Best Nursery Rugs for Babies

Many people overlook a rug when they decorate a room or nursery. In addition to gliders, changing tables, and cribs, the best nursery rugs are necessary to complete the baby’s room. They add a cozy, soft surface to the nursery and have a great aesthetic impact.

When choosing the best rugs for baby nursery, you want them to be durable, lightweight, washable, and stylish. Don’t worry, I will help you find nice and safe nursery rugs your child will love for sure.

The Nursery Rug Dilemma

Something so simple, like the floor even comes with some hard choices.

Should I put an area rug in the nursery or no rug at all? Can I have one with carpet or would it look tacky? Should I buy a nursery rug with natural or synthetic fibers?

Feel like pulling out your hair yet? Don’t.

This nursery and kids rug guide will help you eliminate the confusion from picking a rug for the nursery. That final touch to tie it together won’t be difficult.

Do I Need a Rug for the Nursery?

Simply put, yes, it should be one of those items that’s on the ‘nursery to do list’. If you want a safe, baby friendly and complete nursery, all rooms should have one.

When you have a newborn, they will be spending most of their time in your arms, but when they are a little bigger, tummy time becomes very important. Of course you could just put a blanket down on the floor and pick it back up again every single time you want baby on the floor, but that’s not very convenient, not to mention safe, clean or comfortable for your baby.

As your baby gets older and spends more time playing on the floor, it’s going to become more and more essential for them to have a soft, clean, safe, area to play. And let’s not forget about design. A baby room rug can really tie the room together and give clean defining lines so it doesn’t seem like everything is just hanging around. Nursery room rugs are also great for that pop of color that hardwood, tile, or carpeted floors just don’t have.

You’re probably wondering, why would I put a rug on carpet? The options for baby friendly rugs add an extra measure of safety when baby is playing on the floor. Most carpets are made of synthetic fibers and they can contain toxic chemicals. Having a barrier between your baby and those chemicals is better overall for the health of your little one.

What to Look for in Nursery Rugs?

Baby walking on a rug.

Safety

Safety should be your top concern. This is important because your kid will spend a lot of time rolling around and crawling on the floor. A safe rug is one that is made of natural materials without toxic chemicals.

Material

The best rugs for babies are usually made of materials like wool, cotton, and jute. There are also acrylic and synthetic rugs out there. While synthetics are easy to wash and very durable, I recommend choosing natural materials.

Price and Size

The bigger the rug, the higher the price. That said, you should know how and where you’ll use the rug when selecting the size. Smaller rugs highlight particular areas, while larger ones often run under furniture thus anchoring the room altogether.

Style

There is a wide range of styles to choose from, including classic, neutral, fluffy, themed, navy pier, trend-forward, rose tufted, and flat weave rugs. Pick one that fits in with your child’s room and balance its décor properly.

Washable

While some rugs are spot-cleaned, others are machine-washable. Your choice will depend on how you will be using and washing the rug. You wil want a nursery rug that is easy to clean anyway.

Durability

Buy a rug that can withstand foot traffic and many years of use. Otherwise, it may fall apart or tear up after a couple of months. Cotton, wool, and other natural fabrics excel in terms of wear resistance and durability.

RugCritic’s Preference For Nursery Rugs

When it comes to natural materials in a nursery room rug, my personal preference is a sheep skin rug.

In the nursery or your children’s room, you can’t go wrong with a sheep skin rug.

Why do I love baby sheepskin rugs in the nursery so much?

Here’s why.

A baby sheepskin rug is soft to the touch and they offer plenty of cushion, they are breathable and they are washable! That’s right, it will keeps its softness after you put it in the wash.

Sheep skin rugs are rather durable and they naturally resist spills from the lanolin they contain, it’s very simple to just wipe up any spill that may happen. They are also a healthful option as they naturally repel allergens and bacteria. Sheepskin rugs are really one of the better options (if not, the best baby rug) or a nursery rug.

A good nursery rug is one of the most important items you can have in your nursery room to make it beautiful and a healthy environment for your child.

10 Best Rugs for Babies by Rugcritic

Best Overall – Softlife Fluffy Bedroom Area Rugs

Best Overall - Softlife Fluffy Bedroom Area Rugs

Softlife is a company that specializes in the manufacturing of various carpet products, including livingroom mats, bedroom carpets, and children’s rugs. This 5.3 by 7.6 feet area rug can be used for nursery, baby room, girls room, living room, bedroom, and so on. No matter where you put this lightweight fluffy rug, it will make your space more elegant.

It is made of eco-friendly low-pile material that ensures comfort, safety, and warmth during cold weather. On the back, there are rubber spots that prevent children from slipping while they are playing on the floor. The rug features a modern design with a simple style and solid pattern. It comes in different colors.
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Best Sheepskin Rug – Sheepskin Rug for Babies from Woolino

Best Sheepskin Rug - Sheepskin Rug for Babies from Woolino

What makes this rug baby-friendly? First of all, it’s made of natural high-quality Merino lambskin (from Australian merino wool), a hypoallergenic material that is BPA free, soft, and soothing. This seamless fabric is short shorn and tanned in such a way to be 100% safe for kids.

Next, the rug is perfect for both playtime and naptime. You can rest easy knowing that your child will feel secure while playing or sleeping on it. With the dimensions of 60 by 90 centimeters (2 by 3 feet), the rug is easy to move from one place to another. It can be used as a liner for the seats, cribs, and playpens.
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Best Budget – PAGISOFE Soft Comfy Rugs for Nursery

Best Budget - PAGISOFE Soft Comfy Rugs for Nursery

With thick microfibers, this rug provides a super-soft feeling and comfort for tummy time. It is made with safety in mind. Synthetic materials used in the production of this rug are extremely soft to the touch and non-toxic. Additionally, it has hypoallergenic properties and a non-slip rubber bottom for enhanced safety.

Thanks to its soft feel and plush look, this 4×5.3 feet rug is suitable for just about any room. Yet I don’t suggest putting it near water, as it isn’t absorbent. When it comes to cleaning, keep in mind that it’s not machine-washable. Instead, try to hand-wash the rug using a gentle detergent and cold water to avoid damage.
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Best Gender Neutral – Adventure World Map Round Rug

Best Gender Neutral - Adventure World Map Round Rug

Whether you’re looking for a floor area rug for a nursery or a game mat for a playroom, this product will be a good addition to your space. It is skin-friendly, durable, and foldable for easy transport. Please note that it’s neither soft style nor thick. Nevertheless, the crawling mat is very comfortable for toddlers. It is made of cotton, whereas canvas is used as back material.

Measuring 53 inches in diameter, this area rug offers a lot of space for little ones to crawl and play on the floor. The cute design with delightful illustrations of continents and animals — like Australian kangaroos, Antarctic penguins as well as African elephants and lions — will engage your children’s imagination. Your little one will play while getting a better sense of the world around us.
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Best for Boys – Fluffy Soft Shag Area Rug for Boys

Best for Boys - Fluffy Soft Shag Area Rug for Boys

If you’re looking for the best baby toddler boys rugs, look no further. This plush nursery rug feels nice and warm to step on. Your kid will enjoy sitting on it and playing all day long. It features a fine texture, so if you like shaggy and fluffy things, you will certainly love this area rug. I find it very comfortable and super soft.

This 5x8ft rug is made of high-quality materials. It combines Microfiber fabric with sponge interlayer for improved comfort and softness. Besides, it has a durable velvet surface and anti-slip plastic dots on the underside that prevents the rug from moving. Remember that there are also other size options, such as 3×5, 4×6, and 6×9 feet. It comes in different sizes like grey, white, black, light navy, pink, green, and teal.
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Best for Girls – nuLOOM Nelda Trellis Shag Area Rug Baby Pink

Best for Girls - nuLOOM Nelda Trellis Shag Area Rug Baby Pink

Do you have a daughter? If yes, I recommend choosing this shag area rug for her room. Make sure to choose the right size for the room where you will put the rug in. For instance, 4×6, 5 x 8, and 6 x 9 feet rugs are suitable for smaller areas like a kid room and nursery. There are also bigger options like 8’ x 10’ and 9’ x 12,’ which are designed for larger rooms.

It features a fluffy texture to provide extra comfort when stepping on it. Your children will like to spend their time playing and relaxing on the rug. Easy maintenance is an added benefit of using this shag rug. Being made of 100% polyester, the mat doesn’t shed at all. Even so, you need to vacuum it once a month.
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Best Classic – nuLOOM Natalie Diamond Trellis Area Rug

Best Classic - nuLOOM Natalie Diamond Trellis Area Rug

Here’s another area rug by nuLoom. However, this one is made of cotton and it’s made in India. Don’t worry, it’s not treated with any chemicals. Maybe this cotton handmade rug is more difficult to clean, but it is a bit softer and refreshingly lightweight. On top of that, it’s crafted meticulously with the greatest courtesy and care. That means each piece is unique, unlike machine-made mats.

The rug features a rectangle shape and Moroccan pattern. It’s roughly 0.25 inches thick. When it comes to the size, there are different options to pick from. I find a 5′ x 8′ rug perfect for most rooms. You can put it in your living room, dining room, kitchen, bedroom, entryway, nursery, etc.
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Best Modern – Soft Play Rug for Nursery

Best Modern - Soft Play Rug for Nursery

Soft, thick, comfortable, and modern. These are the key features of the baby play mat in question. Short Velvet is used for its surface, while the bottom contains non-slip spots for safety. This 59″x78″ tatami mat is filled with eco-friendly 2-centimeter memory foam. It provides excellent resilience and ensures that the rug stays shaped over time.

Put it in a convenient place, allowing babies or toddlers to crawl on it to their heart’s content. The grown-ups will also like to relax leisurely sitting or lying on the mat. It is easy to clean. The manufacturer recommends wiping and vacuuming, but never put the rug in the washing machine.
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Best Organic – Lorena Canals from 100% Natural Cotton

Best Organic - Lorena Canals from 100% Natural Cotton

Made of organic cotton without any toxic materials, this 4’x5′ area rug is completely safe for babies, adults, and pets as well. It is not only eco-friendly but also child-friendly and pet friendly. You can use it for a bedroom, living room, boy/girl rooms, or a nursery without worrying about the safety of your loved ones.

What’s more, this soft machine-washable rug will add to the beauty of your space and be a lavish addition to your room. It’s easy to clean and match, so you will not have difficulty matching it with your furniture and other accessories in your home.
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Best Wool – nuLOOM Kinder Safari Friends Wool Area Rug

Best Wool - nuLOOM Kinder Safari Friends Wool Area Rug

I will get back to nuLOOM once again and there is a good reason for that. They have a great offer for people who prefer wool floor coverings. This area rug features a power-loomed, hand-tufted construction and Safari Friends design. If your child loves animals, this wool floor covering will be a great choice. It is built to last.

There are different size options available. The 3′ 6″ by 5′ 6″ rug is suitable for most rooms; however, you can find the bigger ones for larger areas. They are all beautiful and functional, so you can go wrong. These cute child-friendly rugs are an excellent addition to playrooms and nurseries with their fun design. They also look good in living rooms, hallways, and other high traffic areas.
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Popular Questions

What type of rugs is safe for babies?

It’s important to create a safe environment for toddlers because of their vulnerability. It should allow them to scoot and play safely. I recommend choosing wool rugs. However, you can buy any type of rug that is baby-friendly and non-toxic.

What size should a nursery rug be?

If the cost is no object, you should go for the larger rugs (like 5×7 and 6×9) that cover more area. They can do a great job of anchoring furniture pieces and adding a cohesive look to the room. Smaller rugs, such as 2×3, 3×5, or 4×6 sizes, sit independently and are easy to move around. However, they can chop the room up and make it look smaller.

Where do you put a rug in a nursery?

The rug is supposed to fill the empty space in the nursery so that the distance between the furniture and its edges is a couple of inches only. It should anchor the main pieces of furniture. You can group them directly on the mat. Alternatively, center a smaller rug on a single piece (like the baby crib) so that the front half overlaps it a bit.

Key Takeaways

Nursery rugs come in different colors, styles, sizes, materials, and textures. The great rugs can completely transform a playroom or nursery and keep it feel refreshed. When buying a rug, make sure it suits your child’s needs and personality as well. Match your decor so that it makes your space cozy, fun, inviting, and warm.

author Hello, I'm Christine and I am the rug critic! My husband and I used to run a local rug cleaning business for 9 years but recently we had to sell out of the business due to the ill health of my husband. I have now decided to start the rugcritic.com as a blog to share my tips, tricks and how to's when it comes to buying rugs, rug cleaning and care tips and ensuring you buy the right rug for you, your house, your family and your pets.

Categories Kids' Rugs, Rug Buying Guide

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