If you’re like us, you can’t have too many rugs. Rugs play a big part in human culture and have been around for several thousand years. As such, they’re much more than just a simple piece of floor covering.
They’re works of art that represent the maker’s own history and life! If you have a large collection, displaying your rugs is easier said than done. Instead of placing them on your floor, why not hang them up?
Hanging a rug on a wall is a great way to put them on display. You can make them the center of attention so that everyone can appreciate their intricate details. Plus, it keeps your collection safe and free of wear and damage.
If you’re unsure of how to hang a rug on the wall, you’ve come to the right place. There are several ways to get the job done. Unfortunately, some methods can do more harm than good. Here are some approved methods to hang your rug up safely.
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In This Article We'll Discuss
Using Hook and Loop Tape
Hook and loop fastening systems, commonly referred to as Velcro, are very easy to use. Also, they’re quite strong. A small 2-inch piece can support upwards of 175 pounds depending on the quality.
As a result, it’s a suitable option for most rugs. Hook and loop tape consists of two parts. One part has stiff hooks.
Soft fuzz covers the other. When you put two components together, the hooks grab onto the fibers. This provides the security you need to hang your rug up safely.
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Step 1: Provide Support
Before you hang the rug up, you’ll need to do some preparation. It’s recommended that you use a small piece of wood as a base plate. The piece should be a bit smaller than the width of the rug so that it’s hidden.
This piece will act as a support. Hang it up on your wall where you want the top of the rug to sit. For harmony and balance, you can follow the “57-inch rule” and figure out where to place your rug.
Make sure that you use anchors that are appropriate with your wall. Ideally, you should attach the wood directly to your wall studs. In most homes, they are 16 inches apart on center.
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Step 2: Attach the Tape
When the wood is up, apply the hook side of the tape. For added security, it’s recommended that you staple the tape to the wood. The standard adhesive may degrade over time.
Now, you must attach the soft side of the Velcro to the rug itself. You can hand-sew the tape directly to the rug. Or, you could use a scrap piece of muslin.
Unbleached muslin will protect your rug. The fabric is soft, relatively affordable, and won’t damage the finish of your rug. Sew the tape onto the muslin before you attach the muslin to the rug.
Step 3: Hang the Rug
At this point, hanging the rug is as simple as joining the two sides of the velcro together. Make sure that the rug is secure. If it’s not, you can repeat the steps to add more hook and loop tape along the sides.
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Using Curtain Rods
Curtain rods are a decorative alternative to the previous method. You can find a complementary rod to add another decorative element. Or, you can install it so that the rod is barely noticeable.
This method works of most rugs. However, it’s ideal for high-pile rugs that are heavy.
Step 1: Hang the Rod
First things first, you need to hang the rod. Most rods come with several parts. They include the rod itself, brackets, and decorative end caps.
Remove the end caps, which are sometimes referred to as finials. Then, hang your brackets up using the included hardware. Extra-long rods may need a center bracket for extra support.
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Step 2: Create a Casing or Tabs
The next step is to create a casing or several tabs. A casing is a long tube that runs the length of the rug. The rod will slide all the way through.
Making a curtain casing is simple. First, measure the thickness of the rod. Then, add a few inches to that figure for seam clearance.
Then, cut a piece of fabric with this width measurement. The length of the fabric should be the same as the width of your rug. It’s best to use a durable fabric like canvas.
Creating the casing is as simple as folding it in half and sewing one end shut with a sewing machine. Use a reinforced stitch for security. If you want to make things look clean, you can go the extra mile and sew a seam.
At this point, you’ll need to figure out where you want to attach the casing on your rug. The easiest option is placing it on the top edge. However, you can lower the casing a few inches down the back of the rug to keep the rod hidden.
Hand-sew the casing to your preferred spot. Use a strong carpet thread that’s thick enough to support the weight of your rug.
If you would rather do tabs, the process is very similar. The only difference is that you would create smaller sections that are 3-5 inches thick. Tabs need to be 6-8 inches apart.
So, create as many as you need for your rug. Once they’re all made, you can use the same attachment methods as a casing.
Step 3: Hang it Up
How to hang a rug on the wall with your curtain rod? Just slide the rod through your casing or tabs. Then, screw in the finials to prevent the rug from sliding off.
Slowly place the rod and rug onto the brackets on the wall.
Alternative: Use Clips
Curtain clips are a fast and efficient way to get your rug up on the wall. They serve the same purpose as the casing or tabs. However, you don’t have to sew anything.
Clips feature a large ring that you can slide the rod through. Hanging from the ring is a durable clip.
Consider your rug’s weight and length to determine how many clips you need. As a good rule of thumb, there should be a clip for every 8 inchesof width. For heavier rugs, attach a clip every 4 inches.
Attaching Carpet Tack
Carpet tacks are used for attaching carpets to your subfloor. They feature metal teeth that grip onto the backing to keep it secure and stable.
Instead of using it on your floors, you can attach the tack strips directly to your wall. Use the same method as the Velcro base plate from above. The metal teeth are attached to a thin strip of wood.
So, you can drill or hammer the tacks to your wall studs as normal. Before you do that, cut the tack to length. It should be slightly shorter than the width of the rug.
There are some downsides to using a carpet tack strip. The biggest is the risk of damaging your rug. The teeth could pull the fibers of your rug loose. Also, it could harm the warp backing.
Examine your rug to determine if tack strips are suitable or not. If you’re hanging a delicate rug, consider using one of the other options instead.
Important Considerations
It’s important to remember that rugs aren’t made with wall hanging in mind. While keeping them off your floor can preserve them in the long-run, there are some risks. To avoid any mishaps, keep the following considerations in mind before you hang your rug.
Safe Placement
When you’re finding that perfect hanging spot, make sure it’s safe. It’s important to avoid placing the rug in direct sunlight. UV raysf rom the sun are notorious for fading colors.
The sun can affect the quality of the fibers, too. Synthetic fibers used on newer rugs don’t handle heat too well. Constant exposure to the sun can result in melting and stiffness.
Even natural rugs are at risk. Rugs made out of cotton or wool can experience dry rot. This affects the structural integrity of the rug and is usually followed by tears.
To avoid these problems, hang the rug on a wall that doesn’t get direct sunlight. You can also treat your windows if proper placement is an issue.
Window films block out the sun’s harmful UVA and UVBrays. They can be tinted or clear. As long as they provide UV protection, they’ll keep your rug safe.
Weight
Another common issue that you could run in to is damage from a lack of support. Rugs vary in size. Flatweave rugs tend to be on the light side.
High-pile rugs and hand-woven pieces can get very heavy. Consider how the weight of the rug will affect its safety. You can’t expect a couple of tacks to support a heavy rug.
To hang safely, the rug needs support along its entire width. Also, the hanging method you choose should distribute the weight of the rug evenly. Otherwise, the fibers will rip or start to get loose.
Long-Term Damage
Finally, you need to make sure that your hanging method doesn’t cause any long-term damage. The biggest issue that people face is staining. This is most often caused by using unfinished metal or wood.
Metal can tarnish over time. The corrosion causes small metal particles to rub off. The particles will then have a chemical reaction with the dyes of your rug.
This leaves behind discoloration. The same goes for any unfinished wood. The dyes in rug fibers can be sensitive, so you need to use finished materials only.
Make sure that your curtain rugs are properly sealed. If you’re using metal, ensure that it has some type of anti-corrosion treatment. This includes galvanization or powder-coating.
Never nail your rug onto your walls directly. Doing so could have the opposite effect. The dyes of the rug could stain your walls.
Clean Regularly
Even though your rug is on your wall, it still needs regular cleaning. Dust particles and dander from the air can cause some damage over time.
It’s recommended that you remove the rug every few months for a good vacuuming. Light washing methods can be used as well. Just make sure that you use a cleaning solutionthat’s safe for your rug’s materials.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are plenty of solutions for how to hang a rug on the wall. Each of these methods is safe can capable of keeping your prized collection damage-free. As long as you adapt the technique to the weight and size of your rug, you shouldn’t have any issues.
Hanging rugs up on the wall make it easier to appreciate the art and craftsmanship in every piece. Instead of using your collection to protect your floors, hang them up to showcase their beauty.