Practical guide: choosing the right furniture pads
In brief
Moving furniture quietly, protecting floors from scratches, ensuring good stability... that is the role of a good pad for a furniture leg.
In this practical guide, you will discover:
- how to choose the right pad for a furniture leg according to your needs,
- the two types of pads (to fix or adhesive) and their differences,
- the essential criteria to consider: leg size, usage, floor type and aesthetic finish,
- a comparison of the main furniture pads,
- practical tips to install a pad correctly and ensure it remains effective over time.
Discover our pads to fix and adhesive pads for furniture.
Finding the right furniture leg: criteria to consider
Choosing a furniture pad is based on several criteria. Before buying, here are 4 questions to ask yourself:
- What type of floor do you want to protect (parquet, tiles, laminate, carpet, etc.)?
- How often is the furniture moved and for what use?
- What are the size and shape of the furniture leg?
- What level of aesthetics is desired (depending on how visible the pad is)?
The two types of pads and their differences
First of all, please note that there are two types of furniture pads: pads to fix and adhesive pads.
Pads to fix
Pads to fix (also called nail-on pads or screw-on pads) protect the floor thanks to good distribution of the furniture load. They are widely used for professional furniture with heavy loads and intensive movement.
When it is a nail-on pad, it is driven directly into the furniture leg. For a screw-on pad, it is recommended to drill a hole before inserting it.
Adhesive pads
With adhesive pads, there is no need to fix anything: you simply stick them directly onto the furniture leg. In addition to protecting the floor, this type of pad helps reduce noise and improve furniture stability. Ideal for light domestic furniture or furniture that is not moved often.
Measuring the size of the furniture leg
3 elements to consider to choose the right pad size:
- the leg dimension,
- the leg shape,
- the furniture weight.
Start by measuring the diameter or the width of the leg. It is important that the pad covers the entire surface in contact with the floor.
Then, assess the weight of the furniture (loaded). The heavier it is, the larger the pad surface should be to distribute pressure. In short, a good pad covers the entire surface of the furniture leg and supports its weight.
Which pad for which type of floor?
Depending on the floor type, certain materials should be preferred.
- For parquet, laminate or vinyl, felt pads are ideal. This allows furniture to be moved smoothly to avoid scratches while reducing noise.
- If the pad is used on tile or stone and the furniture is moved regularly, choose plastic. If the furniture stays in place, choose a rubber pad instead.
- On carpet or textile floors, we recommend using steel pads. They prevent the pad from catching on fibers when moving the furniture.
- For fixed furniture on very slippery floors, choose anti-slip pads.
And what about aesthetics?
Depending on the desired look, you can choose pads according to the color of the furniture or the furniture legs concerned.
- For light furniture, choose gray or white pads.
- For dark furniture, steel or black.
- And for wooden furniture, brown pads.
Comparison of furniture pads
| Criterion | Pad to fix | Adhesive pad |
| Installation method | Mechanical fixing by nailing or screwing into the furniture leg | Direct sticking thanks to a self-adhesive surface |
| Type of furniture | Tables, chairs, heavy furniture, professional furniture | Chairs, small furniture, domestic furniture |
| Supported load | Medium to heavy, suitable for solid furniture | Light to medium |
| Use | Intensive use, professional or frequent movement | Domestic use, furniture moved occasionally |
| Aesthetics | Discreet, integrated into the furniture leg | Discreet, sometimes visible depending on thickness |
How to install a pad for a furniture leg?
For pads to fix, insert them directly into your furniture leg using a mallet. Proceed carefully to avoid damaging the leg.
Adhesive pads are easy to install: remove the plastic film and apply the pad directly onto the furniture leg.
FAQ
1. What is the difference between a pad to fix and an adhesive pad?
A pad to fix is nailed or screwed into the furniture leg, providing long-lasting hold and better resistance to heavy loads. An adhesive pad sticks directly under the leg and is better suited to light furniture or furniture that is moved infrequently.
2. Which type of pad should be chosen for heavy furniture?
For heavy furniture, it is recommended to use screw-on pads with a sufficiently large contact surface to distribute the load properly and ensure stability.
3. How do you choose the right pad size for furniture?
The pad size must cover the entire surface of the furniture leg. The heavier the furniture, the larger the pad must be to avoid damaging the floor.
4. Can the same pads be used on all floor types?
No. Each floor requires a specific material. Felt is ideal for fragile floors, plastic for hard floors, steel for textile floors, and anti-slip for slippery floors.
5. Can pads be used on outdoor furniture?
Some models allow this, especially plastic ones which are more resistant to humidity. However, adhesive and felt pads are not recommended outdoors.
6. Should furniture pads be replaced regularly?
Yes, especially adhesive and felt pads, which wear out faster. Regular checks help preserve floor protection and furniture stability.
7. Are pads visible once installed?
Most pads are designed to be discreet. It is recommended to choose a color that matches the furniture leg for an aesthetic finish.
Ajile furniture pads, an effective solution to protect your floors
Designed for all types of furniture, for domestic and professional use, Ajile furniture pads combine durability, discretion and efficiency. Discover now our selection of pads to fix or adhesive pads, in different sizes and colors, in felt, plastic, steel or anti-slip.