You’ve found the rug of your dreams, but every time you walk into the room it seems to have moved! It’s tricky keeping a rug in place on hard flooring, but it can be equally as difficult on carpet, too.
Are the edges folding over or under? Does it shift under your feet when you walk on it? Can you see nothing but bunching and wrinkles?
Here are our top tips for preventing these annoying issues so you can fall in love with your rug again.
Why do rugs slip on carpet?
Rugs can slip around because of the rug, the carpet, or sometimes a combination of both. Rugs with smooth backings are known for not gripping carpet well. Lighter, thinner rugs often don’t have enough weight to stay put. And those with thicker or looser piles will shift because they get snagged on the carpet fibres.
Because carpet is soft and has some give, it doesn’t provide a solid grip for rugs. This lack of friction means even the smallest amount of foot traffic can cause the rug to shift or bunch up – and the longer the carpet pile, the more the rug will move with it.
So, what can you do about it?
How to stop rugs from slipping on carpet
Fabric underlay
Because the rug wants to move with the carpet pile every time it’s stepped on, adding a thin layer of underlay or a mat (usually made from felt, wool or recycled fibres) with a non-slip backing between your rug and the carpet will create a barrier that keeps the rug in place.
Why? Because fabric underlay doesn’t have pile direction, so the rug doesn’t have anything to pull it along.
But that’s not the only benefit. The soft fabric will not only protect your rug and feel plush underfoot, it will also absorb noise and keep your carpet in tip-top condition.
Non-slip rug-to-carpet underlay
A thin, non-slip rubber or rug-specific underlay keeps your rug from shifting on carpet. It acts the same way as the fabric underlay, providing a barrier between rug and carpet, but the rubber also adds extra friction that secures the rug firmly in place.
These anti-slip underlays come in breathable waffle or mesh designs that protect your carpet fibres and provide extra grip to keep everyone safe when walking on your rug.
They can be cut to size and offer a long-lasting, stable base for your rug to sit on and an extra layer of cushioning – without adding bulk.
Secure it with furniture
This one depends on the style and size of the furniture, the layout of your room, and the size of your rug. If you’re up for a room makeover, you can move things around to see if you can anchor the rug underneath heavy furniture.
With your rug securely weighted down, you might even prefer your new layout—you won’t know unless you give it a try.
GOOD TO KNOW: If you can, try to have an anchor point at each side or corner. That way, you won’t have one edge that consistently shifts.
Rug grips
Rug grips are small triangular or oblong rubber pads with adhesive on one side, to stick to the underside of your rug, and a textured rubber material on the other.
They can work very well, but mostly on hard floors as opposed to carpet. Because they’re only placed on the corners of the rug, the rest of the rug will still want to move with the carpet pile when it’s stepped on. For larger rugs, you may find them ineffective.
However, if your carpet is low pile and your rug is fairly small and stiff, this could be an affordable solution.
Carpet/rug tape
Carpet or rug tape is a cheaper alternative to fabric or rubber underlay. This easy-to-install solution involves applying double-sided tape to the rug and sticking it to the carpet when you first lay it down.
Over time, however, it can damage the carpet fibres underneath and usually can’t be reused, so once the rug has moved, the tape would need to be reapplied.
Depending on how effective you find this, it might be more convenient in the long run to use an underlay rather than repeatedly applying fresh tape.
Rug pins
The final option for preventing your rug from slipping on carpet is to use rug pins. These pins are designed to secure the edges of the rug by angling them through the top to attach to the carpet underneath, without piercing the flooring.
This is a good prevention method if you find only the edges of your rug slipping. But it’s worth noting that even though they lie fairly flush, the pins will be visible on top of the rug. They will also create a small hole where they pierce through the rug, so if your rug is costly or a family heirloom, it probably isn’t the right option.
Say goodbye to slippage
Stopping your rug from slipping on carpet is a problem that needs solving. We get it. It doesn’t just create a trip hazard; it can also look unsightly.
The right option depends on whether you want a quick fix or a long-term solution. As flooring experts, we have found that using a fabric or rubber rug underlay will give you the best results. These products are longer-lasting, user-friendly, affordable, and designed to protect your rug and your carpet, making them the clear winners in the anti-slip rug category.