When decorating a baby’s Nursery, it’s essential to consider the rug. After all, you need a cozy and comfortable area rug between the crib, changing table, and glider. Area rugs are a perfect addition to your baby’s room. But, the question is how to choose a soft and comfortable rug? What should be the size? How to choose one? I’m going to break my answer in this article. Let’s go.
1. How to Choose a Rug for the Nursery?
Rugs are a significant part when you are designing your Nursery. They not only make the room warmer but also serve as a soundproof buffer. You and your baby can also have fun if the area rug is soft enough. So, the best area rugs for baby nursery will perform a lot of functions for you.
Shape
The shape of an area rug for your Nursery depends on the shape of your room. Mostly, area rugs are square, round, and rectangular. It also depends on what space you want to cover. You may have your nursery furniture in an arrangement that lends itself to a circular rug. Similarly, if you have a four or three-sided furniture arrangement, you better go with a square or a rectangular area rug.
Pattern
Area rugs come in a variety of colors and patterns. What color and design you choose for your Nursery depends on the overall color scheme of the room and choice of your furniture. Traditional rugs are in trend, but you can also choose rugs that have patterns for learning. You can decide to go with a rug with any animal’s face or some pattern for learning as your baby grows up.
Size
“It’s all about keeping things in scale with the furniture, keeping it in scale with the room.”
The most common mistake people make when buying an area rug is choosing a size that is too small or too large for your space. It’s often recommended to decide the appropriate size of rug depending on your furniture’s configuration. It should not be based on the specific room size. So, the main guideline to determine the best rug size is to consider the furniture grouping over the room size.
The size of an area rug can alter the room’s overall effect. A rug that is too small for your space can cause the room to feel dreary. A rug that is too large for a room can make the room feel smaller. A right size rug will bring balance to the room, creating the perfect finishing.
Use the Tape Trick to find the exact size for your Area Rug
If you have a problem with visualizing the specific size of the area rug, here is a trick to help you. Before you go for a rug shopping, measure the floor space based on the size you think you’d require. You can go with the standard sizes. Then, using masking tape or anything similar that will not damage the floor. Tape of the area you just measured. You will get an idea of the outline where the rug would end. This will make it easy for you to see how a rug of that size would fit into your space. Once you are satisfied with the size of your taped-off area, you are ready to buy a rug!
2. Types of Rugs for Baby Nursery
There are many types of rugs. But you need to choose an area rug that adds warmth, comfort, style, color, and playfulness in your baby’s room. Pick a rug that complements the overall setup of the room. Choosing a material that is safe for your baby, and it is essential. Here are a few materials for the baby’s Nursery and beyond.
Cotton
Many parents choose to go with natural fibers. Cotton rugs can be easily washed to clean and spits or the bottle spills of your baby. But just like cotton cloths, cotton rugs also tend to shrink. Since they are affordable, you can replace them with a new one. A cotton rug is a good option and is available in a wide array of designs.
- They are soft and can be used as an alternative to wool. It is a naturally durable material and can take a great deal of abuse before it begins showing signs of wear.
- They feel comfortable to feet and are affordable. They provide support to the back.
- They are durable and can be washed in a machine.
- They are hypoallergenic and breathable.
Sisal
Sisal is a natural fiber that is an excellent option. These are environment-friendly rugs for your Nursery. Sisal is a beautiful, organic rug that fits in any décor style. They have a soft texture that makes it comfortable for human feet.
- They are durable and easily washable.
- They are biodegradable, eco-friendly, and comfortable to foot.
- They have minimal shedding.
- They can stand up to scratches and stains.
- They are affordable.
Unlike cotton, these rugs are not soft and fuzzy. However, if you want to go with a sisal rug that will spot to learn crawl on, choose sisal mixed with a wool rug.
Wool
Wool rugs still look fantastic and are in excellent condition after all these years. They are usually hand-tufted when made into rugs. Here are some pros of wool rugs:
- Wool is a non-allergen fiber that does not promote the growth of bacteria or dust mites. They are safe and healthy choices.
- Wool is super durable and great for high traffic areas.
- The luxurious softness and warmth make wool rugs extremely comfortable.
- If cleaning habits are screened, and they are regularly vacuumed, wool help maintain its good looks. Wool can be bent and twisted 20,000 times without losing its texture and shape.
If you choose to go with a wool rug, make sure to put aside some money since they are pricey.
Olefin
Synthetic rugs are the best choice. Polypropylene/olefin is a popular synthetic choice. Here are some pros of these rugs:
- They are economical and are visually pleasing.
- They are stain-resistant. You won’t need to worry about stains because they are non-absorbent.
- They are solution-dyed, so the color doesn’t fade away.
- They have low density and are lightweight, so they are easily washable.
- They are easy to clean and are not damaged by chemicals or washing products.
With the right care, you will get years of use with polypropylene rug.
Shag
Shag rugs are made of various materials, but almost all types are cozy and comfortable for your Nursery. Adding one beneath the rocker in a nursery will make the toes feel warm and comfortable. Here are a few pros of these rugs:
- They are eclectic. They improve the overall look of your room décor, and they speak up the volume in a mute place.
- They are visually appealing in the room.
- They are comfortable. You can easily have fun with your baby over these rugs. They are best for the kids who may be prone to fall.
- They make a luxurious look for everyone who walks through the door.
3. What to Look for in a Nursery Rug?
There are certain things you should consider before buying a perfect area rug for your baby’s Nursery.
Price and Size
Rugs are expensive, and cost goes up with the size of your rug. Before buying an area rug you should consider the size of your room. You can go with several small rugs at different places in the room or one larger rug. Checking your options and the required size will help you a lot and will save you from trouble.
Washability
Some rugs are washable, and some can be spot clean. Many machine washable rugs are made up of synthetic materials, making them more durable to stand up to the agitation of the washing machine. You can still find rugs with natural fiber such as wool and cotton, but they tend to be more expensive. Washability is worth looking into an area rug for your baby’s Nursery.
Durability
No one wants a rug that undergoes wear and tear after a few months. Wool and cotton tend to be more durable.
Style
Nursery rugs come in all different styles, from super kid-forward to neutral, traditional, and plain simple. Before you choose a rug, consider how it will fit in baby’s room. And don’t shy away from flashy looks just because you’re crafting a neutral nursery — sometimes a rug is a perfect way to add a pop of color.
4. Pros and Cons of Area Rugs for Nursery
5. How to Clean Rugs?
Rugs are great. You just need to throw them down, and instantly, they add color to your space, making space look brighter, seasonal, and updated. They are affordable too. Proper cleaning and maintenance keep them looking great season after season.
Remove Dirt So It Doesn’t Settle
Area rugs attract a lot of dirt. To get rid of dirt, mix a solution of dish wash and water in a bucket. Scrub the rug with a brush—clean both sides of the rug. If you are washing your rug, make sure to wash over the driveway so that it can drain away. Never let your rug soak excess water and grow mold.
You can also shake your rug to get rid of the visible dirt and debris. Flip your rug over every once in a while to keep it evenly worn.
Dry The Rug In Sunlight To Prevent Mold
Mold might not grow on your rug, but it can grow in your rug. Dirt and moisture mostly sink to the bottom of your rug. Any dirt particle or moisture is a prime reason for the mold to grow. So you need to do a wet-dry vacuum to get rid of any such mold.
To ensure that your rug stays mold-free after washing, hang your rug on a railing in direct sunlight. If you do not have a fence or railing, you can lay it on the ground to dry. Make sure to flip the rug so that both sides are dry. If mold creeps in your rug, use a mixture of vinegar and warm water to scrub the spores out.
Remove Stains and Spills
If a stain or spill occurs, use a dry cloth to blot the excess that’s on the top of the rug. Make sure not to rub the fabric so much; otherwise, the substance may push in the fiber. If you got a massive spill on your rug, you could wash it away with a garden hose. If you opt for this method, make sure to place your rug in direct sunlight and flit it over time so that it is dry and does not serve as a house for mold.
Vacuuming the Rug Regularly
To keep your rug look best, you need to vacuum it regularly. It will prevent dirt from settling inside the fiber. Molds cannot grow if you clean the rug regularly. Mold cannot grow on the synthetic rug, but it can grow inside the rug’s fiber.
6. Maintenance
- Cleaning tips should be taken into account if you want your rug to last longer.
- Medium-to-high pile rugs can be cleaned once a year to remove dust, hair, and allergens. Sometimes only vacuuming isn’t enough.
- Low-pile or flatweave rugs should be cleaned periodically.
- Check the cleaning instructions before making a purchase. Rugs with natural fibers such as jute and sisal can’t be washed. So spills and accidents can result in permanent damage.
7. More Tips
- A rug for your Nursery should be slip-resistant. A rug should be lined with rubber cushion or anti-skid material. In case, if your rug is not lined, use a rubber mat and do not place a rug over the bare floor.
- A rug should be cleaned with a vacuum cleaner at least once a week, both from the upper side and backing.
- Thorough dry cleaning should be done.
- Wet cleaning should only be done for removing stains from selected parts of the rug.
I hope that I helped you in your quest to find a perfect rug for your baby’s Nursery. If you think that I missed any essential and critical points, I would love to hear from you. Feel free to get back to me in the comments section below.
A writer in the day and a reader at night who loves Home Decor and Area Rugs.