- It’s common for sofas to shift around on hard surfaces like hardwood or laminate, but it can be prevented.
- Use furniture grippers or rug pads to stop the sofa from sliding around.
- Rubber shelf liners, nonslip mats, and even more strategic placement of the sofa can help as well.
Does your sofa slide around when you use it? Furniture shifting over time is a common problem, especially for those with sleek floors such as hardwood or laminate. However, it’s not just an annoying inconvenience—it can cause real damage to your floors over time.
Luckily, shifty furniture is a simple and inexpensive problem to fix. Here are six expert-approved ways to stop your moving sofa in its tracks, once and for all.
Add Furniture Grippers
The easiest way to keep your sofa from shifting on slick floors is to add furniture grippers to the bottom of the feet. Furniture grippers are easy to find, affordable, and easy to apply.
However, not all furniture grippers are created equal, so it’s essential to ensure you choose the right ones. Avoid furniture pads, which have felt bottoms meant to protect the floor rather than stick to it. Rubber grippers are best for preventing movement.
“Furniture grippers are often the best choice to get a couch to stop moving, for both indoor and outdoor couches,” says Mike Fretto, Creative Director at Neighbor. “Outdoor furniture can move around just as much as your indoor furniture, and they make waterproof furniture grippers specifically designed for outdoor use.”
Before you buy, ensure that the grippers are recommended for the type of floor you’re working with. Some furniture grippers can discolor certain kinds of flooring, so it’s essential to do your research first.
Additionally, if you’re hoping to keep outdoor furniture in place as Fretto recommends, ensure you purchase furniture grippers designed explicitly for outdoor use.
Attach Rubber Shelf Liners
Another simple expert trick is to use rubber shelf liners underneath the sofa legs.
“An easy, inexpensive trick I use at home and at the shop to keep furniture from migrating is to pick up rubber shelf liner from the Dollar Tree,” says Stacy Verdick Case, founder of Peony Lane Designs. “I cut a piece the size and shape of the legs and place it under the feet.”
The best part is that you may already have some of these shelf liners at home. The rubber helps prevent the sofa from shifting, but not all shelf liners are equally effective. Look for padded liners made of rubber, rather than thin, slick material.
Use a Non-Slip Mat
Similarly, non-slip mats can be used under sofas to keep them in place, says Fretto. Non-slip mats are available in various sizes, thicknesses, and designs, with some specifically designed for use under rugs, while others are designed for more multi-purpose use.
Either will work as long as they stick to the floor well. You can cut these mats to fit under the feet of your sofa, or place the entire mat under your sofa if you wish.
Add a Rug and Rug Pad
Warm up your living room and keep your sofa from shifting by adding a rug to your space. Area rugs can be an effective way to keep your furniture in place, especially when paired with a rug pad.
Ensure that at least the front legs of your sofa are placed on the rug. This won’t just keep your sofa in place; it will also ensure the rug is correctly sized for your space, meaning it’ll be both functional and stylish.
Place Your Sofa Strategically
Strategically placing your sofa can also help prevent it from moving. While this may not be possible in every home, it can be particularly beneficial for smaller spaces.
Consider positioning your sofa against a wall or in a corner to minimize shifting during use. This arrangement may also help open up space in the center of small living rooms.