How To Choose The Most Practical Flooring For A Child’s Bedroom

Like any other room, there are so many options for flooring in a child’s bedroom. Hardwood, carpet, laminate, and vinyl are the most common, but what works for one child’s room may not necessarily work for another.

The three main things to look for are flooring that is durable, comfortable, and easy to clean, and if possible, flooring that can meet their changing tastes or is easy to change if it no longer meets their needs or doesn’t quite match the new accessories/theme in the room (rolls eyes).

The Best Flooring For Children According To Age

Age is a big factor when choosing bedroom flooring, young children up to the age of 10 spend a lot of time playing on the floor, so scratch-resistant, soft, and warm flooring like carpet or vinyl would work well.

Obviously, carpet wins over vinyl for warmth and is a softer landing in case of a fall, but vinyl wins over carpet for being easy to clean and a great surface for playing with wheeled toys.

Most children 10 and above tend to be more relaxed and less hyper, they just want to chill out with their friends, play video games, chat, etc, so there is more flexibility in choosing a floor type for this age group.

Children’s Bedroom Styles

A flexible approach is ideal when decorating a child’s bedroom because they grow up so fast, and what they like one day may not be what they like the next. I always found it so much easier and cost-effective to use accessories for the theme, colour, or pattern rather than using the walls and floor, because they are quick and easy to change.

A 7-year-old may love cars and tractors, so you might think it’s a good idea to buy a road map-designed carpet, but within just a few years, he’s already 10 – approaching secondary school, and would need that uncool carpet swiftly removed before his street-cred goes out the window when his friends come over, and how expensive would that be after just 3 years?!

Whereas if you used road map printed cushions, rugs, blankets, and/or canvas wall art pictures instead you would’ve saved yourself a lot of hassle and money.

Types Of Flooring

For every type of flooring, there are reasons why it may or may not work, the reasons are obvious for the kitchen and bathroom, but you’ll be surprised by the versatility of flooring options for a child’s bedroom too.

Other factors that ultimately help you to make a decision are mostly determined by your budget and your child’s individual needs.

Here are the pros and cons of the 4 most common flooring types you can use in a child’s bedroom.

VINYL

Vinyl is one of the most resilient and practical flooring options you can have. You can get it as tiles, planks, or as a sheet.

You may think vinyl flooring is the same as linoleum, but linoleum is made from natural and renewable materials including linseed oil, cork, and wood, but vinyl flooring is made from man-made synthetic materials such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC).

Pros:

• Comfort — Most vinyl flooring has an additional cushioning layer which makes the flooring feel warmer and softer underfoot and reduces noise!
• Resistant To Stains + Water — Due to its material, it’s impermeable to water, which is why it is usually the go-to flooring option for bathrooms and kitchens.
• Easy To Clean — Any spills, dirt, or dust can simply be swept up, wiped, or mopped.
• Durable — This can vary according to quality, but vinyl flooring – when properly installed, can last up to twenty years.
• The Versatility of Design — Due to innovative technology, you can have almost any colour, pattern, or texture you want including realistic wood grains, so you can match your pre-existing decor pretty easily.
• Great For Play — As I mentioned earlier vinyl flooring has a smooth surface for playing with toys especially ones with wheels.
• Cost-effective — Vinyl (sheet) flooring can be mass-produced in huge rolls, it’s actually cheaper than the tile and plank versions of vinyl flooring and carpet, laminate, and hardwood.

Cons:

• Warm, But Not The Warmest — Good quality vinyl has a deep-cushioned layer which makes it warm, but not as warm as a carpet would be.
• Difficult to Repair — High-quality vinyl flooring is durable, but low-quality vinyl can rip and tear after a while which cannot be repaired so will need to be removed and replaced.
• Not economical or recyclable — Vinyl is not biodegradable, so will not break down naturally which means it will end up in a landfill – forever! It is practically impossible to recycle most vinyl materials because different types of vinyl have different chemical compositions and the adhesives used to stick vinyl down for installation compound the problem.
• Discolouration — Low-quality vinyl can become yellow over time, this could be due to direct sunlight, but good-quality vinyl is resistant to this.

LAMINATE

Laminate flooring has long been the cheaper alternative to hardwood flooring.

Laminate wood flooring is made up of 4 different layers, with the main one being a high-density wood fibre made from composite wood pressed together at a high temperature.

The image of hardwood or another pattern is then placed over the composite wood, covering it to form the laminate.

Pros:

• Easy to clean — A microfibre mop with a floor cleaner is an easy way to remove dirt, dust, and spills.
• Can mimic hardwood design — Laminate flooring is a versatile option in terms of wood design, whether it’s grey, light wood, or dark wood you’re after, you’ll find it!
• Durability — Laminate is a hard and durable surface that can handle lots of traffic and is resistant to wear and tear.

Cons:

• Water damage — Once laminate flooring has been exposed to too much water it can cause cosmetic damage and lifting.
• Can be a slippery surface — This may not be the best choice for a young child’s bedroom where they run around a lot.
• Not stain resistant — But doesn’t scratch as much as hardwood flooring.
• Can’t be refinished — Unlike hardwood which can be sanded down and refinished, laminate flooring can’t be, in fact, once laminate flooring becomes damaged it has to be replaced.
• Not as quiet as carpet — But this can be helped with thick and good quality underlay.
• Synthetic material — Although laminate can mimic the appearance of real wood flooring, it might not look as genuine unless you get high quality.

HARDWOOD

Regarded as premium flooring, hardwood is the king of durable indoor flooring, renowned for its durability and longevity.

Hardwood flooring is also easy to clean, unlike carpet, simple sweeping, wiping, or mopping will do the job.

Pros:

• The real thing — While laminate and vinyl can mimic the look of wood grain and colour, hardwood is the real deal and will look like it too.
• Ageless beauty — Hardwood has that timeless elegance that is hard to find in other types of flooring. Whilst carpet and laminate may begin to look worn-out and dull, real wood flooring can be refinished and never goes out of style either.
• More attractive to buyers — Hardwood instantly improves the value of your home because it lasts long, is organic, and is biodegradable.
• Variety — If you choose hardwood, you’ll be presented with a large selection of grain patterns and colours. You can also stain them if you fancy a change. Different types of hardwood include Merbau, Oak, Walnut, Ash, Beech, Mahogany, and Maple.
• Great acoustics — If you have a child who loves to sing, play instruments or create music, they’ll love the crisp sound that hardwood flooring can help to create.
• Long-term investment — When properly looked after, hardwood flooring can last 100+ years! Hardwood can be sanded down and re-varnished to reclaim its lustre if it starts to show signs of wear, you simply can’t do that with other types of flooring which usually needs to be changed every 10-15 years.

Cons:

• Scratches easily — This would be a frequent problem in a young child’s bedroom where playing takes place on the floor. But, on the bright side, this flooring can be sanded down and refinished.
• Costly — Hardwood flooring is generally much more expensive to buy and install than other flooring types, but the cost per square foot depends on the wood species.
• Vulnerable to water damage — When wood absorbs excessive water it can cause warping or cupping. Warping is the distortion of the shape of the planks and cupping is where the edges of the planks are higher than the centre.

CARPET

Carpet is the frontrunner in the warmest flooring race and the most traditional option for a bedroom.

A carpet will keep a bedroom nice and warm, will cushion a fall, and absorbs loud sounds – good for playtime and kids who loves to dance and listen to loud music!

Pros:

• Colours and patterns — There are hundreds of different colours and pattern options for carpets, they can be customised so you can easily get the exact design that you want.
• Warmth — Being the warmest flooring type, carpet is the perfect surface for the winter months, it provides thermal insulation that can really help you save money on heating bills.
• Various textures/materials — There are many different types of carpet materials out there, but in general, carpet is the warmest flooring type.
• Cost-effective — Carpet tends to be cheaper than other flooring types.
• Quieter — Carpet will dampen sound transmission like no other flooring type will (thick good quality underlay will improve this too). Great if your child’s bedroom is on the upper level of the home.
• It’s soft — Perfect for a cosy underfoot feeling, great for young babies or toddlers learning how to walk.

Cons:

• Longevity — Carpet doesn’t last as long as other types of flooring like hardwood flooring.
• Stains — Carpet can stain easily and the level of damage and ability to remove the stain depends on the material and quality. Professional cleaning can be pricey.
• Retains dust, dirt, and other allergens — This can be a problem for people with respiratory problems and allergies, this also means the carpet will need frequent vacuuming which may seem like high-maintenance.

An Alternative Type Of Flooring

CORK

Cork is made from the bark of oak trees and is the most eco-friendly flooring type material due to its manufacture.

Cork flooring is generally made from the leftovers of wine cork production, which is grounded down and processed into sheets.

You may overlook cork for flooring in any room or perhaps you’ve just never seen it before because I sure hadn’t! But as it turns out, cork flooring is a great option for a child’s bedroom, but it’s not perfect.

Pros:

• Environmentally friendly and sustainable — It is biodegradable and can be completely recycled without producing any toxic residues.
• Soft and spongy — Cork is very comfortable on the feet and due to its structure being made up of shock-absorbent cells, cork has a very sponge-like feel which yields compression but returns back to its original shape.
• Natural insulator — Not on the level of carpet, but cork has a honeycomb structure with millions of tiny bubbles which make it a great insulator of heat and sound, so you can save money on energy bills, and keep the happy sounds of your child playing contained in their room.
• Hypoallergenic and anti-microbial — Cork does not absorb dust, dirt, or hair/fibres so will be a good option for children with allergies or asthma. Cork is also resistant to bacteria, mould, and mildew.
• Flame retardant — You can sleep a little easier knowing that cork is fire retardant. It also doesn’t release toxins and smoke as it burns like many other materials.

Cons:

• Dents and scratches — Sharp or blunt objects may create scratches, dents, or even break through the surface which would cause permanent damage. So for heavy furniture – consider applying felt protective furniture pads to stop scratching and/or place a utility rug underneath the furniture.
• Can fade — Long-term exposure to direct sunlight can lead to fading and yellowing, but you can prevent this by buying cork flooring with a UV-resistant finish.

Consider Adding These On Top

MACHINE WASHABLE RUGS

If you know there are likely to be a lot of stains or spills in your child’s bedroom if you get a carpet, but you still want the warmth and softness that a carpet gives, a machine-washable rug might be the thing.

You can have the durability and longevity of a wood floor underneath, whilst still having the cosy surface of a rug on top that you can simply pop in the washing machine when it needs a refresh.

Quick tip: It’s always a good idea to add an anti-slip rug underlay to prevent trip hazards and slips.

CUSHIONED FOAM SQUARES

Foam squares/foam play mats are an easy way to not only add a soft surface to a child’s room, but they are available in a variety of designs and exciting colours too.

My son had multicoloured alphabet letters on his, but you’ll easily find numbered ones so it’s a fun way to do some learning or play indoor hopscotch!

They are super easy to install, simply slot them together. They can be used on hardwood, tile, concrete, or low-pile carpet.