Rugs for Kids

Novelty Rugs

• The term "novelty rugs" applies to rugs that feature unusual shapes, pictures and colors, such as a rug shaped like a flower, printed with pictures of cartoon characters, or a rug that has been made to specifically match a bedding collection. These work well in kids' rooms since they have a high fun factor. Other novelty styles include faux fur, sports team logos and rugs printed with a city and street layout, ideal for driving toy cars around.

Shag Rugs

• If you'd like a rug that will last your child from infancy to young adulthood, choose a shag rug. Shag rugs are soft and cozy, which makes them a nice choice for a baby's room. When your child grows older, he'll appreciate shag's "coolness," as a shag rug has a fun, funky vibe that teens love. To save a little cash, ask stores that sell wall-to-wall carpeting if they have shag remnants. You can often purchase remnants cheaply and have their edges bound for great savings over the price of a shag rug.

Rag Rugs

• Reversible, durable, casual and usually inexpensive, rag rugs are a wise choice for a kid's room. Although they have the word "rag" in their name, they can be quite attractive and are available in many color combinations. They are made by knotting, weaving or braiding thick strips of fabric together, with the end result being a thick fairly soft, attractive rug, that, when stained or dirty, you can simply flip over. An added benefit is that the fabric used to make these rugs is repurposed as opposed to being dumped into a landfill.

Berber and Low-pile Rugs

• Berber and other low-pile rugs are practical choices for kids' room. They often are inexpensive, easy to find in many retail stores, and come in a wide variety of colors and patterns. Because of their short pile, they vacuum well. They are often lightweight and easy to move around the room. They are very durable, and, when soiled and stained, some can even be taken outside and cleaned with a garden hose. As with shag rugs, you may find an inexpensive remnant at a carpeting store and have its edges bound.

Flokati Rugs

• Another option that can last your child from nursery to the dorm room, flokati rugs are super-soft, shaggy rugs made from long, thick strands of wool. While flokati rugs look like animal skins, they are not. The wool is shorn from the sheep, then woven together to form the rug. Although flokati rugs are lush, luxurious and last many years, they do require special care. For example, they must be shaken out instead of vacuumed. While larger flokati rugs must be washed by hand, smaller ones can be tossed in the washing machine.