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How do I choose the best rug pad for my Moroccan rug?

March 20, 2020

So, you've decided on which rug you want and now you're thinking about rug pads. And where do you even begin? I'm going to dive into the world of rug pads over a series of blog posts as there are a lot of issues that must be considered when buying the perfect rug pad. These include:

What materials should an ideal rug pad be made of? Can rug pads damage my hardwood floors?

YES. It's important to choose the right material for your rug pad. There are rug pad materials that you should avoid at all cost, especially if you live in warm, humid climates, or have hardwood floors. Read more about it here.

What are the benefits of rug pads?

There are SO many benefits, but a good rug pad will not only keep your rug from slipping -- it will also add cushioning, and preserve your rug for the long haul. 

If you're going to buy rug pads, you have a couple options

You can either source a premium eco-friendly rug pad from us, or purchase a rug from a big box retailer. If you'd like to source with us, click the link below. 

Get a quote for Kantara's premium rug pads

Or buy them from a big box retailer. Here are our top picks of rug pads that you can buy off the shelf:

  • Plush padding: Mohawk felt/latex pad
  • No slip: Natural Area Rug Non Slip pad
  • Eco-conscious option: Rug Pad USA Natural rubber pad

Continue reading for specifics!

Why you should buy this rug pad:

With felt on one side and rubber on the other, this 1/4" rug pad provides ample cushioning and also helps secure the rug to the floor for maximum grip. These rug pads come in a variety of different sizes and are also easy to trim to the desired size.

View rug pad

A Mohawk rug pad is best for these types of Moroccan rugs:

Authentic Moroccan white rug with black lines - Kantara | Moroccan Rugs
Authentic Moroccan white rug with black lines - Kantara | Moroccan Rugs
White Beni Ourain vintage moroccan runner - Kantara | Moroccan Rugs
Authentic Berber white textured rug - Kantara | Moroccan Rugs

These thin long rugs are perfect as entryway rugs. Because of the high level of traffic, it's important to get a rug pad that provides cushioning and keeps the rug from moving around.

Purple and black Moroccan tribal rug - Kantara | Moroccan Rugs
Purple and black Moroccan tribal rug - Kantara | Moroccan Rugs
Authentic tribal Moroccan berber rug - Kantara | Moroccan Rugs
Purple vintage wool berber carpet - Kantara | Moroccan Rugs

Thicker pads are great for large area living room rugs. You spend the most time in this space lounging around, so why not get a little bit of extra comfort underfoot?

Tribal kilim red Moroccan rug - Kantara | Moroccan Rugs
Tribal kilim red Moroccan rug - Kantara | Moroccan Rugs
Tribal flat weave red berber carpet - Kantara | Moroccan Rugs
Tribal flatweave red berber rug - Kantara | Moroccan Rugs
Contemporary tribal flatweave berber carpet - Kantara | Moroccan Rugs

Rugs like this Glaoui rug that feature mixed textures are great candidates for rug pads with a little extra cushioning. The extra plush-factor underneath will add a luxurious feel to these smaller Moroccan rugs.

Best rug pad for these types of Moroccan rugs:

Authentic Moroccan white rug with black lines - Kantara | Moroccan Rugs
Authentic Moroccan white rug with black lines - Kantara | Moroccan Rugs
White Beni Ourain vintage moroccan runner - Kantara | Moroccan Rugs
Authentic Berber white textured rug - Kantara | Moroccan Rugs

These thin long rugs are perfect as entryway rugs. Because of the high level of traffic, it's important to get a rug pad that provides cushioning and keeps the rug from moving around.

Purple and black Moroccan tribal rug - Kantara | Moroccan Rugs
Purple and black Moroccan tribal rug - Kantara | Moroccan Rugs
Authentic tribal Moroccan berber rug - Kantara | Moroccan Rugs
Purple vintage wool berber carpet - Kantara | Moroccan Rugs

Thicker pads are great for large area living room rugs. You spend the most time in this space lounging around, so why not get a little bit of extra comfort underfoot?

Why you should buy this rug pad:

This rug pad is thicker than most of the ones that focus mostly on grip quality. In addition, it's made with eco-friendly materials which makes it a great choice for folks who are looking for environmentally sustainable options.This pad should be trimmed down to size and once in place will help keep rugs in place in high-traffic areas, with small children, and with pets. This pad should be avoided on laminate or concrete surfaces.

View rug pad

A non-slip rug pad is best for these types of Moroccan rugs:

Colorful bohemian white Moroccan rug - Kantara | Moroccan Rugs
Colorful bohemian white Moroccan rug - Kantara | Moroccan Rugs
White Moroccan runner bedroom rug - Kantara | Moroccan Rugs
Tribal flat weave white berber carpet - Kantara | Moroccan Rugs
Contemporary  white flatweave boho chic berber rug - Kantara | Moroccan Rugs

Thin flatweave rugs have a mind of their own. With these kilims, it's a good idea to get a rug pad that prevents slips and keeps the rug firmly in place.

SOHA - Small Geometric Moroccan throw - Kantara | Moroccan Rugs
SOHA - Small Geometric Moroccan throw - Kantara | Moroccan Rugs
SOHA - Small Geometric Moroccan throw - Kantara | Moroccan Rugs
SOHA - Small Geometric Moroccan throw - Kantara | Moroccan Rugs
SOHA - Small Geometric Moroccan throw - Kantara | Moroccan Rugs
SOHA - Small Geometric Moroccan throw - Kantara | Moroccan Rugs

Small rugs, like this Zanafi bathroom mat, are other good candidates for a non-slip rug pad. This is especially true for rugs where you don't necessarily need the extra cushioning.

For runners in high traffic hallways, it's a good idea to get a no-slip rug pad to anchor it in place. This should keep your runner rug from sliding all over the place!

Best rug pad for these types of Moroccan rugs:

Thin flatweave rugs have a mind of their own. With these kilims, it's a good idea to get a rug pad that prevents slips and keeps the rug firmly in place.

For runners in high traffic hallways, it's a good idea to get a no-slip rug pad to anchor it in place. This should keep your runner rug from sliding all over the place!

Why you should buy this rug pad:

This rug pad is made with all natural rubber which is great, as it avoids the harmful PVC chemicals that can damage your hardwood floors in the long term. With super compact construction, this rug pad is able to add a level of cushioning with a thinner profile. This is important for low-clearance areas where doors open over the rug. As most rug pads go, this one can be trimmed to size. It comes in a roll, which is also helpful in that you don't have to flatten out any pesky folds.

View rug pad

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