Best Area Rugs for Hardwood Floors

Wool

Most area rugs for hardwood floors are made of wool. This is the most common choice because wool is easy to clean, very durable, warm, and comfortable. There are flatweave hand-tufted and hand-knotted wool rugs. They both come in different colors, patterns, and styles to fit in with various types of wood floors and furniture.

Natural Fiber

Natural-fiber area rugs are made of coir, seagrass, jute, sisal, as well as other plant fibers. These rugs are more suitable for contemporary spaces. They usually don’t blend in with rooms with a traditional look.

Are natural-fiber rugs safe for hardwood floors? Most are flat woven and reversible. However, seagrass and coir rugs often come with a latex backing. I recommend watching out for them because they can scratch and harm your carpet if you place them directly on your floor.

Cotton

Despite being made of plant fibers, these area rugs are categorized separately. They can add a casual look and extra beauty to your room. If you are one of those people having a rustic sensibility, this could be an ideal option for you. Choose a style and pattern that suits your floor and your preference when looking for a cotton rug.

Synthetic

For added flexibility and durability, consider buying a synthetic area rug. Make sure its backing isn’t made from hard plastic since it can cause damage to your floor. The most common materials used for synthetic area rugs include polypropylene, acrylic, nylon, viscose, and rayon. They look like rugs made of natural materials and are available in a variety of styles, such as short-pile rugs, flatweaves, shags, and more.

To suit just about any decor and complement different kinds of hardwoods, there’s a large selection of solid-color and patterned options to choose from. While some synthetic rugs feature a matte look, others are decorated with patterns with a lot of details or a shiny surface.

Hallway

As a high-traffic area in your home, the hallway needs a rug not only to protect the floor from scratches and dirt but also to warm your feet. Wood flooring in hallways can easily get chilly during the winter months. That said, place a welcoming runner rug in your hallways. Make sure it is dirt-resistant and matched correctly to the size and shape of your hallway.

Living Room

The living room is one of the most heavily used rooms, so putting an area rug in this room is highly recommended. I recommend placing all-wool rugs or hard-wearing rugs that are made of polyester. They will withstand everyday foot traffic and have a visual impact on your living room. Oversized rugs are suited for larger living rooms because they offer more protection by covering a greater area.

Kitchen

If you need an area rug for your kitchen, a cotton flatweave rug is a safe bet. These rugs are perfect for the kitchen because they allow for effortless spot cleaning. Moreover, most cotton flatweave rugs are machine washable and waterproof. They can protect the hardwood floor from liquid spills and dirt as well.

Bedroom

The bedroom is a private, low-traffic space, so you need to place a high-pile, plush rug in it. Both wool and polypropylene are soft, long-lasting, and hard-wearing materials that fit perfectly in such a setting. Sheepskin is also a good option for the bedroom.

Soft Backing

When it comes to the backing of the area rugs, there are two options: a latex (rubber) and a woven backing.Which one is better? You want a backing that is soft and harmless to your floor.

Rubber or latex backing prevents slipping by holding the rug in place, which is important for areas with a great deal of foot traffic. Nevertheless, you need to AVOID latex because it can scratch your hardwood floor. Moreover, this type of backing doesn’t allow for air flow, so it can ruin the floor finishes by trapping gasses and moisture.

On the other hand, woven backing gives healthier airflow to the hardwoods. Healthy ventilation prevents floors from getting discolored. Most importantly, woven soft backing made of natural materials is completely harmless to hardwood floors. However, it doesn’t provide a strong grip, so you need to put the rug pad under your area rug.

Waterproof

It is always a good idea to look for waterproof rugs for hardwood floors. That’s because these rugs can considerably reduce the exposure of the floor to spills and moisture. While some rugs are completely waterproof, others hold and capture water.

The best ones can create a waterproof barrier between the floor and rug without compromising breathability. If your area rug is not waterproof, you should consider putting a rug pad under it, just in case.

Colorfastness

It refers to the leakage of colored paint. Not all area rugs feature colorfastness. Make sure the colored dyes are colorfast, meaning they won’t fade or get washed out when undergoing a chemical reaction that may result in discoloration. When exposed to cleaning solutions, moisture, fluids, light, and heat, it should be capable of holding on to the color to prevent bleeding into the flooring and other areas.

Gorilla Grip Area Rug Pad for Hardwood and Hard Floor

Durable and thick, this rug pad can reduce sound while providing good floor protection. It is made of condensed felt for improved cushion and strength. To keep the rug in place, this pad comes with a textured ultra-durable backing that’s made of natural rubber.
Key Features and Specs

• Dimensions: 21 x 5 x 5 inches
• Weight: 15.8 ounces
• Style: 1/4″ Thickness
• Materials: Felt and rubber backing
• Made in the USA

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Non-Slip Rug Pad Underlay for Hardwood Floors

Made of soft and stretchy materials, this rug pad works perfectly with hardwood floors. The thick padding doesn’t only add cushion, but it also prevents sliding thanks to a good grip. It can prevent bunching while keeping your rug in place and extending its life.
Key Features and Specs

• Dimensions: 13.5 x 12.28 x 2.28 inches
• Weight: 1.23 pounds
• Shape: Rectangular
• Materials: Microfiber + rubber backing
• Thickness: 1/16 inch

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Rug Pad for Hardwood Floors and Hard Surfaces

This low-profile pad can be used on just about every type of hard floor. However, it neither suitable for carpet nor great for refinished, lacquered, and vinyl surfaces. It prevents curling and wrinkling while keeping the rugs in place. Furthermore, the resilient foundation of the pad can keep the rugs from being worn out and preserve the pile.
Key Features and Specs

• Dimensions: 13.3 x 12.52 x 4.33 inches (8×10 ft)
• Weight: 3.23 pounds
• Design: Open weave
• Materials: It’s made of foam-like material with coated rubber backing
• Lightweight, low-profile and non-adhesive

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Choosing the Right Size

Needless to say, you need to consider the size of your room when choosing an area rug so that it can properly fit into the room. If you want to buy a rug pad too, make sure your area rug is slightly larger than it. On each dimension, the pad should be from one to two inches smaller. If you have an 8×10 rug, for example, your pad should be 7’x9′ to be invisible.

Colors Selection

Choose the color depending on your flooring. If you have dark hardwood floors, select a natural lighter shade like a tan or brown. The light, sandy-colored rugs stand out well against dark floors. Natural tones, such as greens and browns, always look great on dark wood. They can add an earthy look to the rooms.

By contrast, lighter hardwoods scream out for richer and darker tones. The dark blue area rugs look impactful on light flooring. It’s more warming as well. Rich tones like burgundy, royal blue, and deep purple can make your room warmer and increase its aesthetic value.

Pattern

Light hardwoods allow much more expression through both patterns and colors. You’d have a greater scope for rug patterns because they are showing up more beautiful on pale backgrounds. As for dark wood floors, most patterned area rugs do not show up well or make rooms look and feel busy.

Tip: Lay the rugs perpendicular (at an angle of 90°) to the wood grains of your floor to make a distinction between their patterns. That will prevent the patterned rug from diminishing the charm of your hardwood floor.

Unique Loom Sofia Collection Traditional Vintage Area Rug

If you are searching for a stain-resistant, easy-to-clean area rug that doesn’t shed at all, this is an excellent choice. With this short-pile rug, your hardwood floor will be protected and safe. It is made of polypropylene and has a jute backing. Be sure to add a pad underneath to prevent sliding or slipping.
Key Features and Specs

• Size: 4′ x 6′
• Weight: 8.8 pounds
• Shape: Rectangular
• Pattern: Geometric
• Material: Polypropylene
• Backing: Jute

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nuLOOM Moroccan Blythe Area Rug

Versatile and stylish, this polypropylene area rug can add charm to your room and make it more welcoming without obstructing doorways. It blends in with nearly any décor thanks to a neutral color palette. Also, the rug is functional and durable as it is designed to withstand regular wear and tear.
Key Features and Specs

• Size: 5′ x 7′ 5″
• Pile height: 0.37 inches
• Weight: 8 pounds
• Material: Polypropylene
• Backing: Synthetic vinyl
• Pattern: Moroccan

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Rugshop Geometric Bohemian Design Area Rug

Why do many people like this machine-made area rug? Because it is stain-resistant, easy to clean, and very durable. In addition, the rug doesn’t shed and adds warmth to every home decor style. It’s great for homes with pets and children due to its ability to resist fading, soil, and stains. Adding a rug pad is recommended.
Key Features and Specs

• Size: 5′ x 7′
• Pile height: 0.31 inches
• Weight: 10 pounds
• Material: Polypropylene
• Backing: Jute

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