A bedroom is a space where people spend many hours each day, and for those who suffer from allergies, asthma, and other breathing disorders, hardwood flooring is a better option than carpet.
For most people, the bedroom is a cozy sanctuary from the bustle and activity of the rest of the home. The softness, quiet, and warmth of carpet often make it the best flooring option for this private oasis.
Carpeting is a poor choice in any room that frequently sees water, food remnants, or dirt. These elements will quickly damage carpet. These rooms include but are not limited to, kitchens, bathrooms, entryways, mudrooms, and laundry rooms. Kitchens are a poor choice to install carpeting because of food, dirt, and water.
Though hardwood is incredibly popular, carpeting is making a comeback, in part due to the innovative new options on the market. Carpet is a great choice for bedrooms, dens, or basements where hardwood can feel too cold and sterile, or any room where there is a risk of water damage.
Unless you're living in a newer home or one that's been recently remodeled, there's a good chance your bedroom is carpeted. Carpet is soft and warm underfoot, and for many years it was the most popular bedroom flooring option around.
The best rooms to carpet are bedrooms and playrooms. Family rooms, hallways and stairways can also benefit from carpeting but these high traffic areas will suffer more wear on the carpet over time. As a rule, entry rooms and rooms most likely to see high traffic or lots of messes should not be carpeted.
It is perfectly acceptable to use multiple styles of flooring throughout your home from room to room. Typically, living rooms and bedrooms are carpeted from wall to wall. But, you can successfully enjoy bedrooms with floors that are different from common areas and other rooms.
There is absolutely no need to change flooring from room to room. We often work with homeowners who feel the urge to pick a different flooring for every room of their home, but there is absolutely no need to do this. Your home will look best if you create one consistent look that travels from room to room.
1. Hardwood Continues to Dominate. Hardwood has remained at the top of the podium for decades now and continues to dominate the home flooring industry.
If you are trying to decorate your home in a manner that appears clean, spacious and uniform, you should have the same carpet throughout your house. It's convenient and quite affordable without requiring special treatment when cleaning.
Carpet fibers often become matted and frayed within just 3-5 years. A carpet can only be expected to last 5-15 years from installation, so if your carpet it starting to look a little beat-up then it's probably time to replace it. Areas that see the most wear and tear are usually the hallways, stairs, and living areas.
Carpet Provides Safety
First and foremost, a carpeted floor is a safer floor. The soft surface and cushioned under-padding not only reduce the impact of a fall, but also the likelihood of it happening in the first place. Carpet is inherently slip-resistant, meaning it's harder to slip and fall.
When you have a hardwood floor, it's better to install a carpet because it protects the floor and gives an aesthetic style to the room. Some people opt to have area rugs, but carpets are better. Besides, it is crucial to be aware of the maintenance because you won't install a carpet on the floor if it's damaged.
Plush carpeting is also called texture carpeting and often uses two tones of fibers in a twisted, cut pile construction. This style is great at hiding dirt and feels soft and comfortable. It's a common choice for bedrooms as well as family rooms and dens.
Dust and other particles will build up
It doesn't matter how good your vacuum is, it doesn't even matter if you steam or shampoo your carpets. Dust and other particles will build up and make your carpet dirty. Dirty carpet will host allergens and can cause issues for those with asthma or allergies.
Hardwood is known for being much cleaner than carpet as it doesn't collect all of the dust and dirt beneath the surface. Despite best efforts, carpeting is never perfectly clean. Well maintained hardwood flooring can last decades!
Carpet vs Hardwood Cost
Installing hardwood floors can cost between $12 and $20 per square foot installed, while carpet often cost about $6 to $12 per square foot installed. However, choosing engineered hardwood flooring can be dramatically less expensive than solid hardwood floors.
In general, carpet that is more than 20 years old should be replaced. Dust, dirt and debris build up in the fibers and underneath the carpet, even if it is maintained regularly. This can lead to allergy problems and odors. By the time a carpet reaches 30 years old, it usually is worn and stained.
In general, it's a good idea to replace your carpet pad once every five years. If you let it go longer than this, you're going to be more likely to need costly repairs. You might also be more prone to some of the issues mentioned above, such as mold growth or carpet lumps.
Your wall color should be two tones lighter than your carpet. If you have dark walls, you can also go a few tones lighter with your carpet. Since it's much easier to change your wall color than your carpet, choose your carpet color first and then match your wall color.
A neutral-colored carpet, such as tan, brown or gray, is a safe option since it will work with virtually any wall or decor colors. But it's usually best to avoid carpets that are extremely light like white or beige because they don't hide dirt as easily as darker carpeting.
Dark brown is one of the best carpet colors for hiding dirt. The darker the shade, the better the dirt will blend into the carpet. Powder and dust won't show up against the dark brown color. While a lighter brown can also be an attractive option, it won't hide as much dirt.