and light, with two usable faces.

• Stella Reversible Rug: brown and rust tones, 5x8 ft, from about ₹24,000.
• Sandstorm Reversible Rug: beige, 5x8, 6x9 and 8x10 ft, from about ₹24,000.
• Rift Reversible Rug: beige and black, 6x9 ft, from about ₹30,000.

Every one of them is also listed in any size to order, which matters on balconies, where the useful width is often just 4 to 5 ft. The glossary explains flatweave construction.

Which spots on a balcony or verandah work?

The best spot is the inner half of a covered space, near the wall or the door. That part stays dry in most rain and gets less direct sun.

• Works: a covered sit out with two cane chairs, a verandah under a deep roof, an enclosed balcony with sliding glass, a jhoola corner under a slab.
• Avoid: the open edge of a balcony, any floor with a drain slope where water collects, a terrace with no roof, and the strip beside potted plants that are watered daily.

For a home in Mumbai, Goa or Kochi, choose a smaller rug kept well back over a large one that reaches the railing, because a wet edge spreads damp into the whole rug.

Look up before you buy. If the rain reaches that patch of floor, the rug should not.

What size rug fits a typical Indian balcony?

Size the rug to the seating, then check the depth. A useful rule is to keep at least 1 ft of floor clear between the rug and the railing.

• Balcony 4 to 5 ft deep: a custom width of 3 to 3.5 ft, or a runner shape along the wall.
• Balcony 6 to 7 ft deep with two chairs: 5x8 ft, laid along the length.
• Verandah or sit out over 9 ft deep: 6x9 or 8x10 ft under a seating group.

Our balcony rug size guide has layouts for narrow and L shaped balconies.

How do you care for a flatweave outside?

Care is simple, but it has to be regular, because dust settles outdoors every day in most Indian cities.

1. Shake it out or vacuum it twice a week. A flatweave has no pile, so dust stays on the surface and comes off easily.
2. If it gets wet, lift it, hang it or lay it over chairs to dry fully on both sides before putting it back.
3. Bring it inside before heavy rain, a cyclone warning or the start of a long monsoon week.
4. Turn it over every month, so both faces share the sun and wear.

The guide to flatweave rug care covers spot cleaning in more detail.

Why choose a reversible rug for a sit out?

A reversible rug gives you two surfaces for the price of one, and outdoors that matters. Sun and foot traffic work on the top face, so turning the rug over regularly evens out fading and wear.

It is also light enough for one person to lift, which is what makes it practical to bring in when the weather changes. Our older piece on Rugberry's reversible rugs shows more of the range.

Frequently asked questions

Are Rugberry outdoor rugs waterproof?

No. The Rugberry indoor outdoor rugs are handwoven flatweaves in recycled and natural fibres and are not sold as waterproof. Use them in covered spaces and dry them fully if they get wet.

Can I leave an outdoor rug out during the monsoon?

Only if the space stays completely dry. On most Indian balconies it is safer to bring the rug inside for heavy rain and the wettest weeks of the season.

Can a balcony rug be made in a narrow size?

Yes. Stella, Sandstorm and Rift are listed in any size to order, so a narrow balcony can take a rug cut to its useful width.

Which Rugberry rug is best for a small balcony?

The Stella and Sandstorm Reversible Rugs start at 5x8 ft and can be made in any size to order, so a narrow balcony can take a custom width. Keep at least 1 ft of floor clear between the rug and the railing.

Covered, flat and easy to lift. Browse the indoor and outdoor rugs. Material first.