Kitting out the kids – children’s bedroom makeover

If you follow me on social media then you might have noticed that we have been re-designing Little Bean’s bedroom and let me tell you, it hasn’t been the easiest of tasks. From finding the time to do it and working towards a budget, there are so many different things to consider, one of which we really didn’t think about until it came down to the nitty gritty; the floor. Now, this is the part that we haven’t actually changed yet, but it’s got us thinking what we’re going to be doing a little further down the line.

At the moment we still have a make-up stained cream carpet in her bedroom, but there are so many alternatives available I thought it would be rude not to share our shortlist with you!

Carpet overview

Don’t get me wrong, the cream carpet has served Little Bean well but like so many of us, it’s started to look a bit worn over the years! This is just one downside to having carpet down in a child’s bedroom but trust me, the list goes on. Carpet can act as a magnet for dirt and dust, which is not ideal if you have a little one who suffers from allergies, or if you’re an allergy sufferer yourself. In fact, a lot of people don’t realise the part that carpets can play in regards to allergens, but it could be something to look into if you have started to notice that you or a member of your family suffering with allergy symptoms, particularly in your home. Now, due to the fact that carpets attract so much dirt it means that they require a regular and deeper cleaning, this can be anything from vacuuming on a daily basis to professional carpet cleaning at monthly intervals. This is probably the main reason that we have considered switching the flooring up, carpet is ideal while toddlers are wandering around as it cushions any falls and can actually reduce slips but once children start playing outdoors and trailing dirt through the house or even take an interest in messy play, that’s when carpet can pose as a bit of a problem!

What are the alternatives?

When it comes to flooring alternatives, there are plenty. In fact, when we first considered the switch up we didn’t realise just how many there actually were. So, I’ve put together the shortlist of our favourites and hopefully one of them will be crowned champion later in the year!

Engineered Wood Flooring

It was only recently that I discovered Engineered Wood Flooring and I’ll be honest with you, at first I didn’t really know the difference between that, laminate and solid wood! However, after a little research I’ve got a little more knowledge on this material. It is a man-made product but it’s made using natural materials, commonly made of two layers of plywood and then finished with a top layer of solid wood – still with me? Good. There are lots of advantages to choosing Engineered Wood over Solid Wood, not only does it look identical but it is also of a more stable structure, in a nutshell this means that if it comes into contact with moisture or humidity it is less likely to expand and contract than solid wood. Although that part isn’t key to our final decision, moisture and humidity shouldn’t be too much of a risk in Little Bean’s bedroom, but it is good to bear in mind for if we ever want to revamp our floors around the house! This also highlights just how durable Engineered Wood is, because of the way it is designed it can withstand heavy footfall and tough environments – ideal for an active little one’s bedroom! However, if there are any mishaps or accidents (it’s life, there’s bound to be) then it pays to know that engineered wood can be sanded and refinished to get it looking as good as new again – because you can never be too sure. My final and by far favourite advantage of engineered wood flooring is the price, because although it bears a strong resemblance to solid wood, it comes at a much lower cost. This is ideal for us, as you know, we like to work to a budget! What we have also discovered in our search for the perfect floor is a stunning collection by Swedish designers Kährs who also happen to be the world’s longest-running manufacturer of wood floors. I have to say that after looking at their products I’m almost sure that I NEED to have this somewhere in my house, even if it isn’t in Little Bean’s room!

Vinyl

Vinyl flooring isn’t your usual suspect when it comes to the bedroom, but in the instance of your baby’s bedroom; it can be quite the asset! Unlike wood flooring, vinyl is nice and soft underfoot, ideal for a bedroom environment where comfort and homeliness is key. It is also incredibly durable, which is one of the key factors we’ve taken into consideration when trying to find the perfect floor for Little Bean, she does spend a lot of time playing in her room and it’s crucial that the floor can withstand a lot of traffic, especially when she has friends over! Vinyl is similar to carpet in the fact that it can actually cushion noise within a room, meaning that it is quieter than the likes of wood or laminate flooring, both of which can be quite loud if placed in a larger area. Aside of its practicality, vinyl flooring is also reasonably priced and comes in a huge range of designs and colours, which means that Little Bean can continue to have her say when it comes to how the bedroom finally looks.

Laminate

I have to say that I was pretty reluctant to even look at Laminate flooring for Little Bean’s bedroom, but whilst we’ve been window shopping I must admit that it has grown on me and I have been researching it along with the rest of the contenders (I’m really taking this seriously – ha!). Laminate has been a popular choice within the home for decades, but is could it really be an option for the bedroom of a child? In all honesty, yes. It’s considerably easier to clean and maintain than carpet, which is great if your kids enjoy making a mess.. Don’t they all?! As I mentioned earlier, laminate has been in the home for many years but a lot of people worry that it isn’t cosy enough to have in the bedroom, and to that I say.. Use your imagination! It’s amazing what a couple of rugs can do to a room, which again would give Little Bean the chance to use her inner interior designer, something that she has revelled in lately. So yeah, Laminate is definitely on our ‘Potential’ list…

Final note

That’s it folks, they’re our final three, now it’s about making the crucial decision and hopefully starting this mission as soon as we can. What do you think we should go for? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

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