From stains to spills, scratches, and scuffs, children can put any flooring to the test. This makes selecting the right flooring an incredibly daunting task for most parents. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution to choosing the right floor. Finding flooring that withstands the wear and tear of little ones while still meeting your lifestyle and design preferences requires careful consideration. Luckily, we have eight tips to help you choose the best option for your happy home.
1- Research the Durability
Durability is the most obvious factor to consider with a household full of children. Flooring must be resilient, sturdy, and able to withstand high traffic. But durability shouldn’t be your only concern.
2- Look for Easy Cleaning
At the risk of being even more obvious, kids are messy. Your floors will see miles of muddy footprints, spilled drinks, and food. You should avoid materials that stain easily and absorb spills, such as carpets. For the easiest cleanup, consider hard surfaces like vinyl or hardwood.
3- Ensure It’s Scratch Resistance
Toys and furniture wreak havoc on floors, leaving behind scuffs and scratches. Scratch-resistant flooring and protective coats will minimize this damage. Hardwood with a high Janka hardness rating, heavy-duty laminate, and ceramic tile all stand up well to scuffs.
4- Make Sure It’s Comfortable
You won’t enjoy your floors if they don’t feel comfortable under bare feet. Children spend years playing on the floor, so choosing material that provides cushion and warmth is vital. For extra protection from falls, consider cork, engineered hardwood, or even stain the master carpet if necessary. Just remember that carpet will need to be replaced long before most hard floors.
5- Check the Safety
Most stain and damage-resistant floors like polished tile are slippery when wet. Opt for a more slip-resistant surface like textured tile or vinyl with non-slip backing to reduce the risk of slips and falls, especially in bathrooms and kitchens.
6- Consider Allergies
Carpet may be great to soften the blow of inevitable falls, but it can be very dangerous for asthma. Carpet traps dust, pet dander, mold, and pollen that is very difficult to clean. If your child has asthma, they’ll breathe better with hardwood, tile, or laminate that can be easily mopped.
7- Don’t Break the Bank
It can easily cost thousands to install new flooring, so the cost must be weighed against the usage. Fortunately, laminate and vinyl flooring can be a very affordable option. Some vinyl products still cost less than a dollar a square foot and come in a wide variety of interesting styles.
8- Consider the Long Dime, Not the Short Nickel
If you can afford it, consider spending a little more on a more durable product. Even if a product seems so cheap it could be easily replaced in a few years, the time and effort to do so should be considered in the cost.
By following these eight tips, you can select the flooring that satisfies your most important concerns. So whether you opt for affordable vinyl, scratch-resistant laminate, or durable hardwood, you’ll be able to enjoy your new floors for years.
Daniel 
Sarah Ross