Source: Chris Loves Julia | Jules JUL-05 Rug in Lagoon/Brick
I'm sure it's no surprise that I'm a BIG fan of area rugs. They're a great way to elevate and add personality to a space and an easy solution when you want a room refresh. If you want to do it right - please, don't neglect the all-so-important foundation - the rug pad! It's tempting to just skip the rug pad and avoid the extra cost for something you never actually see or touch, but you'll likely regret it in the long run.
Rug pads are an essential purchase no matter what style of rug you have or where you are placing it. Here are five of the major benefits you can expect from a good, quality rug pad:
1. Protect your flooring
A pad under the rug prevents scratches and dye transfer to your floor or carpet below. Rug backings can be rough and abrasive and rugs are also notorious for trapping debris, which could be dangerous for your floor. Having a pad acts as a protective barrier from surface damage as the rug shifts with foot traffic and weight.
(left) Billie BIL-03 Rug in Clay/Sage and (right) Morgan MOG-03 Rug in Denim
2. Keep your rug securely in place
One case of the zoomies and my dogs can send a rug sideways. If you want your rug to lie flat and wear evenly, you need a rug pad that will grip and flatten the rug and keep it safely anchored to the floor.
Jules JUL-05 Rug in Lagoon/Brick styled by Tiffany Leigh Design
3. Increase comfort
Rug pads are available in a lot of different materials and thicknesses, so you can pick the one that works well for the rug and function of the space you're putting it in.
Georgie GER-07 Rug in Moss/Salmon and Billie BIL-01 Rug in Ink/Salmon
4. Improve acoustics
Don't expect your area rug to work like noise-canceling headphones, but a good one will dampen vibrations and can significantly reduce sound transfer. Case in point - I had a thin rug in my small home office with hardwood floors, and could NOT stand the sound of my voice echoing in the room. I added a 1/4" thick wool rug pad, and BAM, problem solved!
Collins COL-01 Rug in Charcoal/Denim
5. Protect and extend the life of your rug
Rugs are made of soft fibers and the more we walk (run, jump, wrestle, etc.) on them, the more those fibers compress and start looking worn. A rug pad will absorb some of this stress, slow the compression process, and prolong the lifespan of your rugs.
(left) Billie 05 Rug in Denim/Blush | (right) Chris 02 Striped Rug in Neutral/Sage
Now that you understand WHY rug pads are so important, let me introduce you to my favorite rug pads by RugPadUSA. This is not a sponsored post, I don't have any special relationship with RugPadUSA, I just appreciate quality products and killer customer service and think they offer both.
Cushioning Rug Pad for All Floor Types
RugPadUSA 100% Felt Cushioning Rug Pad
This is NOT a non-slip rug, but it’s a great choice for rooms where the area rug (and rug pad) are held securely in place by large furniture pieces. Non-slip rugs are a little pricier - so this is the perfect choice if you don’t need a non-slip solution. Woven of dense felt, you can choose from three different thicknesses 1/2”, 1/4” and 3/8”). I usually go with the ½” thickness for maximum comfort but have ordered the thinner pads in cases where I have clearance issues (e.g. when the rug and rug pad creep into a doorway - I often need a thinner rug pad to give the door enough clearance). This felt rug pad is available in a large number of sizes and is a relatively easy rug to trim if you need a custom size.
Non-Slip Rug Pad for Hard Floors
RugPadUSA Contour-Lock Felt and Natural Rubber Rug Pad
When you DO need a non-slip solution, this is my go-to rug pad. It's safe for any hard surface - hardwood, laminate, stone, tile, radiant heat, concrete, bamboo - basically everything except vinyl. It keeps my rugs securely in place and comes in a wide variety of sizes and thicknesses. It is a little hard to trim if you need to cut it down a bit to work with a vintage or otherwise odd-sized rug (although no match for my favorite Fiskars scissors). The non-slip backing is made from natural rubber which is awesome but a bit SMELLY out of the box - so be prepared to deal with that the first day.
Non-Slip Rug Pad for Vinyl Flooring
RugPadUSA Felt and EVA Non-Slip Rug Pad
I don't have vinyl flooring, so I cannot give this one my personal stamp of approval - but, I would be willing to try this bad boy based on the quality of their other rug pads. If you have tried one out, please leave a note in the comments below - I'd love to hear what you think!