To find the best rugs for kids’ rooms, we spoke with a few experts for insights into what qualities to look for. According to Dr. Karen Aronian, a former public school teacher and owner of Aronian Education Design LLC—a full service design firm serving to create purposeful learning spaces—rugs are essential because they can “transform rooms and invite play, creativity, and learning.” In addition to color and style, material, durability, and size are important factors to consider. Through extensive research and expert advice, we’ve rounded up the most functional, comfortable, durable, and easy to clean rugs for kids’ rooms—from the best rugs for nurseries to the coolest options for teenagers. Here are the best rugs for kids’ rooms. It comes in 14 different color combinations and sizes, so it can easily go in different rooms and it’ll also hide small spots or stains well. The simple-yet-chic design is perfect for either a nursery or teen’s room, so it can grow with your child as they mature. The looped pile adds extra plushness for a soft, springy feel. Keep in mind that this rug is not machine washable. To care for it, make sure to vacuum frequently and spot-clean any stains as soon as possible. Price at time of publication: starting at $299 We love that the design is kid-friendly but stylish at the same time. It has a pile height of 0.39 inches, which means that it’s soft and springy without being overly plush. This carpet isn’t machine washable, so keep in mind that it must be spot cleaned by hand. Price at time of publication: from $267 This fun and creative design is great for young kids and teenagers alike, so it will easily grow with your little one as they mature. To clean, just pull the rug cover away from the pad and place it in the washing machine, then the dryer. Keep in mind that if you have a lot of furniture in your room, it can be challenging to attach and reattach the rug each time you want to wash it. When selecting a size for your washable rug, keep furniture and the size of your washing machine in mind. Price at time of publication: from $89 The carpet is easy enough to spot clean, but the entire rug is machine washable, too. Simply place the rug in the washing machine and wash in cold water with mild detergent. That means spilled food and dirty sports equipment won’t affect the quality or appearance of your teenager’s room. Price at time of publication: from $79 Made from polypropylene, it’s constructed using non-toxic dyes and hypoallergenic materials. The surface is stain-resistant, so any (inevitable) spills and messes are easy to blot up. The bold colors help brighten up a play space and the textured surface invites curiosity and creativity. Price at time of publication: from $60 The black and white color scheme is ideal for infants, who view contrasting colors best. The round alphabet design is simple and interactive, so the rug will grow with your child. It comes in two color schemes and two sizes. Price at time of publication: from $55 Choose from a selection of dark, moody blues or light neutrals like polar white and sage green. The monochromatic style is simple and versatile, so this rug could easily age with your child all the way to their teenage years. These polyester rugs are machine washable and coated with a polyurethane water-resistant barrier, so liquid pools before it soaks in. When ready to wash, just peel it back from the rug pad and toss in the washing machine and dryer. Price at time of publication: from $109 Made from low-pile chenille, this rug is water-resistant and stain-resistant for easy cleanup. For bigger messes, it can also be thrown straight in the washing machine and dryer. Keep in mind that while the chenille is soft, the low pile height means it won’t be as comfortable to sit on as some others on this list. For extra spring and comfort, opt for the cushioned rug pad instead of the standard. Price at time of publication: from $99 One of the most versatile options on this list, you can select from 47 different text colors, 35 font styles, two rug fiber styles, and six sizes to create a totally personalized carpet. Every rug is handmade with vibrant colors and sharp artwork. It comes in two fiber styles—the flat rug option is made with soft poly chenille, and the soft rug option is made from polyester microfiber. Both styles feature a woven back for added durability. Price at time of publication: from $55 Keep in mind that the low pile height means this rug isn’t particularly plush, so it won’t be as soft or cozy as some others. This is an ideal option for active kids who need an easy-to-clean carpet for their most trafficked areas. The slip-resistant backing makes it sturdy and durable, so kids can run and play safely. This rug is made from polyester and should be spot-cleaned and vacuumed regularly. Price at time of publication: from $428 In our research, we spoke with interior design experts, specifically people who have experience creating play rooms, bedrooms, and learning spaces for children. We performed hours of competitive research to determine the leading options in the category, and we looked at offerings from large, leading retailers as well as smaller, independent providers. Meet our experts:
Dr. Karen Aronian is a former public school teacher, college professor, and education design expert. Her full-service design firm, Aronian Education Design LLC, specializes in creating purposeful learning spaces for education and hospitality brands. Dr. Aronian holds a masters of art degree, a masters of education degree, and an education doctorate from Teachers College, Columbia University. Christine Kobervig Munger is the director of merchandising and sourcing at Fernish, a premium direct-to-consumer furniture and decor rental service on a mission to make it effortless to create your home. Munger has over 12 years of experience in the field of design, and was previously the sourcing director of decorative assets at Pottery Barn. She holds a bachelor’s degree in textile science from the University of California, Davis. Kate Lester is a Los Angeles-based designer who has been practicing luxury residential and commercial interior design for over 15 years. She is the owner of Kate Lester Interiors and is a mother herself. Leah Atkins is an Atlanta-based interior designer and the owner and principal designer at Leah Atkins design. She seeks to bring innovation and intelligent risk to a fundamentally classic approach in all of her designs. She’s also the mom to two young children, a 2-year-old boy and a 3-month-old girl. Atkins holds a degree in interior design from Carson-Newman University.
What to Look for in Rugs for Kids’ Rooms
Durability
Kids are notoriously messy, so having a rug that is easy to clean is essential. “When designing a kids’ room, it’s important to find rugs that are stain-resistant and water-resistant,” says Dr. Aronian. Each rug should also be able to stand up to kids’ activity level, so they should be strong, sturdy, and long-lasting. Make sure to select a rug that has a sturdy, stable backing, which will help preserve the structure of the rug over time. A non-slip backing, like the one in our top pick, the Pottery Barn Starry Skies Rug, is ideal for kids’ rooms because it will help the rug stay in place and stop the edges from curling, which can be a tripping hazard. “All kids’ rugs will take a beating, so look for rugs that are easy to clean with a traditional carpet cleaner or spot clean,” adds Lester. “When in doubt, select something with vibrant colors or patterns so any remaining traces of stains blend in easily.” Before purchasing a rug, make sure you fully understand how to clean and care for it—you don’t want to commit to a rug that will be too much of a pain to clean.
Material
Rugs come in many different materials, and some are considerably better for kids than others. “Rugs and carpets for kid play spaces should ideally be hypoallergenic, durable, and water resistant. Plant-based materials like coir [a type of coconut fiber], jute, sisal, and seagrass are clean choices, and wool and felted wool are ideal because they’re soft, eco-friendly, long-lasting, and perfect for chemical-sensitive households,” says Dr. Aronian. Keep in mind that the material a rug is made of directly correlates to how durable it is. Synthetic materials are durable and inexpensive, but they often have a chemical smell. A rug made from natural materials is the best choice. That said, your budget or lifestyle might require a synthetic rug. If so, look for durable materials like polyester. If you have a small child, look for lower-pile synthetic rugs, like the Zoomie Kids Dossett Area Rug, so any fabric that sheds is less likely to end up in your kid’s mouth.
Comfort
Kids spend plenty of time on the floor—reading, playing with toys, or hanging out with a pet—so comfort is important. Plush rugs add cushion that makes playing on the floor soft and gentle on kids’ delicate skin. In order to determine comfort, pay close attention to the pile height. A low pile means that the fibers are shorter in length (usually less than 0.25-inch), which will result in a stiffer, less plush carpet. A high pile number means fibers can be over an inch long, which makes for softer, more lush rugs. Though low pile rugs are less comfortable, they are considerably easier to clean than high pile rugs. Low pile rugs also tend to stand up to wear and tear longer than high pile rugs do.
Why Trust Verywell Family
Laura Denby is a food, home, and lifestyle writer who specializes in creating thorough and analytical product reviews to help shoppers make more informed purchasing decisions. She is also mom to an 11-month-old baby and a 3-year-old dog, so she is no stranger to stains, messes, and dirt. Laura’s aims to maintain a natural, chemical-free home and always considers how decor choices will affect her baby and puppy. “Avoid rugs with super long piles or shag-type rugs,” says Munger, “the fibers are more likely to break and end-up in your kids mouths, and they are hard for early walkers to walk on—it’s almost like learning to walk on sand. The rug edges can also be a tripping hazard for new walkers and for parents carrying babies or toddlers,” she adds. “Choose a size that covers the majority of the floor space that isn’t covered by furniture,” says Munger. “Be aware that the edges of a rug in a high traffic area can be a tripping hazard, so it’s best to choose a size that puts the edges out of the main space where the kids will play and walk. If you buy a washable rug, aim for a size that fills the space without placing heavy furniture on it so it is easy to pick up and pop in the wash,” she says. Atlanta-based interior designer Leah Atkins adds, “Depending on the size of the room, it’s best to make sure that you don’t float the rug. Make sure that it is anchored by at least a few pieces of furniture, and should at least be under the bed and in front of the nightstands.”
