Which Rugs Need a Pad? (And Which Don't)
A rug pad is one of the cheapest upgrades you can make to a room, but it's also one of the most skipped ... usually because people assume it's optional. Sometimes it is. Most often, it isn't.
What a Rug Pad Actually Does
A good rug pad keeps a rug from sliding, which is a real safety issue on hard floors. It also cushions the rug, adding underfoot comfort and extending the rug's lifespan by reducing friction against the floor
In addition, a rug pad protects the floor beneath from dye transfer, scratches, and moisture and adds a layer of insulation.
Rugs That Need a Pad
A rug pad is critical for any rug on hardwood, tile, laminate, or stone. Without a pad, rugs shift, curl, and slowly wear down the floor finish underneath through friction. For natural rugs, the friction can also weaken and break down natural fibers.
A pad is also needed for flatweave and low-pile rugs. Thinner constructions like braided jute or flatwoven wool have less natural grip and are the most prone to bunching or "walking" across a room.
For rugs that are placed under furniture (and in most situations, at least the front legs of all seating should be on the rug), a pad helps keep heavy pieces and the rug from shifting out of place over time.
Rug pads are especially useful for rugs in high-traffic zones, like entryways, hallways, and in front of sinks, where repeated foot traffic accelerates wear without cushioning.
And finally, when layering rugs, where a smaller rug sits on top of a larger one, a thin grip pad between the layers keeps the top rug from sliding.
Rugs That Can Usually Skip One
Rugs that are placed directly on top of wall-to-wall carpet, where the carpet itself provides grip and cushioning do not necessarily require a rug pad, although a thin double-sided rug gripper is still worth considering.
Very heavy, densely woven wool or hand-knotted rugs, which often have enough weight to stay put on their own, don't necessarily have to have a pad, but having one still extends their life and protects the floor beneath.
Natural Rug Co. bamboo rugs come with a vented, eco-soy backing already sewn on, which adds cushioning and keeps the rug in place, making an additional pad unnecessary.
What to Remember
If you're placing a rug on a hard floor, under furniture, or in a busy walkway, a pad isn't optional; it's protecting your floor and your investment. When in doubt, size your pad about an inch smaller than your rug on all sides.
Natural Rug Co.'s premium gray and tan reversible pads are machine woven from 85% recycled polyester and 15% latex, providing a non-slip side and a felted side. The non-slip latex side is perfect for hardwood floors and the polyester felt side is ideal for carpeted floors.