Kids' rugs

The kids' rug does something essential in a child's bedroom: it creates a soft play space on the floor, cushions the tumbles of first steps, absorbs noise (which the neighbours downstairs will thank you for) and adds a decorative touch that grows with the child. For babies and toddlers who spend hours lying down or crawling, comfort and safety come first.

Which safety criteria?

In a child's bedroom, three things matter most:

• Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certification: guarantees the absence of harmful substances (dyes, formaldehydes, heavy metals)
• Washability: essential for dealing with stains, spills and dust mites. Go for a design that machine-washes at 30°C
• A non-slip backing: stops the rug shifting while the child plays, runs or crawls

Avoid very long pile (a trap for dust and mites) and never use a new rug unwashed: always wash it before the first use.

What size for a child's bedroom?

The size follows the use you have in mind:

• A floor play area: a 120×170 cm or 160×230 cm covers the play zone
• A bedside rug: an 80×150 cm in front of the bed
• A large child's bedroom: a 200×300 cm taking in the bed and the play area
• A round rug: a round format of 120-150 cm across for a reading corner or a baby play mat

Which styles and colours?

Two schools coexist. The soft, timeless school: plain rugs or discreet patterns in pastel tones (dusty pink, sky blue, beige, light grey). The advantage: the room grows with the child instead of dating in a year. The playful, colourful school: animals, clouds, stars and bright graphic shapes that feed the imagination. Our advice: put your money into a fairly understated rug and add the fun through accessories (cushions, throws, baskets) that are easy to swap. For a teenager's room, look instead at our more grown-up modern designs.

Care

Children's bedrooms need regular upkeep:

• Vacuum two or three times a week to stop dust building up
• A monthly machine wash for washable designs (more often if there are stains)
• A weekly airing outdoors
• Treat stains immediately with a damp cloth and a mild soap