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Baby Room Flooring
When choosing carpets, inquire about which is most stain resistant and easiest to clean, and least allergenic. Nylon often fits that bill, in addition to being less prone to pilling and static electricity. Be sure to use padding under it, not only to cushion falls but also to protect the carpet itself and the flooring.
As with paint and wallpaper, the backing, foam, dyes, insecticides, and adhesives used in carpet and installation often off-gas VOCs (volatile organic compounds). If this is a concern for you, shop for environmental and health-friendly natural floor coverings and pads. Install carpet with tacks rather than glue, do the job as far in advance of the baby's arrival as possible, and let the nursery air out with open windows for at least 72 hours.
Area rugs
Throw rugs and larger area rugs are available in many nursery-appropriate colors and designs. Look not only in baby furnishings stores but also in home-furnishing and bed-linen catalogs and stores.
Hooked rugs offer the most detail and wonderful colors, and even come in whimsical shapes; most of them are made of cotton or nylon. Check with the manufacturer about cleaning procedures. The old braided rugs are back, in brighter colors, in wonderfully soft chenille; they come in a wide range of sizes, in both oval and round shapes. And don't forget thick bathroom throw mats that come in every color towels do and couldn't be easier to clean.
Whichever rug you choose to soften up an area of the floor, be sure to leave some hard surfacing for racing cars, floor puzzles, and the like. Also, use a nonslip pad to keep the rug in place.
As with paint and wallpaper, the backing, foam, dyes, insecticides, and adhesives used in carpet and installation often off-gas VOCs (volatile organic compounds). If this is a concern for you, shop for environmental and health-friendly natural floor coverings and pads. Install carpet with tacks rather than glue, do the job as far in advance of the baby's arrival as possible, and let the nursery air out with open windows for at least 72 hours.
Area rugs
Throw rugs and larger area rugs are available in many nursery-appropriate colors and designs. Look not only in baby furnishings stores but also in home-furnishing and bed-linen catalogs and stores.
Hooked rugs offer the most detail and wonderful colors, and even come in whimsical shapes; most of them are made of cotton or nylon. Check with the manufacturer about cleaning procedures. The old braided rugs are back, in brighter colors, in wonderfully soft chenille; they come in a wide range of sizes, in both oval and round shapes. And don't forget thick bathroom throw mats that come in every color towels do and couldn't be easier to clean.
Whichever rug you choose to soften up an area of the floor, be sure to leave some hard surfacing for racing cars, floor puzzles, and the like. Also, use a nonslip pad to keep the rug in place.
