A rug pad is a layer placed under a rug to hold it in place, cushion it, and protect both the rug and the floor. It is easy to overlook, but for a handmade rug a good pad is one of the best investments you can make. It keeps the rug from slipping and wrinkling, absorbs the impact of footsteps so the rug wears more slowly, and lets air circulate underneath.
| Why | Safety, longer rug life, floor protection, comfort |
|---|---|
| Hard floors | Felt and natural rubber combination pads |
| On carpet | A pad designed to grip carpet and stop the rug from creeping |
| Size | About 1 inch smaller than the rug on each side |
| Avoid | PVC and vinyl pads that can stick to or stain floors |
Why a handmade rug needs a pad
- Safety: a pad stops a rug from slipping, which prevents falls, especially on hard floors.
- Longer life: by cushioning footsteps, a pad reduces the grinding of the foundation against the hard floor, so the rug wears more slowly.
- Flatness: a pad keeps the rug from wrinkling, rippling and creeping, which can strain the foundation.
- Floor protection: a pad stops the back of the rug from scratching wood and stone floors.
- Comfort and quiet: a pad makes the rug feel softer and reduces noise.
Choosing the right pad
On hard floors
For wood, tile and stone floors, the best all-round choice is a felt and natural rubber pad: dense felt for cushioning, with a natural rubber backing for grip. Thinner pads, about ¼ inch, suit doorways and places where a rug must sit low; thicker pads, about ⅜ inch, add comfort in living and bedrooms.
On wall-to-wall carpet
Rugs on carpet tend to "walk" and wrinkle. Use a pad designed for carpet, which grips the carpet fibers and stiffens the rug slightly to keep it flat.
For flatweaves and thin rugs
Kilims, needlepoint and Aubusson rugs are thin and slide easily, so a pad is essential. A thin felt and rubber pad works well. See Flatweaves vs. Pile Rugs.
Sizing a pad
A pad should be about 1 inch smaller than the rug on every side, so it does not show at the edges and the rug's edges taper gently down to the floor. Most pads can be trimmed with scissors to fit exactly.
Pads to avoid
- PVC and vinyl waffle pads: often inexpensive, but they can break down, stick to floors and discolor finishes over time.
- Pads that are too thick under a large rug where furniture sits, which can make chairs wobble.
- No pad at all on a hard floor.
See also Caring for a Handmade Rug.
