Really Good Affordable Outdoor Pillows And Rugs (The Sunshine Is Coming!)

Two weeks ago I pulled together our (mostly) annual outdoor furniture roundup. I hope it was really helpful for anyone needing to fill a new outdoor space or refresh a piece or two in an existing one. But I think it’s fair to say that a solid number of us don’t need a ton of new furniture; instead, we would like to breathe some new life into our mostly decorated outdoor spaces without totally breaking the bank. That’s where those glorious outdoor pillows and rugs come in. By simply swapping out one or both of those elements, your outdoor hang area is going to feel brand-spankin’ new! Now, it’s important to remember that while these items are designed for the outdoors, they do need to be taken care of. It’s not a “set it and forget it” thing as much as I wish I was. Covering when possible is important and definitely putting textiles away when big weather is coming or for the non-warm seasons. That’s how to make sure they stay nice for many years to come.

As an outdoor textile lover myself, it was pretty fun getting to research all of the very good pieces on the market right now. I know the word affordable is wildly subjective, but I did my best with the options available while leaving out some of the historically “affordable” online sites. I also didn’t include throws because honestly there aren’t a ton that are truly meant for the outdoors and if they are, they aren’t particularly affordable. So we suggest finding a cute indoor throw blanket and bringing it in or storing it when you aren’t using it:) Ok, now for the pretty stuff!

Outdoor Pillows

1. Striped Olefin Indoor/Outdoor Reversible Pillow Cover (Set of 2) | 2. Blue Striped Indoor/Outdoor Throw Pillow (Set of 2) | 3. Woven Stripe Tassel Indoor Outdoor Lumbar Pillow

What’s more classic for an outdoor space than a cabana stripe? Not much! All of these options are so great and you can’t beat the price of #1. That’s just over $8 for each pillow. WILD. It also comes in a navy and white option and #3 also comes in two other colorways. But that rust and yellow is very fun:)

1. Striped Indoor/Outdoor Accent Pillows (Set of 2) | 2. Grant Striped Indoor/Outdoor Reversible Throw Pillow | 3. Sunday Indoor / Outdoor Pill Pillow

These ones are a little pricier but so good. I love that olive green on #1. The quality of number two and that happy yellow look awesome and how can you not love that little pill-shaped cutie? Lulu and Georgia is a little on the higher end side of things but man are their outdoor textiles insanely good.

1. Iver Indoor/Outdoor Pillow | 2. Joen Indoor/Outdoor Pillow | 3. Green, Coral and Yellow Stripe Indoor Outdoor Throw Pillow

Personally, I love the desaturated look of #1 and #2. So fun but also not super bright which is more my style. Plus, they are from Article and I trust their quality so much. But on the flip side, if I were a bright color fan, I would be very into #3. It’s still not super intense but is so happy, and vibrant and the colors are so fun.

1. Outdoor Chunky Linear Pillow | 2. Outdoor Modern Block Fringe Pillow

West Elm is another site where I kept saving pieces for this post. They are really stepping it up these days! How cute are both of these pillows and how cute would they look together? The small-scale pattern of #1 paired with the medium-scale pattern of #2 is perfect. Don’t make me pick a favorite, ok?

1. Lauren Plaid Indoor/Outdoor Reversible Throw Pillow (Set of 2) | 2. Checkered Pattern Woven Cotton Pillow Cover

Now, plaids and checks are a classic for a reason and these two are perfect if that’s your look. Not the mention these prices are VERY good. #2 comes in other colors and is machine-washable!

1. Smilla Indoor/Outdoor Pillow | 2. Indoor/Outdoor Reversible Throw Pillow (Set of 2)

For a classic check-inspired look I think #1 is awesome. The detailing is so pretty and it’s so versatile style-wise. Then #2 is both bold but not super loud. It would give just a nice little visual kick to any outdoor space.

1. Grinell Striped Sunbrella® Indoor/Outdoor Lumbar (Set of 2) | 2. Black and White Geometric Indoor Outdoor Throw Pillow | 3. Polyester Lumbar Rectangular Indoor/Outdoor Pillow

Another classic? Black and white…but bold. If you want a modern feeling space but color isn’t really your thing or you want to mix it up with a bold pillow, any of these will work perfectly for that. Now, I know #1 is $99 but that’s for two pillows so technically each pillow is under $50. I mean it’s a great pillow so how could I not include it, you know?

1. Mud Cloth Indoor Outdoor Throw Pillow | 2. Outdoor Abstract Roping Pillow | 3. Tassels Indoor/Outdoor Throw Pillow

Whether it’s mixing in a neutral to give your space a little visual calmness or you’re going for the neutral beach look, I really love all three of these. Emily has used #1 in a couple of different colors and so clearly is a fan! #2 is neutral but fun and unique because neutral does not mean boring (it also comes in other colors). And what is a soft neutral outdoor space without some tassels? #3 is a steal for how cute it is.

1. Sintra Indoor/Outdoor Pillow Cover | 2. Outdoor Natural Split Stripe Pillow

Onto the pricier neutrals, this lumbar pillow is so good. I love the tonal stitching and it’s nice and long at 36″! No notes. Then I just really like the detailing and color variation of #2. Another super versatile neutral pillow that isn’t boring.

1. Silves Light Brown Boucle Outdoor Throw Pillow | 2. Storm Indoor/Outdoor Reversible Throw Pillow

If you love a desert look then rust and terra cottas are a must. A boucle pillow for outside? Sign me up! Plus, that “light brown” color is so freaking pretty. It does come in other colors if this one isn’t right for you but the material is:) Then the rust lumbar pillow is so good and under $20? Ya, that one needs to get snagged asap.

1. Cotton Indoor/Outdoor Pillow Cover | 2. Floral Cotton Indoor/Outdoor Pillow Cover

Block print patterns, while not new by any means, have really hit the design world hard this past year and we don’t want it to go anywhere. They are beautiful! I think these two would actually look so great together on an outdoor sofa, don’t you? The colors are happy but not too saturated and the patterns are awesome.

1. Linen Indoor/Outdoor Pillow Cover | 2. Haylen Block Printed Lumbar Outdoor Pillow | 3. Linen Indoor/Outdoor Pillow Cover

Then for a little bit more cash, here are more options. Don’t make me pick a favorite because I fear that’s an impossibility. These also would look amazing together. You really can’t go wrong. (But also #3 is kinda to die for, right?)

1. Ivory and Blue Seashell Shaped Indoor Outdoor Throw Pillow | 2. Silves Yellow Boucle Sphere Outdoor Throw Pillow

I think your outdoor space is the perfect place to have a little fun so why not add in a fun-shaped pillow? That shell is so freaking cute but also not too cutesy if that makes sense. When paired with the right elements it would look real cool. Then the joy that yellow brings to my heart is A LOT. I am always down for a sphere pillow and the fact that this one is for the outdoors AND in a boucle fabric is a 10/10 for me.

1. Wrenley Indoor / Outdoor Pillow | 2. Littu Indoor / Outdoor Striped Disc Pillow | 3. Satu Indoor / Outdoor Pillow

But if you want to play with a fun shape but in a slightly more traditional way, a circle is the perfect way to dip your toe in. All of these patterns are so playful. Remember when I said that Lulu and Georgia was killing the outdoor textile game? Well, here’s even more proof. Most of them also come in other colors.

1. Faux Natural Fiber Pom Pom Outdoor Pillow | 2. Sunbrella® Solid Fringe Outdoor Lumbar Pillow

Last but not least (for pillows) are our fun trim friends! As you can see I used #1 in my communal patio makeover and I love it! It adds such a simple but playful feel to the sofa. Then I immediately fell in love with that fringed lumbar when I saw it. It comes in other colors and is made in a Sunbrella fabric so you know it’s built to last.

Outdoor Rugs

Now onto rugs! I also adore an outdoor rug (especially if you don’t have a beautifully patterned tiled patio:)). However, it’s important to look at materials and colors to see what will last in your outdoor space. For example, take that beautiful navy rug I put on my communal patio. After a couple of years of relentless sunshine, it went from navy to light blue. And don’t get me wrong it still looked pretty in its lighter hue but did not hold its original color given the non-stop sun exposure. Now, if it would have been under a covered patio I bet it would have held up much better. Probably choosing a more neutral-toned rug would have been a smarter choice. This is all to say that it’s clearly important to consider where you are putting your rug to then determine what options make the most sense for longevity. And if you live in places that have hard colder months, just make sure to pack those textiles away to keep them nicer for longer (which I’m sure most of you do:)).

1. Camila Double Border Scalloped Recycled Indoor Outdoor Rug | 2. Positano Argyle Indoor / Outdoor Rug | 3. Macrae Geometric Indoor / Outdoor Rug

So speaking of some neutral-toned rugs that may have been a more ideal option for my patio, here are three very classic/traditional-looking rugs. I love #2 and #3 because they still give that tiled look I personally love in an outdoor rug. But you really can’t not love a fun edge like #1 has. Plus, it has just a little color to make it feel more summery.

1. Paseo Moran Leaf Casual Coastal Striped Havana Outdoor Area Rug | 2. Rio Black Broken Stripe Reversible Indoor Outdoor Floor Mat | 3. Leila Gold and Ivory Diamond Geo Recycled Indoor Outdoor Rug

Then for a little more of a modern geometric look, these are pretty perfect. I reallllly love #1. The darker brown with that subtle but chic pattern is right up my alley (it also comes in more colors). But for a bolder look, you can’t go wrong with a black-and-white broken stripe. This one is 6×9, fade resistant (hello!), and that price is wild. Then for a fun and colorful option, I really adore the pattern of #3.

1. Amber Lewis x Loloi Indoor/Outdoor Topanga Area Rug | 2. Bronwyn Geometric Indoor/Outdoor Rug | 3. Amber Lewis x Loloi Indoor / Outdoor Topanga Silver Area Rug

All three of these give such cool-girl/calming energy. This tracks because #1 and #3 were designed by the Amber Lewis. It’s so hard to choose a favorite so I won’t:)

1. Kavi Black and Tan Indoor Outdoor Rug | 2. Dune Black and Natural Diamond Reversible Indoor Outdoor Rug | 3. Gray and Multicolor Global Stripe Indoor Outdoor Rug

If your style is more global, any of these three are so good! I would definitely be careful about putting #1 in constant direct sunlight but #2 would likely be fine. I really love #3 because of all of the colors. It looks like it could easily cost double of what it is.

1. Maelle Indoor / Outdoor Rug | 2. Parker Blue And Ivory Stripe Indoor Outdoor Rug

Ah yes, the beautiful darker blues. As I said, be careful where you place these in terms of sun exposure but man are they pretty. I really love the detailing in #1 but the boldness of the stripes in #2 would bring more of a visual punch. I guess you can’t go wrong here either.

1. Machine Washable Indoor/Outdoor Chantille Chocolate Rug | 2. Chris Loves Julia x Loloi Providence Indoor/Outdoor Area Rug | 3. Braddock Bamboo Slat/Seagrass Indoor/Outdoor Area Rug

Now, #1 really looks like an indoor rug but that’s also why I love it. It’s unexpected but for the right home, it would look so beautiful. Oh, and it’s machine washable! #2 and #3 feel super classic but are also really versatile. They can easily go traditional or be an eclectic choice for something a little more varied in style.

1. Resort Boxes Geo Indoor Outdoor Rug | 2. Tundra Indoor/Outdoor Rug

I know we aren’t always the biggest promoters of gray but these two rugs make us big ole fans. The patterns feel fresh but not trendy. #1 also comes in a beige and #2 is actually on clearance so you know it’s a good rug for a good deal. Plus, that price is for an 8×10 so if you need something smaller then that price goes down too:)

1. Machine Washable Indoor/Outdoor Chantille Ivory Area Rug | 2. Elko 8 x 10 Indoor/Outdoor Rug | 3. Inira Brown and Ivory Stripe Indoor Outdoor Rug

To finish us off (we made it!) let’s get a little trendy, shall we? Now these rugs are just cool. Yes, they feel more “2025” than maybe some of the others but they also aren’t so trendy that they won’t look cool in years to come. #1 reminds me of a Block Shop-style design which is an EHD favorite textile and art company. I’m in love with the soft but not too neutral colors of #2 (plus, the color blocking is awesome). Then #3 is a more interesting neutral-toned rug that could work with almost any space. 10/10 all around!

Well, that’s it from me today. If you have any recs you drop them in the comments and next week I’m planning to do a post about outdoor decor storage. I truly can’t wait for consistent warm weather!

Love you, mean it.

Opening Image Credits: Photo by Kaitlin Green | From: We Designed Our Back Porch For Peak Summer Enjoyment… Here’s How She Looks

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