How to Keep Outdoor Rugs in Place on Concrete – 6 Easy Steps

How To Keep Outdoor Rugs In Place On Concrete

If you have an outdoor rug on your concrete patio, you must know how easy it is for their position to be changed by wind, causing them to need constant readjustment and positioning.

Fortunately, that can be changed, and you can get your outdoor rugs to stay put without any professional help. Here is a quick step-by-step guide on how to keep outdoor rugs in place on concrete.

The best way to achieve this is by installing velcro strips or using double-sided sticky tape. Other methods include using potted plants and placing furniture weights

How to Keep Outdoor Rugs in Place on Concrete

1. Install Velcro Strips

If you want your mat rooted to one particular spot on your concrete and do not mind potentially leaving sticky residue on your floor, you can install velcro strips on your mat. 

This will hold the mat securely in place for a long time. You can purchase velcro in both pre-cut strips and long rolls.

Installing velcro strips to a mat is quite easy; start by cutting the velcro into the desired length, according to the size of your mat. Then place these cutout velcro strips on the corners and edges of the mat.

Next, lift off the paper to reveal the sticky side on the softer half of the velcro. This is the half of the velcro that will be stuck to the floor.

Also, take off the paper on the rougher half of the velcro before placing it in a similar fashion as the velcro on the floor to the underside of your floor mat. Finally, all you need to do is stick the two strips together.

The only downside to this method is when you decide to change the position of the mat. This is because this method requires you to install one-half of the velcro strip directly onto your floor with adhesive, so the removal process could leave behind some sticky mess on the floor.

This is why it is recommended that you only make use of velcro strips when you intend to keep your mat in the same place on the floor for a long period.

2. Using Potted Plants

This is a very easy fix to keep your outdoor rugs in place. Simply place a few large potted plants and any other heavy furniture on top of the rug.

If you feel that the potted plants will cover up the design of your rug, you can use plants in another way by planting them. Yes! Planting fast-growing yew trees and other tall plants will reduce the amount of wind that gets into your backyard. When less wind reaches the rug, it will stay in one position for a longer time.

3. Using Double Sided Sticky Tape

This is a very quick and inexpensive fix; simply apply a simple roll of double-sided tape on your mat to give it an extra grip and stops it from moving around on your floor. 

To do this, apply the sticky tape around the edges of the mat, about 2 inches in; also, place a couple of tape strips along the center of the mat for extra grip.

The sticky tape might hold your mat and stop it from slipping. But, when the sticky tape begins to collect dirt, dust, and debris, it will lose its adhesive qualities and would need to be replaced when this happens.

Make sure only to use sticky tape that is specifically designed to be used on mats and has a light adhesive. Using tapes with strong adhesive will leave behind a messy adhesive residue when removed; this can stain your mat as well as your floor.

You also keep in mind that, like with caulking, it’s recommended to only place sticky tape on cheap mats only and avoid the tape if you have an antique or expensive carpet or rug.

4. Place Furniture Weights

If you have a big area rug on your concrete patio outdoor, you can keep the rug in one place using the weight of furniture.

You can try keeping two legs of your furniture like your outdoor sofas, seating, tables and chairs, on the rug at all times. This will help to keep the rug from being tossed around by the wind. If you do not have heavy outdoor furniture, you can try picking up some furniture weights.

There are different varieties of furniture weight you can use for this purpose, like sandbags, which might be quite visible, but tend to be more portable.

You can also make use of furniture tie-down anchor kits which, although take more time to install, and aren’t great for concrete, are less visible overall. Wire ties and clamps are other furniture weights that can be used on furniture and rugs, depending on your needs.

Read: How to tackle heavy furniture on vinyl floor

5. Woven mats

A woven mat is more able to withstand the force of the wind compared to a wool rug. Seagrass mats, for example, are sturdy and heavier than traditional rugs.

When opting for seagrass mats, however, keep in mind that due to the fact that the mat is made from organic material, a seagrass mat won’t have the same longevity and may only last a few years compared to a strong outdoor rug.

6. Using Caulk

If you have an inexpensive mat, caulking it will help to keep it in place. This is a simple and inexpensive method of stopping your mat from being tossed about by the wind. Simply apply a bead of silicone caulk on the back and edges of the mat.

You also need to add a few more caulk lines to the middle of the rug and flatten the bead head before it dries to create good adhesion between the caulk and the mat. When the caulk dries, you can go ahead to place the mat on the floor.

The dried silicon caulk will enable the mat to have a solid grip on the floor and stop moving about. But keep in mind that this method is only recommended for cheap and inexpensive mats, do not apply caulk to your expensive or antique mat as this could damage it.

Conclusion

Depending on the climate you live in – or the season you are currently in – having an outdoor rug can either be a blessing or disaster.

When the wind gets toss your mat around, the purpose of its placement is defeated. Fortunately, there are ways to fix this.  There are plenty of ways on how to keep outdoor rugs in place on concrete.

From velcro strips to furniture weight and placing potted plants, you’re sure to find a way to keep your rugs rooted to one spot and keep your yard, porch, or patio looking great!

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