If you’ve been thinking about turning your front porch, back patio or garden into a charming space suitable for outdoor living and entertaining, you’ve probably considered some type of floor covering. An area rug added under patio furniture or used as transition between home and garden helps define your space and make it more cozy and colorful. Made of durable materials and fade-resistant dyes, outdoor mats and rugs have come a long way. The selection at Ballard Designs is extensive and easy to navigate. Offering everything from bordered to braided rugs in animal, striped, floral, botanical and geometric prints, this site will help you imagine the possibilities. We like the Turin indoor/outdoor rugs ($50-$550). They have the look and feel of wool, yet are hand tufted of poly-acrylic pile for withstanding the elements. And check out these 100 percent polypropylene rugs (pictured) loomed in a sisal weave ($30-$260). The graphic flower motif, offered in a range of colors, is fun and the rugs are easy to clean. Just use mild soap and rinse with a hose. Speaking of no-hassle, great-looking floor coverings for the outdoors, have you seen the eco-friendly creations from Mad Mats? Made of recycled polypropylene (used soda bottles, packing, etc.) and produced under fair trade conditions, each rug is reversible and woven of soft tubular threads that do not absorb dirt or stains and will not mildew or rot. We dig the super vibrant Oriental Turkish mat in aqua ($40 for the 4-x 6-foot size). Also pretty in plastic are the runners from Swedish maker, Pappelina. We love the Lilo jacquard woven plastic rug ($161, from Scandinavian Design Center). Maybe you’re looking for something neutral colored? Visit Natural Area Rugs for some fine looking spun polypropylene outdoor models, such as this Colorado area rug ($39-$339).