5 Ways to Hang a Rug On the Wall

We bet you want to know all about how to style rugs in different ways. Maybe you are bored of seeing your rugs on the floor and want to notch things a bit. Well you must have read the title, we are here today to tell you how to hang your Rugs on the wall. Don't worry we will make it easy for you. And oh! while you are scrolling down. Do not forget to check out some of our spectacular rugs. 

Thanks to the frequent use of the term 'carpet,' it's easy to assume that rugs are only meant for ravishing your floors. And yet, a hanging rug does extraordinarily well adorning your walls! There may be a rug that you intend to preserve or a one that has sentimental value or both. There may be a crack that you wish to hide, or you may be just looking to decorate your wall rug art, and I could say this a thousand times over,' there is nothing better than hanging a rug on the wall.' Besides that, if you are a lot into interior design, you also know that hanging it the right way matters a lot! While others are comparatively lighter and hence easier to dangle on your walls.

So, can you hang a rug on the wall? Precisely yes, but you do need to be careful. Firstly, rug size matters. Hence the more massive the rug, the heavier it tends to be. Secondly, you need to be extra cautious while dealing with rugs so as to prevent damage to both the rug and the wall.

Benefits Of Hanging Rug On Wall

While we have already touched upon this topic, the significance of the issue calls upon us to discuss it in further detail. Here are a few advantages that you can claim by hanging your precious heirloom:

Aesthetically Pleasing

The right rug can do wonders embellishing your wall. Firstly, it helps regulate the flow across the surroundings. Secondly, it provides a balance by resonating with already existing elements. Talking of 'right rugs,' what kind of rugs are suitable for hanging on a large wall? Firstly, a rug needs to tell a story. Almost all types rugs do convey one, so that shouldn't be an issue. Proportionality can be one and so could be texture! That is having said; you should better look out for a large rug that contrasts with your wall décor. Here is an idea, colorful rugs tend to suit dull surfaces and vice-versa.

Makes You Trendy

Rugs are an alternative to hanging paintings. While beauty is subjective and most people still prefer paintings, the trend is changing rapidly as of late. Not to forget that finding the right painting is way more expensive and hectic a task!

Preserves The Rug

There may be a rug with an extra-ordinary sentimental or material value that you intend to maintain. The most convenient way to do that is by hanging the rug on the wall. This way the rug stays away from footfalls and you never forget to have it cleaned!

How To Hang Your Rug On The Wall

• Decide whether you want your hanging carpet freely or flush to the wall (this affects which method you will use).
• When choosing your wall, also keep in mind the size of your rug!
• Do not choose a wall that is in direct sunlight, as this exposure will damage the vegetable dies in your rug over time.
• Do not hang a rug near a heating source. This could have a catastrophic impact on the fibers.
• Don't use raw wood or un-coated metals (like nails) to hang your rug, over time this will also damage your rug. A nail hanging rug would pull itself apart.
• We recommend that you still clean your hanging rug every few months using a vacuum attachment. It can always get dusty on the wall!
• Stay away from sticky adhesives!.

Once you're prepared, continue reading to learn our step-by-step instructions on how to hang up a rug. The estimated time and expenditure have also been noted for your convenience.

1) Velcro

If someone asks you, 'How do you hang a heavy rug on the wall?', Velcro is your answer. There seems to be a consensus among rug experts that the Velcro method is the safest way to hang a rug on the wall. It guarantees safety and finesse, so much so that even museums use it for displaying heavier rugs. Velcro consists of 2 individual strips-loop and the hook. Loop, being the fuzzier part, is sewn to the rug. The hook makes its way on the wall. We recommend a 2-inch thick strip for larger and heavier rugs. It may sound scary to stitch into your rug, but the stitching will be easily removable if you ever decide to put the rug back on the floor. We recommend that you do not use sticky-back Velcro, as this will be hard to remove, and will most likely leave a sticky residue on the back of your rug. Not only is this method safe, but it also creates a clean and professional look, and the rug will be easy to move. 

Materials Needed:

• 2-inch wide Velcro, by the yard 
• Unbleached muslin fabric 
• Carpet thread + needle scissors 
• A 2.5-inch wide piece of flat wood 
• Staple gun, drill, screws, a stud finder (optional)   

Estimated Cost: $25 + drill and screws 

Estimated Time: 2 hours 

INSTRUCTIONS: 

1. Buy a few yards of 2-inch wide Velcro at a fabric or crafts store, or online.
2. Purchase some unbleached muslin. This is what you will be attaching directly to your rug for protection!
3. Measure the width of your rug and cut the Velcro and muslin accordingly.
4. Sew the "fuzzy" soft side of the Velcro to your muslin strip, and sew the muslin strip directly to the back of your rug with a whip stitch, preferably using a carpet thread that matches a color in your rug.
5. In order to hide the stitching, use a thread that is close in color to the rug. Then guide your needle carefully through the rug fibers.
6. Cut a piece of flat, treated wood to be the width of your rug. The wood should measure [width of your rug] x 2.5 inches.
7. Use a staple gun to attach the "hooked" hard side of your Velcro to the piece of wood — staple about every six inches or less to ensure a stronghold.
8. Mount the wood on your wall using a drill and screws.
9. Press your rug to the Velcro! 

However, would you look at this stunning beige colored Ziegler area rug? If you are looking for a subtle colored rug then this is the one for you. 

2) The Casing On A Rod

The second most recommended method for hanging heavy weight rugs is to stitch a casing on the back of your rug. The casing is a tube of fabric that will snugly hold a rod, which will hang from the wall. This method requires a bit of extra work, but it is an immaculate, safe way to hang a rug on a wall, EVEN HEAVY ONES! Plus your rug will look professionally hung! And why is this method so secure? The rod leads to even distribution of the weight of the carpet so that the heirloom doesn't tear itself apart. Hanging a rug by the casing on the rod is what I call trendy. Get a rod that is considerably larger, and that's fashionable. Have the rug on a considerably smaller rod and that too stylish. It's a win-win situation!

 Materials Needed:

• Sturdy fabric, preferably heavy cotton, linen, or cotton twill
• Carpet thread
• Scissors
• Rod
• Wall anchor
• Drill, screws

Estimated Cost: $45 + drill and screws

Estimated Time: 3 hours

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Decide whether or not you want to be able to see the rod. In the image above, the rod will be invisible. If you do not, however, want to see the rod, measure the width of your rug and subtract 4 inches from each side. If you do want to see the rod, measure the width of your rug and subtract 2 inches.
2. Measure the thickness of your rod. You will want your rod to fit snugly in the casing. The length of your fabric should be a few inches shorter than the length of your rug, and the width of your fabric should be [the thickness of your rod] + 3 inches.
3. After measuring your fabric, attach it directly to the top of the back of your rug. It is recommended that you try to get two warp threads in each stitch to get the best support.
4. Measure and prepare your wall for hanging the rod by measuring the width of your rug and where you want the rod to fall. Hang the rod anchors to the wall using a drill and screws.
5. Slide your rod through the casing on the rug and hang the rod on the wall.  

Talking about rugs and how to hang them, our readers must know how much we love red area rugs. Guilty! Well here is another one to feast your eyes on. 

3) Carpet Clamps / Rug Clips

Carpet clamps or rug clips are another popular way to display rugs on the wall, often used in museums and rug shops. The only issue with rug clamps is that the weight of the rug could be unevenly distributed, which can cause the shape to warp over time. Nevertheless, the clamp method is a classic approach to hanging a rug, which provides a professional look. 

Materials Needed:

• Rug clamps
• Rod
• Drill, screws

Estimated Cost: $55+ drill and screws

Estimated Time: 1 hour

INSTRUCTIONS: 

1. Purchase a set of rug clamps and a rod
2. Attach the rod to the wall using the drill and screws
3. Space the clamps our evenly on your rug (measure if needed)
4. Hang it up!  

Talking of rugs, we love this bluish/greyish rug. And we bet it will look as stunning on the wall as it does on the floor.

4) Layer On A Rod

This method is not a good choice for hanging big rugs, but if you have a few small rugs, then this is a surefire way to add interest to your wall! Talking of smaller rugs, let's drill into the issue a little bit. Most people tend to exaggerate the ease of dangling a smaller carpet. And we, here at RugKnots, can't stop plucking our hair out in disbelief. Sure size isn't an issue, but what about proportionality? So, how do you hang a small rug on the wall? You can use any of the methods above (a couple more), in the vertical center of the wall. A smaller rug reduced to a corner seems outlandish! On the contrary, you don't often have proportionality concerns with larger rugs. One way to avoid such concerns is layering. One way or the other, layering is the foiling of rugs over one another in order to create a contrast. It is simple and creative, but most often, these words don't equate 'better.' Layering has its drawbacks. Firstly, the process is limited to both surroundings and rug colors. You need to create a contrast, and most often, that doesn't come through. Secondly, it isn't suited to large carpet. Lastly, not every one of us is an interior designer to get it right each time. 

Materials Needed:

• Rug clamps
• Rod
• Drill, screws

Estimated cost: Ranges depend on the cost of the rod+ drill and screws 

Estimated time: 30 minutes

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. As the tutorial below shows, you simply hang your rugs using a rod and then layer them based on color and texture, giving you a beautiful, bohemian look! Simply follow the instructions from the tutorial video below for step-by-step instructions!

5) Tackless Carpet Strips

You can buy tackless carpet strips online or at any home improvement store. They are usually used to secure carpeting on the floor, but can also be used to hang rugs on walls. This method requires that you hang the carpet strips on the wall, and attach your antique rugs to them. This method requires less work than the Velcro and Casing methods, and is a bit cheaper, but is also riskier. It may pull the fibers of your rug loose, damaging its integrity and beauty so be wary of this method!

 

Materials Needed:

• Tackless rug strips
• Nails 
• Paint/clear sealer 
• Level

Estimated Price: $5-10  

Estimated Time: 1+ hours  

INSTRUCTIONS:

To protect your rug from the wood and nails, paint or seal the rug strip and let it dry completely.

Pro Tip: If you want the rug to hang flush to the wall, use the strips to create a frame, and repeat the steps above for each section of the frame.

If you want to have a look at some of our rugs then we have listed a few below. 

6. Curtain Rod

We recommend using tension or pinch-pleat style of the rod, depending on your room. The curtain rods will secure the rug to the wall from two sides (in most cases), and they also come with extra supports that you can place in the middle for added security. This is an incredibly easy option because once you hang the curtain rod, you won't have to do any DIY projects.

 

7. Heavy-Duty Strap And Screws

If your rug is light enough, this is a great option. Just like the curtain rod solution, heavy-duty straps will hold your rug in place with no DIY work required. However, since the weight of these rugs can be really heavy, the straps need to be strong enough to keep your rug firmly placed on the wall. Another option is to use screws instead of straps if you find that they work better for your situation. The way this works is that you will screw long screws into your wall through eye hooks in order to secure your rug. There will be holes left in your wall and the rug, but that's the price we pay to live in a tidy home.

Two things to note: First, some screw options are metal so you might need to change out if your rug has a rough texture like hemp or sisal. Secondly, make sure that you don't skimp on the screws because cheap ones will fall out. These screws are long and heavy duty so you want to make sure that you have a good amount of them in order to keep your rug secured. A quick trip to the hardware store for some extra tools is necessary if this is the route that you choose because there are a lot of spares available depending on what part you need. Some people choose to go with nails instead of screws, which you can find anywhere. The advantage of this method is that it's easier and faster to place your rugs down once it's been put together. It does require more steps but if you enjoy doing a DIY project then by all means give this one a try!

 

Which Method Should I Use?

Great question! It's common to be undecided over the method you should use for each has its own pros and cons. Velcro and the rod are much more sophisticated and safer but a bit time-consuming. Similarly, layering is limited, and tackless carpet strips are risky. So, how to hang carpet on the wall safely, efficiently, and with finesse? In conclusion, Carpet Clamps / Rug Clips offer a middling ground. Accordingly, we use these in our store to showcase our rugs, and they have worked great! If you do have time on your hands, a bit of cash in hand and a lot of temperament on your back, you might want to try your hands at either Velcro or Rod. Then again, you might want to go for tackle strips in case your rug isn't worth much!

From experience, we will say that if you're having trouble with oriental wall hangings, grab a friend or two to help! Rugs can be relatively awkward and bulky to hang, so to ensure your safety (especially if you're using a ladder - yikes!) ask for help with lifting the rug. There you have it! Use any of these for hanging rug quickly back at your place. In addition to that, you can also try hanging a tapestry for a better idea. Which one did you choose? Surf through RugKnots to get your dream rug. 

FAQs

1. Which Materials Would Work Perfectly On A Wall?

Quilted fabrics and Polyester velvet would work perfectly for upholstery. Also, good quality wool works best on a wall. These are also the most popular ones we use for a rug wall quilt patch. To view more about our rugs visit www.rugknots.com. Rugs on the wall are in fashion these days!

2. What Is The Difference Between A Rug Wall Quilt And A Tapestry? Are They Both Handmade?

Rugs on the wall are more prevalent and popular these days because of their versatility! It can be installed outside as well as inside your home, depending on the type of installation. You can have it up in your bedroom or living room - just use your imagination! On the other hand, wall hangings are more of a focal point in your room, and they are not as easy to install. So, definitely go for rugs!

3. What Is The Difference Between A Rug Wall Quilt And A Tapestry? Are They Both Handmade?

The difference between the two is that a rug wall quilt looks like a tapestry, but it's not. They both have different techniques of installing and hanging them on your walls. A tapestry hangs over the top of your door or window while a rug wall quilt can be installed easily even without any tools! Yes! Both of them are handmade.

We hope these 5 ways to hang an rug on the wall would be helpful for you! Furthermore, if you have more questions or want any rug done in a custom size, please email us at info@rugknots.com or call us at (301) 660-7046. We are happy to answer your questions, any time. Comment below - we'd love to hear about your experience!