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This post is sponsored by RugPadUSA. All opinions are my own.
Some purchases for the home are fun, others are more functional. I'll be honest, today's post mostly falls in the latter camp. But the functional stuff is important too! In fact, it often makes the biggest difference in how good you feel in your house--whether you realize it or not. So what am I talking about today? RUG PADS. Ohhh yeah! Ok, a new rug pad is obviously not as exciting as finding the perfect new rug. It won't make a difference visually, or pull the whole room together design-wise. But practically speaking, the right rug pad can really affect how a room functions and feels.
When you're dropping hundreds or thousands of dollars on a new rug, it can be hard to add on yet another purchase. You may wonder, is a rug pad really necessary? The answer is yes, it really is. A good rug pad protects your floor from scratches, spills, and stains. At the same time, it protects your rug from getting crushed by furniture and foot traffic. In addition, it holds your rug in place, preventing slips, facilitating vacuuming, and saving you from constantly readjusting your rug. It also keeps your rug cleaner, by allowing more air flow between the rug and the floor, which prevents mold, mildew, odors, and bacteria buildup. Finally, a rug pad adds cushioning and softness that feels great underfoot and dampens noise.
But once you know you need a rug pad, you still may wonder which one is right for your space? RugPadUSA has a handy guide that gives you recommendations based on your flooring type and the size of your rug. Here are some of the factors to consider.
1. Rug size. Small throw rugs and runners need rug pads with a strong grip to keep them in place. They tend to be placed in high-traffic areas like hallways and entryways, where door clearance can be an issue. As such, a low-profile non-slip pad is usually the best choice. Large rugs, on the other hand, are more stable on their own and often anchored by furniture that keeps them in place. They also tend to be placed in rooms where you want more comfort, such as living rooms and bedrooms. Thus, a thicker, cushioned rug pad is best. Medium size rugs require a combination of cushion and grip.
2. Flooring. Many rug pads on the market are made with plastics, glues, and adhesives that can stain or damage your floors. However, RugPadUSA makes their pads with quality materials such as natural rubber and felt, so all their rug pads are safe for hardwood floors. With laminate or vinyl, you should check with the flooring manufacturer, as some recommend no rubber. And if you're putting a rug on top of carpet (I've done it!) then make sure to get the Carpet Lock rug pad, which is specifically designed with a felt under-surface that fastens itself to the fibers of your carpet, and a non-slip rubber surface that prevents your rug from shifting or wrinkling.
3. Function. Once you've narrowed down your options based on size & flooring, think about how the room is used before you make your final decision. Do you need to muffle noise from loud neighbors or a noisy appliance? Consider a thick soundproofing rug pad. Do you need to prevent spills from reaching your floor (like in the kitchen or bathroom)? A waterproof rug pad might be the way to go. RugPadUSA has a ton of options, so you should be able to find a pad that's just right for your unique situation.
I went through the buying guide and ended up choosing the Superior Lock rug pad for our family room. I'm really happy with the amount of cushioning it adds! Plus all of RugPadUSA's products are eco-friendly, sustainable, non-toxic, and made in the USA...a much better alternative to the imported plastic rug pads that can damage your floors.
If you need some rug pads for your house, this is the perfect time to get them. RugPadUSA is having their Spring Clearance sale, with everything 15-20% off. Plus, you can get an additional 5% discount with the promo code ATHOMEINLOVE!
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My wife and I are remodeling our living room at the moment, so we are thinking of putting a rug in there soon. I like your point about using a thick carpet for soundproofing. I'll have to find a rug that is thick enough so we don't disturb anyone downstairs.
Exciting! A good rug can make a huuuuge difference in aesthetics and soundproofing, especially in the living room.
This post gave me so many good ideas about decorating my home! Will definitely be taking these into consideration. Thank you for the post!
I'm glad to hear that! Thank you!