You have finally found it: the rug you have been searching for. It complements your décor perfectly and gives your living space that finishing touch. It fits in with your furniture, paint color, and is just the right size. Whether it is a modern, coastal, or farmhouse style, finding the right rug that fits your home and creates a much-needed accent is exciting. What is less exciting is when you realize the rug slips, slides and moves around. Rugs that move around not only create general annoyance but can create safety hazards and cause tripping or falls. It’s important to stop your rugs from sliding.

No matter the style or fabric, rugs tend to move on smoother surfaces like hardwood, tile, or marble floors. In high-traffic areas or homes with small children or pets, rugs are even more likely to shift or slide, given the amount of activity going on in the space. More importantly, if anyone in your home has mobility issues keeping your rug from moving is crucial in preventing falls, slips, and potential injuries. How can you keep your much-loved rug from sliding?

If your rug is sliding, slipping, bunching, or curling, you may be considering giving up on it. Don’t quit on your rug just yet. A moving rug can be troublesome, and sometimes hazardous, but there are some relatively quick and affordable fixes for this inconvenient issue. Before you toss that perfect rug aside, let us break down four great ways to keep your rug from sliding and the benefits of each.

Stop Rugs Sliding with a Rug Pad

One of the most common and effective ways to stop your rugs from sliding is using a rug pad. Some people do not consider rug pads necessary and see them as an “upsell” or an unnecessary add-on. In fact, rug pads are more commonly considered an essential purchase by savvy customers.

Rug pads come in varying thickness and durability, making them convenient for use on carpets, hardwood, or marble floors. Additionally, rug pads can be cut to fit any size making them a customizable solution for your moving rug. We recommend having your rug pad be about one inch shorter than your rug around each side. Refer to this helpful chart for common rug sizes.

Once you have the right size rug pad, installing it is a breeze. First, position the rug pad where you want the rug to lie on the floor. Then, place the rolled-up rug on one end. Line up the sides evenly, leaving about one inch on each side, then unroll the rug. Rug pads typically feature a tacky side or are made from non-slip materials which helps keep the rug flat and keeps your rug from sliding.

There are many rug pad options available. These range from budget-friendly PVC to deluxe felt-and-rubber pads. A little research will make sure you find the best one for you. Today’s rug pads come in a variety of materials and are offered at various price points. Be sure that the rug pad you decide to purchase is of high quality. While a cheaper, plastic rug pad might be appealing, budget rug pads can cause damage to hardwood floors. These plastic rug pads have been known to contain toxic chemicals or contain oils or adhesives that can negatively react with your floor finishes.

Benefits of a Rug Pad to Stop Sliding

Rug pads have many benefits, the most obvious being that they stop your rugs from sliding. Rug pads are essential in preventing unattractive, or even dangerous, bunching and curling. Here are a few additional rug pad benefits to consider.

• Rug pads add an additional layer of protection for your floor. Rug backs can scratch or damage hardwood floors by staining them. The soft texture of a rug pad is gentler on floors than that of a rug back. Rug pads protect your floors from scuffs and can help prevent dye transfer from the fabric.

• Adding a rug pad offers more comfort and sound absorption than a rug alone can provide. The level of comfort and sound absorption will vary depending on the type of rug pad, but the benefits are unquestionable.

• Keeping your rug from sliding not only protects your floors, it promotes longevity for the life of your rug. If your rug was expensive, a rug pad is an attractive and affordable way to help protect your investment. The extra support provided by a rug pad helps reduce friction. This preserves the rug’s fibers and keeping it looking better for longer.

• Your rug will be easier to clean and vacuum with a rug pad beneath it. Your rug will stay in one place allowing you to clean the rug without “chasing” it around the room. As an added benefit, rug pads promote better airflow making maintaining your rug a simpler experience.

Help your Rug Get a Grip

Another way to stop your rug from sliding is to use a rug gripper, also known as carpet tape. Rug grippers, as the name implies, grip your rug in place and prevent the rug from sliding. Installation for this double-sided, adhesive product is easy and allows you to direct the rug gripper where it is most needed. Simply identify the problem areas and apply the strips along the edges, on the corners, or wherever they are needed.

Like rug pads, rug grippers are available in many sizes and will fit rugs of any measurement. There are also different design options; some are sold as strips while others are shaped to fit in the rug’s corners. The grippers act like suction cups, helping to keep your rug from sliding on the floor. Rug grippers are available in several types of materials. Like the other solutions that keep your rug from sliding, they are most effective when applied to a clean, dry floor surface.

Benefits of Rug Grippers to Stop Sliding

Rug grippers are effective at stopping your rug from sliding and moving and in preventing the rug’s corners from curling. Let’s look at some additional benefits of using rug grippers to keep your rug from sliding.

Rug grippers are versatile and reusable. Product features vary across brands, but many rug grippers can be used on a variety of floors, including hardwood, tile, linoleum, and even other carpet. Additionally, most rug grippers are reusable and can be adjusted and moved as needed without leaving unsightly residue behind. Some rug grippers are even washable.

• Though rug grippers do not promote better airflow like rug pads, they do make it easier to vacuum your rug. Like rug pads, rug grippers keep the rug in a stationary position, so vacuuming is a simple and quick task.

• Rug grippers offer a cost-effective solution. They are often available in multi-piece sets allowing you to use the pieces on more than one rug, if necessary. Rug grippers are available at a modest price point and are usually sold for under $30.

Drop Anchor to the Floor

Using Velcro to stop your rugs from sliding, rug anchors are another great option to keep your rug in place. Though best used for smaller rugs, rug anchors are an effective way to prevent corner curling and create a safer walking environment around your rug. Unlike grippers, anchors usually adhere to the floor with a Velcro surface facing up. The Velcro side is then used to anchor the underside of the rug to the floor surface.

Some people prefer to use rug anchors as a simple way to keep a rug from moving because Velcro is a strong, low-maintenance solution. By design, the Velcro system locks together and works most effectively when it is pressed together. Walking on the rug over time and applying the pressure of weight continuously reinforces the connection.

Benefits of Rug Anchors to Stop Sliding

A rug anchor is a quick and easy way to keep your rug from moving around the room. Here are some additional reasons you might want to consider using rug anchors.

• When you decide to use a rug anchor, rest assured that installation and removal will be easy. Simply peel away the protective backing and adhere the strip to your rug. When it is time to remove the rug anchor, it easily peels off the floor leaving no sticky residue behind.

• Adding to its ease of use, the rug anchor comes pre-cut. If necessary, the rug anchor can be trimmed to better fit the appropriate area to keep your rug from moving. However, like rug grippers, rug anchors come in multi-piece packs and do not require much, if any, cutting.

• As with the other solutions, rug anchors protect your floors from being damaged. Rug anchors are designed to prevent dirt and sand from scratching and scraping your floors. Additionally, rug anchors have a non-porous, waterproof design. This helps keep moisture damage at bay.

Keep Your Rug from Moving and Say Goodbye to Rug Slips

Once you recognize that your rug is sliding, it becomes an important priority to find a way to keep it from moving to prevent possible injury. Feeling confident that your rug is just right for your home involves more than just how it looks in the space; it should also be safe for you and your family to enjoy. Sure, the colors in the rug and fabric choice are important, but it is just as critical that the rug lay flat and not slide around on the floor’s surface.

Luckily, there are many helpful tools available to keep your favorite rug from moving around and becoming a hazard. From rug pads that providing extra cushioning to quickly applying glue and laying the rug down, there are many options for you to choose from when you are trying to stop your rugs from sliding. Depending on several factors, including rug type, budget, ease of use, and more, finding a way to keep your rug in place is easier than ever before.

If you’re searching for a new rug, look no further than Rugs.com. With a wide selection of rugs for every room in your home, Rugs.com offers high-quality rugs in many styles, designs, colors, and sizes. Whether you are seeking a hand-knotted style to complete a traditional look in your dining room, a modern style to liven up your living room, or a natural style to create a welcoming look in your entryway, you will find what you are looking for at Rugs.com.

Not only will you find the best rug design and size for your living space, you will have access to cleaning and maintenance tips, as well as other customer resources. Your rug is an investment and is important to you; having access to expert tips provides peace of mind that you will be able to effectively protect your rug and keep it working for your space as long as possible.