Area rugs provide extra color and style to a room, and add warmth to a floor when placed on hardwood or tile. Area rugs may easily shift and bunch up, however, in an unsightly and unsafe way. This happens most easily on hard, slick floor surfaces, such as wood, laminate and tile, but can also occur with area rugs placed on carpeting. Keep your area rugs looking smooth and straight, and reduce the tripping hazard, by following a few steps.
Purchase a rug pad close to the size and shape of your area rug. Many places that sell area rugs will also have rug pads. Rug pads come in several materials and thicknesses. Thicker rug pads will not only keep the rug in places, but will provide extra cushioning.
Use a measuring tape, a pencil and a carpet knife to cut the rug pad to size, if necessary. The rug pad should be slightly smaller than the rug itself to insure a good fit.
Place the rug pad where you want your area rug to go. Then drape the area rug over the pad, centering it.
Smooth out creases in the rug by hand to help it lie flat on the pad.