After School Activities Put Homes and Your Flooring to the Test

When kids head off to school, a home and its floors are really put to the test. Cleats and sneakers from after school athletes track dirt and mud inside. Magic markers, paint, and glue leave stains on the floors and sticky handprints on walls and furniture. Heavy backpacks lie in wait to trip up the unwary.

Fortunately for parents, back to school does not have to mean a messy, disorganized home. It’s very important to create a home that is attractive and welcoming, yet practical for everyone. When you have kids, it isn’t always easy, but it can be done.

Thinking smart about floor covering is the first line of defense in your entryway or mud room. A durable floor is a must in any entryway. Look for a floor that is designed to stand up to heavy traffic and whatever the elements can throw at them. Consider vinyl, laminate or tile, these products are durable and easy to keep clean. The next step is keep it organized. By creating a place for backpacks, shoes and sports equipment and your entryway will never look unorganized.

Create a place for those messy school projects and hobbies. Try splitting a room in two different sides, a wet side and a dry side. Use vinyl or laminate on the wet side and make that half of the room the center for paint, glue, crayons, markers, and clay. A perfect choice for the wet side is Earthscapes Flex Floor www.CarpetOne.com , it is virtually maintenance free and resists scuffs, stains, scrapes and tears.

The dry side can be used for games, reading, and studying. A smooth carpet or area rug is ideal. The smooth surface will make it practical to set up small toys, puzzles and games, as well as furniture. Joy Carpets makes carpets in bright, lively juvenile patterns, sports theme patterns and they even have fluorescent dyed carpets that glow under black light. All of these patterns are also available in area rugs.

You can also add fun designs and colors in a child or teenager’s room. Marmoleum tiles from Forbo www.forbo-flooring.com come in an abundance of colorways and design options. Plus Marmoleum is made from renewable, natural ingredients and it repels dust and dirt making it easier to keep clean.

With all of the new options you can be creative and still be practical.