By 'area rugs' I mean the 9' x11' size with the 'gripper' stuff underneath to hold it in place. I must confess that the rug I store the cutting board does not have the 'gripper' stuff, but it lays flat. It's set so that most of the time no one walks on it - a low traffic area. It's weight holds it down, as do the dining room table and chairs and we never eat in the dining room.