Using the Power of Rugs to Make Your Home Accessibility-Friendly

Many of us think of rugs as a decorative or aesthetic element within a room. Often, the thought process behind getting a rug is as simple as “I have a space, and I need a rug to fill it.” What follows is a search for the right color, size, and patterns to complement your existing decor. However, there is another — often overlooked — aspect of buying a rug: how rugs can create safe spaces. This includes three groups who need it most: small children, the elderly, and those with disabilities. 

Today, we’re going to look at three ways that rugs create safe spaces.

1. Padding

The first way that rugs help to create safe spaces is by adding extra padding to hard floors. In a home where you have children constantly running around, it’s inevitable that they’ll slip and fall from time to time.

Since it’s impossible for parents to prevent every single fall their children experience, one safety measure they can take is creating a safer place to land. By purchasing a large, high-pile rug and placing a thick rug pad beneath it, your kids will experience a soft, cushy landing when they take a tumble.

2. Friction

If you or someone in your family has a hard time balancing on wood or tile floors, adding friction is a key element of preventing nasty falls. Many homeowners unintentionally practice this technique when they redecorate their bathrooms; the runner rug they bought to “spruce things up” absorbs water from the shower so they don’t slip in puddles when they get out.

You can create a slip-free zone in other parts of your home, as well. By adding runner rugs to wooden stairs and placing small rugs in entryways where dripping-wet shoes are kept, you can create a safer environment for elderly or disabled family members who are prone to slipping.

3. Comfort

In addition to creating physical safety for yourself and your family, the right rug can help create a sense of emotional safety by utilizing color psychology and the power of variety.

For example, if your child has a hard time self-soothing after a temper tantrum, you can place a calming blue rug in their bedroom or playroom to evoke peacefulness. Or, if your family member is recovering from surgery and can’t go out much, you can rearrange their furniture and experiment with non-traditional rug materials to keep their space from feeling stagnant or claustrophobic.

Turn your home into an accessible paradise with Rug Source!

Rugs are a beautiful addition to any home. They’re also a great way to create safe spaces for anyone in your family, no matter what they need.

Our inventory has rugs that can help with each of the goals discussed above. Just visit our online inventory here or stop by our showroom at 7215 Smith Corners Boulevard in Charlotte to see our massive selection.