"Another trick I've found helpful is using small felt pads under legs; they smooth out minor unevenness surprisingly well and protect your floors too."
I've tried felt pads myself, and they're definitely handy for protecting hardwood floors, especially if you're frequently rearranging. But I noticed they tend to slide around or peel off after a while, especially on heavier chairs or tables. Has anyone found a particular brand or type of pad that stays put better? Would be nice not having to replace them so often...
I've had similar issues with felt pads sliding off heavier furniture. Tried some adhesive-backed rubber pads instead, and they seem to grip better and stay put longer. Only downside is they're not as gentle on hardwood as felt. Wonder if there's a hybrid option out there—something with the softness of felt but the grip of rubber? Might be worth looking into...
I've actually had the opposite experience with those rubber pads. They definitely grip better, no argument there, but after a while, I noticed they left some weird marks on my hardwood floors. Not scratches exactly, but more like dull spots where the finish got worn down. Maybe it's just my floors being sensitive or something, but it was enough to make me switch back to felt.
What I've found works surprisingly well is using felt pads but adding a little DIY hack to keep them from sliding off. I bought some heavy-duty double-sided carpet tape (the kind that's meant for rugs on hardwood floors) and stuck that between the furniture legs and the felt pads. It sounds kinda makeshift, I know, but honestly, it's held up way better than any adhesive-backed pad I've tried. Plus, the felt stays gentle on the floor, and the tape gives it just enough grip to stay put.
I haven't seen any hybrid pads out there yet, but honestly, sometimes the best solutions are the ones you come up with yourself. Might be worth giving it a shot before spending money on specialty products...
"Maybe it's just my floors being sensitive or something, but it was enough to make me switch back to felt."
Honestly, I think the issue might be less about the pads themselves and more about how often you're moving furniture around. If you're redecorating every season, that's a lot of shifting and sliding—no wonder your floors are getting dull spots. Have you considered furniture sliders instead? They're specifically designed for frequent moves, distribute weight evenly, and minimize friction. Might save your floors (and your sanity) in the long run...
Furniture sliders are handy, but honestly, even those can cause issues if you're moving stuff around constantly. I had a client who rearranged her living room every few months—she tried sliders, felt pads, even those silicone protectors. Eventually, she realized the real issue was the finish on her floors. Switching to a tougher, eco-friendly polyurethane coating made a huge difference. Might be worth checking out your floor finish instead of just swapping pads all the time...
