Rugs as Classroom Essentials: Consider These Steps When Shopping
Published by Adam Pol,
When designing a classroom that’s stylish, and at the same time functional, there are many items that make it part of the checklist as priorities. From the comfortable and eye-catching furniture, to the boards, prints, stationery supplies… and the list goes on. Still, often times crucial items such as rugs, which ought to be at the top, don’t always make it to the list.
Let’s look over the benefits a rug brings about in the classroom, to see just how essential piece it is. Starting from warmth, it creates a comfortable and warm environment unlike other flooring options, which allows kids to enjoy the floor thus expand the learning space in the room. Second, we have the significant noise reduction, and frankly this is more than a must considering how obstructive noise can be to the learning conditions in the classroom environment.
In addition to improving the acoustics, a rug also improves the safety since it prevents the risks from slipping and falling accidents which then result in many days of absenteeism. Even if they fall, students are safer falling on a comfortable surface than the cold, hard floor. Lastly, the versatile and affordable school rugs are perfect for improving the indoor air quality because they trap the airborne dust and prevent it from circulating in the air.
Even when in need of cleaning and maintenance, they’re much more affordable and easier to handle than other flooring options or additions. Okay, now that we’ve covered the benefits, let’s look over the steps you can make to choose the ideal rug(s) for your classroom and students.
Consider the Budget
It doesn’t matter whether you’re planning on using the school’s budget, or your own for this purchase, you can’t buy the suitable classroom rugs without first paying attention to the price and money you’re willing to spend. You’d be surprised to find many affordable designs that are just as durable and safe, with the handy features, as other pricier options, so do your research before rushing to buy.
Consider the Size
The reason the market is so full of options, especially in terms of sizes, is because there’s the ideal rug for every classroom – no matter how big or small. To determine the right one for yours, it’s recommended to measure up the classroom, or specifically the area where you intend to use it. This is also a must if you plan on acquiring several rugs for the space.
Depending on whether you want to place them under the tables, or at an area right next to the library for storytelling time, you ought to take all this space into account. Add to this the number of children you’re buying it for, and you get a better idea of the size required for the handy school rugs. This is useful with showing you which shape would be the best for the intended areas too.
Consider the Material
Natural fabrics are nice and all, but if it’s strength and durability you’re after, you’re better off with synthetic options. The reason for this is in the way they bear all the wear and tear children put them through, and you can choose any of the tough-wearing polyester, nylon, polypropylene, and even olefin materials.
The latest designs specialised school stores have in their supplies are created with latest technology, enabling them to reduce the circulation of allergens. More reasons to love the synthetic-made school rugs include the fact they don’t shed in comparison to the natural alternatives, as well as how truly low-maintenance they are.
When cleaning time comes, they don’t take up nearly as much effort to wash and dry as the natural pieces do. Simply place them in the washer without the worry they’d get damaged. Lastly, in an environment where it’s easy to get stains everywhere from all sorts of spills, you require something that’s stain-resistant which again is the job for synthetic rugs. If you feel like they’re slippery, be sure to add non-slip underlays which also come in handy with extending the life of the rugs.
Consider the Style
Don’t worry, you don’t have to be a designer like Joanna Gaines, nor have half of her talent, to be able to pull off this kind of purchase. All you have to do is take a good look at the rest of the classroom’s décor, particularly the shapes, colours, designs and patterns, to decide on the ideal classroom carpets.
If the room is already filled with lots of visual information, in the form of board and wall stickers, maps, drawings, then you’d be better off with something less colourful for the floors. In case you have the green light on more vibrant designs, if the classroom is filled more with subtle hues, then use the rugs to add a pop of colour. One thing kids would love to have is bright colours and vibrant patterns!
Now, should you require something specific, you have the themed rugs to pick from. There are those that can be of help with the linguistic and mathematical skills, such as those that have the alphabet and numbers on them, followed by those with puzzles, hopscotch as well as the solar system. In lectures with discussions, you’d find rug discs and rugs with blocks highly useful because children can choose where they want to sit.