Carpet or Hardwood in Bedrooms: Which is Better?

This post may contain references or links to products from one or more partners of our parent company and/or subsidiaries of our parent company. For more information, visit this page.

February 27, 2023

Carpet or hardwood in bedrooms: it’s an age-old question.

We get it! Everyone gets stuck choosing between carpet vs. hardwood floors for their bedroom, because both of these types of flooring have something cozy (and beautiful) to offer. 

Whether it’s the luxurious shine of the best hardwood floors or the soft warmth of a fluffy wall-to-wall carpet from one of the best carpet brands, you really can’t go wrong with either choice.

But: how do they stack up? Which floor offers more resale value? Which will last longer? And most importantly, which one fits your lifestyle and tastes? 

In 2023 we have seen some hot new releases, but by far the most popular carpet brand in 2023 has been Proximity Mills and the most popular hardwood brand has been Doma. Both are great choices and have a 4.9/5 consumer rating.

Below, we’ll help you answer all of those questions (and more). So keep reading to learn all about the pros and cons of carpet vs. hardwood in the bedroom—you can thank us later! 

The Benefits of Putting Carpet in Bedrooms

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. 

Here are some of the pros of using carpet over hardwood in bedrooms:

Carpet is Softer Underfoot (And Everyone Wants a Cozy Bedroom)

If you’re considering linoleum vs. laminate, different types of tile, or any of the best types of vinyl flooring, you’ll find that they all have one thing in common: none of them are as plush or warm as carpet! And when you’re considering the types of flooring you’d like in your bedroom, most people want something soft and cozy! 

And boy, does carpet make for a cozy bedroom. Your feet won’t freeze when stepping out of bed in the middle of the night or in the early morning. It feels warm and fuzzy on those winter nights. And of course, it’s way more comfy if you’re the type of person that does yoga or wrestles with the dog on your bedroom floor. 

Carpet Typically Costs Less than Hardwood

While there are literally thousands of options to choose from when you’re picking out hardwood floors (not to mention different types of fake wood flooring like laminate or concrete flooring that looks like wood), carpet often breaks down to be less expensive. 

It’s true—wood flooring costs vary based on the types of wood you choose, but for materials alone, carpet is often the cheaper option. And when you’re deciding between carpet or hardwood for bedrooms on the larger side, that can mean a significant price difference. 

Carpet Flooring Reduces Noise For a Quieter Bedroom

Because of its softness, carpet can help reduce the amount of noise in your bedroom. This is because it’s harder for sounds to “bounce” off of carpet floors. Depending on what you use as your subflooring, you may end up with a room so quiet you can(‘t) hear a pin drop! 

PS: if you’re wondering, “what is subflooring?”, it’s simply the material underneath your finished flooring surface. Some types of flooring rest directly on the subfloor; others (especially carpet) may need an underlayment. 

If you don’t want to worry about putting down an underlayment below your carpet, consider buying some peel-and-stick carpet tiles—they can be placed onto almost any surface as-is. 

Carpet is Less Easily Destroyed by Kids and Pets

Sure, there are several types of scratch-resistant flooring that you might choose from when finding new floors. But with carpet, this isn’t even a factor! Your kids and pets can run around, drag toys, and generally play as rough as they’d like with no real flooring consequences (unless there’s a spill or accident, in which case all bets are off).

Even the best bamboo flooring, best cork flooring, and best engineered wood flooring can face issues when it comes to the horseplay that children and pets are so well-known for. And these are some of the toughest flooring types around! 

And if kids are a concern in your choice between carpet and hardwood in the bedroom, you’ll also find that it’s more difficult (but not impossible) to slip on carpet floors—making them a little safer for bedroom play, too. 

The Drawbacks of Putting Carpet in Bedrooms

Your bedroom floors probably won’t face the same type of foot traffic as your entryway, living room, or mudroom flooring will. This is probably a good thing, because there are a few drawbacks worth mentioning when it comes to having carpet in your bedroom. 

Carpet is Harder to Clean

If you’ve looked into tile vs. laminate, carpet vs. laminate, or even laminate vs. hardwood, you’ll notice that the hardest surfaces are easiest to clean. Carpet, on the other hand, is not. Especially if there’s a spill.

In order to keep a carpet clean and allergen-free, you’ll have to vacuum frequently and opt for professional cleaning services every once in a while. There are some great products that can be used to treat stains on carpet floors, but it usually isn’t as simple as wiping away a liquid with a towel (as it is with the aforementioned types of flooring). 

That said, there are some stain-resistant types of carpet out there—you just have to chat with a flooring retailer to find them.

Carpet Can Look Outdated

As carpet ages (regardless of how well-cleaned it is), it can begin to look grimy, dull, and ultimately age your home. Even newly-installed carpet can tend to look outdated if the style and color aren’t perfect.

There isn’t a real way around this problem other than to research trending carpet styles in homes of similar styles and values. Should you choose to install carpet floors, your home will be cozy and comfortable but not necessarily 100% in-style. 

Replacing Wall-to-Wall Carpet is a Pain

As we mentioned, carpet can get grimy, even when it’s meticulously cared for. It’s recommended that carpet floors be replaced every 8-10 years. If you add children and pets into the mix, you’ll likely have to replace your carpet floors more often.

And we’ll be honest—carpet is not the easiest flooring to install, nor is it a great do-it-yourself flooring project. 

If you’re looking for ideas on how to replace flooring yourself, it’s far easier to opt for a click-together flooring product like engineered hardwood, laminate, or vinyl. Or even snap-together tile flooring, for that matter!

Types of Carpet to Consider

If you still can’t choose between carpet or hardwood in the bedroom, you should know that some types of carpet are more common than others. Here  are the two most common options to choose from: 

Carpet Tiles: Easy to Install and Replace

If you were to look up how to install carpet tiles, you’d find that they are one of the easiest types of flooring to install and replace. Carpet tiles also give you the ability to mix and match, creating your own floor designs that make your space unique. 

Wall-to-Wall Carpet: Making a Comeback

Wall-to-wall broadloom carpet is becoming popular again, probably because it is an inexpensive and durable option. There are many types of broadloom carpet to choose from as well as a wide selection of colors. You also already know exactly what carpet is—meaning you won’t have to ask questions like, “what is laminate flooring,” or learn about the disadvantages of floating floors before making your purchase.

Carpet is relatively straightforward. And while it won’t necessarily add to your home’s value, it isn’t as much of a detracting factor as it once was. People are beginning to want to return the comfort and coziness that carpeted floors offer—especially in the bedroom!

The Benefits of Putting Hardwood in Bedrooms

After reading all about carpet flooring, you’re probably wondering what we think about buying hardwood floors for your bedroom. And the truth is, there are multiple benefits to choosing a hardwood floor (or even opting for any number of hardwood floor alternatives!)

Hardwood Flooring is Gorgeous (duh!)

One of the biggest reasons to choose from the many types of wood flooring on the market: they’re aesthetically gorgeous. And there are hundreds of wood floor designs to choose from, from standard horizontal strips to modern-looking chevron parquet.

Hardwood is Easy to Maintain and Keep Clean

Hardwood flooring is relatively easy to maintain—use a dust mop daily and a soft-bristled vacuum weekly. If you need to mop, you can opt for a misting product designed for wood floors and dry as you go. 

If you and your family are gentle with your floors, they will be a breeze to maintain for years to come, especially if you opt for a water-resistant wood flooring product.

Hardwood in a Bedroom Increases a Home’s Resale Value More Than Carpet

We know that a big factor in choosing between carpet and hardwood for bedrooms is resale value.

When you choose to install hardwood floors, you are choosing to increase the value of your home. People love hardwood floors and are often willing to pay a bit more for a home that has them versus a home that doesn’t. 

Before installing, research the best hardwood floor brands to ensure your investment lasts a lifetime. This is important should any issues arise, as you will want a solid warranty to help repair any damages that may occur outside of normal wear and tear. 

Hardwood Can Be an Environmentally Friendly Bedroom Floor

If sustainability is a concern when choosing between carpet or hardwood in bedrooms, hardwood might be a better way to go. Because hardwood flooring is made out of a natural renewable resource, it is generally one of the more environmentally friendly flooring choices (when harvested responsibly.) 

Because wood flooring can last a lifetime, there is also rarely a need to replace it. Instead, most people simply refinish their hardwood floors. You can even bleach wooden floors to remove tough stains from water and rust!

The Drawbacks of Putting Hardwood in Bedrooms

Hardwood floors are attractive, easy to clean, increase your home’s value, and can be environmentally friendly. However, there are a few reasons why you might not want them in your bedroom.

Hardwood Floors Aren’t Naturally as Warm or as Soft as Carpet

Unless you’re planning on installing a heating wood floor, you will find that this flooring choice won’t be as cozy, warm, or soft as carpet. This may prove to be an especially unattractive feature to those who live in cold environments or have achy feet. 

Choosing a Hardwood for Your Bedroom Means a Financial Investment

The cost to replace carpet with hardwood can become pretty expensive, depending on which type of wood you want to use. Wood floors can cost between $9–12 per foot to install, whereas carpet flooring can cost as little as $3–5 per foot to install. 

And while learning how to install hardwood floors can be a difficult task, paying a professional to install your new flooring can increase its price significantly.

Hardwood Flooring Doesn’t Offer as Much Sound Insulation

Hard surfaces don’t absorb sound—meaning your bedroom will be a bit louder. You can fix this issue with the addition of rugs, but come on, why would you want to cover your gorgeous hardwood floors?

While the lack of sound insulation might not be a problem in the rest of your house, it can become annoying in the bedroom—and something to consider if you and your partner aren’t on the same sleep schedule.

Hardwood Floors Can Be Harder to Maintain

Yes, yes, hardwood floors are easy to clean, we mentioned this already. With that said, nothing stays perfect forever and wood floors are no exception. You aren’t really supposed to use a standard wet mop on them and if you do, they can warp. Also, over time, your floors are going to be subjected to… well, life. 

Kids might drag toys across your hardwood floors, leaving dents. Pets may get excited to see you and leave a few scratches. Over time, these small problems can (and will) become more noticeable. This is true for even the most durable wood flooring!

What Types of Hardwood Are Best for Bedrooms?

There is no shortage of the types of wood that can be used for a bedroom floor. There are, however, a few that are worth noting: 

Oak is the Industry Standard Hardwood

Oak is one of the most popular wood flooring types because of its overall cost and durability. There are two main types of oak floors: red oak and white oak. Even if you don’t know much about wood, you’d probably be able to tell the difference between these two as red oak has more of a pinkish tone and white oak has a paler, more yellow hue. 

Walnut is Gorgeous Without Too Much Work

For a rich, dark floor, walnut might be the choice for you. Walnut is considered some of the best wood flooring for dogs because its hardness doesn’t allow for easy scratching. And because of its dark color, you also aren’t as likely to notice any scuff marks (or bits of dust if you forget to sweep).

Cork Flooring is an Affordable and Gorgeous Option

When you think of cork, you probably think of coasters, wine bottles, or the cork boards used to pin photos and reminders. There are pros and cons of cork flooring, but you’ll likely find that their benefits far outweigh their drawbacks. 

The biggest and most noteworthy pros include the fact that they’re easy to install, they hold in heat (better than other types of hardwoods), and they’re mildew-resistant! This type of wood flooring is truly an amazing choice if it fits your lifestyle. It’s also a great middle ground between carpet and hardwood for bedrooms, as it’s both soft and durable.

Bamboo Can be Considered a Hardwood Hybrid

Bamboo is often considered a hardwood, but in reality, it is technically a type of grass. Aside from that technicality, these floors can be treated pretty much the same as other hardwoods. 

It’s worth noting that bamboo floors are often sold as engineered products, but not always. Be sure to read up on engineered bamboo flooring pros and cons before deciding which option is best for your bedroom. The cost to install engineered hardwood floors is often lower than it is for solid hardwood (particularly click-lock engineered products), and the same is true for bamboo. There are some engineered wood disadvantages, but installation is not one of them.

So: Should You Put Carpet or Hardwood in Your Bedroom?

The choice between carpet or hardwood in bedrooms isn’t one that’s easily settled by a salesperson at a flooring store. It comes down to personal preference and the features that are important to you. After all, you’re the person who will be using this bedroom the most!

That said, we know it can be difficult to navigate these options without physically seeing and touching them. If you’re ready to choose the bedroom floors that fit your lifestyle, use this flooring dealers near me tool to help you find trustworthy local retailers! 

And for more information on flooring, check out these articles: 

• Bamboo Flooring vs. Laminate: Which to Buy?
• 14 Beautiful and Affordable Outdoor Flooring Options
• The Pros and Cons of Pine Flooring
• Is the Cork Flooring Lowes Sells Actually Worth Buying?
• The 5 Best Sunroom Flooring Options
• Pergo Extreme Reviews 2020: What Buyers Are Saying
• Comparing Tile vs. Wood Floors for Your Home