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Although parenthood comes with its fair share of surprises, perhaps the most overlooked of all is how much child rearing is spent on the floor. From tummy time to play time and beyond, parents will find themselves getting down with their little ones so regularly that buying a nursery rug takes on whole new importance. The ones out there today are not only easy to clean (hello, machine washable!), they are often made from organic, natural materials; are supersoft to roll around on; and, of course, are easy on the eyes. Here, we’ve rounded up the best examples that don’t just hit the design mark but rank high on the comfort-factor scale.
Best Floral Nursery Rugs
Dainty and dusty-hued, blown-up and bright: floral rugs bloom in many forms. Every variation here—from Sharland England’s kilim to Anthropologie’s sky blue and mossy stripes—lets you set a feminine tone in any colorway.
Best Animal Nursery Rugs
There are a lot of tiger-adorned nursery rugs out there—just take a quick search and you’ll uncover several. We’re opting for other animals (and insects and dinos) here. Ruggable’s Winnie the Pooh collection is sweet but subtle, not to mention washable and non-slip. And with more than 110 years of carpet making under its belt, Safavieh knows a thing or two about quality and value—the Lara design is crafted with 100-percent wool.
Best Artsy Nursery Rugs
A gaggle of balloons, tiny moons, one big strawberry—these are just a few of the artsy nursery rugs we found. One of our favorite makers of kid-friendly rugs is Barcelona-based designer Lorena Canals, who created the fluffy ABC rug below. She’s been a forerunner in machine-washable rugs for more than 20 years and each design is made by hand at the label’s factory in India, where it sets a new standard by using chemical-free production processes and natural fibers like wool and cotton.
Best Quirky Nursery Rugs
If you’re a ‘please, no beige’ kind of person, this is the category for you. These bold designs take playful to the next level. A harlequin-esque design from IKEA is fit for a circus theme, while NuStory’s quilt-like pattern would work well in a room leaning in on Americana and craft. Our 1001 Knots pick feels pulled directly from Inside Out, plus its no-inventory model means that all of the retailer’s rugs are lovingly made to order by artisans in Brazil).
Best Solid Nursery Rugs
In the right saturated shade, solid rugs need not be boring—and one could be repurposed elsewhere later on, extending its lifetime ad infinitum. Cold Picnic’s style is hand-sheared for subtle variation, while Armadillo’s are handmade at every stage, from the spinning of the wool to the knotting of the rug. Ernesta gets bonus points for custom sizing down to the inch.
How We Chose These Products
As parents with a discerning eye, we put together this list based on our personal criteria. We searched for rugs that would still feel sumptuous after hours of playing on the floor, designs that would spark our childlike imaginations while still appealing to our grown-up tastes, and pieces that are nontoxic and made from sustainable means and materials where possible. The brands that made the final cut are as respected for their design credentials as they are for their approach to the world (and thus, future) that our children will be living in.
Our Shopping Checklist
Design
Rugs don’t come cheap, and when buying for a room like a nursery, it’s only natural that you’d want to purchase one with the most enduring possibilities. “A nursery rug can last well beyond the new-baby years, especially if you invest in a quality piece made using natural fibers. This will ensure longevity as your newborn moves from cot to crawling,” shares Armadillo’s cofounder, Sally Pottharst. Pottharst offers that neutral or nature-inspired hues will complement many interiors, meaning you’ll be able to continue using your rug beyond the life span of nursery furnishings.
Comfort
The most comfortable rugs tend to be a medium pile, between a quarter inch to a half inch in thickness. The comfort level also goes up a notch when paired with a warm and natural material like wool, cotton, or jute. “Having natural and sustainable fibers underfoot is key for creating that cozy, safe floor area that will withstand all the wonderful milestones as your baby grows,” says Pottharst.
Size
A 5-by-8-foot rug is a classic, versatile size that provides ample coverage in most rooms. However, the choice really is up to you.“For a nursery rug, I tend to avoid a wall-to-wall rug and opt for a smaller size that fits a laid-out toy, like a train set,” says interior designer and stylist Amy Heffernan. “Many nursery rugs also come in design motifs like fun shapes. The right size really depends on the room you are working with.”
Durability
For the best in durability, wool rugs tend to be the gold standard, especially since they don’t compromise on comfort. “Wool is very easy to clean and maintain because it’s a natural fiber,” explains Pottharst. “It’s naturally water repellent due to the lanolin in the fibers and is also safe and sustainable. It can be professionally cleaned to ensure longevity through the years.”
Maintenance
Machine-washable rugs are a game-changer when it comes to maintenance. Washing at a warm temperature on a delicate cycle and then tumble drying on low is usually all the care a machine washable cotton rug needs in order for it to be refreshed. Synthetic rugs tend to be more impermeable to stains, but for a natural option, wool again is surprisingly resilient. Heffernan shares another tip: “Children and messiness generally go hand in hand. Colorful rugs can work well to mask any mishaps,” she says. “I personally love to bring some color and shape through to act as a focus in a space.”
Ask Domino
Babies can be notoriously sensitive during the newborn phase, so rugs made from natural materials, like cotton or wool, are preferable. Cotton rugs are often machine washable, making them the easiest to clean (ahem, spit-up), but wool is also loved for its natural antimicrobial and stain-resistant properties. No bad choices here.
If cleaned regularly and used with a rug pad, the typical rug can last upwards of 15 years. Nursery rugs are no different. If you end up selecting a timeless and adaptable design—for example, colorful geometric patterns on a muted background—it could last a lifetime.
If you have a machine washable rug, throwing it in the wash once every two weeks would be considered best practice. For rugs that need professional cleaning, the pros should be called in once every six months, especially when it comes to kids’ rooms. Rugs tend to trap dust and things like mold spores (!), so regular cleanings do help to maintain a safe play space.
Shag rugs can be hard to resist, especially in a nursery or playroom, where most of everyone’s time is spent on the floor. Bear in mind that things like crumbs, paint, and dried-up Play-Doh can make living with a shag rug a real challenge. But ultimately, as long as you choose a natural shag, like cotton, wool, or linen (versus synthetic fibers), you should feel free to do you.
Yes! Not only are wool rugs naturally resistant to stains and bacteria, wool itself is hypoallergenic, which means your little ones can roll, snuggle, and rub themselves all over it with reckless abandon. Wool rugs do tend to shed in the beginning stages, but regular vacuuming and brushing will help to quell that quickly.