The process of choosing the right baby nursery rug can be a bit daunting. There are so many to choose from, where do you start? Find out what you should be looking for in your nursery rug and narrow down your options...

1. A Natural Fiber Rug

The first thing you need to think about, is whether or not you need a natural fiber rug. If your family has a history of allergies or if you are planning an organic baby nursery, a natural fiber rug is essential. You will also need to look for a rug with the following properties:

2. A Natural Rubber Backing

Synthetic backings will off gas toxins, defeating the purpose of using a natural fiber rug. Natural rubber will not off gas.

Consider buying a rug with no backing, and use a rubber rug pad instead. If your baby has allergies, you will want to wash your rug often to remove dust and other pollutants. A rug with no backing can be easily machine-washed.

3. No Chemical Treatments

Any chemical treatment, for example, stain protection, will result in off gassing of hazardous chemicals. Wool, sisal and seagrass are naturally dirt and stain resistant.

4. Natural Vegetable Dyes

Chemical dyes will release hazardous toxins into the air. Choosing a nursery rug that has been vegetable dyed is a better option. Vegetable dyed fibers are not as bold in color as synthetically dyed fibers, but there are still quite a range of colors to choose from.

Other things to look for in a baby nursery rug...

5. Warmth And Softness

You and your baby will want to crawl, roll and play all over the floor in the coming years. A coarse, scratchy surface could really ruin your fun.

Baby also needs a soft surface to cushion his fall from the inevitable tumbles and bumbles of the early years. A large soft rug is perfect for this.

6. Easy To Clean

Because of all the spills and messes that are likely to occur in your nursery room, you should look for a rug that can be easily cleaned.

A short pile or flat weave rug is far more user friendly than a shaggy rug in a baby nursery, and fringes and tassels are just asking to get grubby.

7. Easy To Wash

Your rug will absorb dust, baby messes and other pollutants at a rapid rate. It will also breed dust mites if you give it a chance. Ideally you should be able to bung it in the washing machine every two weeks or so with no worries about how it will come out at the other end.

8. Toddler Safety

Slippery surfaces are very dangerous for little ones taking their first wobbly steps, as are rugs with wrinkles or a knobbly surface. Look for a flat surface that is slip-resistant, use a rug pad if the rug you choose does not have a non-slip backing and avoid fringes and tassels.

When deciding on the size of your rug, make sure it will be big enough to reach within 6 inches of the baby changing table and the crib. This will ensure that baby's fall will be cushioned should baby ever accidentally escape the crib - unfortunately it does happen!

9. Value For Money

Because the baby nursery is a low traffic area, with decor that will change on a short-term basis, you needn’t lay out a fortune on a high quality rug. Kilims, Orientals and Dhurries do not belong in the baby nursery.