There is nothing more frustrating than coming up with the perfect layout for your new living room, only to have your furniture keep sliding out of place as soon as you try to use them. Moreover, the integrity of your beautiful, hardwood floors can be ruined by shifting legs.
How do you keep furniture from sliding? There are a few ways you can prevent furniture from sliding around, especially on a hardwood floor:
- Rubber pads/bumpers
- Caps/covers
- Grippers
- Rugs
- Stop blocks
- Balloons
- Bolting and carpet tape
- Dusting
In this article, we have compiled eight easy ways to keep your furniture in place and protect your floors. This list includes cheap and practical items that you can purchase online or your local home improvement store, along with DIY methods that double as a quick-and-easy arts and crafts project.
Table of Contents
1. Rubber Pads or Bumpers
Rubber pads or bumpers are a cheap and effective option, easily found in stores or online. One of the great things about rubber pads is that they double as protective padding. They can even be used to protect walls as well as your floors from scratch or impact damage.
Additionally, rubber pads are often clear, blending in with any decor and maintaining your aesthetic. They come in multiple shapes and sizes, so be sure to measure before adding a pack to your shopping cart.
Rubber pads or bumpers typically have a strong adhesive on one side, allowing them to stick to the furniture. However, the sticky adhesive can wear out over time and may need to be replaced down the line.
Here are some top-rated rubber pads and bumpers:
- X-Protector’s non-slip pads are durable, form-fitting, and blend seamlessly with wooden furniture.
- GorillaGrit’s clear tall square adhesive rubber pads are made in the USA and come transparent and black. They stick to any surface, including plastic, glass, wood, metal, ceramic, and granite.
- GorillaGrit’s clear, rubber door stoppers also work as furniture pads and serve as a suitable circular option.
2. Furniture Caps or Covers
Furniture caps or covers act as little shoes for your furniture legs. They come in specific sizes, and their typically transparent designs ensure that you barely notice them.
The flexible, silicone material fits snugly like a glove. Quality caps are immune to prying fingers, and the lack of glue makes them safe around children.
Since they fit over furniture legs rather than sticking to them, furniture caps or covers require exact measurements and may be less versatile than pads or bumpers.
Here are some top-rated caps and covers:
- Godehone’s silicone chair leg caps are a product, protecting both your furniture and the floor.
- MelonBoat’s chair leg floor protectors have felt bottoms that further prevent scratches.
- Anwenk’s silicone square protectors come in clear and black.
- SoftTouch’s black, rubber leg tips are extraordinarily cheap and long-lasting.
3. Grippers
Grippers are similar to pads and caps but rely on texture to prevent slippage. They utilize grip and friction instead of sticking or fitting onto furniture. Thus, grippers are typically used for fixed furniture, such as heavy dining room tables or couches.
Grippers are typically more expensive than pads or caps but have the benefit of lasting longer and being more durable. Some grippers also provide a little more cushion and protect surfaces from indentations.
Here are some top-rated grippers:
- Dura-Grip’s non-slip rubber pads have a unique texture that grips to furniture and floors.
- CasterMaster’s square rubber grippers also work on rugs.
- Julan’s non-slip, silicone grippers have an adhesive but are cleanable and reusable.
It is also relatively easy to create your own homemade furniture grippers. Rubbery, non-slip shelf liner comes in large rolls. Simply cut it into desired shapes and sizes or layer it for increased thickness and protection.
4. Rugs
Rugs are a great way to prevent your furniture from sliding while also showing off your style. Though a more expensive investment, rugs are suitable for covering large areas with multiple pieces of furniture.
Along with their aesthetic appeal, rugs provide a comfortable and soft surface to walk on, without having to install carpet. Certain rugs may also require a non-slip pad underneath, making them increasingly less economical. However, if the visual factor is more important to you and price is less of an issue, an attractive area rug could be the solution you are looking for.
Find plenty of interesting designs, here are some of our favorites:
- Rug Deal Plus’s contemporary, geometric area rug is perfect for a modern living room. It comes in multiple colors and sizes.
- Andecor’s incredibly plush bedroom rug comes in six colors and two sizes.
- Nourison’s Persian rug is bright and colorful. It comes in a variety of dimensions, making it well-suited for hallways and other uniquely sized spaces.
- Safavieh’s vintage oriental area rug is big, classic, and easy on the eyes.
5. Stop Blocks
Stop blocks are more expensive than the previously mentioned options, but they are often more effective for recliners and other large pieces of furniture. They are especially useful for objects that are propped against walls. Stop blocks can be made of wood or foam.
If you are looking to save money, you can create your own stop blocks at home. Trace the shape of your furniture leg on cardboard and use that as a pattern to cut out wood or foam blocks to place between the furniture and wall to prevent movement.
You can purchase wood or foam blocks at your local hardware store or online.
6. Balloons
If you are looking for a quick, DIY option, try snipping off the top of deflated rubber or latex balloons. Once you remove the top ring, slip the remainder over a wheel or leg. The rubber will grip the floorboards, and you can even double them up for improved impact protection.
Balloons come in a variety of vibrant colors and can enhance bold statement pieces. This technique is perfect for a college student on a budget looking to spice up their dorm room.
7. Bolting and Carpet Tape
For a more permanent solution to sliding, you can bolt your furniture to the floor or wall. This method should only be used in cases where you are not planning to move the furniture at all and value stability, such as with beds or couches. Bolting down furniture is also helpful in cases where tipping is a concern, such as with dressers.
Purchase a furniture anchoring kit and follow the directions provided; generally, they utilize brackets and screws.
Double-sided carpet tape is another option for keeping furniture in place. However, although effective, carpet tape can damage the varnish on wooden floors and should be used with caution.
8. Dusting
Keeping hardwood floors clean and dust-free is essential for minimizing sliding whether you use alternative options or not. Furthermore, dirt and dust particles can scratch your floors with or without moving furniture.
A dust mop is the most effective way to attract and collect dirt. It reaches into cracks and other areas that vacuums struggle with while being gentle to the surface. Brooms tend to be ineffective for dust control since they usually kick the dust into the air, eventually settling back down and spreading.
Conclusion
If you are looking for a temporary or versatile fix that lets you reposition your furniture for a monthly redesign, experiment with cheap but effective pads, caps, or covers. For a more permanent solution, invest in grippers or anchoring kits. Either way, do not forget to keep the dust bunnies under control!
For large and small spaces alike, sliding furniture is a minor annoyance at best. At worst, it can cause significant damage to your hardwood floors. Fortunately, these tried and true ways to keep furniture from sliding are easy to implement and here to stay, just like your furniture will!