How do I keep a rug from moving?

Connie
by Connie

I have a small area rug (7.5'x5') placed over carpeting between my couches that constantly shifts. The recommended sticky products have not helped. Any ideas? I'm considering using 3 long screws at each end through the layers to the wood floor to secure. They look like round domed brads and would be underneath the furniture out of sight.

  4 answers
  • Lifestyles Homes Lifestyles Homes on Apr 30, 2019

    Adhere a non-slide scrim pad on the back of the rug. You can hand stitch it or use fabric glue or hot melt glue.


    Since your flooring underlayment is probably Masonite or particle board or OSB, neither of those will hold a screw long term when the carpets flex when walked on.

    • See 2 previous
    • Lifestyles Homes Lifestyles Homes on May 01, 2019

      Yes, This should work. This is the same concept as Kathy’s comment below.

      If you can find out what kind of wood is underneath your carpeting, and it is plywood, then you could screw into the floor. Plywood or 2x4 planks. But the probability of this is low.

  • Kathy Gunter Law Kathy Gunter Law on Apr 30, 2019

    You can purchase a non slip pad that is latex. I would recommend affixing to the rug for increase the chance it will work.

  • Our Crafty Mom Our Crafty Mom on Apr 30, 2019

    Have you tried a non slip rug pad? I use one on my hardwood and it works great! I purchased it from https://www.rugpadusa.com/

    • Connie Connie on Apr 30, 2019

      Thank you, yes, but my area rug is on carpeting and those rug pads did not work.

  • Agnes Chrzanowska Agnes Chrzanowska on Dec 31, 2021

    There rug pads that you can purchase to prevent that