There’s something undeniably charming about a round rug. It softens the sharp angles of a room, draws the eye to a cozy seating area, or adds a pop of pattern under a dining table. But anyone who’s placed a round rug on a hardwood or tile floor knows the struggle: that rug has a mind of its own. Every time someone walks across it, the edge curls, the rug shifts a few inches, and before you know it, you’re tripping over a wavy mess instead of enjoying a stylish floor covering. The good news? You don’t have to live with a wandering rug, and you definitely don’t need to call in a professional. With a few simple home repair tricks, you can keep your round rug exactly where you put it.

The first and easiest fix is a rug pad. Think of it as the unsung hero of flooring accessories. A good pad does more than just prevent slipping; it also protects your hardwood from scratches, adds a little cushion underfoot, and helps your rug lay flat. For round rugs, you’ll want to buy a pad that’s cut to the same shape or slightly smaller than the rug itself. Many pads come in rolls that you can trim with scissors, so you can trace your rug onto the pad and cut a perfect circle. Look for pads made from natural rubber or felt, because those grip the floor without leaving sticky residue. Avoid foam pads with PVC backing, which can discolor your floor over time. Once the pad is in place, lay your rug on top and give it a good press. The difference is immediate. No more sliding every time the dog runs through the living room.

But what if your rug is already curled up at the edges, no matter how good your pad is? That’s a common issue with round rugs, especially newer ones that haven’t relaxed into their shape. The problem is often that the rug was rolled tightly for storage or shipping, and the fibers need a little persuasion to lie flat. You can fix this at home with a few household items. First, try the reverse-roll method. Roll the rug in the opposite direction of the curl, so the edge that sticks up is now facing down. Lay it flat on the floor with the rolled part gently weighted down. Use heavy books, a stack of magazines, or even a few pieces of furniture placed around the rim. Leave it for a day or two, and you’ll likely see the curl relax. If that doesn’t work, you can use a bit of heat. A hair dryer on a low setting, held a few inches from the curled edge, will warm the backing fibers and make them more pliable. Be careful not to overheat synthetic rugs, but for wool or cotton, a few passes of warm air followed by laying a heavy book on the spot for an hour should do the trick.

Another trick that saves the day for many homeowners is double-sided carpet tape. This is a quick, temporary solution that works particularly well on smooth, bare floors. Apply strips of carpet tape to the underside of your round rug, spaced a few inches apart around the perimeter. Peel off the backing and press the rug firmly onto the floor. The tape holds the rug in place without damaging the flooring underneath, as long as you choose a tape labeled safe for hardwood. Just be aware that tape can lose its stickiness over time, especially in high-traffic areas, so you may need to replace it every few months. It’s also a great option if you’re renting and want to avoid permanent adhesives.

For a more permanent fix, consider rug grippers. These are thin, clear plastic discs with tiny spikes on one side that dig into the rug backing and grip the floor on the other side. You place them under the rug at the edges, and they act like tiny claws. They work wonders on round rugs because they hold the curve in place without wrinkling. You can buy them in packs at any home improvement store, and they’re invisible once the rug is down. Just press them into the rug fibers and let the weight of the rug do the rest.

One last tip that’s often overlooked: furniture placement. If your round rug is under a coffee table or a dining table, the legs of that furniture can help anchor the rug. But if the rug is in the middle of a room with no legs on it, you might want to rearrange the furniture so that at least one heavy piece sits partially on the edge of the rug. A sofa, an armchair, or even a large plant pot can keep the rug from sliding with every step.

Keeping a round rug in place doesn’t have to be a constant battle. Whether you choose a quality pad, a bit of tape, or a few rug grippers, the solutions are simple, affordable, and well within the reach of any DIY-minded homeowner. Your rug will stay put, your floor will stay safe, and you can finally enjoy that cozy circle of comfort without the hassle.