A rug that slides is not just annoying — it is also a tripping hazard. Rugs slide easily, especially on smooth floors like laminate, parquet, PVC, and tiles. The solution is almost always a good anti-slip underlay. But which one should you choose? That depends on your floor and your rug.
Why does a rug slide?
- Smooth floor: laminate, PVC, polished concrete, and tiles offer little grip.
- Light or thin rug: a kilim or runner is flatter and lighter than a knotted rug and therefore slides more easily.
- Traffic area: a rug in the hallway or by the door is constantly pushed in the same direction.
The three types of anti-slip underlays
1. Felt with natural rubber
A thick layer of felt on top, natural rubber on the bottom. Provides grip as well as extra softness and cushioning. The best all-rounder for living rooms and bedrooms, and suitable for most hard floors.
2. Thin rubber mesh
A thin, open net of rubber. Inexpensive and invisible under thin rugs and runners. Note: choose natural rubber, not a cheap PVC variant — as it can leave marks or cause discoloration on some floors (particularly PVC, vinyl, and lacquered parquet).
3. Underlay for rug on carpet
Is your rug placed on fitted carpeting? Then it often "creeps" slowly in one direction. There are special underlays for this with a grip structure that latches into the carpet.
Which underlay for which floor?
- Laminate and parquet: felt with natural rubber. Also protects against scratches.
- PVC and vinyl: felt with natural rubber, or an underlay that the manufacturer explicitly states is suitable for PVC. Avoid PVC underlays.
- Tiles and natural stone: felt with rubber or a rubber mesh.
- Underfloor heating: choose a thin underlay that is suitable for underfloor heating so that the warmth can pass through properly. Also read our tips on rugs on underfloor heating.
- Fitted carpeting: a special underlay for rug-on-carpet.
What size underlay?
The rule of thumb: the underlay should be 2 to 3 cm smaller on each side than the rug. This way, it stays hidden and the edge of the rug slopes nicely down to the floor. Most underlays can be cut to size with scissors.
Example: a 200×300 cm rug gets an underlay of approximately 195×295 cm.
Tips for a rug that stays in place
- Clean and dry the floor thoroughly before laying down the underlay.
- Place the underlay down first and then roll the rug out over it.
- Place furniture with at least the front legs on the rug; that keeps it extra secure. You can read how large your rug needs to be to achieve this in our size guide per room.
- Check the underlay once a year and replace it if the rubber becomes hard or brittle.
Frequently asked questions
Does a heavy hand-knotted rug also need an underlay?
A large, heavy rug under a sofa is less likely to slide. Nevertheless, an underlay is recommended: it provides cushioning, protects the floor, and ensures the rug wears down less.
Can I use double-sided tape?
Preferably not. Tape can leave adhesive residue on the floor and damage the back of a wool rug.
