How to Secure Area Rug on Top of Carpet?

An area rug may slide on your carpet just as it does on hardwood floors.

The main problem with a rug on the carpet, unlike hard surfaces, is that it bunches up, wrinkles, and has tiny slips that are irritating to correct.

Moreover, they can cause a tripping hazard, which can get serious at times.

You may be looking for a means to keep your rug in place, but stooping down to straighten it every time you pass, is not a great way to do it.

While there are several methods for keeping area rugs in place or on top of the carpet, some might cause damage to the carpeted floor and rug.

That is why you must exercise caution while preventing rugs from sliding on your carpet or using a high-quality rug pad.

If you are tired of slipping rugs and looking for an easy way to secure an area rug on top of a carpet, we will look at some factors that contribute to why rugs move on top of carpeting in this post.

Moreover, we have some of the best techniques to keep your area rugs in place on your carpet without hurting either your rug or your carpet.

Why Do Rugs On Carpets Move?

It may come to you as a surprise that your bottom rug slipping on the carpet is not because of the rug – but the carpet pile.

Rugs move on carpets because they follow the pile movement caused by foot traffic.

Footsteps cause the carpet pile to shift, which subsequently transfers to the rug.

It is important to take notice that carpets of greater quality have a propensity to be both thicker and heavier than rugs of lesser quality.

When compared to a light top rug, a hefty one is considerably less prone to move about. A new rug can be the answer to your issue if your finances allow for it.

A heavier rug can simply solve your problem, however, not to its full potential.

In addition, Furthermore, the longer and plusher the strands in your carpet, the more likely your rug will move since the longer fibers have less hold on your rug.

Hence, not just the thickness of the carpet wear, but the thickness of the large area rugs need to be reconsidered.

If you are not in a position to invest too much, you can make use of an area rug that you already have.

Yes, you have heard it right. We have listed a few easiest ways you can use to secure your area rung on the carpet at home.

5 Ways To Prevent A Rug From Shifting On A Carpet

1. Make Use of a Rug Pad
2. Caulk Low-Cost Rugs
3. Use Double-Sided Rug Tape
4. Use Furniture to Anchor The Rug
5. Utilize A Non-Slip Underlay

Let’s talk about how to stop rugs from moving on the carpet now that you know why they do.

1. Make Use of a Rug Pad

Effectiveness: High

Installation: Easy

Longevity: High

The easiest approach to keep a rug from sliding or bunching up on a carpet is to use an anti-slip rug pad.

A Rug or carpet pad is a piece of material that is put underneath your carpet or between your flooring and your rug.

It creates a stable foundation for your large rug and keeps them in place. They may be used in practically any space where a rug can be placed.

The bottom felt surface of the non-slip rug pad adheres to the carpet fibers, providing it with a more secure grip on the carpet pile.

Meanwhile, the rug is held in place by the natural rubber top, which prevents it from slipping off the pad. In addition, rug pads come in different types like felt or rubber backing.

• The felt anti-slip rug pad adds extra cushioning, making it more comfortable to walk on.
• The extra layer of padding absorbs noise in the space, making it far less noticeable to others.
• While non-slip rubber or silicone rug pads are more prominent when it comes to strong non-slip pad requirements.

Best Rug Pads To Secure It On Carpet

Finding the best rug pad can be daunting, especially if this is your first time. Here are some quick recommendations for the type of rug pad you should choose as per your requirements.

1.  Best Cushioning Rug Pad – Mohawk Home

2.  Best Hard Floors Rug Pad – Ophanie Rug Pad

2. Caulk Low-Cost Rugs

Effectiveness: Medium

Installation: Easy

Longevity: Low

Another great approach to protect your cheap rugs from sliding or bunching up on your carpet is to use silicone caulk, a sealant.

However, we only recommend doing this with cheap carpets since the caulk has the potential to permanently harm your rug.

The biggest disadvantage of using caulk to keep your rug in place is that when you remove it, you risk pulling at the carpet fibers, particularly if you have a high-pile carpet.

Furthermore, while removing your area rugs for cleaning, the fibers may pull away, hence, we do not recommend using this method for your expensive rug.

Silicone caulk like GE Sealants & Adhesives Supreme Silicone caulk is simple to use and offers a stronghold.

Moreover, it is important to look for the best adhesive quality made of natural materials, if saving your carpet is your priority.

Here are a few steps you can follow to use it to secure your rugs on the carpet. 

• Apply a bead of silicone caulk to your area rug’s borders.
• Draw a few lines across the middle.
• Using a putty knife, flatten the caulk before it dries.
• Once dried, the caulk will give a rubbery effect. Allow the caulk to dry naturally at least for 24 hours.
• When the carpet is dry, place your rug on top and allow the rubbery strips to hold your mat.

You can also use Clear BioSeal Seleant as this is clear and do not show that much.

Hence, even if you take your rug away, you can bear the sight of your carpet.

On the other hand, people use hot glue to fix their rugs on the carpet, which we do not recommend as it has a high damage threshold.

3. Use Double-Sided Rug Tape

Effectiveness: Medium

Installation: Easy

Longevity: Low

Rug tape with two sides is ideal for keeping the rugs moving from their place.

The tape is sticky on both sides, hence, it will securely adhere your mats to your carpet, keeping the rug in place and making vacuuming easy.

The greatest aspect is that it is simple to set up. All you’ll need is the appropriate double-sided sticky tape like YYXLIFE Double-Sided tape to secure the rug’s edges.

The improper carpet tape has the potential chance of tug the fibers of your carpet during removal. Moreover, with time the tape loses its hold as you pull up the rug.

You can follow these steps to attach a carpet with rug tape properly;

• Clean the back of the rug of all the dirt, dust, and debris.
• Put the tape around the edge of the carpet area and in the center of the space where you want to place the rug.
• Make an X form in the center of your rug’s back side so that it covers a larger area.
• Carefully remove the other top backing of the tape.
• Place the rug on the carpet. Make sure that you are placing it in the right place the first time. Or else, removing tape for adjustment can make it lose stickiness.
• To secure the rug in place, either walk over the rug or put something heavier on the rug for an hour.

4. Use Furniture to Anchor The Rug

Effectiveness: Medium

Installation: Easy

Longevity: Moderate

This is what most people have been doing for a long time.

If you are among the people who still do not know about this, anchoring your rug under the furniture can keep it in place. However, it takes some finesse.

You can place heavy furniture like couches and upholstered chairs around the edges and corners of your area rugs to keep them in place. Sturdy coffee tables

or ottoman might be put in the center of your area rug as an alternative. In this manner, the mats stay in place while maintaining their outlook.

One big disadvantage of utilizing furniture to anchor your rug is that the unanchored side of the rug still has chances to move or curl up at the corners.

Moreover, when anchoring a sliding rug with furniture, keep the rug’s attractiveness in mind.

If not placed correctly, it can affect the outlook of your rug, which should be your first priority.

5.  Utilize A Non-Slip Underlay

Effectiveness: High

Installation: Easy

Longevity: Long-term

Putting a non-slip underlay below an area rug before placing it on top of carpeting is the simplest approach to keep the rug in place.

The use of a rug underlay helps to secure a rug in place and prevents it from shifting in any way.

On the other hand, not all rug underlays are the same; thus, you should choose a rug that is suited for usage in the sort of carpet that you have put on your floor.

In order to properly install the rug underlay, here are some tips that you can follow;

• Carefully trim the non-slip underlay so that it is at least 2 inches (25 millimeters) thinner and shorter than the rug you want to place it on.
• If your rug is larger than your underlay, the edges of the rug will begin to lift with time, which will increase the likelihood that you may fall because of the slippery surface.
• In addition, you may not be fond of the concept of an underlay being visible around the perimeter of the rug.
• After affixing the non-slip rug underlay to the carpet, proceed to arrange the rug on the surface.
• Make sure that it is positioned such that it is neatly and firmly on the underlay.
• Try to position it in a single try as frequently pulling the rug can affect the proper fitting.

Our Recommendation; Rug Pads

If your living room rugs have seen better days, replacing them with a throw rug or area rug instantly improves the space.

If you think with a rug over carpets don’t have to worry about sliding and you may assume you can omit the anti-slip rug pad.

This is not the case, though. However, the best option to secure your rugs on a carpet is to use a rug pad or an underlay. They are convenient, easy to use, and give the longest life.

In addition, with quick fixes, you can handle the problem at the given moment, though, it will not ensure efficiency.

Rug Pads For Carpets Pricing

Entering the market you will find a wide range of options from affordable pads to high-quality rug pads. Depending on your needs you can choose the one.

If you are living in a rented place, an affordable rug pad can last you a good amount of time. Speaking of the good life, FestiCorp Non-Slip Rug Pads offer good grip along with durability.

On the other hand, for your own home, investing one time in a good quality mat like Safavieh PAD130 is an excellent choice. It makes a great option to be used for both hardwood floors and carpets.

Conclusion

Fixing your rug on top of the carpet can get messy if you are not sure of what measures to take.

Depending on the type of carpet or floor along with the use determines what method you should choose.

Speaking of durability and long-term performance, rug pads are the most secure, quick, and easy.

Despite what method you choose to fix your rug on top of the carpet, make sure to properly clean the surfaces and put some good weight afterward.

FAQs

1.  How effective are rug grippers on the carpet?

Rug grippers are effective on carpets, though, they do not perform well on plusher carpets with long piles. Since the grippers will slide along the long pile.

Therefore, the best practice is to use a rug gripper on low-pile carpets to improve the hold on your area rug as they are recommended for high-pile carpets.

2.  Do I really need a rug on top of the carpet?

No, and yes! In reality, there are several advantages to using a rug area.

For instance, it helps in improving the aesthetics of your house, accent color in your dining room, and can be used to conceal stains and worn-out carpet fibers.

Moreover, it adds additional protection and comfort, when barefoot.

Last and most important, rug mats are best helping in noise absorption, particularly if you live in an apartment.

3.  Do rugs slide on the hardwood floor?

Yes indeed. Even if you do not have a carpet on your floor, the rugs tend to move from their place and wrap.

To secure your rugs on the floor, you can use rug grippers for the safe side.

They are small sticky pads placed at the corners of the rug to stick them in place – or you can just caulk your run on the floor.

However, you must know that it can leave some stains when removed.

4.  What is the best carpet double-sided tape?

The most common problem with double-sided carpet tape is that it may harm your rug and carpet.

While we don’t pretend to be carpet tape experts, the Sugarman Creations Strongest Double-sided tape has received the most positive feedback.

5.  Which double-sided tape does not harm the carpet?

If you are using silicone or a mix of rubber and silicone adhesive, it will not damage the fibers of your carpet.

These materials do not leave sticky residue on the carpet pile that causes the real problem.

6. What is the best way to remove the double-sided tape from the carpet?

If you do not wish to harm your carpet, this messy double-sided tape needs to be changed or removed.

We recommend using a steam cleaner or a hair dryer to melt or soften the glue. After that, remove the rug tape from your carpet.

It will not tug on the carpet fibers or leave any residue on the carpet since the glue has dissolved.