Carpet

[Unregistered]

Unfortunately, carpet is my only real option. The floor is currenty concrete, and mostly smooth, but being a basement isn't perfectly level. Hardwood is way out of my price range, laminate might be possible but would be kinda wavy as the floor surface does vary a bit. I'm leaning now towards a commercial grade carpet in a darker color, and then area rugs a bit softer (and in some cool colors) in a couple different spots on top. This allows me to roll up and move the smaller rugs as needed, and the commercial grade stuff can be scrubbed at will to remove any visible stains.

You can do vinyl. It's cheap and easy to put down and you can then do the throw rug thing. They come in rolls like carpet and you just cut it down. Unlike tile, it'll mold to your floor.


If you do end up with carpet, try do NOT go too dark! Black, browns, dark reds will show every single crumb and dust particle ever!

[Familycare71]

I was a flooring person before doing this If I were doing mine I would do a vinyl plank tile. The are about $5 per sf but if you at all handy you can do it yourself, super durable, stain resistant, clean up is super easy. A few brands are Karndean, Armstrong, Mannington. It is called luxury vinyl tiles. For carpet I too would do a Smart Strand Sorona. Stain proof and super soft. A loop style (berber) would perform better but a cutpile will be less of an issue with pulls and running. If you do go with a loop style you can always cut a pulled loop close to the backing and dab with a little superglue to keep it from running and avoiding kids from grabbing. Good luck!

I have the luxury vinyl and love it!! I wonder if I could get smart strand bound into an area rug?? Hmmmm

[Laurel]

I have wood laminate in most of my rooms except I didn't want it in the daycare room. I have carpet. It is multicolored so doesn't show stains. I also bought a home carpet cleaning machine which isn't hard to use...especially if my husband does it, . I just want the crawlers to have something soft to crawl on. Also laminate is wonderful but noisy. We also get it professionally cleaned from time to time. I am definitely going to look into the smartstrand when I need a new carpet. I've never heard of it but it sounds wonderful. I think your idea to use area rugs over it is good too. I was thinking of doing the same thing.

I have laminate in my dining room and have arts and crafts in there and just let a box of colored pencils or blocks drop. Loud after a while!

Just things to consider.

Laurel

[Willow]

You can do vinyl. It's cheap and easy to put down and you can then do the throw rug thing. They come in rolls like carpet and you just cut it down. Unlike tile, it'll mold to your floor.


If you do end up with carpet, try do NOT go too dark! Black, browns, dark reds will show every single crumb and dust particle ever!

I have both medium and dark brown carpeting, neither have ever stained!