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Rug Size Guides

How to Cut and resize a rug

Cutting a rug to suit a new room or space is an easy way to take an old rug and repurpose it. With that, you might be concerned about damaging the rug in the process or how the rug may fray after the fact. The good news is that if you cut your rug properly, you can do it in a way that nobody would even guess you dared to take a pair of scissors to it.

Why You’d Want to Resize your Rug

Simply put, you’d want to resize a rug to customize your home. Perhaps your large living room rug is no longer fitting for that room, but the style is perfect for a smaller bedroom or home office. Or maybe you want to accommodate a new layout in that same room. In any case, there are plenty of valid reasons to resize your rug and cut it to a new size.

How to Cut a Rug to Size

Before we get into the specifics of how to cut a rug to size, there are some final considerations to take. Decide on what size you’d like the rug to be and measure carefully and accurately to ensure that when you do cut the rug, it’ll come out to be the proper dimensions and the perfect shape. At this time you’ll also want to evaluate the rug’s construction and edges. Both those areas will impact how you cut the rug and how well it will hold together without those established edges.

What Tools and Equipment You’ll Need

Whether your rug is a flat weave or a thick shag rug, many of the tools you need are the same. You’ll want to have measure tape, a straightedge or ruler, and marking tools like pens and pencils to draw the lines where you want to cut the rug. Finally, you’ll need a sharp pair of scissors or a utility knife to cut through the rug’s base and fabric. No need for hefty power tools or saws; with the proper knife or sharp edge, you can cut your rug to the proper size.

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Preparing the Rug

Before you start cutting the rug or even marking it, it’s important to give it a thorough cleaning. Vacuum the rug, beat out any loose dirt, and treat any stains that are present. During this process, you’ll also be able to see if any wrinkles, creases, or ripples have formed in your rug. Take the time to absolutely flatten your rug before you cut anything; even the smallest wrinkle can throw off your lines and lead to imperfect finishes. Assuming that’s set, flip the rug over so the backing is facing upward and secure the rug in place to prevent it from moving as you work.

Measuring and Marking

When you’re measuring and marking your rug, make a few dots/marks along the length of your line. When you’re confident that the line is straight, you can go back with a straightedge to mark the entire line. There are other tools you can use as well such as a laser level, which can direct light in a perfectly straight line. Another method is to measure from various points. For example, measure from the side multiple times to make sure the line is always the same distance from the edge of the rug.

Preparing the Rug (continued)

Cutting Techniques

With flat weave or thinner rugs, you can use a sharp pair of scissors to cut through the entire rug. However, for thicker rugs, you’ll want to use a utility knife to consistently cut through the rug. No matter which sharp tool you use, start off slow and steady. That control will help you stay on the line and encourage you to apply equal pressure as you cut through the rug. If you don’t feel comfortable cutting the rug at this stage, or you start and feel you cannot continue without messing up, seek professional assistance.

Finishing and Edging

Finishing the rug’s edging is essential for ensuring that the rug doesn’t wind up fraying. One of the simplest solutions is rug binding tape. Some of these tapes are self-adhesive and can be placed over the rug’s edge to create a new border. Other fabric tapes need to be sewn onto the rug’s edges or applied with iron-on tape. This is another stage where you may want to seek out a professional if you cannot create the finish you want.

How to Cut a Rug Without It Fraying

One way to prevent the rug from fraying is to take care as you cut the rug. Use masking tape or painter’s tape right along the line and the adhesive will help keep the rug from fraying along the edges. If you have a unique rug material or construction, seek a professional who is specialized in fray prevention.

Safety Precautions to Consider

Take care to protect yourself and your floor as you cut the rug. We recommend laying cardboard beneath the rug to ensure that if the scissors slip or the knife goes too deep, you hit cardboard instead of the table. Whatever surface you’re working on should be stable and level to make it easier to safely cut the rug. Sharp scissors and utility knives should always be used with caution, especially when cutting thicker materials like a rug. Wearing protective gloves may seem unnecessary, but on the off chance the knife goes towards your hand, they can keep you safe from greater harm.

Tips and Considerations

Aside from the tips and tricks we already talked about, we have a few more pieces of advice to give. For one, it’s wise to start with smaller cuts as opposed to cutting large lines. Creating smaller cuts will give you more room to adjust if you find yourself getting off course and will force you to slow down/proceed carefully. Also, since you’re thrifty enough to cut a rug, we think it’s great to save the extra pieces of fabric for any other crafts or projects you may do in the future.

Cutting a rug to a new size or shape is a great way to customize your space and take advantage of something you already own. It may be a straightforward process, but it’s one that requires patience, precision, and a steady hand. Take the time to prepare your rug and workspace so that you can achieve your ideal cut. Remember, there’s also no shame in calling in a professional with uniquely shaped rugs or any problems you run into along the way. With that in mind, go and customize your rug!

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