Should You Put Furniture on a New Rug? What Experts Really Say

Putting furniture on a new rug feels like a natural step-you’ve picked the perfect size, color, and texture, and now you want to see it come alive in your space. But here’s the thing: new rugs aren’t just decorative. They’re delicate, especially in the first few weeks. And if you rush this step, you could end up with permanent dents, uneven wear, or even a rug that never lies flat again.

Why New Rugs Need Time to Settle

New rugs, especially handwoven or natural fiber ones like wool, jute, or silk, have a memory. They’ve been rolled, packed, and shipped. That tight roll creates creases, folds, and tension in the fibers. When you unroll it, the rug doesn’t just lie down-it fights back. It wants to return to its rolled shape. That’s why you’ll often see ripples or curling edges in the first few days.

Now, if you immediately place a heavy sofa or coffee table on top of it, you’re trapping those tensions. The weight pins the rug down in one spot, but the surrounding fibers keep trying to curl or spring back. This creates uneven pressure. Over time, that leads to permanent indentations, especially in plush or high-pile rugs. In worst-case scenarios, the backing can stretch or even tear.

Most rug manufacturers recommend letting a new rug breathe for at least 48 to 72 hours before placing furniture on it. Some high-end brands, like those from Iran or India, suggest up to a week. Why? Because the fibers need time to relax, expand, and re-adapt to their new environment. Heat, humidity, and even air pressure play a role. In Perth, where temperatures swing from cool mornings to hot afternoons, that adjustment period is even more important.

What Happens If You Put Furniture on Too Soon?

Let’s say you’ve just moved into a new home and you’re eager to make it feel lived-in. You unroll your beautiful Persian rug, position your sectional, and call it done. Three days later, you notice deep grooves under the sofa legs. They don’t bounce back. You try lifting the furniture and rolling the rug-nothing changes.

This isn’t just cosmetic. Those indentations become weak points. Every time someone walks over them, the fibers compress further. The pile flattens. The rug loses its texture, its depth, its visual appeal. And once that happens, no amount of vacuuming or steam cleaning will fix it.

There’s also the risk of trapped moisture. New rugs often release a bit of natural oil or dye residue during the first few days. If furniture sits on top, that moisture can’t evaporate. In humid climates like Perth, this can lead to mildew under the legs, especially if the rug is on a concrete floor. You won’t see it right away-but you’ll smell it.

How to Properly Settle a New Rug

Here’s how to do it right:

1. Unroll the rug in its final position. Don’t unroll it in a different room and drag it over-that can add new creases.
2. Let it lie flat for at least 72 hours. Open windows if possible. Let air circulate. Sunlight helps, but avoid direct midday sun-it can fade colors.
3. Flip the rug once after 24 hours. This helps release tension on both sides and evens out the fibers.
4. Use a rug pad. Not just any pad. A felt or rubber-backed pad designed for new rugs will help with airflow and reduce slipping.
5. After 72 hours, start placing lighter items first: side tables, lamps, or ottomans. Wait another 24 to 48 hours before putting down heavy furniture.
6. When you do place heavy furniture, use furniture gliders or felt pads under the legs. These distribute weight and prevent digging into the rug.

Pro tip: If your rug is over 10 square meters, consider using double-sided tape along the edges. It keeps the rug from shifting as it settles, which prevents bunching under furniture later.

What About Synthetic Rugs?

You might be thinking: “My rug is polyester. It’s cheap. It doesn’t need this much care.” But even synthetic rugs benefit from this process. While they’re less prone to fiber memory than wool or silk, they still have backing that can warp if compressed too soon. Plus, many synthetic rugs have a foam or rubber backing designed to grip the floor. If you place heavy furniture on it before it’s fully relaxed, that backing can stick unevenly to the floor-leading to peeling or bubbling later.

Also, cheaper synthetic rugs often have inconsistent pile height. Placing furniture on them too early can create permanent low spots where the fibers get crushed. It’s not just about the rug’s lifespan-it’s about how it looks.

When You Can’t Wait

Life doesn’t always wait. Maybe you’re staging a home for sale. Maybe you’re hosting guests this weekend. You need that rug in place now.

If you must put furniture on a new rug before the 72-hour window, here’s how to minimize damage:

• Place a large, flat board (like a piece of plywood) under the furniture legs. This spreads the weight over a wider area.
• Use multiple felt pads-four per leg if possible.
• Rotate the rug 180 degrees every 12 hours for the first day. This helps even out pressure.
• After removing the furniture, use a stiff-bristle brush to gently fluff the pile. Don’t vacuum yet-it can pull on compressed fibers.

Even with these tricks, you’re still risking some settling marks. But at least you’ll avoid permanent damage.

Long-Term Rug Care After Furniture Is in Place

Once your rug is fully settled and your furniture is in place, the work isn’t over. Here’s what to do next:

• Move furniture every 3 to 6 months. Even if it’s just a few inches. This prevents permanent compression in one spot.
• Rotate the rug every 6 months. This ensures even wear across the whole surface.
• Use area rugs under heavy furniture. A smaller, durable rug under a dining chair or desk can take the brunt of daily wear.
• Keep the rug clean. Dirt acts like sandpaper. Vacuum weekly with a beater bar set to low. Spot clean spills immediately.

These habits don’t just extend the life of your rug-they keep it looking new. A well-cared-for rug can last 20 years or more. A neglected one? It’ll look worn out in under two.

The Bottom Line

Yes, you can put furniture on a new rug. But you shouldn’t do it right away. The difference between waiting 72 hours and rushing in? It’s the difference between a rug that lasts for decades and one that looks flat and lifeless in a year.

Your rug is an investment. It’s not just a floor covering-it’s a centerpiece. Give it the space and time it needs. The patience pays off in how it looks, how it feels underfoot, and how long it lasts. And in a home as warm and lived-in as yours, that matters more than you think.