Top Interior Design Mistake To Avoid: #1 The Runaway Rug

How to prevent carpets from moving around in your well planned interiors. 3 tips to stop chasing your rugs.

A plush carpet sits amidst a neutral-toned luxurious living room

The "Rug Runaround", a tale as old as time (or at least, since someone first laid a woven mat on the floor). You picture it: your carefully chosen Persian or an plush shag carpet perpetually migrating across the floor like a rogue Roomba, bunching up under the coffee table or triggering your OCD by drifting into odd angles (guilty! ;-). No matter how many times you wrestle it back into place, it seems to possess an uncanny ability to develop a life of its own.

But why, oh why, does this treacherous textile torment us so? Fear not, dear homeowner, for the reasons (and remedies!) are as clear as a freshly vacuumed carpet.

Culprit no. 1: The Wrong Backing

Just like shoes, rugs need the right sole to grip the ground. A smooth-bottomed beauty on a slick floor is a recipe for disaster . Opt for rugs with rubber or felt backings for increased traction. Bonus points if you invest in a rug pad – it's like an anti-slip superhero for your floor covering.

Culprit no. 2: Size Mismatch

A rug that's too small for the space is like a shy child at a school play – it just wants to cling to the edges. Ensure your rug extends at least 6-8 inches under the front legs of your furniture to anchor it in place. For living rooms, aim for the front legs of your sofa to sit entirely on the rug, creating a cohesive zone like in the picture above from one of my projects.

Culprit no. 3: High Traffic Tango

Rugs in high-traffic areas, like entryways or kitchens, are bound to get a workout. Choose materials like woven wool or flatweave polypropylene that can handle the hustle and bustle without succumbing to the rug runaround.

Bonus tip: The Double-Sided Tape Trick

For extra grip, especially on smooth floors, try discreetly applying double-sided tape along the edges or corners of your rug. Just remember, go easy on the tape – you don't want to be wrestling your rug off the floor when it's time for cleaning or scraping residue off your floors.

With these tips, you can banish the rug runaround and restore peace and harmony to your floor. Remember, a happy rug is a well-behaved rug, and a well-behaved rug means a home free from the tyranny of textile-tantrums.

Now go forth and conquer the chaos, one perfectly placed Persian at a time!

Stay tuned for more from the series "Top Interior Design Mistakes To Avoid".