Family friendly flooring is an alliteration many parents find themselves muttering when deciding on new floors. Unfortunately, family and flooring have often been associated in the past with the idea of one destroying the other. With innovation and many new options, your family and your floors can now peacefully coexist.

Pets and children are bound to run through the house spilling food, dropping heavy items, and otherwise scratching or staining floor surfaces. The floor can do its share of damage too; a hard surface can make a child's fall all the more painful. Preparing for these inevitable mini disasters, many smart families have switched to surfaces that will better fit their lifestyles.

What Should Parents Look For in Family Friendly Flooring?

Slip Resistance

Every parent knows that children are bound to come tearing through the house while chasing each other or the family dog and can easily slip on smooth surfaces. Rubber mats, cork flooring, and slip-resistant carpeting are all great choices for avoiding falls in heavy traffic areas.

Durability and Stain Resistance

Laminate floors are durable and scratch resistant, making them an ideal choice for homes with children and pets. Laminate can also be easily and inexpensively replaced in the case of damage, and they are available in patterns that can hide blemishes. Laminate is also resistant to stains such as markers, lipstick, nail-polish and crayons.

Hypoallergenic

For families with allergies, hypoallergenic flooring is a good option. Laminate, cork, linoleum, bamboo, rubber and concrete are all hypoallergenic surfaces. It is important to note that the adhesives used for each product should also be checked, as these can sometimes contain irritants.

Affordability

Area rugs are an affordable way to temporarily protect floors. A rug will provide comfort for children playing on the floor and will provide a soft landing in the case of a fall. If the rug is being placed on a smooth surface, a non-slip liner should be used. For extra convenience, look for a rug that will be easy to clean.

Finding the right floor to suit your family's lifestyle is important when choosing new flooring. You will most likely keep your new floors for many years, so consider temporary solutions like non-slip rugs or rubber mats, rather than new floors altogether, if you are planning to install different flooring when your children are older. A quality floor can support a lifetime of running feet, so selecting a surface will help keep little feet safe and your floor intact.