Hanging a Rug on the Wall is the Unexpected Design Idea You Need to Try

A really well-made rug can be just as beautiful as a piece of fine art. From Turkish to kilim to woven, sometimes a rug just requires more of a spotlight than the floor provides. If you have a rug that's just too beautiful to walk on, turning it into a piece of art can be a great alternative. Not only does hanging a rug cover up empty wall space, but it can also provide added insulation and can even help dampen sound from the outside.

If you want to turn that rug into a piece of wall art, there are a few steps you'll need to take to protect both your rug and your wall. The good news is that hanging a rug on the wall can be done in a couple of hours or less with the right tools.

Here are two ways to hang your rug on the wall to give it the center stage moment it deserves.

How to Hang a Rug Using PVC Pipe

While this may not be the easiest method to hang a rug, the final product looks incredibly professional. Before you start, gather your materials and find a place you can lay the rug out flat while you work.

Materials You'll Need

• Twine
• PVC pipe
• Saw
• Drill
• Nails

Step 1: Cut the PVC to Size

We recommend buying a PVC pipe ¾ inches in diameter but pick a width that works for the thickness of your rug. Using a tape measure—or simply eyeing it against your rug—cut the PVC pipe about one inch shorter than your rug's width. This way, it will support the rug without being visible on the wall.

Step 2: Measure Several Pieces of Twine

Cut about two or three pieces of twine that are roughly double the length of the PVC pipe. If you have a heavy rug, use more twine, but a lighter rug will be fine with fewer pieces. Then, string all of those pieces through the PVC pipe.

Step 3: Fold the Rug Over the PVC Pipe

Arrange your rug over the PVC by folding it so that half of the rug is draping down on both sides. This hanging method is ideal for rugs with repeated patterns throughout the piece because one side will always be against the wall.

Step 4: Tie the Twine Together

With the twine strung through the hole of the PVC pipe, take the loose ends and tie them together so that the string creates a closed loop through the PVC pipe. This looped twine will be what your rug hangs from. 

Step 5: Hang the Rug Using the Twine

Once the twine is secure, place a nail into the wall and hang it from the twine. If your rug is heavy, you'll want to use an anchor to secure the screw and keep the hanging from damaging the wall.

How to Hang a Rug Using Carpet Tacks

Another incredibly easy way to turn that rug into a piece of wall art is by using carpet tack strips. These are easily found at hardware stores and are small pieces of wood with nails traditionally used to place carpeting on the floor.

Materials You'll Need

• Carpet tacks
• Upholstery nails

Step 1: Cut the Strips to Size

First, take the carpet tack strips and cut them to the width of your rug. Unlike the other method, you'll want the strips to be as long as the rug so you don't get drooping or saggy edges. You will probably need a few strips, depending on the width of your rug.

Step 2: Coat the Strips

Before you hang the wood pieces, take a clear poly finish and paint a sheer coat over all of the strips. This will help protect your rug from acid in the wood so you don't have any discoloration in the fabric as it rubs against the wooden strip.

Step 3: Hang the Strips

Line up the carpet tack strips where you'll want to hang the rug and gently hammer the nails into the wall. Since you've already measured your carpet tacks to the length of your rug, you'll want to place the strip where the top of the rug will sit on your wall. We recommend using painter's tape to really visualize how the carpet will hang on your wall before you hang the carpet tacks.

If your rug is very heavy, you will want to secure this strip with a screw and an anchor or ensure the nails line up into a wall anchor.

Step 4: Hang Your Rug

Using upholstery nails, attach your rug to the strip. The easiest way to do this is to hammer the two top corners of the rug and then place one nail in the middle. If you want a more casual look, hammer the corners about one inch from the end so they hang slightly downward.