Bedroom Flooring
Children’s rooms are traditionally carpeted. Carpeting is soft and warm and makes a child’s room feel cozy and inviting. Carpeting, however, has some major drawbacks, particularly when children are involved. Carpeting can retain dust and pet dander – even when regularly vacuumed. This can cause allergic reactions in susceptible children. Carpeting is also harder to clean and, as any parent knows, spills and children go hand in hand. Brightly colored juices, almost all art supplies and clay dough are notoriously hard to get out of carpet. Pets and children go together, too, so it is natural that pet stains will end up in a child’s room, as well. Left untreated, pet stains can lead to odor.
A better flooring choice for a child’s room is vinyl or hardwood. Vinyl, available in hundreds of bright and cheery colors, can be tailored to match any décor. Durable and easy to clean, vinyl is virtually hypoallergenic and will stand up to years of wear and tear. A light mopping is all that is needed to keep everyday dirt at bay. Pet stains on vinyl are also easy to handle. Simply wipe them up and then soak the area with a dilute solution of ammonia to remove any lingering odors. A mild bleach solution can be used to remove fruit or juice stains. Be sure to test the solution, however, on an inconspicuous area of the floor, such as the closet, before using it elsewhere in the room.
Hardwood is also a good choice for a child’s room, especially for a slightly older child. Hardwood has a classic, elegant look that will be an asset when the child nears the teen years and wants a more mature décor. It also has a timeless style that will be appropriate if the room is eventually converted into an office or guest room. If the hardwood seems too dark and somber for a child’s bedroom, brightly colored throw rugs can be used as accents. The rugs will add color and warmth but can be easily laundered as needed.
Most modern hardwood floors have a polyurethane finish, so they are nearly as indestructible as vinyl. Cleaning them requires no more than vacuuming and the occasional touch-up using a dust mop dampened with hardwood floor cleaner.
Whether vinyl is chosen for a child’s room, or hardwood, the homeowners can be assured they have chosen a beautiful and durable floor covering that will last of years.
