You spend hours trying to find the right rug for your home and sometimes even the right rug starts sagging and clumping. Not only is that bad for your decor, but it’s also a tripping risk. Nobody wants their rug to fall out from under them! And the good news is, you have a couple of easy tricks to lock your rug in place. In this article, I’ll tell you how to avoid having rugs slide around on your carpet, hardwood, and laminate floors. By using a few easy tips, you can anchor your rug and put an end to the frustrating sliding and bundling for good. Your home environment will look professional and you’ll feel comfortable walking across the room. Shall we dive in?
Why Do Rugs Move On Carpets?
Why do rugs bounce on carpets? It is all in the pile of the fluffy, feathery nature of the carpet fibers. When you place your foot on the rug, the force from your foot carries down on the carpet pile and pulls it away. And the rug is up there on the carpet, and it is taken along with it. It doesn’t help that the vast majority of carpets are sewed so that the pile is facing the front door, where the rug will instinctively migrate. It’s really not the rug – it’s the carpet moving in its own rhythm! And the softer and thicker the carpet fibers, the worse off they get. Those silky, plump fibers don’t stick like the rug to hold it in place.
Solution 1: Anchor it with furniture
The first option is to use furniture as an anchor. This is a really practical and very creative way to go about it. By placing heavier items such as sofas, coffee tables or bookcases on the hem of your rug, you will be able to hold it in place without altering the look. Rugs over carpets are a bit of a controversial subject in design circles, but when done correctly I think it gives the feeling of warm, subtly layering, and motion. You just have to use that furniture to set it all in place.
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Solution 2: Add a non-slip rug pad
A non-slip rug pad is another fantastic option. These little mats slip right underneath your rug, which will give it a firm hold and stop it from slipping off. They’re slick and straightforward - you just cut out the pad, lay it down, and place your rug on top. There is no damage to the carpet, and your rug doesn’t move. All you need to do is keep the pad a bit smaller than your actual rug. You don’t want any of the edges to peek out because it’s a tripping hazard. Try to keep them at least 2 inches shorter in all directions.
Solution 3: Use double-sided carpet tape
Double-sided carpet tape is another fabulously inexpensive alternative. You simply rub it on the back of your rug, push it down, and voilà – the rug and carpet stay in place to stop any movement. Be sure to buy carpet tape, not just rug tape. The carpet variety won’t ruin your flooring.
Solution 3: choose rugs with non-slip rubber backing
That’s one of the easiest and most reliable ways to keep your area rug securely in place, particularly when on carpet. It’s that rubberized/latex gel backing that gives you some extra traction on the carpet and against the rug. No extra pads or tapes to purchase all in one package. And these non-slip rugs come in tons of different styles and sizes these days, so you can surely find the one that suits your space. Now all that is left to remember is that the performance can vary a little bit depending on the carpet you are using. If you have a thick plush carpet, you might still need to take some extra precautions, such as double-sided tape or supporting the rug with furniture. Just to be sure it stays put. But for most standard carpets, that non-slip backing alone will suffice.
Solution 4: Invest in a Quality Rug
The other great solution is to choose a better rug from the start. Generally speaking, the more expensive and sturdy a rug is, the heavier and more stable it will be. That extra heft and thick, fluffy yarn holds it in place, even on carpets. Besides, good backing on better rugs is usually constructed just to avoid movement and bundling. That way you get that stability and safety, in addition to a nicer aesthetic feel.
FAQs
Q. Do rug grippers work on carpets?
To begin with, do rug grippers really work on carpets? The simple answer is sort of. They can be effective on lower-pile carpets, as the grippers will stick to the shorter fibres. But on soft, long pile carpets, those grippers merely run up and down the pile rather than hold the rug in place. If it’s the latter, you’re going to need a good rug pad.
Q. Is it weird to put a rug over the carpet?
As for whether it's "weird" to put a rug over the carpet - not at all! In fact, it can be a really smart and stylish move. Layering rugs on top of carpets can help tie together your colour scheme, cover up any worn or stained spots, add extra cushioning and comfort underfoot, and even help absorb noise. It's a designer trick that can elevate the entire look of a space.
Q. How do you stop a carpet runner from moving on the carpet?
Now, for keeping those pesky carpet runners from sliding all over the place - a few options work well. Non-slip rug pads designed specifically for carpet-to-carpet use are excellent, as are double-sided rug tapes (as long as you get the right kind that won't damage the fibres). You can also try using silicone caulk or anchoring the runner in place with strategically placed furniture.
Q. How do you anchor an area rug over a carpet?
And anchoring is the key to keeping any area rug upright on a carpeted surface. Rug grippers on the sides might do the trick, but the best way to hold everything together is likely with large sofas, coffee tables or dining tables.
Q. Will double-sided tape damage the carpet?
No, as long as you’re using the right type. Silicone or silicone rubber tape won't stick or tug on the carpet fibers when you remove them. However, the rubber-only tapes are notoriously tough on carpets, so stay away from those.
Q. How do you remove the double-sided tape from the carpet?
If you ever have to pull double-sided carpet tape out for any reason, just heat the adhesive with a hair dryer or heat gun. It will let you peel it off easily and cleanly without scratching it.