Nurseries and playrooms are one of the most happening rooms in the house, all parents know. There’s a lot of movement, a lot of new life, a lot of toys and a lot of mess. Placing a rug in a nursery might sound like a lost cause, with all of the spills and foot traffic – but really, this is one of the main reasons you should consider a rug in the first place! Protect your floors and your children by covering any hardwood or tile with a plush rug. And if you’re currently in the market for a nursery rug and aren’t sure where to start, our guide has got you covered! Here is everything you need to consider when choosing a rug for your nursery.

1. Size

Before buying a rug for any space, the nursery included, determine the proportions of the whole area, as well as the precise location inside the room where you want to position the rug. Check to see that the dimensions of the rug are appropriate for the space in which it will be utilized. If you end up deciding that certain measurements are either too large or too small, start again and take some new ones! One of the biggest parts of home decor innovation is trial and error, and rugs are no exception to that rule.

2. Material

While searching for a new nursery rug, you should opt for one that is made from materials that are non-toxic and hypoallergenic, as well as materials that are easy to clean and maintain. Wool and cotton are two additional fantastic examples of natural fibers that should be taken into consideration. There are washable rugs that can be placed in nurseries to help ease the cleaning process, though these are typically thinner so they’re able to be washed in washing machines. Most thicker and fluffier rugs aren’t machine washable, but they offer more protection to your floors, as well as more cushion in case of any falls. Weight your options and which benefits matter more to you, or try to meet them somewhere in the middle.

3. Safety

Safety is, of course, one of the most important factors that can go into designing a nursery or child’s bedroom. So when you’re buying a rug to place on the floor of one of those spaces, you need to keep any hazards in mind. Make sure that the rug is non-slip to avoid either you or your child slipping and falling. Do a thorough inspection of the nursery rug to verify that it does not have any protruding threads or fibers that might pose a choking hazard to your child. In most aspects, rugs will add an extra layer of protection to your family, but you still need to make sure that they are placed and utilized correctly.

4. Color and Design

Choose a nursery rug with colors and patterns that are complementary to the pieces of furniture and other decorations that will be in the room where the rug will be placed. Bright and vibrant colors or multi-color rugs are the most popular colors for any kids’ rooms, as they are the ones children are most drawn to, while the use of soft pastel hues may help to create an environment that is calmer and more tranquil. For nurseries, starting off with softer hues might be the way to go, and as your children grow older they might want brighter shades mixed in, or to re-style with their own personal tastes.

5. Durability

The durability of a rug is almost as important as the safety they will provide you. Purchasing a rug that looks beautiful and is protective for you and your floors is a great thing, but only if those benefits continue to last. When you’re buying a new nursery rug, choose a rug that has a high durability rating and is capable of withstanding wear and tear, in addition to any spills or stains that could arise.

There are durable rugs in all styles and made from a variety of different materials. And while it’s easy to imagine that a more durable rug will have a higher price point, this is not always the case. There are plenty of affordable options, it just requires a little bit of research and decisions on your personal preferences.

Nursery Rugs: The Facts

A nursery rug may or may not be necessary for you, depending on the room's decor, your stylistic preferences, the nursery’s size, etc. When you’re making your decisions on whether or not to purchase one, keep the following factors in mind:

- Nursery rugs offer a soft and comfortable area for you and your baby to sit or play on. It may also act as insulation, making the space seem warmer, and keeping your baby’s tiny feet off of any harsh or cold tile and wood floors.

- Nursery rugs heavily reduce the risk of injury from slips and trips on hard floors. As long as you choose a non-slip rug and have it placed in a way that it won’t be jostled or can’t be over-turned, then the protection it can offer both you and your child is extremely valuable.

- They’re beautiful! All in all, other benefits aside, you might feel like your nursery is missing a pivotal piece of decor without a rug either in its center or underneath the crib. To bring your entire look together before your little one gets here, adding a rug is typically the way to go.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How do I make sure that the nursery rug is safe and easy to maintain?

A: Choose your nursery rugs with both safety and ease of care in mind should be your top priority. Here are a few factors that you should weigh heavily when you’re making your final decisions:

- If you want to keep your rug from shifting and sliding about on the floor, you should either get one that has a non-slip backing or use a rug pad. There is still a small chance of shifting even with a rug pad, so a rug with backing is the better option of the two.

- Area rugs with a low pile are considerably easier to clean and care for than those with a high pile. They also tend to attract less dust and other allergens than other surfaces.

- Rugs produced from materials such as cotton or synthetic fiber that can be machine washed and dried quickly are a great choice for usage in nurseries due to their minimal care needs. The spills are guaranteed to happen, so you can at least make them a whole lot easier to take care of!

- The most crucial factors to think about while choosing a rug are your individual preferences and needs. Think about your lifestyle and activities, the foot traffic in the nursery, the time you want to devote to cleaning, the type of floor already present in your nursery, etc.

Q: What size should I choose when buying a nursery rug?

There are a lot of different things that may influence the size of nursery rug you should choose, including the dimensions of the space, the configuration of the furniture, and your own specific needs. Here’s a list of some basic recommendations that may assist you in selecting the appropriate size rug for your nursery:

- Consider the size of the nursery: a smaller nursery may do well with a small rug, while a bigger nursery may need a rug that is larger. The size of the space as well as the arrangement of the furniture should determine the proportions of the rug.

- Give some room around the borders: To avoid giving the impression that the room is too crowded, be sure to leave some space around the edges of your rug. A decent rule of thumb is to ensure that there is at least 8 to 10 inches of floor space visible all the way around the rug's perimeter.

- Think about the arrangement of the furniture: Think about where you will put the crib, the changing table, and any other pieces of furniture in the room. The size of the rug should be enough to fit the pieces of furniture while still allowing for some breathing room.

- Choose one of the most popular sizes: A smart place to begin when shopping for a rug for a nursery is by looking at standard rug sizes such as 5' x 8', 6' x 9', or 8' x 10'. These dimensions are versatile enough to function well in a variety of nursery layouts and are simple enough to be changed as required.

Q: What about round nursery rugs?

A: A round or oval-shaped nursery rug will offer all of the same benefits as a traditional rectangular rug, but with a quirky and modern twist. Round rugs have soared in popularity in recent years, especially in rooms that are meant to appear more fun, like children’s rooms or media rooms. You will need to take a good look at the rest of your décor and make sure that a circular rug would mesh with it – if the majority of your nursery furniture is boxy, then a round rug might not flow with your current setup. But most nursery furniture and décor has soft lines and smooth edges, which means a round rug would be right at home. Again, be sure to take measurements and experiment a little bit before making your purchase, but a round rug should absolutely be a consideration when you’re doing your shopping.

There is a lot of thought and consideration that goes into taking care of your little ones, and the room that they'll be sleeping in, playing in, and eating in is no exception. A nursery should be safe haven for your baby, and with the right decor choices, it absolutely can be. While the choice of crib and dresser is a big one, so is the one that goes underneath your feet: your choice of area rug for your nursery. When you're making the decision to place a rug in your child's bedroom, you have to consider the maintenance, the practicality, the durability, the amount of protection it will provide, and the comfort level... all before even beginning to look at the different stylistic preferences. It can be a lot, we know! But that's why we're here to help. 

If you're considering adding a rug to your baby's already-existing nursery, or if you're in the process of setting one up for a baby that's on the way (congratulations!), we here at Decorsify are on your side the whole way. Be sure to take a look at our other blogs for more tips and tricks, as well as take a look at our assortment of rugs to see if we have the perfect one for you! Good luck, and happy shopping.