Best Flooring Options for Kids and Pets

Best for: Families with young children and older or less-active pets.

Not recommended for: Play areas for active pets.

Ideal rooms: Basement, bedroom, kitchen, hallways and living room.

Flooring Score: 21 of 30

Laminate floors often copy the look of hardwood or tile, but without the expensive price tag. Our survey shows that the average laminate flooring project came in at $1,877, making it one of the most cost-effective options. Laminate is a great option for families with younger children because it is easy to clean and fairly water-resistant (provided you don’t let a spill sit too long).

This floor type is one of the most comfortable non-padded styles available, which is great for when your dog wants to lay down for a while. Additionally, scratches won’t happen easily, but an active pet or one with longer claws can leave some marks.

Best for: Families with older children and pets.

Not recommended for: Homes with crawling toddlers or people who don’t want scratches appearing on dark floors.

Ideal rooms: Bedroom, living room and hallways.

Final score: 20 of 30

Hardwoods are an ideal flooring investment for families as they can be refinished multiple times. While they can be scratched and aren’t as water-resistant, if you sand and re-stain them, they can look as good as new — providing the scratches are not too deep and the water hasn’t resulted in warping of the wood.

Best for: Younger children or older pets who are prone to falling.

Not recommended for: Young pets that are still house-training and areas where children will be eating.

Ideal rooms: Bedroom, basement, hallways, family room playroom.

Final score: 19 of 30

Carpet is soft and comfortable for kids and pets, and it’s a staple of the flooring industry. It’s the perfect floor type for crawling infants or toddlers taking their first steps. Your furry friends will love the feel under their paws as they run through the house. However, picking a proper carpet type is key when you have animals.

“Popular varieties of luxurious wool carpeting may not stand up well to daily wear and tear,” Klein said. “The biggest problem with pets is their nails. Even well-trimmed nails can gouge hardwood and snag carpet. Muddy paws and pets that are not yet housebroken are also a bad match for carpeting.”

Keep in mind that there are waterproof carpet options out there, but the chemicals used to treat and create it may not be the best for your pets or kids. Plus, you’ll be sacrificing a bit of comfort with these types of carpet.

If you have pets, expect frequent vacuuming to get rid of shed fur, and you’ll need to clean up the spilled apple juice quickly. Cleaners, particularly ones that are made for pets, can help once a stain has set in, but they may not be able to restore the carpet to perfection.

If stains or smells do ultimately become a problem, don’t be afraid to replace it. According to our study, carpet was the least-expensive material to use for a flooring project, coming in at nearly $200 cheaper than the closest alternative.

Best for: Active children and pets.

Not recommended for: Pets prone to bathroom accidents and children who often spill drinks.

Ideal rooms: Playroom and basement.

Final score: 19 of 30

Rubber flooring is one of the more interesting flooring types available. It’s great for children and pets due to its ability to resist scratches, built-in cushion and waster-resistance. However, it’s a flooring type that is not often seen, and when it is, it’s obvious that the room is specifically for children.

One of the biggest benefits of rubber flooring is that it’s easy to clean. However, if a pet uses a rubber floor as a bathroom, be quick to act. While the floor won’t absorb the accident, it will let it run freely, possibly between the panels.

A potential downside for rubber floors is the resale value. If you’re selling to a family with young children it can be a potential plus. However, if the buyers looking at your home don’t plan on having children or pets, they may simply see a flooring project they will need to do.

Best for: Toddlers and families with allergies.

Not recommended for: Rooms with heavy furniture or lots of sunlight.

Ideal rooms: Playrooms.

Final score: 18 of 30

While it may seem strange surface to use in your home, cork floors are growing in popularity due to their eco-friendly source. Cork is also naturally antimicrobial, so it reduces mold growth and other allergens. For families with young children, this can make a huge impact on your health, especially if used in a playroom. Additionally, it is one of the softest surfaces you can use for a floor, which is great for infants and toddlers, as well as the older pet who just wants to take a nap. It’s fairly low-maintenance, but using water to clean it is tough; it does tend to sop up liquids.

If you’re looking for a wood surface in your home but are worried about your pet’s claws, cork might be the best route. While it will scratch, it won’t be as noticeable.

“Cork flooring is more adaptable to claws of dogs and cats than many other natural wood flooring options due to the general resilient nature of cork flooring, but it will still show scratch marks,” Klein said.