How to make small area rugs (abt 5' X 3') stay in place on carpet--that is the question.

[raccoon]

My apartment is carpeted. Over the years, the carpet, especially in certain areas, has become worn.

I have some area rugs to put over those places, but the little ones won't stay put.

I've tried that gripper shelf liner under the small rugs and also "rug gripper" that I got at Bed, Bath, &
Beyond. Neither works.

Any ideas?

[Denzil_DC]

1. I've had success with self-adhesive velcro strips.

Attach the hooked strip to the rug, and it grips just fine (no need to use the fabric strip of the velcro on the carpet underneath, in case anyone misunderstands). I think you can buy them purpose-made, but anything of that type works as long as the adhesive's grippy enough (cheap to replace if it comes unstuck after a while).

The downside is if you ever want to rearrange the rug. Over time, the strips will leave a track on the underlying carpet, which you may be able to ruffle out, but I guess it'll depend on what it's made of. If the carpet's already worn, I guess that won't matter much.