Quality rug pads are often overlooked but represent essential accessories that protect your investment, enhance comfort, and extend rug life significantly. Understanding pad options helps you choose appropriately.
Primary functions include preventing slippage, protecting floor finishes, adding cushioning, and reducing rug wear. Without pads, rugs can migrate across floors, scratch delicate finishes, and wear unevenly as foundations grind against hard surfaces.
Pad materials vary by floor type. Felt pads suit hardwood and stone, providing excellent cushioning without risking finish damage. Rubber pads offer superior grip on smooth surfaces. Avoid rubber on finished wood, where it can cause discoloration.
Thickness affects comfort and appearance. Thicker pads (3/8 inch) add luxurious cushioning but may cause furniture to sit unevenly at rug edges. Thinner pads (1/8 inch) provide protection with minimal profile change.
Size your pad slightly smaller than your rug—approximately one inch smaller on each side—so it remains invisible while providing full support.
Eastern Mills recommends replacing pads every five to seven years, or sooner if they show compression or deterioration. This relatively small investment dramatically extends rug life.