Rug Pads

When you have area rugs placed throughout your home, you might want to consider adding rug pads for a few different reasons. First, there's safety: putting a non-slip rug pad under any area rugs that currently lie on smooth surfaces like tile, marble, and hardwood floors gives those rugs the big benefit of more surface friction. The floor-gripping gained means that kids, elderly folks, and others will navigate those potential trip- or slip-hazards with surer footing. That being said, everyone likes comfort, and that's what the cushion of a rug pad adds as well. The padding is especially nice in high-trafficked areas like hallways, foyers, and kitchens. And, last but not least, rug pads help to protect your rugs and floors from wear and tear.

What are the best tips for putting down a rug pad?

Fortunately, you'll find the task of laying down your rug pad to be just about as comfortable as walking on it. First off, in the spirit of "measure twice, cut once," we recommend getting out your measuring tape and writing down the exact dimensions of the rug under which your rug pad will be placed. Then shop above for the rug pad that appeals to you, selecting a size that is equal to or somewhat smaller than its partner rug. After receiving it, move furniture out of the way, roll up your rug, and then lay out the rug pad. Once it is situated where you like, roll out the rug on top of the rug pad, and carefully position the edges to align perfectly (or where the rug edges overlap the pad by an inch or two). That's all there is to it!

What do I do if my rug pad is slightly too big for my area rug?

Great question! Normally, this won't be a concern, but if you do discover that your new rug pad is a tad bigger than the rug you pair it with, the solution is easy. Just follow these steps:

• Measure your rug with a measuring tape, and write down its dimensions.
• Mark your rug pad with your rug's dimensions after subtracting two inches from length and width (which should give you an inch to spare on all four sides).
• Cut the rug pad to size using a carpet knife on a hard, non-scratch surface, following straight lines marked with a yardstick.

Once you complete these steps, you'll have a rug pad just slightly smaller than your rug, and you can place your them as described above to enjoy your custom-fitted rug pad.