Best Flooring Options for Families with Children

While there are a lot of different flooring options available to homeowners. However, not all of them are ideal for parents with children. When you have children, especially small children, having the right flooring can alleviate stress and a lot of headaches. Parents need floors that are:

• durable
• low-maintenance
• easy to clean
• protective if a child falls
• inexpensive

What are the types of floors that can meet these criteria?

Vinyl Flooring

How Vinyl Flooring Is Kid-Friendly

Vinyl flooring is another great option for parents. This is because it’s spill-resistant, water-resistant, and mold-resistant. It’s also a softer floor, so if you’ve got young children who are learning to walk, they’ll be a bit more protected if they take a fall on vinyl flooring. It’s also very easy to maintain. All you have to do is vacuum it and clean it with a damp cloth as needed.

Laminate Flooring

How Laminate Flooring Is Kid-Friendly

Laminate flooring can be a great choice for families with children. To start, laminate is inexpensive but can give you the look of hardwood flooring. On top of that, laminate is scratch-resistance, dent-resistant, and stain-resistant. Laminate flooring also doesn’t require a lot in the way of maintenance, which is great for busy parents.

How Laminate Flooring Isn’t Kid-Friendly

Laminate flooring can get slippery when it’s wet. This means that it could be easier for kids to slip and fall if water has been tracked inside from a rainstorm or if someone has spilled something on the floor.

Wood Flooring

How Wood Flooring is Kid-Friendly

Hardwood floors can look nice in your home while simultaneously being friendly to children. They’re non-toxic and can help to improve the quality of the air inside your home. There are also waterproof and water-resistant wood flooring options available that can better withstand the messes that children can make. On top of that, wood is resistant to bacteria and can last for a long time.

How Wood Flooring Isn’t Kid-Friendly

Wood flooring isn’t very scratch-resistant. This means that children’s toys could more easily damage the flooring. Plus, if your children are learning to walk or are prone to falling, wood flooring can be very hard and therefore won’t absorb the impact of a fall.

Carpeting

How Carpeting Is Kid-Friendly

Carpets can be good for children because they’re the softest flooring material available. If a toddler falls on the carpet, they won’t hurt themselves. Additionally, children can play with toys on carpeting and parents won’t have to worry about them scratching the floor.

How Carpeting Isn’t Kid-Friendly

Carpeting isn’t resistant to spills and stains. If a child spills juice, for example, it can be difficult to clean up. On top of that, carpeting can harbor allergens.

Area Rugs

How Area Rugs Are Kid-Friendly

Area rugs can provide all of the same benefits as carpeting, but without its drawbacks. A rug isn’t fixed to the floor and therefore can be rolled up as necessary. It’s also easier to clean because it can be pulled up and may even be able to go into the washing machine. Plus, an area rug can be put on top of other flooring options to make them a bit softer for children.