Make your rug feel soft as a cloud

Someone rolling up a rug with a rug pad underneath it.

AntaresNS/iStock

An excellent pad doesn’t just prevent your rug from slipping and sliding, it also provides delightful squish, helps dampen sound, and can extend the life of your rug. Plus, it can make your space feel all-around cozier and more welcoming. Home decor writer Ivy Elrod, who recently got new rug pads for her home, can attest: “It felt as if my feet had been bumped from middle-seat economy to first class.”

For superior cushioning→

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Plus: The very best area rugs

A handful of different area rugs overlapping each other.

Michael Murtaugh/NYT Wirecutter

Over the years, we’ve tested dozens of rugs in our own homes to find the most stylish and durable ones out there. Our favorites include a luxuriously plush wool option, a surprisingly soft jute rug, and a modern, textured one that’s easy to clean.

12 rugs our experts love→

What’s hot at Wirecutter

You don’t have to store your books on a shelf

Here are other ways to display that to-be-read pile→

A Kindle pictured with glasses, a glass of water, and other things on a nightstand.

This device ended one writer’s decades of insomnia

It helped her quiet her brain and fall asleep within minutes→

A Jonathan’s Spoons Magnetic Toaster Tong, on a plate next to a piece of toast.

“These tongs are my very favorite kitchen gadget”

Never burn your fingers on too-hot toast again→

Seven different alarm clocks displayed on tables and books in front of a brown background.

Our favorite alarm clocks

Including a sculptural sunrise clock, a tiny rechargeable option, and a stylish mid-century modern timepiece→

Gift of the week: A provocative deck of cards

Marina Abramovic

In this enchanting deck from the artist Marina Abramović, each card offers a prompt meant to help people tap into their creativity via a simple but powerful practice. Think: complaining to a tree or walking backwards with a mirror.

A self-care gift to help “reboot your life”→

One last thing: iOS 27 is here. These are the best new features.

Someone holding an iPhone in their hand.

Michael Murtaugh/NYT Wirecutter

You don’t necessarily need a new phone to get updated features. You can simply download Apple’s newest operating system. The biggest change? Siri — the once-dumb, voice-activated assistant — is now a capable chatbot, akin to Claude or ChatGPT.

Plus, everything else iOS 27 can do→

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