The cutest (and most durable) floors for kids room

Kids may be precious, but they can also be incredibly dirty and destruction! That’s why it’s important to carefully consider your options for floors for kids rooms. Whether it’s a playroom or a bedroom, floor for a kids room needs to be tough, durable, easy-to-clean, and attractive (to both you and them!) Fortunately, there are quite a few floors that check off all those boxes.

Luxury vinyl plank

Luxury vinyl plank (LVP) is a step above many flooring options for kids rooms because it is water-resistant, eliminating the worry about damage from spills. LVP is also available in a variety of styles that resemble wood, giving a home the look of wood without worry about water damage.

These vinyl floors are a hard flooring, which may also be a negative. If you want to soften up the floor, area rugs are a great way to soften kids’ falls. (Before adding area rugs, ask a local flooring pro on how to minimize any concerns about fading.)

Luxury vinyl plank floors are a long-term floor for kids room, only requiring an regular sweep or vacuum. (Look for a vacuum that won’t damage hard flooring.) For deep cleaning, LVP floors only need a dry mop.

Pros: Easy-to-clean, water-resistant, durable, available in many styles that look like wood

Cons: Hard surface, may scratch

Carpet

Carpet is a popular flooring option for kids rooms because it is soft and durable. Because it so soft, it’s perfect for young children who want to play on the floor and are still mastering the art of walking. Some carpets are hypoallergenic, providing a healthy flooring for busy kids.

Some popular carpet styles also come with features that make it easy to clean up spills. In most cases, spills can be cleaned up easily with these carpet cleaning tips.

Carpets come in a variety of colors and styles, making it a long-term solution that fits with nursery and older-kid décor. To keep it looking new, carpet only requires a regular vacuum and annual carpet clean (either do-it-yourself or by professional carpet cleaners).

Pros: Soft, easy-to-clean, durable, available in many colors and styles

Cons: Requires regular carpet cleaning

Wood

Wood flooring has been in kids rooms for years. Hardwood floors are fairly durable, though they are susceptible to damage from standing water and spills. If wood floors are on the top of your list for a kids room, ask a flooring pro to see waterproof wood floors. Because they are prone to damage from moisture, hardwoods should not be installed over a concrete slab (consider engineered hardwoods for a basement).

For maintenance, wood floors only need a regular sweep or vacuum. (Always research vacuums to make sure they won’t scratch hard flooring.)

Wood floors come in a variety of styles and colors. These floors come in narrow- and wide-plank styles, both in light and dark stains. If you don’t want any dust from finishing, ask a flooring pro to see pre-finished wood floors that are finished in the factory and can be installed with minimal fumes and dust.

Pros: Durable, easy-to-clean, adds upscale look

Cons: Hard underfoot, not water-resistant (except for a few waterproof wood floors, ask flooring pro for more information), typically most expensive, cannot be installed over concrete slab (except for engineered hardwood)

Carpet tiles

Carpet tiles are the perfect solution for kids bedroom or playroom, primarily because it’s fairly easy to replace tiles when stained or damaged. These tiles are soft, affordable, and can even be installed as a do-it-yourself project.

This soft kids room flooring can be installed with or without a padding so they are a comfortable place to play and have fun. When playing is done, carpet tiles need a regular vacuum to keep them clean.

Carpet tiles are available in a variety of colors and textures, making them a bright addition to a kids room. When kids tire of the colors or patterns, they can even move them around for a fun change.

Pros: Durable, easy-to-clean, can be replaced when stained, affordable, softer than wood

Cons: Not as soft as regular carpet, kids may be able to pull up

Rubber flooring

Rubber flooring may not be the first though for a kids room, but this durable flooring can be the perfect cushion over a concrete floor—-especially for a rambunctious kids playroom! These floors are available as a sheet or tile, making them easy to move when the playing is done.

When spills do happen, the puddles can easily be wiped up with a soft cloth. Rubber flooring only requires an occasional wipe down or dry mop to keep them ready for the next playtime.

Pros: Soft, easy-to-clean

Cons: Can be scratched or damaged, kids may be able to pull up or damage, rubber sheet flooring is very heavy