Helpful Tips to Pick the Best Rug for a Kid's Room

Installing wall-to-wall carpeting on hardwood floors might seem like a safe, soft, and warm option, but it’s not the best idea for a kid’s rooms. Given how much action the carpet in a kid’s room is likely to see, you’ll probably wind up having layers of fine dust and dirt trapped in it. An area rug, on the other hand, is ideal for a kid’s room because it’s easy to maintain, warm, visually appealing and offers a comfortable space for your child to spend time crawling, crafting, playing or even just reading or listening to a story. Before choosing the area rug, here are a few things you must consider:

1. Purpose and Placement

We all understand why rugs are so important, but it’s imperative to know why exactly you want to put a rug on your child’s bedroom floor. Is it to distinguish space between siblings in a shared bedroom? Is it to add an accent or focal point in a room that has scattered furniture or is it to define a play or an activity area for your child? Once you have the answers to these questions, you’ll know where to place an area rug. If it’s a room with a lot of kids bedroom furniture, use the rug to connect and anchor the pieces. For safety and visual harmony, make sure the most dominant pieces of furniture – such as the bed, study table or crib – overlap the edges of the rug by a few inches. If it’s a spacious room, place the area rug in the activity corner or center it to the dominant piece of furniture you wish to highlight.

Photo by Berg Dmitry on Shutterstock

2. Material and Texture

When it comes to area rugs, the fabric and method of construction are a lot more important than you think. The best nursery area rugs are ones that are durable, easy to maintain, and safe for your child’s health. If you’re wondering what rugs are best for hardwood floors, the answer is rug pads. Any rug with a good quality rug pad can keep your rug firmly in place and protect your floors from damage. Cotton dhurries are thinner than most others, but they’re most affordable and easy to maintain. Soft wool rugs are great too because of their stain and water repellency and the ability to insulate. However, they do shed, but the amount they shed will decrease over time. Although a little coarse on the skin, jute rugs are known for their durability and chemical-free processing. If you want an area rug that works wonders in every kind of situation, try a synthetic rug. They’re durable, easy to clean, and can hold up to a lot of abuse.

Photo by Photographee.eu on Shutterstock

3. Size and Shape

Once you know the material of your rug and where exactly it’s going, measure the relevant area and think about the size and shape that will look best. If you wish to cover a majority of the space, a large rectangular rug works wonderfully. If you’re looking for an elegant accent piece though, a smaller circular rug will be ideal. If you want to take a step further and give the room a character that reflects your kids’ nature, choose from among the many different shaped rugs such as cars, flowers, etc. These are sure to spruce up your children’s room décor.

Photo by mmphotographie.de on Shutterstock

4. Colors and Patterns

An area rug can either blend into the décor of your room or stick out like a sore thumb. If you already have a lot of patterns in the kid’s room, a solid color rug balances the elements and provides a visual relief to your child. If the room has neutral shades or solid colors, patterned area rugs can add a dynamic touch to the room. It adds liveliness without taking away too much from the soft ambiance. If you want your kid to be mentally stimulated and engaged when they’re in their room, use rugs with playful patterns, shapes or educational rugs.

Photo by Photographee.eu on Shutterstock

While there are many kids room decorating ideas that can turn your little one’s den into something exciting and engaging, an area rug is an excellent place to start. Once you have considered these four simple steps, you’ll see how a simple area rug can change the entire tone, character, and ambiance of a room.