Flooring ideas often aren’t the first things on expectant parents’ minds when decorating a nursery. Often, they just use whatever they have, whether it’s hardwood nursery floors or wall-to-wall carpeting. However, it’s crucial to have good flooring for nursery rooms. As babies grow, they spend a lot of time on the floor, between crawling, playing with toys and having books read to them. So if you have the time and the money to invest in a new floor for the nursery, it may be worth considering different flooring ideas.

Wood Nursery Floors

Hardwood floors work wonderfully for any room, including a nursery. Real hardwood is a long-lasting, sustainable and eco-friendly flooring option. Plus, the natural beauty of hardwood floors lends added charm to the look of the nursery.

However, hardwood nursery floors are cold and won’t absorb noise at all. And they aren’t very forgiving when a child falls on them. Parents who choose hardwood flooring for nursery rooms may want to pad the area with a soft area rug or nursery floor mats to offer more protection for their babies.

Wood floors are also very expensive. Parents who love the look of hardwood but don’t have the funds for it may wish to consider laminate flooring for nursery rooms. Laminate nursery floors resemble hardwood but are made of cheaper material. They won’t last as long as real hardwood, but they’ll serve their purpose in the nursery.

Carpet Nursery Flooring Ideas

Carpet flooring ideas have always been quite popular in nurseries. The warm, plush softness of wall-to-wall carpeting minimizes falls and is easy on a crawling toddler’s hands and knees. Unlike hardwood floors, you won’t have to purchase any nursery floor mats. Plus, these nursery floors are available in so many different colors, that it’s impossible not to find one to match the nursery’s decor.

On the other hand, carpeting is notorious for harboring dust mites and other allergens that can make a baby sick. In addition, most carpets are made from synthetic materials that are harmful to the environment. For parents who choose an eco-friendly lifestyle, carpet may not be the best flooring for nursery rooms.

If you choose carpet flooring for your nursery, look for low- or no-VOC options. VOCs are “volatile organic compounds,” potentially toxic chemicals found in many carpets. Keep these chemicals out of your baby’s room if at all possible.

Cork Flooring for Nursery

One of the less obvious flooring ideas for a nursery is cork. Cork is a durable, naturally anti-allergenic hard surface that’s available in many different colors and styles. Cork is warm and provides good noise absorption, making it an attractive alternative to hardwood flooring for nursery rooms.

Unfortunately, furniture and other heavy items can damage cork floors if left on for long periods of time. To avoid damage, you may want to use padding or nursery floor mats under the dresser, armoire and other heavy nursery furniture.