So you have a carpet and rug combination you absolutely love, but your rug keeps moving on your carpet and you can’t figure out how to stop the rug from moving. When a rug is layered on a carpet then it can slide, bunch and slip. This is not only annoying but can be a real tripping hazard. In the USA alone nearly 38000 people a year injure themselves in carpet and rug tripping accidents. We all appreciate a good rug but safety should be a concern to everyone who has a rug on a carpet.
We have compiled a tried and tested list of the top ways to solve the problem of your rug moving.
Why does my rug move on my carpet?
You may not be aware of this but the reason your rug moves is your carpet pile. Your carpet pile will always lean to one side, and because of this your rug will always move in the same direction. This is especially evident in areas of high foot traffic. The lean on your carpet pile gives your carpet its rich colour and a plush look. It is incredibly frustrating to constantly have to attend to your creeping rug but we have the solutions for you.
1 –Furniture Anchors
Rugs on top of carpets are a controversial topic in the interior design world but the option of strategic furniture placements and colour coordination with rugs is an intrinsic tool for interior design.
Anchoring rugs with furniture is an easy way to stop your rug from sliding around your room. Heavy furniture such as sofas and upholstered chairs should be used around the edges of large rugs. Place a heavy coffee table or something similar in the centre of the rug to firmly keep it in place without hiding the rugs’ beauty.
There is a drawback with this system though, edges that are not anchored down can curl and bunch still, even if the whole rug will not move.
2 – Non-Slip Rug Pads
Non-slip pads or underlays are by far the most effective way to stop your rug from moving on carpets. Adding a non-slip underlay will allow your rug to be secured without causing damage to either the rug or carpet. These are easily purchased, are available in various sizes and can be cut down to accommodate the size of your rug. They do not require any specialised fitting and are as simple as placing them under your rug.
Safety Tip – Keep the underlay 5cm shorter than the rug so it does not poke out from the rug edge and cause a tripping hazard.
3 – Rug Tape
Firstly only purchase double-sided tape specifically for rugs and carpets. These tapes are designed to not leave any sticky residue on your carpet or rug. If it is stated as for hard floor use it could permanently damage your carpet.
Rug tape is an inexpensive way to stop rug creep. It needs no special skills and only requires to be applied to the back of the rug and then pressed firmly in place. The tape makes both the rug and carpet stick together and therefore prevents the rug from slipping.
The only downside is if you wish to lift the rug the tape will lose its stickiness and so is a single-use solution. Given the low price of tape, this should not detract from using such an easy and well-performing solution.
4 – Rugs with non-slip rubber backing
If you haven’t purchased your rug yet, you could consider a rug with a non-slip backing already attached. These rugs are easy to find online and come in a huge variety of styles and sizes. The non-slip backing is made from a latex gel which provides excellent grip on carpets and hard floors.
If you currently have a high, long pile carpet you may still need additional anchoring with double-sided tape or even furniture depending upon rug size.
There are whole styles of rugs such as Oriental and Persian styles which do not have a non-slip backing and this does limit the huge range of rugs available to you if a non-slip backing rug is a priority for you.
5 – Silicone
If you are on a budget and you have an inexpensive rug that moves and bunches, silicone, mastic or caulk, depending on what you know it as, could be your saviour. Please note that the silicone could damage your rug.
Silicone is very quick and easy to install. Apply a bead around the edge of the rug and then a few lines across the centre. Use a putty knife to flatten the beads down so that once dried they will not be noticeable underfoot. Let the silicone dry for a day at least. Once dry just place your rug onto your carpet and the silicone will provide grip to your carpet. Be aware though that if you have a high pile carpet, lifting your rug could pull at the carpet fibres.
In Conclusion
Affixing your rug to your carpet will remove the frustration of a moving rug but also make your home a safer place to be. If you already own your rug these tips should provide a solution to your problem. If you are yet to purchase your rug, consider the overall quality of the rug. High-quality rugs are generally heavier and come with premium backing materials. A top quality rug will have a thicker, plusher pile than a cheaper rug and this provides extra stability to help keep your rug from moving.
