What kind of carpeting for a child's bedroom?

Question

I'm not sure what kind of carpeting to put in a grade school child's bedroom. What is going to make it show less wear? Will it help if it's textured? What will make it shows stains less? Will a darker color, texture, a varied color pattern, or some kind of stain-proofing treatment help?

Answer 1

I'm with the no carpet crowd. Almost anything but carpet. I do not care how clean and neat you are carpet is a dirt magnet, can't stand the stuff. Don't have any in my house..

Answer 2

Children's bedrooms generally don't receive a lot of wear so spots and spills are usually the deciding factor when choosing carpet for a childs room. Carpet has many benefits including: warmth, cost, color selection, dust, dirt and allergens are kept at floor level aren't kicked into the air; then can easily be vacuumed away, and sound reduction.

Remnants are a great deal for kids rooms. Often you can afford a better quality carpet this way. Measure your childs room and go a store that has them in stock. Sizes to the nearest inch in hand, with a drawing of the room; measure into the doorways and the widest dimensions of the room. My suggestion for a childs room would be a medium color, low pile, densely constructed fiber, that will not shed, with a medium pick backing.

Medium colors do not show all the white dirt like dark carpet and they do not show every drip and drop like light colored carpet.

Lower pile carpet is easier for the vacuum to get all dirt and dust out of the fibers.

A dense construction where all the fibres are close together will also allow ease of vacuuming.

Shedding happens with some polyester fibers. Test the sample with your hand and try to remove fibers. Staple polyester is famous for it. All new carpet sheds but PET polyester, nylon and smart strand fibers do not.

Medium pick backing. Turn over your carpet sample and look at the back. The backing will be made of latex. The pick of the backing will have a number provided by the manufacturer. It will not unfortunately be on the label, it will only be on the manufactuers specification sheet. The store usually will not provide you with this information. The proper backing will prevent stretching and wrinkling. Look for a backing that isn't too open.

Cleaning. Spot clean as needed and vacuum once a week. Every 18-24 months have your carpet professionally steam cleaned with a truck mounted high vacuum extraction method. This is what the carpet manufacturers require to maintain any stain resistance warranties. Be sure to pick up any literature laying around from the manufacturers. They will often have spot guides too. All carpet today is treated for stains. Many fibers are non porous. I'm sure you'll have no shortage of choices. "Textured" (shows minimal footprints)carpet does hide wear patterns versus a "plush" (shows many prints, a velvet finish) Varied colored carpet can help to hide small marks on the carpet but can also be dizzying in a smaller space.

Good luck with your carpeting project,

Jen

Answer 3

smiles great Q. I've been there.

No texture, no pile, something close to a low pile, "nylon" Olefins" "Poly based', not always SOFT to lay on, but easy to clean up.

Certainly some kind of scotch guard can help. The major issue is NON absorbent. If the children need SOFT, use pillows or blankets etc that can be laundered.

Consider this: As temprorary as Children are with regard to age, mauturing, evolving, and learning HOPEFULLY that "their" space" should, at some point be kept "Liveable" You might Change floor coverings more than once in 18 years.

On a light note, accept that Coke and Twinkies will be part of the substance of the floor covering, and adjust to that. Throw rugs/area rugs OVER the main carpet are an option.

With no offense at all...IT is "THEIR" space, even if YOU create it and pay for it, and I have to tell you,,, as a KID, I'd be really uncomfy worrying about my 'Residue"

Steven Wolf

Answer 4

I would not install carpet in a child's room. That is asking for trouble. After all a child should not have to be careful in his/her own room. It should be their haven and play area. They should have to maintain it and do their chores such as stripping their bed, putting toys away and dirty clothes in the laundry basket.

I would install the large 18 X 18 inch stick down tiles. They come in a large variety of colors. They can be installed in a day and you can do it yourself, saving the money by not needing a professional installer. You can use area rugs if you like as accents. They also come in the 12 X 12 inch tiles too.
You can purchase them any where.

Answer 5

a "cut pile berber" with a "fleck" pattern is the BEST for kids. we lived on a tan berber with "flecks" and despite my ocd, we rarely had to vacuum (even having a teen, a preteen, 2 busy professionals, 3 cats and 1 long haired dog in the house!!). it's like a very short consistent shag that takes years to show traffic and the fleck pattern gives it randomness and covers dirt remarkably well. we also had this carpet when we lived in an apartment (which i used to work at), so I know it is just as cost effective as normal carpet.

the link below outlines the carpet types so you get an idea of what you're looking for:
http://www.thevirtualshowroom.com/CPT/styles.htm

this last link shows photos so you can see an actual sample:
https://www.carpeteria.com/online_store/catalog/carpet/cut_pile_berber/saddle_creek/index.php

we have moved and we terribly miss our cut pile berber- good luck!!!!!

Answer 6

carpet tiles. www.flor.com a bit expensive, but you can remove a tile and replace if an accident occurs. also, some are more of a commercial grade and can withstand kids' wear and tear, and still look good.

Answer 7

Textured Berber...hard wearing and you can get away with vacuuming only once a week...as nothing shows! I ran a home daycare for years out of my basement and thats what we put down there..it was super...blue and specks of color.... it was excellent..hard wearing ....not too expensive and soft for the kids to roll around on.

Answer 8

you may want a short nap neutral color maybe gray or brownISH. the short nap is easier to clean . your big box stores "menards lowes also have carpet in 1x1 or 2x2 cb. ft. sqrs."s that are easily replaced if they are damaged beyond repair .

Answer 9

Tightly woven almost smooth, is best. remember you will be cleaning it! use thick pad under carpet for feet friendly.