No More Slippery: Choosing The Best Carpet For Your Basement

A carpet in a basement can be a problem but it is also an additional factor to make your basement more comfortable. How pleasant it is to walk barefoot on a soft carpet after a busy day. Feel the nap with every toe and enjoy the warmth from the carpet.

Some people prefer to use basement space as a laundry room, wine cellar, gym, or playroom with a projector. And the most extraordinary people create a bedroom from the basement. Whichever room you would like to make, it is more likely that you want to create additional comfort with the help of a carpet. Moreover, a carpet can serve you as a sound barrier and help retain warm air. If you are looking for something soft, colorful, and with a non-slipping backing, pay attention to our top choice.

Persian-Rugs 2305

The softest carpet

We recommend spreading the carpet when you are sure that there is no extra moisture in your basement (not more than 50%). Also, you should understand that in this room carpets should be easy to move or change, therefore wall-to-wall carpets are not the best idea.

So, which carpets are then the best for a basement? In this article, we review top-5 carpets describing all their pros and cons and allowing you to choose the best for your needs. No more dark and boring basements. Make them comfortable for yourself.

Comparison table: 5 best carpets for a basement

	
Model
Characteristics


	
The softest carpetPersian-Rugs 2305
Material: synthetic (polypropylene)

Shape: rectangular

Size: 7 options (2’X7’; 4’X5’; 5’X7’; 6 foot round; 6’X9’; 8’X11’; 9’X12’)

Benefits:
- Comfortable to walk on;
- Has no-slipping backing.

Jump to the detailed review


	
The easiest to lay carpetOttomanson Jardin Rug
Material: polypropylene

Shape: rectangular

Size: 3 options (2’7”X7’; 5’3”X7’3”; 20”X59”) 

Benefits:
- Flattens out within days;
- Perfect for a laundry room.

Jump to the detailed review


	
The easiest to clean carpetMaples Rugs Rebecca
Material: polypropylene 

Shape: rectangular

Size: 6 options (1’8X2’10; 1’9X5’; 2’6X3’10; 2’6X10; 5’X7’; 7’X10’)

Benefits:
- Can be cleaned in a washer machine;
- A non-slip rug.

Jump to the detailed review


	
The best rubber backingAntep Rugs Alfombras
Material: polypropylene 

Shape: rectangular

Size: 8 options (2’3”X4’; 2’X5’ oval; 2’X7’; 3’X5’; 4’X5’8”; 5’X7’; 5’X7’ oval; 8’X10’3”)

Benefits:
- Has a rubber backing that keeps the carpet from slipping;
- Can be cleaned with dish soap.

Jump to the detailed review


	
The thinnest carpetnuLOOM Sherill Ripple Area Rug
Material: polypropylene

Shape: rectangular

Size: 4’X6’

Benefits:
- Thin enough not to get in the way of opening the door;
- Soft wool rug.

Jump to the detailed review

How did we choose

To choose top-5 models, we did the following:

• First of all, we found 55 models with the highest ratings.
• Then, excluding the outdated or models with a small number of reviews, we selected 10 models for a detailed analysis.
• We analyzed around 130 customer reviews to highlight the most important criteria.

Our research helped us highlight the most important criteria for basement carpets and choose the best of the best carpets. For the result of our work, you can see below. 

What to consider while choosing a carpet for a basement:

1. Artificial materials

As the basement is a place with usually a higher level of moisture than in other rooms in a house, artificial materials are the best for these carpets. They are the most effective to stand up to high humidity levels and are quicker to dry. As you can see all our picked carpets are made from a synthetic material polypropylene. Well-proven as well nylon and polyester.

2. Thickness

It is the first criterion to pay attention to. The main task of the carpet in a basement is to cover the floor and possibly hide some flaws. Since there is usually a lot of furniture and other items in the basement, the carpet should not be too thick. It should run easily under furniture, especially if you want to spread it over the entire area. On the other side, the carpet should not be so thin as to show light.

The thinnest carpet in our list is the nuLOOM Sherill Ripple Area Rug (review) as it does not get in the way of opening the door. The Antep Rugs Alfombras (review) is also so thin that some customers called it “paper-thin”.

3. Ease of cleaning and vacuuming

The carpet is the main collector of dust and dirt in any room. You should vacuum it at least once a week. In our previous article, we wrote about the best vacuum cleaners under $200. Do not forget that regular cleaning improves indoor air quality.

If you regularly keep your house clean, you should look for the Maples Rugs Rebecca (review). This carpet you can even wash in a washing machine. If you have little children, who play sometimes in the basement, you may also like the Antep Rugs Alfombras (review) as all spots on it are easy to clean with dish soap.

4. Lays flat

The carpet should not create creases, and all its corners should lie flat on the ground. It is important first of all for your safety, so you do not get hooked across the carpet.

The Ottomanson Jardin Rug (review) is one of the easiest to lay. It needs just a few days to flatten out. To compare, the Maples Rugs Rebecca (review) needs up to 7 days to align folds.

Additional factors to pay attention to:

• Does not slide — the best carpets have a rubber backing, so you can be sure not to slip on it
• Softness — most people prefer soft carpets as they are warm to walk or sit on
• Durability — the carpet should not creep over time to serve you at least a year
• Lightweight — the lighter the carpet, the easier it to move if you need it

A detailed review of each model

Persian-Rugs 2305 — The softest carpet

Persian-Rugs 2305

Material: Synthetic (polypropylene)
Shape: Rectangular
Size: 7 options (2’X7’; 4’X5’; 5’X7’; 6 foot round; 6’X9’; 8’X11’; 9’X12’)
Benefits:
– Comfortable to walk on;
– Has no-slipping backing

What’s good

• Very soft and comfortable to walk on
• Sturdy made
• The colors look like on the picture
• Does not slide

What’s bad

• Has a smell that evaporates over time

This carpet is actually the softest on our list. It has a medium pile because of which it is thicker than the nuLOOM Sherill Ripple Area Rug (review) but it is more comfortable to walk or sit on. Also, you can be sure of its safety. This carpet has anti-slipping backing and lays flat. Forget about curling up corners and slipping on the carpet.

The Persian-Rugs 2305 is made in Turkey from synthetic material polypropylene. That is why it will serve you for many years. Pay attention to the color combination. These colors not only suit most interiors but also create style in the room. Do not forget that abstraction is still trendy in interior design. Thanks to its colorful design, this carpet is ideal for basements that are used as living rooms or playrooms. Do you often have guests at home? If you spend a lot of time in the basement, this carpet is a chance to make your room extraordinary.

Ottomanson Jardin Rug — The easiest to lay carpet

Ottomanson Jardin Rug

Material: Polypropylene
Shape: Rectangular
Size: 3 options (2’7”X7’; 5’3”X7’3”; 20”X59”)
Benefits:
– Flattens out within days;
– Perfect for a laundry room

What’s good

• Needs a couple of days to flatten out (typically it takes up to 7 days)
• Easy to clean almost as the Maples Rugs Rebecca (review)
• Can be used both outdoor and in the laundry room
• Warm to walk on

What’s bad

• Sunlight and heat can be detrimental to it
• Slips on linoleum, you can use rug tape to prevent it

The Ottomanson Jardin Rug is that kind of carpet that you will lay down and forget about. You will need just up to a couple of days for this carpet to flatten out. It is thin enough to clean easily. But unlike the Maples Rugs Rebecca (review) it is not recommended to wash in a washing machine because its jute backing can become brittle. But if you spill something on the carpet, you can blot it with a paper towel and clean it with a damp cloth and detergent.

This carpet has a jute backing and does not slip on any type of floor except linoleum. But to prevent it you can use rug tape. Also, you will be interested in the fact that this carpet is the only one on our list that can be used outside. In addition, you can use it in a laundry room, into which the basement is often remodeled.

Maples Rugs Rebecca — The easiest to clean carpet

Maples Rugs Rebecca

Material: Polypropylene
Shape: Rectangular
Size: 6 options (1’8X2’10; 1’9X5’; 2’6X3’10; 2’6X10; 5’X7’; 7’X10’)
Benefits:
– Can be cleaned in a washing machine;
– A non-slip rug

What’s good

• Made from 100% nylon low loop pile for better stain resistance
• Can be washed in a washing machine
• Has a latex backing to prevent slipping
• In a week, all shipping creases are hardly noticeable

What’s bad

• A dog can pull out the loop from the carpet
• Not so soft as the Persian-Rugs 2305 Gray Black Red White Swirls (review)

The Maples Rugs Rebecca is a synthetic carpet that is the easiest to clean. It is made from olefin, which is a synthetic fiber fabricated from polypropylene or polyethylene. This fabric is more ecological than cotton, wool, silk, or rayon. Thanks to its artificial origin, this fiber is easy to clean therefore the carpet can be washed in a washing machine. But it is better to wash it in cold water.

The Maples Rugs Rebecca has latex backing to prevent slipping. However, if you are looking for the best non-slip backing, pay attention to the Antep Rugs Alfombras (review) that has a rubber backing that does not slip even on the hardwood floors. The Maples Rugs Rebecca is a sturdy one but not so soft as the Persian-Rugs 2305 (review). The combination of these two aspects makes this carpet ideal for the basement, kitchen (unexpected decision but some people place a kitchen in a basement), and even entryway.

Antep Rugs Alfombras — The best rubber backing

Antep Rugs Alfombras

Material: Polypropylene
Shape: Rectangular
Size: 8 options (2’3”X4’; 2’X5’ oval; 2’X7’; 3’X5’; 4’X5’8”; 5’X7’; 5’X7’ oval; 8’X10’3”)
Benefits:
– Has a rubber backing that keeps the carpet from slipping;
– Can be cleaned with dish soap

What’s good

• Has a rubber backing that keeps you and your pets from slipping
• Easy to move to clean under carpet
• Spots can be cleaned with dish soap
• Almost as thin as the nuLOOM Sherill Ripple Area Rug (review)

What’s bad

• Can not be washed in a washing machine unlike the Maples Rugs Rebecca (review)

You will love this carpet if you have pets or children. This is because of two reasons. The first one is that it has the best non-slipping backing. Rubber backing prevents it from slipping anywhere, even on the hardwoods. For example, the Ottomanson Jardin Rug (review) has a jute backing, which slips on the linoleum. Also, thanks to its backing, you can lay this carpet in a gym if you place one in your basement.

The second reason is that this carpet is easy to clean. Unfortunately, you can not put it in a washing machine as the Maples Rugs Rebecca (review) but you still have an ace in the hole. You can clean any spot on the carpet with regular dish soap. In addition, this carpet is easy to vacuum and to move to clean under it.

nuLOOM Sherill Ripple Area Rug — The thinnest carpet

nuLOOM Sherill Ripple Area Rug

Material: Polypropylene
Shape: Rectangular
Size: 4’X6’
Benefits:
– Thin enough not to get in the way of opening the door;
– Soft wool rug

What’s good

• Low pile allows to put it under the furniture and before the doors
• The edge stitching is without loose threads or fraying
• Does not have an odor
• A lightweight carpet

What’s bad

• Needs a pad not to slide

The nuLOOM Sherill Ripple Area Rug is ideal for your basement if you have a lot of furniture there, for example in a pantry room. Being the thinnest carpet, it is the easiest to put under the furniture and it will not get in the way of opening any doors. But this carpet does not have any non-slippering backing as, for example, the Antep Rugs Alfombras (review). So, if your floors are slippery, it is better to buy a pad and put it beneath.

Also, this carpet is almost as soft as the Persian-Rugs 2305 Gray Black Red White Swirls (review). It has wool in its composition, which makes it soft and pleasant to walk on bare feet. You can be sure that even in a year this carpet will look like a new one. It is thin but sturdy. Its edge stitching is without loose threads or fraying. It is also lightweight and quick to flatten out.

Pros and cons of carpeting the basement

There are advantages and disadvantages of carpeting the basement. Let us discuss them.

Pros:

• In the event of water leaks, the carpet is easy to dry to prevent mold or mildew. That is why we do not recommend carpeting wall-to-wall carpets that are difficult to remove.

• In cold seasons the carpet retains warm air longer providing us with thermal resistance.

• Carpet is a sound barrier. It minimizes the noise in your basement.

• It is soft and warm to walk or seat on.

Cons:

• Your basement should be fully insulated from outside leaks or your carpet will be often wet, which can lead to mold or mildew.

• Carpets trap dirt therefore they should be cleaned and vacuumed often.

• Carpets collect dust. If you or someone from your family have allergies, it is better to vacuum at least twice a week.

Make it clean: cleaning solutions for carpets

Summary

A carpet in a basement will bring you comfort. It is soft and warm to walk on and maintains style in the room. If your basement is fully insulated from outside leaks, you can carpet it with certainty.

Before buying a carpet pay attention to its material, thickness, how easy it is to clean, and whether it can lay flat. There are also some other important criteria for carpets. It should not slide, be soft, durable, sturdy, and lightweight. Also, it should not have any defects.

You can see our choice of the best carpets for the basement below.

Persian-Rugs 2305

The softest carpet

Ottomanson Jardin Rug

The easiest to lay carpet

Maples Rugs Rebecca

The easiest to clean carpet

Antep Rugs Alfombras

The best rubber backing

nuLOOM Sherill Ripple Area Rug

The thinnest carpet

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