Have a room in need of a style makeover? Or maybe a corner begging for a pop of color to liven things up? Area rugs offer quick and easy style transformations that fit most any budget. In fact, they?re among the first things decorating pros pull from their bag of tricks.

But what about busy homes brimming with kids and pets ? can any rug possibly withstand all that family life can dish out? The answer lies in a quick trip through the outdoor furnishings section of any home improvement store. There you?ll discover a true family-friendly find - stylish, soft, decorative area rugs that are washable.

Yes, washable! As in when dirty, haul it outside, hose it off and let it dry in the sun ? washable.

With the growing popularity of comfort-oriented outdoor kitchens and living spaces, manufacturers have answered demand with a new generation of outdoor textiles. The days of stiff, plastic-y outdoor cushions and rugs are long gone ? the Astroturf-covered patio fad is over! Nowadays, a walk down the outdoor furnishings aisle is a foray through rich colors, inviting textures and gorgeous patterns, in both seating and flooring solutions.

Today?s decorative outdoor area rugs offer every look, from sleek contemporary sisal to luxurious oriental, all crafted from resilient, washable polypropylene, a plastic that can be spun into fine strands that feel like natural fibers. But unlike natural fiber area rugs, polypropylene rugs are super rugged and resistant to stains, moisture, mildew, and fading ? and are 100 percent hose-off washable. That means they?ll stand up to anything a busy family can dish out, anywhere you put them ? kitchen, family room, game room, nursery, entries, dining areas, and of course the patio or deck.

With summer around the corner most home improvement stores have a nice selection of outdoor rugs on the shelves, but you can also find them year-round in patio stores and through several online retailers. Just search for rugs labeled ?outdoor? or ?indoor/outdoor,? with ?polypropylene? as the fiber content, to be sure they?ll stand up to the busiest areas in any family home ? with style!