Keep a Carpet Runner from Shifting on Carpeted Floors (The Easy Way)

Of all the high-traffic areas in your home, hallways and entryways are the most traveled.

Your hallways are the path you take to relax in your living room, prepare for your day in the bathroom, and unwind at night in your bedroom. If you have wall-to-wall carpeting, chances are you are already seeing the carpet pile thinning in the places that see the most consistent foot traffic.

The best way to keep your carpeted floor in good condition, add cushioning to hard floors, and hide thin spots on your hallway flooring is to use a long, skinny runner rug.

But just like on hard surfaces, runner rugs have a tendency to bunch, shift, and move on carpeted floors. This could lead to pulls in your carpet, wrinkles in your rug, and dangerous tripping hazards in your hallways.

The best way to lock your runner rug in place is to use a high-quality rug pad designed for high traffic areas, like hallways, that will protect your wall-to-wall carpeting as they keep area rugs from shifting.

Why you need a rug pad for runners on carpet

Runner rugs are long, thin, and perfectly designed for use in the hallways of your home. They are typically two to three feet wide and range from six to twelve feet long on average.

Adding runner rugs to your hallways is a great way to tie this area in with the rest of your home décor.

• Choose A Durable Jute Runner Rug In Your Entryway Hall
• Use A Flatweave Runner To Add An Interesting Design Element To Your Hallway
• Lay A Bright Braided Runner Rug In The Hallway At The Bottom Of Your Stairs.
• Place A Patterned Runner In The Hallway Between Your Kitchen And Dining Room To Hide Stains.

With so many styles to choose from, adding rugs on carpet is an easy solution for anyone looking to make some inexpensive home improvement, even if they are in a rental.

Runner area rugs also offer various benefits you may not have considered when placed on top of carpet.

Easy To Clean: Runner throw rugs catch pet hair, dirt, and other household debris, allowing you to vacuum it up quickly.

Adds Color And Texture: Wall-to-wall carpeting may not be everyone’s favorite flooring, but you can easily update its look with a bright color or intricately patterned runner.

Reduces Noise: Adding a runner on top of the carpet offers additional soundproofing, especially outside bedrooms and home offices easily disturbed.

Adds Cushioning Underfoot: You spend a lot of time walking up and down the hallways of your home. A runner adds comfortable cushioning, especially to older, thinner carpeting.

Hides Stains And Wear: Like other high traffic areas, your hallways show footprints and worn pathways. Laying a runner hides any stains or wear while further protecting the carpet.

Like other floor surfaces, runner rugs need a rug mat to keep it in place on carpeting.

You already know some rug pads are designed for use on hardwood floors, laminate, and luxury vinyl. But did you know there are specially designed rug pads to keep your new rug from bunching up on the carpet?

Let’s take a look at how to choose the right rug pad for area rugs in your carpeted hallways.

What to know before you buy

When it comes to a rug pad underlay for your runner, not all products are created equal. You need a non-slip rug mat with the following characteristics:

• Anti-Slip Grip
• Comfortable Cushioning
• Safe For Carpeted Floors
• All-Natural Materials

You may find some resources that suggest using carpet tape to secure a runner rug to your carpeted floors. While this product is readily available on Amazon and seems like a quick fix, rug tape can easily damage your wall-to-wall carpet.

Carpet tape is made with synthetic adhesives, much like the ones found in hot glue guns. These adhesives break down over time and leave behind a sticky residue on your carpeted floors.

Not only that, when you try to remove the adhesive from your carpet and runner rug, you will find bald spots and pulls that will lead to expensive repairs for your carpeted floors and the need to replace your beautiful runner.

This is especially bad for renters, who risk losing their deposit over carpet damage, and homeowners who take pride in the appearance of their home.

Repairing carpet is tricky and expensive, as it often must be replaced to fix bald spots or runs. It’s best to stick with a high-quality non-slip rug pad made from materials that won’t flake or degrade and wreak havoc on your carpet.

These are the best rug pads for runners on carpet

When using a runner on carpeted floors, you’ll need to choose the right rug pad to use on carpet. Even runners with a rubber backing will bunch, shift, and ripple when placed on a wall-to-wall carpet.

This can lead to tripping hazards in the area of your home that sees the most foot traffic, as well as damage to your carpeted floors.

Here is the best rug pad to keep hallway runners from moving on carpet.

Carpet Lock

Carpet Lock offers concentrated protection between your runner rug and carpet. It has more than 45oz of felt and natural rubber per quart yard to prevent wrinkling, bunching, and shifting in your hallways.

This rug pad contains a natural rubber gripper topping that keeps your rug firmly in place. The lower layer is made from natural felt with a unique texture designed to grip the fibers of your carpeted flooring to lock your runner in place without causing damage to your flooring.

Carpet Lock is eco-friendly and contains no noticeable odors. It’s the perfect combination of cushioning and grip to ensure your runner rugs are locked in place.

Other things you want to know

Layering a runner rug on carpet is an easy and inexpensive way to update your wall-to-wall carpet while adding comfort and protection.

Here are some more things you should know about runner rugs and carpeting.

Can you put a runner rug over carpeted stairs?

No, it’s not a good idea. Typically, runners are installed over wood floors on stairs because rugs require a sturdy, firm surface to prevent shifting. They are often secured in place with caulking or anti-slip rubber backing.

Adding a runner over carpeted stairs means an unstable base can wear down your carpeted floors and pose safety hazards. It can also trap dirt and allergens beneath the runner, compromising the air quality of your home.

How do you clean a runner rug?

1. Vacuum Both Sides Of The Runner.
2. Use A Gentle Cleaner Safe For The Materials Of Your Area Rug.
3. Brush The Cleaning Solution Into Your Runner And Allow It To Sit For Several Minutes.
4. Take The Rug Outside And Use A Hose To Rinse It.
5. Use A Squeegee To Remove Excess Water.
6. Allow Both Sides To Dry Completely.
7. Replace The Rug And Vacuum Both Sides To Revive The Pile Or Fibers.

Some smaller runner rugs are machine washable. Always check the manufacturer tag for information on the right cleaning products and care guidelines.

How can I keep rugs from slipping on hard floors?

Depending on what type of flooring you have, there are several ways to keep your rugs from slipping.

Tile Flooring: Use a non-slip rug pad made from rubber and felt carpet tape or silicone caulk to keep area rugs in place.

Hardwood Floors: Choose non-skid underlays, like a non-slip rug pad designed to protect your wooden floors.

Laminate Flooring: Because this flooring type is very slippery, you'll need a non-slip rug pad made from all-natural materials to keep your rug secure and prevent staining on your laminate.

Vinyl And Vinyl Plank Floors: Use velcro strips, double-sided tape, or a rug pad with felt backing.

Always check the materials for the product you use to secure your rug to hard flooring. Some are made with synthetic materials that react with your floor’s finish, leaving behind stains and permanent damage.

What size rug pad should I purchase for my runner rug?

When choosing the measurements for your rug pad, you’ll need first to identify your rug size.

Then, order a rug pad that is one inch smaller in perimeter than your runner rug’s measurements.

This will ensure the rug pad does not stick out around the edges of your area rug and gives your runner enough space to drape correctly to prevent tripping hazards.

Can I DIY an anti-fatigue mat using a rug pad and runner?

Yes! Runners are the perfect size to sit in front of places in your home that require you to stand, like in front of the kitchen sink, bathroom mirror, or stove.

These mats help prevent sore feet, relieve contact pressure, and offer a comfortable place to rest your feet as you get ready to leave the house or wash the dinner dishes.

Here’s how to DIY an anti-fatigue mat.

1. Choose A Cushioned Rug Pad, Like Cloud Comfort Memory Foam.
2. Measure And Cut The Rug Pad To A Perimeter That Is One Inch Less Than Your Chosen Runner. Save The Excess!
3. Place The Cut Out Rug Pad On The Back Of Your Runner And Secure With Hot Glue Or Silicone Adhesive.
4. Using The Excess, Cut Four 8x8 Squares And Attach Them To The Corners Of Your Runner.
5. Test Out Your New Anti-Fatigue Mat.

While you can buy anti-fatigue mats from a variety of retailers, making your own allows you to match your runner to your home décor and choose the most comfortable level of cushioning.

How can I flatten a curling runner rug?

Because of their long, thin shape, runner rugs are prone to curling edges, which may lead to tripping hazards and an unappealing look.

Flatten your area rug by placing heavy objects on the corners, flipping the rug over for a few days, or ironing it if the materials allow it. These solutions will take a few days to be effective.

If you’re looking to flatten your area rug quickly, choose a rug pad with a high level of grip, like Super-Lock Natural, to instantly flatten a curling runner rug.