The Best Nursery Rugs to Make Baby's Room Extra Cozy
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Quick Summary
$219 
$128 When decorating baby's nursery, it's easy to forget about a rug. After all, there are already a lot of big-ticket items to purchase, like a crib, changing table and glider. But not only do nursery rugs look beautiful in baby’s room, they also add a soft, cozy surface on which your little can play.
Putting an area rug in baby’s room offers a lot of practical benefits. To start, babies and toddlers spend a lot of time on the floor; first with tummy time, then later when they roll, crawl and explore their surroundings. A rug provides a soft, safe surface to do those things, while also cushioning falls and reducing the risk of injury. Plus, a rug can help define a play area within your nursery, making it easier for your youngster to understand where they can and can't play. Worried about spills and stains? Don't be — many modern rugs are durable and easy to clean, making a nursery rug a practical and safe addition to baby’s room.
How we chose the best nursery rugs
The best nursery rugs are soft, easy to care for and can be used for playtime. But each rug is slightly different. To help narrow down your choices, we sought feedback from What to Expect community members on which nursery rugs they loved most and what features they most appreciated. Based on their comments, we ensured that all the rugs selected met the following criteria:
- Comfort: No one wants to touch a rough surface, let alone lay and crawl on it. A nursery rug should be comfortable, and that ultimately comes down to its material. Wool and cotton rugs are high-quality options that might be preferred by parents looking for more natural materials, but they’re also more expensive. Synthetic fibers, like nylon or polyester, are often more budget-friendly but might not last as long and could be less soft and plush.
- Easy to clean: Kids are messy, so it’s important that your nursery rug be easy to clean, whether by spot-treating or throwing in the washing machine. This is another area where material comes into play. Wool and cotton rugs aren’t very repellant toward stains and, therefore, may require more maintenance to keep clean. If you opt for this type of rug, you may want to look for one that can be thrown in the washing machine regularly. Meanwhile, nylon or polyester rugs are less likely to absorb stains and can be spot treated if needed.
- Additional features: Rugs are an investment, but a worthwhile one, especially if they come with features that improve their use. This may be something as simple as a versatile pattern or a non-slip backing that keeps your little one from slipping and sliding around the room.
Each of the nursery rugs on this list has received overwhelmingly positive reviews from the What to Expect community members for this criteria.
Why Trust Us?
What to Expect is the world’s most trusted pregnancy and parenting brand for a reason. Our product recommendations are based on expert parent insight, advice from medical professionals and feedback from the millions of parents and parents-to-be in our community. Our editors adhere to the highest research and reporting standards and our team of vetted OB/GYNs, pediatricians and other health professionals ensure our recommended products are safe and effective for you and your baby.
Best Washable Nursery Rug
Ruggable Jungle Safari Multicolor
- Includes non-slip rug pad
- entire rug is machine-washable
- add-ons make it more cushioned
- Classic style is thin
- only available at Ruggable
If washability is the most important factor to you in a nursery rug, then you might want to consider Ruggable, which offers a wide variety of completely washable rugs. This one in particular features a stylish jungle-themed pattern that will brighten up any nursery and kids’ bedroom. What makes Ruggable special is that these rugs are made to fit in a standard washing machine, so you don’t have to head to the laundromat to clean it. They’re also stain-resistant from the start, because they’re made with a polyurethane water-resistant barrier. Parents noted how fresh the nursery felt after tossing the rug in the wash and were impressed by how well the rug holds up after cleanings. You can also opt to make the rug extra plush by buying the medium pile version with a cushioned rug pad.
Material: Polyester
Sizes available: 2 x 3 feet, 3 x 5 feet, 4 x 6 feet, 5 x 7 feet, 6 x 9 feet, 8 x 10 feet, 9 x 12 feet; 6 feet round, 8 feet round
Non-slip bottom: Yes
Best Wool Nursery Rug
Safavieh Kids Collection Handmade Moroccan Wool Area Rug
- Handmade
- thick
- low price for wool
- Wool may shed
If the stylish design of the Safavieh Kids’ Moroccan area rug doesn't do it for you, surely the handmade, hand-tufted construction will. The rug’s high-quality wool material helps it last last for years, while the pile height will add comfort and cushioning, so your little one can have a soft, cozy space to play. What’s more, the simple, attractive design of this rug makes it a great to use as baby grows, or to place in another room in the house. Reviewers raved about the style and affordable price point. Some pointed out that it sheds quite a lot, however, and that it can be hard to vacuum because the geometric pattern is raised.
Material: Wool
Sizes available: 3 x 5 feet, 4 x 6 feet, 5 x 7 feet, 6 x 9 feet, 8 x 10 feet, 9 x 12 feet; 5 feet round
Non-slip bottom: No
Best Play Rug
The House of Noa Little Nomad Play Mat
- Water-resistant surface
- customizable
- wipes clean
- Not plush
- may dent or warp over time from furniture
Part play mat, part rug, this House of Noa number adds style and practicality to any nursery or playroom. It provides a comfortable surface for little ones to play on with its super soft foam and features a neutral design that complements any nursery decor. Parents liked that the cushioned surface not only keeps little ones safe while playing, but provides comfort to those who are playing with their babies.
"We preferred it over a rug because it had more cushioning and it is definitely easier to clean, especially when you have a baby who spits up a lot for almost their entire first year of life," says Alexandra Bisonó, Senior Art Director at What to Expect, who says she's able to easily vacuum the mat.
Shelley Gingrich, Executive Director of Brand Solutions at What to Expect, also loved the House of Noa playmat's cushioning. "I bought these to go in our playroom which has a hard, tile floor," she says. "The cushion width is perfect and my kids can run and tumble around without fear of getting hurt. My only gripe is that now after a year of use, I'm starting to see some of the top layer of color start to curl up in a few places."
With its puzzle-like pieces, the mat can be easily broken apart and stored away when not in use, making it a practical solution for parents looking to maximize their space.
Material: Foam
Sizes available: 4 x 6 feet, 4 x 8 feet, 6 x 8 feet, 8 x 8 feet, 8 x 10 feet, 8 x 12 feet, 10 x 12 feet
Non-slip bottom: Yes
Best Affordable Nursery Rug
NuLoom Moroccan Shag Rug
- Extra soft shag
- easy to match
- Not padded
If you want your baby’s nursery to be super cozy without investing tons of money, this extremely soft NuLoom shag rug fits the bill. The zig-zag pattern is simple enough to work with any theme, while the shag material adds a cozy factor. Many parents rave about the fact that it’s super soft for baby and how well it matches most nurseries. Some parents added that it’s still easy to vacuum despite the higher pile. Although, it might require slower vacuuming with stick vacuums or some less high-powered models.
Thanks to its power-loomed construction, this rug is more durable than it looks and can withstand lots of foot traffic. Plus it’s made of synthetic material, so it’s easy to spot clean.
Material: Polyester
Sizes available: 5 x 7 feet, 3 x 5 feet, 4 x 6 feet, 6 x 9 feet, 7 x 10 feet
Non-slip bottom: No
Best Cotton Nursery Rug
Nestig Arches Rug
- Made of organic cotton
- non-toxic dyes
- handmade
- machine washable
- Expensive
If you're looking for a nursery rug that's high-quality, stylish and extremely durable, the Nestig Arches Rug is a great choice. It's made with organic cotton and non-toxic dyes, so parents who opt for organic and natural products will appreciate the construction. What really makes this rug standout, however, is that it's machine-washable, which isn’t common for rugs of this quality. It can go right in the machine in cold water on a delicate cycle to get out stains or to refresh baby’s room.
And as an added bonus, because each rug is handmade and subject to natural variations, you can expect each one to be one-of-a-kind.
Material: Cotton
Sizes available: 4 x 5 feet
Non-slip bottom: No
Our Research
We consulted What to Expect staff members, including:
- Shelley Gingrich, Executive Director, Brand Solutions, mom of 4-year-old and 1-year-old
- Alexandra Bisonó, Senior Art Director, mom of 2-year-old
We also canvassed What to Expect’s community boards to learn which nursery rugs parents liked best and what features they most appreciated.
FAQ Best Nursery Rugs
Is it safe to have a rug in a nursery?
Rugs are perfectly safe to have in the nursery, but installing full carpeting in your nursery may not be a good idea. Some studies have found that lingering chemicals from carpet installations can cause breathing problems for babies.
Additionally, you’ll want to secure your nursery rug to avoid any tripping or slipping. You can get a rug with non-slip backing or buy some carpet tape to do the job.
What material is best for a nursery rug?
A rug’s material directly impacts the rug’s durability, comfort and how easy it is to clean. You may choose to prioritize natural materials, like wool and cotton, as these will be the softest. They are, however, more expensive and require more maintenance to keep clean. If you prefer something that is easier to clean, nylon or polyester rugs may be your best bet.
What size should my nursery rug be?
Generally, the rug should be big enough to fit under the crib and any other key pieces of furniture, but not so large that it dominates the room. Consider the size of the room and the placement of furniture and measure the designated space before shopping.
- Environmental International, Prenatal VOC exposure and redecoration are related to wheezing in early infancy, December 2014.
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