With crawling toddlers, crying babies, sassy teenagers, and fluffy pets, your home can quickly become a danger zone for a growing family! The old flooring can certainly take a beating, but what is too much? What is the safest flooring for babies and young children?
The best floor types for families include vinyl, high-quality carpet, and cork. Each flooring type can be adjusted to accommodate children, but these are the most durable and easy to clean up. Look for floors that are scratch resistant, water-resistant, stain-resistant, and safe.
To understand the benefits and drawbacks between each recommended flooring type and what floors work best for different families, continue reading below!
What Flooring is Good for Children?
While opinions can always vary, it’s widely accepted that flooring that is good for children has materials that are easy to clean up and have a soft underfoot. You don’t want it to be too hard of a surface that if your little one falls to the ground they could be seriously hurt, but you also don’t want it to be so soft that your new flooring is easily damaged from accidental drops or heavy furniture. The flooring that is best for your family can also vary depending on the room and your family’s lifestyle.
For example, vinyl flooring can be great for the kitchen and living room area because it has a harder surface area, is 100% waterproof, yet has that realistic, hardwood appearance that will withstand spills. But if you’re replacing the flooring in a child’s bedroom, carpet is the cushion for a clumsy toddler, and there are types that are highly durable against wear and tear.
For some more specifics, we will go over our recommended flooring tiles for children. There are tons of options for carpets, you just have to know what to look for!
Carpet
If you have a family that is larger in numbers and louder than life, carpet flooring just may be your lifesaver. It has cushioning properties, a soft underfoot, and natural sound-absorbing and insulating features. Carpet offers extra padding that other floors simply do not have. It is recommended for staircases to prevent damage from those pesky and inevitable slips, as well as bedrooms.
It’s important to remember that lighter-toned carpet will show more dirt quickly, so we recommend a darker color. Because of needs like this, we created the Eco Plus Carpet Collection. It is environmentally sustainable, stain-resistant, and luxuriously soft. This carpet is anti-static and has heat-infused color that will not fade from UV rays. It is truly an Australian-made wonder that is meant to last for decades.
Caring for your carpet can be easy if you know the right way to do it! Make sure to do your research!
| Pros | Cons |
| Inexpensive to install | Shows damage easily |
| Noise-reducing | Regular carpet vacuum |
| Soft surface | Must be replaced periodically |
| Good insulator | Allergen enhancer |
Hardwood
Hardwood floors are an elegant addition to any home, new or old! Hardwood flooring is much easier to clean than its carpeted counterparts and can withstand years of damage that kids can throw at it. It, fortunately, does not collect any animal or allergen dander or dust, and there are a wide variety of choices.
Oak
Oak hardwood floors are one of the most popular choices, specifically red or white oak. Red oak has a stronger grain than white oak, meaning it can hide scratches much better.
Australia Cypress
This wood is even harder than oak and has a wavy grain with the occasional knot. Chips or splits can happen around these knots, but the lively grain can help hide nicks and scratches.
Brazilian Cherry
The Brazilian Cherry is another wood that is harder than oak. It withstands moisture tremendously and is a great choice for kitchens where cups might tip over.
The Darker the Cleaner Looking
When picking out hardwood flooring, keep in mind that lighter colors can appear dirtier faster. Distressed flooring with stylized or natural imperfections will hide those dents and scratches much better. There is also engineered hardwood flooring, which can provide waterproof options for you.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Can last a lifetime | Very expensive |
| Easy to clean | Not all environmentally friendly |
| Allergen reducer | Moisture damage |
| Increases home value | Scratches and gouges over time |
| Beautiful look | A hard surface that can hurt children |
Vinyl Tile and Plank
Vinyl is an affordable yet durable option for your family-friendly floors. It is 100% waterproof, meaning that cleaning up spills is no problem. It is not as cushioning as carpet but is much softer than hardwood flooring. You’ll find it quite difficult to rip or tear the vinyl floor, so you will have no worries after installation.
Vinyl is a very versatile material and can be used as a tile or plank. Vinyl plank flooring is quite stylish and comes in a wide range of textures, colors, and tones. Invincible is our vinyl plank flooring and Vastscapes is our vinyl sheet flooring.
| Pros | Cons |
| Easy to install on your own | Heavy appliances and furniture can cause dents |
| Last for decades | Tough to remove |
| Realistic appearance | Inconsistent quality |
| 100% waterproof, great for spills | Old vinyl is made with asbestos (linked to cancer) |
Laminate
Much like vinyl flooring, laminate is an affordable and stylish alternative to hardwood flooring. It was first manufactured in the 1970s and can easily give the appearance of a hardwood floor on a budget. Laminate is made of synthetic materials, with an inner core board and a decorative photo image and overlay protectant. It does not stand up against moisture as well as vinyl and is more easily damaged.
| Pros | Cons |
| Extremely affordable | It may need to be replaced every decade |
| Comfortable on feet | Not all are water-resistant |
| Realistic appearance | Warping can occur |
| Low maintenance | Cannot be refinished |
Environmentally Friendly Cork
Cork is an environmentally friendly alternative oy vinyl and laminate. Cork is made from bark, and unlike other floorings, stripping a tree’s bark does not kill the tree, as it grows back! It, like carpet, has a soft underfoot and a warm and organic feel. It is anti-static and an allergen reducer. However, installing this floor should be left up to the professionals. Here at Carpet One, we have our own brand of cork flooring known as Voyager, which is made from timber and bamboo.
| Pros | Cons |
| Easy to install and maintain | Easily damaged by children or pets |
| Soft surface | Heavy appliances and furniture can cause dents |
| Good insulator | Moisture damage |
| Allergen reducer | Can fade in the sunlight |
Bamboo
Thanks to its natural beauty and sustainability, bamboo flooring is becoming a popular choice. Bamboo is a grass that takes much less time to grow as opposed to traditional trees. It has a similar texture to wood and thus has become a popular 21st-century alternative in our quest to live a more eco-friendly lifestyle.
Natural Bamboo
Natural bamboo has no staining or carbonization. It is blond and comes at its original strength.
Stained Bamboo
Stained bamboo is painted with any color and is applied by hand.
Carbonized Bamboo
Carbonized Bamboo is added to a dye throughout the engineering process rather than painted on the surface. This can give bamboo many colors, however, it decreases the floor’s strength and makes it softer.
| Pros | Cons |
| Affordable | Waterproof underlayment required |
| Pet friendly | Can warp or show imperfections |
| Easy to clean | Not best for wet spaces |
| Environmentally Friendly | Susceptible to scratches |
| Lots of variety | Fits with limited styles |
Wool
Wool carpeting is very environmentally friendly! It is naturally more durable than traditional carpet and has the potential to be extremely soft. Heavy foot traffic or large furniture pieces will not damage wool carpeting, as it is naturally elastic. Wool is also great at repelling dirt, making wool a great carpet to use on stairs. Wool carpeting is a very environmentally friendly choice, as no animals are hurt in the process of shearing. In fact, shearing helps a sheep’s skin stay nice and healthy!
When choosing wool carpeting, it is important to understand where you are purchasing it from. Wool from New Zealand is soft and a lighter shade, while Britain’s wool is weighty, textured, and darker. Wool is biodegradable and recyclable! It is great for a children’s bedroom but may be a good idea to avoid it as a playroom carpet. This is because wool can be easily stained. Because of this, wool carpeting may not be a great choice if you have pets or young children. It is more suitable for families with older children.
| Pros | Cons |
| Soft surface | Susceptible to months and carpet beetle |
| Fire retardant | Difficult to maintain |
| Naturally durable | Cannot get wet |
| Environmentally friendly | Very expensive |
| Insulating | Susceptible to stains |
Stone
Stone is definitely a luxurious flooring option, but it is not good to have in homes with children. This is because while the stone is long-lasting, it is not only expensive to install, but it is also cold, slippery, and can cause unwanted injuries to young children. Additionally, they are hard to maintain. Stone floors may be a good option for families with older children, but if you have young children or pets that love to run around and have a history of unexpected falls, stone flooring is not the best choice for your home.
If you are going to install stone flooring, make sure that it is harvested in an environmentally friendly way. The most eco-friendly types of stone flooring are granite, marble, quartzite, or natural stone that is located in your area.
| Pros | Cons |
| Luxurious | Expensive |
| Waterproof | Extremely hard surface |
| Long-lasting | Difficult to install |
| Unique looking | Expensive to maintain |
| No allergens or dust | Chip or scratch easily |
| Increases home value | Some may not be harvested in an environmentally friendly way |
Rubber
While this is not the first option to come to mind, rubber flooring is very kid safe! It is a great addition to a child’s playroom, as its soft underfoot will keep toddlers and babies safe if they fall. The bouncy material makes a great and inviting space for a playroom, however, there are a few downsides.
First, rubber has a noticeable smell compared to contemporary floors. Because of the varying material, some children can actually be allergic to rubber! It’s best to know how rubber affects your little ones before having it installed.
| Pros | Cons |
| Soft surface | Noticeable odor |
| Easy to clean | Some children can be allergic to rubber |
| Long-lasting | Not as attractive as other flooring options |
Invest in a Floor Mat!
While this is technically not a type of flooring, floor mats can be a great choice if you already have hardwood floors and do not want to replace them, as they add to your home’s value. Floor mats are a great short-term fix, as kids are not young and clumsy forever! These work great in traditional hardwood areas such as the living room, kitchen area, or even the bathroom.
Floor mats are easy to clean and affordable to replace. The best materials are either carpet or rubber, as they provide a soft landing for an otherwise painful fall.
| Pros | Cons |
| Soft surface | Can be easily destroyed |
| Easy to replace | Can move around a lot |
| Easy to clean | It may not be as fashionable |
| Very affordable | Cheap |
Where Can I Get my Floors Done?
At Carpet One, we have local stores that can help you choose your best flooring, and we don’t only sell carpets. We have options for kids’ rooms, living rooms, kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms, and hallways. We want to help you with your next investment in your home and we know it can be a daunting task.
Because of this, Carpet One offers a free measure and quote for those who are interested. From providing a game plan to transparent finances, we can help you restyle your home within your budget and lifestyle, especially if you have young children.
Why the Right Carpet Matters
After reading this, you may be wondering why this matters for you and your family. Well, the right carpet can make or break your family’s happiness and well-being.
Your children are going to be crawling around, playing, eating, and possibly making messes on your floor. This means that you want the best carpet option for you and your family. The right carpet will ensure that your children will not get hurt on hard flooring, and some types of carpet are easier to clean than others.
Isabelle Justice 