How to Lay Out Your New Rug

Last updated on April 19th, 2024

Congratulations on your purchase of that beautiful new rug. No doubt it required some homework and adventure to find just the right one to tie your room together. Now that it’s made it to your home, you’ll need to take a few important steps to lay out your new rug properly.

As you’ve surely noticed, your rug arrived rolled up and packed inside a large plastic sack. This is great for protection during storage and shipping, but now it’s time to open it up and let it air out.

You may notice a faint odor at first. This will dissipate over time, especially once rolled out. Open the windows to help circulate the air more quickly.

How to flatten a new area rug

STEP 1: Unroll the rug

Place the rolled-up rug on the floor and lay it out. We recommend adding a rug pad underneath. It not only protects the rug and the floor, but can help prevent creases. Rug pads also make the rug easier to vacuum while adding extra cushioning.

STEP 2: Vacuum

Vacuum the rug without the beater bar to remove any shedding and dust. The pressure and vibration will help flatten out the rug. Be sure to continue vacuuming at least once a week to help it stay flat.

STEP 3: Weigh down the edges

You may notice a pronounced curl or faint creases in the rug’s edges. This is normal since most rugs are stored rolled or folded during shipping.

To help flatten out these creased edges and corners, you can use weights to hold them down. Just place heavy books or other flat objects on top of the areas that need to be flattened. Leave the weights on for a few hours or even overnight to allow the rug to settle and flatten out naturally. Most rugs will relax and lie flat after a few days.

This simple step can make a big difference in the appearance of your rug and ensure that it lays flat on the floor without any bumps or wrinkles. If your rug has only slightly curled edges, simply roll the rug in the opposite direction. You can also use rug gripper tape to help secure the edges.

Rug tape is a great tool to have on hand for keeping your rug in place and preventing it from slipping or sliding around. Simply apply the tape underneath the edges of the rug to help keep it secure on the floor. This will not only help prevent accidents caused by tripping over a loose rug but also keep the rug looking neat and tidy. 

How to fix rug wrinkles and remove creases

Grab a damp towel and lay it over the wrinkled area. Then, plug in your household iron on the steam setting and iron the area until the creases flatten out.

You’ll need to work in small sections on a large rug. Be sure to keep the iron moving to avoid damaging the rug fibers. See this method in action with our quick how-to video:

If the wrinkles persist, another method that works it to try steaming the area with a handheld steamer or hair dryer/damp towel combo. Be sure to select a medium heat setting when using a hair dryer. Avoid focusing the heat source on one section for too long.

Remember to always test a small, inconspicuous area of the rug first to ensure that the heat and moisture do not cause any damage. With a little patience and the right technique, you can easily remove any wrinkles or creases. This will have your rug looking great in no time!