Learn how to cut a rug to resize it and what makes a good trimmable rug. Plus, professional rug resizing costs and supplies needed to cut carpet to make a rug.
Working with what you have on hand
As most of you know, I tracked all of my home decor purchases in 2020 (#20in2020). I really loved the concept of being super intentional with adding to our spaces, working on buying less with more intent and repurposing what we have.
That year-long exercise really changed the way that I'm approaching spaces in my house. As I started working on the design for the basement, I knew I wanted a neutral rug. I had a moroccan shag rug in our playroom rolled up that wasn't being used. Although, it's not a rug that I would pick now for my house (it's fine but my aesthetic has just changed a bit) it's a great rug. It's 100% wool.
Since my mindset has been to slow down the cycle of decor at my house, I got to thinking about using the moroccan rug in the basement but knew that the size wasn't going to be right.
Costs for professional carpet resizing or rug resizing
I started researching professional rug resizing and methods for how to cut a rug if you wanted to DIY it.
Honestly, at first, I decided that I was just going to hire a professional to resize the rug. I got a quote of $1.50 per linear foot to resize the rug. A few weeks went by and then I called back to arrange transport for the rug, and magically, that price went up to $3 per linear foot.
I get annoyed by things like that, so I decided to pass on having a professional cut and bind the rug.
I dug into research on trimming a rug yourself and decided that I was going to go for it. Spoiler: cutting an area rug was super easy and I'm VERY pleased with how my DIY project turned out.
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How To Cut A Rug To Resize It
This tutorial is showing how to cut a shag rug, but you can use this method for how to cut carpet and resize that to make it a rug as well.
Resizing a rug supplies
- Instabind (sold by the foot so measure and calculate based on your rug size)
- Wood or cardboard (to put under your rug so you don't cut the floor
- Moroccan rug
Tools needing for cutting carpet or rugs
- Utility knife
- Straight edge * (we used a long level)
- Hot glue gun
- Measuring tape
How to Cut a Rug to Resize It
- Decide how much you need to cut off your rug.
- Use a measuring tape and make a few dots down the length you want to cut.
- Using a straight edge, line up the dots that you've marked out. Connect the dots and mark one long line. This is where you'll be cutting.
- We are taking off 33.5". Put a piece of wood inside the rug, so you have something to cut on. You don't want to cut your floor!
- Start cutting.
- Slowly peel up the the cut piece to help minimize rug fibers lost.
- Pull the tape off the rug binding and press it right up to the edge of the cut side of the rug. Press down.
- Place a bead of hot glue on the binding and press the rug onto it.
I know visuals for projects are so important, so I made a video tutorial of me cutting and binding my rug so that you can see!
Rug Resizing Video How-To
As I was resizing this rug, I was thinking about other questions you might have about this project and thought I'd answer some of those below.
Why Resize A Rug?
If your rug doesn't fit your space but is in good condition, then resizing your rug might be a perfect fit for you! This was basically the same exact situation that I was in and I'm happy to have found a quick and easy solution to my area rug dilemma.
How To Cut A Rug Without It Fraying
Different rug types will react differently when you are cutting through the material. The rug binding step is what stops your rug from fraying. Its important to attach the binding with the double-sided tape that comes on it but also use a bead of hot glue closer to the rolled edge of the binding.
I was thinking about different types of rugs that might be good for this type of project and I definitely think some rug types are more trimmable than others. Like I mentioned, my rug was a shag rug in 100% wool and I think it was a really good option for resizing. I did see a tutorial that looks great for resizing a jute rug which is definitely more intense than what I did.
My rug was 100% wool and when I cut the rug, it didn't fray but when I separated the cut pieces, I didn't do that gently enough and some of the rug fibers came off more than what I would have preferred. I think if you pay attention to how you are pulling the rug apart, you can minimize the fibers that you lose.
Overall, I'm so happy with easy it was to trim the rug. I think this was a PERFECT DIY project for our basement!
How To Cut A Rug To Resize It
Learn how to cut a rug to resize it and what makes a good trimmable rug. Plus, professional rug resizing costs and supplies needed to DIY.
Materials
- Utility knife
- Straight edge * (we used a long level)
- Instabind
- Hot glue gun
- Measuring tape
- Wood or cardboard (to put under your rug so you don’t cut the floor
- Moroccan rug
Tools
- Hot Glue Gun
- Utility Knife
Instructions
- Decide how much you need to cut off your rug.
- Use a measuring tape and make a few dots down the length you want to cut.
- Using a straight edge, line up the dots that you’ve marked out. Connect the dots and mark one long line. This is where you’ll be cutting.
- We are taking off 33.5″. Put a piece of wood inside the rug, so you have something to cut on. You don’t want to cut your floor!
- Start cutting.
- Slowly peel up the the cut piece to help minimize rug fibers lost.
- Pull the tape off the rug binding and press it right up to the edge of the cut side of the rug. Press down.
- Place a bead of hot glue on the binding and press the rug onto it.
Cassie Bustamante
This is such a great way to reuse a rug! Also, I so wanted to say, I already know how to cut a rug. ;). As in, dance.
Ashley Mayes
hehe, thanks Cassie.
Courtney LaVoie
Hi, love this!! Question, and forgive me if I missed this, where did you get the binding?
Ashley Mayes
I got it off of eBay. It's linked in the supplies under "instabind". It worked great.
Debra McCall
Do you know if this would work on a (pretty pricy) rag rug? How about jute? Thanks so much.
Ashley Mayes
Hi,
I think the rug rag and jute might unravel.
Georgina
I like your TV console. Can you tell me where you got that from?
Ashley Mayes
Hi,
I got it from Burke Decor (online). It's directly linked on the bottom of the shop my home page: https://biggerthanthethreeofus.com/shop/
A few other stores carry it (Crate and Barrel, etc.).
Thanks!
Ashley
Jenny
I was trying to buy the instabind online, but I can’t figure it out. It is sold per foot, so if I want a strip of it that is 8 feet long, do I add 8 of it to my cart? Or do I only add one, and send them a message with my order saying that I want it 8 feet long? Thanks!
Ashley Mayes
Hi,
Typically, they will sell it in 1 ft continuous pieces. Just send a quick message to confirm but that's how I bought it. You don't want small strips, you want it continuous.
Jeanne
Hi Ashley,
I'm wondering where I can find the video you made. If there's a link here, I'm blind! 🙂
Ashley Mayes
Hi, It's under the steps! At first glance, it might look like an ad but it's right under it.
Shelly
Thank you so much for this video. I'm going to try it!