Dear Leanne: What is your advice about flooring for a baby’s room? I understand that carpets can affect the air quality, and yet the thought of a hard surface doesn’t seem safe. We would appreciate your comments on this.

A: Providing a soft footing in a baby’s room not only offers comfort, but also provides some degree of safety. When the child is out of the crib, he or she will likely be playing on the floor. The soft feel of a carpet is much more comfortable compared to a hardwood or tile surface.

There are safety aspects to consider, as well, if you have a hard surface. Children can fall down at all stages of their development, and landing on a soft surface is usually less traumatic. If a baby drops something on a hard surface, the item may break and become a hazard. If the child attempts to escape the crib, there is comfort in knowing a soft landing will await him.

Finding a true hypoallergenic or eco-friendly carpet can be difficult, however. Many carpets are created from synthetic fibres, backed with a latex product for stability and dyed with chemicals. All together these elements have the potential of emitting volatile organic compounds (VOC) into the air, which affect the air quality. Hardwood flooring also emits VOC.

An alternative to synthetic fibres is natural carpets made from wool, bamboo or sisal. Sisal is a resilient fibre, but not very comfortable. Bamboo is being manufactured into fibres and used in a variety of applications for home decor, from towels to area carpets. This process is still very new and so its application remains quite limited.

Although more comfortable than sisal, the untreated-wool carpet offers comfort with many great options including a natural jute backing and natural dyes — drastically reducing VOC levels. Although the wool carpet is more costly than synthetic carpet, it tends to last longer and feel more luxurious, making it a long-term option.

Leanne Brownoff is an Edmonton interior design consultant who welcomes your questions at leannebrownoff.com. Answers will be featured in her column as high volumes prevent individual e-mail responses.