There are many types of floors for both home and commercial use. However, for homes with kids running around, it’s best to install a more kid-friendly option. What’s more, these options have many advantages.
Some floor materials are built with protective elements that prevent falls and allergies, while others require regular maintenance. Not to mention, having a kid-friendly floor will make things a lot easier for you and even enhance your family’s quality of life. In this article, we are going to look at some flooring options specifically for busy households.
Wood Flooring
Wood flooring, particularly hardwood, provides a natural, kid-friendly option, and it also looks gorgeous. Solid wood offers a non-toxic floor material that ensures quality indoor air around your home, and it’s easy to maintain. Hardwood can also increase the resale value of your home. Additionally, this wood is much less porous compared to other woods, which means it will prevent bacterial growth in your home.
Unless you are in areas that are prone to water damage that can lead to wood cupping or buckling, your floor can last many years, and you can use sanding to repair it or even re-stain it.
However, on the drawback side, hardwood is prone to scratches, especially if your kids have a lot of toys. And if your children are toddlers, installing a wood floor isn’t recommended because it’s a relatively hard surface.
Laminate Flooring
Laminate flooring is another kid-friendly option that has many advantages. For starters, it’s pretty affordable for homeowners looking for a good floor without breaking their bank. This floor closely resembles actual hardwood floors in terms of their classic design.
Laminate also features a protective scratch-resistant layer and has a high-density fiberboard or medium-density fiberboard core. This means it’s protected from dropped objects. The floor is also stain-resistant.
If you have kids who tend to make messes at home, it’s easy to clean as well. However, while all these advantages might outweigh the cons, it’s essential to still keep the disadvantages in mind.
One drawback of laminate is that it’s slippery when wet, which can be dangerous to kids. Ensure you choose a laminate with safe levels of VOC emissions.
Vinyl Flooring
Vinyl flooring is similar to laminate; both are easy to install and maintain with a vacuum and damp cloth. Vinyl flooring from Flooring Los Angeles is extremely weather and spill resistant, which means even if your kids spill cereal bowls around your floor, the floor can hold up. It provides a non-porous material that is mold-resistant and prevents bacterial growth.
This flooring option is also an ideal choice for toddlers who are still learning balance, as it provides soft material whenever they tumble. When choosing vinyl flooring, always opt for phthalate-free vinyl. This type has an environmental certification for flooring and is easy to clean, making it eco-friendly for households with children who are still at a growing stage.
Area Rugs
Sometimes, you just want to add some softness under your feet. If that’s the case, area rugs are your ideal options because they offer protection for those adorable little knees and hands that love to crawl around.
Although many parents prefer wall-to-wall carpet as an extra floor material, it has some drawbacks, including allergens, dirt, and grime.
What’s more, it’s often hard to clean. That’s why, instead of all this stress, we recommend using any of the above options or going for an area rug on your floor, as it also gives the same effect.
Plus, with these rugs, you can easily change your kids’ room’s style. For your nursery, you can consider going for soft pastel colors, but as they grow up, they will prefer something more fun and vibrant. Overall, an area rug might be the ideal choice if you don’t want to undergo the stress of changing your flooring.
Click here to learn more about the best area rug styles to go for in 2025.
Conclusion
Homeowners with toddlers and pets are always looking for ways to make their flooring safe for their little ones. Thankfully, with options like area rugs, vinyl, wood and laminate flooring, you can provide that maximum protection for your kids to roam around and play with their favorite toys.
When choosing vinyl flooring, make sure to choose phthalate-free vinyl because it’s much safer and easier to maintain than other vinyls. More importantly, be sure to go for styles that keep your home comfy, healthy for your kids, and environmentally friendly.
With a broad spectrum of options available in the market, you can be sure to find the ideal fit for your space decor—one that makes your floor a dream space for your kids and pets.
