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When decorating a nursery, there are certain essential pieces of furniture (crib, changing table, rocking chair) and even decorative items (cradle, baby blanket, stuffed animal) that come to mind. But there are less obvious things, like rugs, that can have an equally powerful aesthetic impact on a space. “Whenever we’re designing a nursery, adding a rug is always a great option to break up the space and create a sense of comfort,” says Tammy Price of Los Angeles-based Fragments Identity.
Naomi Alon, an interior designer with Little Crown Interiors in Orange County, California, says that material and weave are important details to consider when choosing a rug for a nursery. That’s because “one of the biggest concerns in a nursery is stains,” so Alon tells us she “generally tries to look for materials that are relatively easy to clean and soft,” like polyester-wool blends, a material recommended by many other designers we spoke with. Alon adds that in addition to choosing stain-resistant materials, rugs with bold prints are also a good choice for spaces prone to accidental spills. “Patterns are also a great way to hide stains that can’t be removed,” she says. And don’t limit yourself to rugs designed for a kid’s room (with proper care, a rug in a nursery can be just as durable as your child’s in their “big” nursery). “Most of my clients want something more sophisticated because the babyish style is no longer in style,” says Alon. To find the best rugs for nurseries, playrooms, and playrooms, we asked 16 interior designers and stylish parents about their favorite rugs. Here are their recommendations, including shag rugs, solids, vintage-style rugs, patterned rugs, versatile geometric rugs, and some rugs that aren’t meant for kids.
Lisa Janvrin is the founder of YouthfulNest, an online interior design service for kids’ rooms. She calls the Kroma Carpets machine-washable faux fur rug the “perfect” rug for a nursery. “It seems like every baby and kids brand has their own version of a faux sheepskin rug, but Kroma Carpet’s version is really affordable,” she says. They’re machine-washable, stain-resistant, and easy to wipe clean, which is important since “parents are often anxious to keep their nursery clean and safe.” Janvrin is especially fond of cloud, star, and moon shapes, adding that she uses them in a variety of decor schemes, including modern, bohemian, and Scandinavian. She notes that the rugs are affordable, come in a variety of shapes and colors, and are great for layering. Alon also likes to layer washable Kroma rugs over carpets or area rugs. They’re perfect for “high-traffic areas, reading nooks, or anywhere your kids will spend a lot of time,” she says, because “they’re super soft and can be easily thrown in the washing machine if needed.”
Nursery designer Sherry Bloom of Jack and Jill Interiors (Tori Spelling and Buddy Valastro, aka “Cake Boss”) agrees that sheepskin rugs are a popular choice for nurseries. But she prefers real sheepskin over faux sheepskin, telling us that her favorite sheepskin rug supplier is Auskin, which makes “superb quality” rugs—she has three of them in her home. “Regardless of the color, theme, or design style of a nursery, I always recommend parents choose a wool rug,” says Bloom, explaining that wool is an all-natural fiber that’s naturally hypoallergenic and stain- and stain-resistant. While not specifically designed for nurseries, Auskin rugs can be used just about anywhere and are available in a variety of colors and sizes.
If you’re looking for a simple yet classic shag rug that’s more versatile, Bloom recommends this rug from Surya. She told us she’s used the rug in several spaces, including the nursery she designed for Cake Boss. The rug is handwoven from 100 percent New Zealand wool, “with different grain widths and a very detailed texture,” she explains, adding, “It’s very soft to walk on.”
Want a more colorful shag rug without sacrificing the coziness of a nursery? Los Angeles-based designer Seyie Putsure of Seyie Design recommends this 100 percent wool rug inspired by Beni Ouren, which features colorful zig-zag patterns and tassels for just the right amount of interest. Putsure told us she often goes to Pottery Barn for rugs for nurseries because “they have really cool designs and they’re really affordable.”
If you don’t want to go with a solid pile, there’s a flat-weave rug that includes a little plush from Crate and Barrel’s Crate & Kids line. Two other designers noted that Crate & Kids is a favorite brand for fun, high-quality rugs for kids’ rooms. Marketing consultant Ashley Simon chose this style for her child’s room because she “wanted something that would be appropriate for a nursery but would also fit into any room.” With a wool trim and tassels, as well as a wool diamond medallion in the center, the rug is super soft and “perfect for tummy time,” Simon says.
For a bolder style, try Aelfie’s Checkerboard Shag Area Rug with white and navy squares, which interior designer Jessie Schuster recommends. She loves using Aelfie’s eclectic rugs in kids’ rooms because they’re often “bright and bold” and have “incredible patterns and original designs.”
As Schuster noted above, a patterned rug is a great choice for creating a statement piece in a nursery filled with utilitarian items. Jenfrin loves Lorena Canals’ patterned rugs, which are machine washable and come in a variety of unique patterns, like the monstera leaves and graphic monograms she features. “They cover a wide range of styles, from large rugs in classic rectangular shapes to popular round rugs,” she said of the brand, adding that any of its rugs “are a great way to add texture and warmth.” She also loves that the company strives to use 100 percent organic cotton and non-toxic dyes, “making them completely safe for a nursery.”
If you’re looking for a graphic rug with a more eye-catching pattern, Brooklyn-based interior designer Gunnar Larson also recommends trying a round rug. He loves this 100 percent hand-knotted wool rug from Pehr, which features a cute smiley face. “It makes you smile when you see it,” he said. “This rug would be perfect for a minimalist or multi-layered home.” Larson also loves that it’s made from wool, which he, like many of our other cool designers, says is easy to clean.
Putsure recommends another rug from Pottery Barn, the Star Wool Rug, which she says makes a “great base” because its neutral gray color makes it “a little subdued without being boring, balancing out a room full of toys and kids’ crafts.” The rug is also stain- and dust-resistant, which she says is important for a room that gets a lot of use.
Alisa Bloom, a Chicago- and New York-based designer, said West Elm is her go-to place for cute rugs for kids’ rooms. She especially likes this black-and-white zig-zag wool-cotton blend rug from Pamel Wiley, which she says would look even more unique with a little extra work. “For an inexpensive custom effect, I’d have a rug installer sew two large rugs together to create one large rug that covers most of the floor,” she explains.
Dash and Albert has been recommended many times as a good source for kids’ rugs (as well as a good source for sisal rugs). Price recommends this indoor/outdoor rug from the brand because it’s durable and affordable. This synthetic herringbone rug is available in a variety of colors, including a vibrant lime green and a more monochrome beige.
Alon almost never uses rugs designed for nurseries when decorating a kid’s room, but she told us this hand-woven, pure wool rug from Pottery Barn Kids is an exception. The deep navy blue rug is “neutral in color, dark enough to hide stains, and the pattern is subtle,” she says.
Two of our experts recommended Anthropolgie as a rug supplier for a nursery. Schuster said they “always find a great mix of classic and trendy pieces that are well-priced and well-made.” She loves the slightly “minimalist” details of this hand-woven ivory wool rug, adding, “It’s perfect for a nursery.”
If you’re looking for a more sophisticated rug that still feels kid-friendly, interior designer Anne Hepfer recommends Serena & Lily’s blue textured rug, made from a recycled denim and wool blend. She loves the rug because it’s “durable, soft, and stylish,” adding that it’s “the most comfortable place for you and your baby.”
For a bolder, more monochromatic design, this rust-colored hand-woven rug by Sarah Sherman Samuel in collaboration with Lulu and Georgia was recommended by interior designer Courtney Bishop (one of two designers who recommended the brand to us). She loves this rug because it adds a bold, interesting look to the nursery while still keeping it natural and casual. The raised arches at each end of the rug “add unexpected texture and variety to an otherwise simple rug,” Bishop says.
Alessandra Wood, vice president of style at virtual interior design service Modsy, also loves Dash & Albert and recommends this pebble-textured rug for indoor and outdoor use because “it’s super easy to clean and holds up well even in the harshest conditions.” Sonoma is also one of her favorites because it’s soft to the touch and has “amazing texture.” In addition to ivory, it also comes in monochrome colors like denim and mocha.
Jess Cooney of Jess Cooney Interiors in New England loves this tonal style from Dash & Albert, telling us, “The navy and light tones give it a distressed feel that’s perfect for a nursery.” She notes that this wool and cotton rug is also reversible, so it can be used if you want to change up the nursery’s decor scheme or use it in other rooms as baby gets older.
If you love the charm of a patterned rug but want a design that isn’t as kid-focused as some of the other patterned styles on this list, many of our designers recommend using geometric rugs in a nursery, as they’ll easily transition into an adult space as your child grows. Maria Augusta Louro, a designer at Guta Louro in Sao Paulo and New York City, is another fan of Anthropologie rugs. She loves this wool and cotton flatweave style with stripes and abstract patterns, saying that “since the pattern is geometric and not ‘kid-friendly,’ it can be left in the room as your child grows or moved to another room without it looking like it belongs in a nursery.” She also adds to look for rugs with a “low to medium pile to make cleaning easier and avoid dust and potential allergies.” This rug has a short pile and is easy to vacuum. She also likes soft, neutral colors, which she says pair well with bold wallpaper or curtains.
Another guest, Wood, a Crate & Kids lover, recommended this cotton rug with a bold, solid triangle stripe pattern. She loves the rug’s neutral style and simple weave, adding that it’s perfect for a space that will evolve as kids grow.
For kids who love pink, there’s a solid wool rug that’s dotted with patterns of triangles and other shapes in varying shades of pink. Tara Smith, Modsy’s lead stylist, says it “brings a modern twist to a classic nursery color scheme.” She notes that some of the patterns are slightly higher than others, which, combined with the rug’s varying textures, makes it a fun and tactile activity for little ones to play on.
Lorena Canals also makes rugs with cute geometric patterns, Janvrin says. She told us that their geometric patterned rug and Moroccan-inspired Kaarol rug would look great in a kid’s room. Bonus: Like the brand’s other patterned rugs she recommends, they’re machine washable.
“For me, buying a rug for the living room was more important than buying one for the nursery,” says food photographer and stylist Christy Moyer. So when it came time to decorate her son’s room, she turned to Wayfair, where she found this affordable rug in a muted hue and geometric pattern. “I love that it’s comfortable, encourages kids to play on the floor, hides dirt, and is easy to clean. Plus, getting an 8-foot by 10-foot rug for $150 was a steal.”
If you’re raising a little prince or princess and want a nursery that reflects that, designers like Wood recommend choosing a vintage-inspired rug. This handmade vintage-inspired rug from Pottery Barn Kids was designed by fashion designer Monique Lhuillier, who says it’s “perfect for little princesses.” This rug is 100 percent wool, so it’s more expensive than other blended or synthetic rugs on this list, but she says the price shouldn’t put off buyers, since with a little care, this rug will last a long time, even after your little one outgrows the crib. “Don’t be afraid to invest in a rug that requires maintenance and cleaning,” she says, “because the more you love your wool rug, the more it will love you back. It will last a long time and become a family heirloom.” Wool is naturally antimicrobial, attracts dirt and dust, and is stain-resistant—if you act quickly, she adds.
Another Lulu & Georgia fan, Alon, told us she’s used this rug in a variety of decorating projects. The vintage-style rug is made from chenille rayon, which she says is “super soft” and has a variable pile height so it “doesn’t tangle as easily as other rayon rugs.” If light pink doesn’t fit your nursery’s color scheme, consider other colors like light gray and beige.
Alon also recommends this soft crochet wool rug from Surya, which will add a touch of vintage style to a child’s room. She says the rug’s pattern is quite “bohemian” and is perfect for a neutral space.
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