What Do You Put Underneath Chairs to Stop Scuffing?

Self-Adhesive Felt Pads

• Felt pads are applied to the bottom of clean chair legs and stay in place with peel-and-stick adhesive. The felt material provides a soft, smooth gliding surface to the bottom of chair legs to make moving them safe and quiet. Felt pads come in all thicknesses and shapes to support various weights, and are unnoticeable when sized correctly and securely fixed to the chair. Typically more expensive than other types of floor protectors, felt is generally most useful on hardwood floors. The thickness of the pad is also helpful to level uneven chairs that wobble due to age.

Plastic Sliders

• Plastic sliders provide a smooth layer to protect linoleum, tile or vinyl flooring from scuffs or grazes. This protective material is best used in rooms where floors are often wet, such as in the kitchen, bath or mud room. Plastic sliders also allow for moving heavy chairs or other furniture easily. They generally attach with peel-and-stick adhesive.

Casters

• Rubber or wood casters are simply cups that fit underneath chair legs to provide a soft surface where the chair meets the floor. Casters distribute the weight of the chair over the floor to minimize scuffing or damage. They also provide protection against scuffing or denting soft floors, such as resilient tile or hardwood flooring. Casters should be at least 2 inches in diameter with rubber treads.

Rubber Tips or Feet

• Rubber or plastic tips or feet provide a protective sheath over the bottom of furniture legs to prevent scuffing and skid marks. They are not held with adhesive; the chair's weight keeps them securely in position under the feet. This protection is generally the least expensive of all options and comes in a variety of different sizes and colors. Since tips or feet slide over the bottom of chair legs and are visible, use the closest color match to the chair. Rubber or plastic tips are best for tile, ceramic or resilient flooring.

Household Remedies

• Peel-and-stick pads or moleskin made specifically for corns or bunions can be easily placed on the feet of chairs to protect them from scuff marks on the floor. Flat cork can also be cut to size and glued to the bottom of chair legs, as can small pieces of carpet.