An apparatus, for securing a floor covering on an underlying substrate, includes a button-like central base member that is adapted for placement between the floor covering and the carpet. The central base member includes an upper surface for engaging the floor covering and a lower surface for attachment to the substrate. The upper surface of the base member includes an adhesive, or a plurality of upwardly extending spikes, or a plurality of hooks engaging with a mating plurality of downwardly extending hooks of an anchor tab, for engaging the lower surface of the floor covering. The lower surface of the base member includes an adhesive, or one or more downwardly extending spikes for engaging or attaching the apparatus to the underlying substrate. One or more of the downwardly extending spikes may include barbs or a screw thread for engaging a lower side of a backing of a substrate having a pile layer extending upward from the backing.