Solution for carpeted eating area?

shelbym

We are moving next week into a house with a carpeted dining room and I was wondering if anyone out there had an easy solution on what do with the food mess and kids.  DH said we could tear up the carpet and put something down but with moving and a new baby coming I am hoping for a faster/less involved fix.  Thanks in advance.

 

Stacyc625

a Temp fix- would be a large throw rug- for under the table. One that  you don't care too much about.

Having carpet in the dining room just plain SUCKS-

we have it now- and its destroyed-

First big project of 2012- is to rip it all up and put hardwood in (esp now that Chase is a steady walker).

katye1izabeth

I don't have many words of wisdom, but I'm potentially dealing with the same and would love some brilliant solutions.  I've thought about the sheet/towel thing.  I've seen those mats that go under the kiddos chairs for easy cleanup, but I just can't imagine paying $$ for something that a towel does just the same. 

shelbym

Thanks.  In the long run I want to replace it but the problem is that this is staff housing at the college we work for and my husband is the facility manager so he wants to do it fast and on the cheap.  The living room and dining room flow into each other so I would rather wait until there is money to replace all the older carpet and get hardwood or nicer tiles rather than a cheap linoleum that doesn't match the kitchen right next door and looks ratty. 

I will look for area rugs for under the kids.  Luckily the 3 year old doesn't drop as much anymore.  

nonoemily

There is that clear plastic mat stuff they sell at the Home Depot/Lowe's on big rolls. I put it down in my RV before we ripped the carpet out all together. It's ugly, but it will protect the carpet and you can wipe it down.

MaxandRuby

I put a cheapo bath size towel under their chairs and a hand towel under the middle of the table. Easy to clean and replace. You could also do some sort of area rug and then you just vacuum.

bim38106

shelbym:

Thanks.  In the long run I want to replace it but the problem is that this is staff housing at the college we work for and my husband is the facility manager so he wants to do it fast and on the cheap.  The living room and dining room flow into each other so I would rather wait until there is money to replace all the older carpet and get hardwood or nicer tiles rather than a cheap linoleum that doesn't match the kitchen right next door and looks ratty. 

I will look for area rugs for under the kids.  Luckily the 3 year old doesn't drop as much anymore.  

Overstock has some great rugs for pretty cheap. DH has bought a few on Ebay as well...

You could also look for an indoor/outdoor rug. They tend to be a lot less expensive! We have one (a runner) in our kitchen and it looks great and is much easier to clean up then a regular rug.