Area rugs play a pivotal role in interior design. The right rug adds texture and visual variety to the room and complements your color scheme. Additionally, a rug makes your home feel homey and intimate. However, you won’t get the most out of your rug unless you have an essential accessory: a rug pad.
A rug pad is a cushion that provides an extra layer of support between your rug and the floor. It also has many practical benefits, like preventing your rug from sliding out from under your feet. But do you really need a rug pad? Discover the advantages of a rug pad and factors to consider when shopping for this handy accessory.
As the name suggests, a rug pad is a cushioning layer placed directly underneath a rug. Rug pads come in many sizes and materials, such as felt, memory foam, PVC, and rubber. They also have different designs. For example, some rug pads are plush, solid mats, while others have an open grid pattern designed to grip the floor.
Typically, rug pads are the same size or slightly smaller than the rugs they support, so they’re not visible once installed. However, they provide a noticeable cushion when people stand or walk on them.
Benefits of a Rug Pad
People often overlook the value of rug pads, but adding one of these simple cushions to your home has many advantages.
Anti-Slip Grip
Everyday activities can make even the thickest area rug slide, especially if you have a slick hardwood or tile floor. Your vacuum cleaner might push the rug out of place, or a running dog could cause the rug to skid across the floor. The risk of slippage is even higher if you don’t anchor the rug under a heavy piece of furniture.
Many rug pads have anti-slip features that enable them to keep your rug right where it belongs. Pads with tiny rubber grippers or felt bases resist sliding without damaging your floor. As a result, you won’t have to readjust your rug constantly.
Floor Protection
A rug pad is a buffer between the rug and the floor, providing extra protection from accidents and wear and tear. For example, a waterproof cushion could catch spilled liquid before it seeps down to the floor, preventing water damage and stains.
This accessory also protects the floor from the rug itself, as some area rugs have a stiff plastic backing that could scratch hardwood without a pad.
Increased Safety
A bunched-up rug can easily trip an unsuspecting passerby, while a rug that slides underfoot may cause someone to fall backward. A rug pad keeps the rug flat and motionless, reducing the risk of injury. Households with children and seniors may find a rug pad especially beneficial.
Longer Rug Lifespan
Area rugs often endure heavy usage, particularly if they’re placed in high-traffic locations like the kitchen or living room. People may walk across the rug while wearing shoes or drag heavy furniture across it. Your area rug could also become your dog’s favorite napping spot or your child’s playground.
All this action can cause wear and tear as the rug repeatedly rubs against the floor. A rug pad protects your investment by adding a soft cushion below the rug and reducing friction, which can degrade rug fibers over time.
Low-Cost Investment
Many factors affect the price of a rug pad, such as the manufacturer, materials, size, and thickness, but these items are typically quite affordable, making them a smart investment.
Noise Reduction
Soft materials like rugs and rug pads absorb and muffle everyday sounds, including footsteps and loud music. This feature makes it easier to enjoy your home in peace and quiet. Also, people living in upstairs apartments often use rug pads to reduce the noise their downstairs neighbors hear.
Which Size Rug Pad Do I Need?
Rug pads come in a broad range of sizes to accommodate a variety of area rugs. Generally, your rug pad should be one inch shorter on each side than the rug it protects. This sizing allows the pad to provide maximum protection without poking out from under the rug and ruining your aesthetic.
You can calculate the proper rug pad size by subtracting two inches from the area rug’s dimensions. Here are five common rug sizes and their ideal pad size:
Rug Dimensions to Rug Pad Size
3’ x 5’ | 2’10” x 4’10”
5’ x 8’ | 4’10” x 7’10”
8’ x 10’ | 7’10” x 9’10”
9’ x 12’ | 8’10’’ x 11’10’’
12’ x 15’ | 11'10" x 14'10"
What Type of Rug Pad Do I Need?
Your flooring and goals can help you determine which rug pad to buy. Here are four of the most common kinds:
Non-Slip/Grid
These rug pads often have anti-slip properties, such as rubber grippers or textured backs that stick to the floor. Non-slip pads are ideal for floors made from smooth materials, including ceramic tile, hardwood, and vinyl.
Cushioning
These pads are made from plush materials like felt and memory foam. They can range from ¼" to ½" thick and provide additional support. For ultimate comfort, you can use a cushioning rug on top of carpet flooring.
Combination of Non-Slip and Cushioning
Get the best of both worlds by choosing a double-layered combination rug pad. These hybrid pads have a layer of soft material on the top and an anti-slip rubber layer on the bottom. They’re perfect for high-traffic areas where you spend a lot of time, like a living room with hardwood floors or a tiled kitchen.
Can Rug Pads Damage Hardwood Floors?
Some rug pads can discolor or scratch hardwood floors, so it’s important to choose your pad carefully.
Avoid inexpensive rug pads treated with cheap plastics and other harmful materials. For example, synthetic rubber pads resembling kitchen drawer liners can leave permanent grid patterns on hardwood floors. Similarly, latex rug pads often have adhesive materials that leave a sticky residue on hardwood. And certain PVC rugs contain chemicals that can leach onto hardwood and vinyl floors, causing unpleasant discoloration.
The safest rug pad materials for hardwood include felt, natural rubber, and polyurethane. These materials won’t discolor, scrape, or stick to your floor.
It's always a good idea to consult with your hardwood flooring manufacturer to get specific product recommendations.
How To Install a Rug Pad
Setting up your rug pad is an easy process that only takes a few minutes. Start by thoroughly cleaning the floor where you plan to place the rug. This step protects the rug pad from dirt, pet hair, and scratchy debris that could cause damage.
Next, unwrap the rug pad and lay it where you plan to set your rug. Adjust the pad so that the edges are aligned straight with the wall or nearby furniture. Then, place the rug on top, ensuring that the rug overhangs the pad by one inch on each side. If the pad is too big, you can fold back each side of the area rug and carefully cut the pad with scissors until it’s the perfect size.
You can tuck the rug and pad under your furniture if you want extra security. For example, a couch or coffee table can firmly anchor the rug and pad in place.
How To Clean a Rug Pad
Area rugs shield the pads below from dirt and damage, so these cushions usually don’t require much maintenance. Remove the rug every three to six months and thoroughly vacuum the pad to remove dust and pet hair. You should also lift the pad to vacuum the floor and catch any dust that may have gotten underneath the cushion.
Additionally, promptly clean spills so the liquid doesn’t stain the rug pad or leak onto the floor below. Start by rolling up the rug and setting it aside. If you have a felt rug pad, you can spot-treat the stain with dish soap or mild detergent mixed with warm water. Dip a soft cloth or paper towel in the solution and gently blot it on the rug pad until the stain is gone.
You can easily clean spills from rubber, latex, and plastic rug pads with a paper towel and dish soap. Many people also take these pads outside and rinse them with a hose or bucket of water for fast cleaning.
Finally, sprinkle baking soda on a felt rug pad and vacuum it after 15 to 20 minutes to remove odors and keeps the pad smelling fresh.
Maximize Comfort & Safety With a Rug Pad
Area rugs are beautiful and practical furnishings that help define your aesthetic. However, an unsecured rug can cause many problems, such as getting caught in the vacuum cleaner and tripping people.
A rug pad is an essential accessory that keeps your rug anchored and safe from wear and tear. This additional layer also makes your floor more comfortable and dampens sound.
Browse our selection of affordable and durable pads that will protect your investment and your family.