What Size Rug Pad Do I Need for my 9x12 Rug?

When choosing the correct size for your rug pad, you want to be sure you make the correct selection. If your rug pad is too small, your rug can have a drooping effect that can ultimately damage your rug or can result in the area rug’s corners not holding in place and flipping. This hazard can also cause tripping. This go-to guide for selecting the correct size rug pad will help you make the correct decision for all your rug needs!

Rug Tag Sizing

For accurate sizing, the goal is to allow the rug pad to come as close to the actual size of your area rug border without showing. This gives your rug the ability to provide full coverage of the rug pad, as well as providing additional grip from your rug's edges. In some cases, when your area rug is not the exact dimension as advertised, it is best to purchase a larger rug pad as you can always easily trim and customize with a sharp pair of kitchen scissors in order to achieve the optimal surface area coverage according to your specific rug size. For a 9x12 rug - usually purchasing a 9x12 rug pad is the proper sizing selection. 

Sizing a Rug For Your Room

First, you will want to decide what size rug you have for your room!

To figure out the correct rug size to fill a room, you’ll need to take measurements of the room and reduce the dimensions by 1-2 feet to arrive at an appropriate-sized rug for the space. 

As a general rule, find a rug that can contain the major components of a room or serve as a buffer between parts of a room. 

• Living room: If your sofa is against a wall, check that at least part of its front legs and the front legs of any nearby armchairs are on the rug. In a large living room with a floating seating area, the rug should contain all furniture within its boundaries.
• Dining room: Use the table’s size as your starting point. Whether circular or rectangular, the rug should extend at least 24 inches on all sides so even a pushed-back chair can still fit within its range. This avoids dining chairs getting caught on the rug when chairs are pulled in and out.
• Bedroom: For a spacious room, you might use a large rug that fits under the entire bed and night tables, with a little extra extending on either side. For smaller rooms, the rug should cover roughly ⅓ of the bed’s base; alternatively, try small area rugs on either side of the bed which can be an interesting decorative element.
• Kitchen, entryway: Use a narrow runner or smaller rug that is placed in a high use area, like in front of the kitchen sink for example. 
• Outdoors: Large rugs work best outdoors to avoid tripping and bunching, and you’ll want a rug that is 12-24 inches shorter than the space’s perimeter.

 

Rug Trimming

In some cases, when your area rug is not the exact 9x12 dimension as advertised, it is best to purchase a larger rug pad as you can always easily trim and customize in order to achieve the optimal surface area coverage according to your specific rug size. 

All of our rug pads can be cut with a pair of sharp kitchen scissors. The goal is to allow the rug pad to come as close to the actual size of your area rug border without showing. Easily customize any rug pad to the size of your needs. Be sure to follow a few simple steps.

Before installing your new rug pad always be sure your flooring is clean, dry and fully cured!

1. Measure your mark: For larger area rugs, it might be helpful to mark out the desired placement location on the floor as a guide (temporary placement of painter’s tape is an easy go-to).
2. Lay flat: Using the markings as a guide, lay out your new rug pad and place the area rug on top. 
3. Trim away excess: Use heavy duty fabric or craft scissors to trim a felt rug pad, paper scissors may work fine to trim thinner rug pads, or natural rubber rug pads. If the rug pad is as close to the outside border of the area rug without showing, no trimming will be necessary. If the rug pad is as close to the inside border, but showing through outside of the area rug borders, trimming will be necessary. Simply lift the area rug edges and trim away excess leaving the rug pad as close to the border as possible. Ideally, the rug pad should not be more than 2 to 3 inches to the inside of the area rug’s outer edge. 

Why?

Being sure of the correct size of your rug pad can help you and your household. Here are a list of reasons why you will want the correct size rug pad:

1. Safety: Helps to stop corner rising and/or flipping of your area rug as well as helps to stop slipping of your rug. 
2. Area Rug & Floor protection: Total surface floor protection from your rug pad will help keep your area rug in place. Shifting area rugs can damage the area rug due stretching of the rug fibers. Repeated shifting can also cause floor damage due to abrasion. 
3. Preserves your rug: Rug pads help lengthen a rug’s lifespan by protecting delicate fibers from direct contact with the floor and helping to shield the floor from trapped dust that could migrate down through the area rug. A thick, solid surface area coverage rug pad such as the Premium Deluxe Cushioned is an extra layer of support between floors and heavy furniture, as well.
4. Noise reduction: Area rugs help make a huge difference in the reduction of sound traveling from room to room. With the appropriate sizing and of rug pad (specifically denser felt ones) like our Premium Maximum Cushion, the additional layer will absorb the sound of stomping feet or a thumping basline. Apartment dwellers are big proponents of the benefits of adding rug pads to minimize noise. 

FAQ:

• How thick should my rug pad be?
  • The ADA standard links directly to our recommendation of keeping your rug pads between ⅛” to ¼” - because yes, your rug pad can be too thick and cause tripping if not paired well with your rug. We suggest not exceeding ¼” of thickness when purchasing your rug pad. 

• What if I don’t know my flooring type?
  • Always defer to the flooring manufacturer for rug pad material type compatibility. This information can typically be found in their use/care/warranty manuals or on their website.

• Who can I contact if I have more questions?
  • Our phone lines are open: (615) 712-8774 - We are happy to help and answer any of your questions in order to guide you to the best rug pad for your floors. 

Additionally, all products by Rugpads.com are proudly manufactured in the United States of America. We guarantee that our products will remain functional and stable for a full 10-year period.

Further Reading:

• The Best Way to Cut Rug Padding - DIY Guide
• Are Rug Pads Safe for Hardwood Floors?
• How to Choose Rug Pad for Noise Reduction