How Do I Place an Area Rug Over Laminate Flooring?

Area Rug Basics

• Area rugs, which are usually larger than 3 feet by 5 feet, are designed to cover large areas of floor--hence the name. Their size makes area rugs perfect for delineating spaces within the home, whether they are used to unify sofas, love seats, and occasional chairs in the living room or to frame a dining room table.

  Area rugs can also be used to warm up a bedroom that has a hard-surfaced floor or, when made of a washable material, to protect kitchen and even bathroom floors.

  Area rugs can also be used simply to make a decorative statement. A solid-colored area rug can make an excellent "neutral" background in a room with patterned furniture or walls, whereas an area rug with a bold or busy pattern can both add interest to a room and help to disguise stains in high-traffic or eating areas.

Using Area Rugs with Laminate Flooring

• Laminate flooring is growing in popularity, and for good reason: easy to care for, less expensive and requiring less maintenance than hardwood or tile, and excellent for homes with kids and pets, laminate flooring has a lot to recommend it.

  Using an area rug with your laminate flooring will only enhance its great features, allowing you to have the warmth of carpet while still maintaining the look of a hard-surfaced floor.

  Area rugs can make laminate floors more inviting in living rooms, family rooms and bedrooms, add decorative interest in dining rooms, and, depending on what type of rug you choose, add an additional layer of water and heat protection in kitchens and baths.

  When choosing an area rug for your room with laminate flooring, first consider the room's purpose and usage. For high-traffic, mess-prone areas such as living rooms, family rooms and dining rooms, you will want a rug that both hides spills and stains and cleans easily. Consider a nylon or other synthetic fabric that can be stain-treated, vacuumed, and spot-cleaned easily, and a rug with a design or pattern that will hide the inevitable stains. For bedrooms, formal living rooms, or other rooms that are not as heavily used, splurge on wool or other luxurious fabrics.

Securing an Area Rug on Laminate Flooring

• When placing an area rug on laminate flooring, it is important to look for a rug with a backing that is appropriate for smooth-surface floors, or to use a rug pad designed for use on smooth surface floors underneath the rug.

  A rug pad protects your family from falls that can be caused by loose, slippery rugs while also protecting both your floor and your rug. Rug pads prevent scratches to the laminate floor while protecting the nap of the rug from uneven wear. When purchasing your rug, be sure to ascertain whether or not a rug pad is needed, and if it is, purchase the appropriate pad for your rug and floor.