Some people couldn’t imagine living in a home without carpet, while others swear by hardwood floors in every room. What’s a homeowner to do?
Let’s look at the biggest advantages of each flooring type and how choosing carpet or wood can affect the overall feel of a room.
When to Use Carpet in a Room
We’ll start by looking at the biggest benefits of carpet vs hardwood. Carpets are…
Cozier
If you always wear slippers around the house, this might not be as much of an issue for you, but if you like to get out of bed and walk barefoot to the bathroom, your bedroom might be a good place for carpet.
Quieter
Do you live in a house with a big family? Carpet helps muffle footsteps so you’re not constantly hearing the thud-thud-thud of heels on floors when people walk around. Hardwood floors on a second level can be especially loud, so if your house has two stories, carpet upstairs might be a smart choice.
Less expensive
Overall, carpet tends to be less expensive to install, which is often a major consideration. Young homeowners and people who are saving up for other projects might not be ready to shell out the big bucks for hardwood floors throughout the house.
Safer
If anyone in your home is at risk of falling, carpet provides a softer, safer landing than hardwood. This is the same reason many people choose carpet for nurseries and playrooms.
Benefits of Hardwood Floors
While carpets certainly have their merits, there’s a reason why hardwood has been such a desirable flooring material for centuries. Hardwood floors are…
Durable
On average, carpet should be replaced every 5-15 years, whereas hardwood can last longer than a lifetime. Low-quality carpets that get a lot of wear and tear will likely need to be replaced relatively soon, so the lower installation costs might not save you money if you plan to live in your current home for a while.
Easy to clean
Spilled coffee or wine is no problem when you have properly sealed hardwood floors. Pet accidents are also much easier to wipe up, so many pet owners prefer hardwood. On the other hand, some people say their pets don’t like hard floors.
Hypoallergenic
People with allergies and asthma are often advised to steer clear of carpeting in their homes. There’s still some controversy about this, and it definitely matters what kind of carpet you get and how often you clean it. The theory is that carpets are more likely to trap allergens, especially dust mites. Hardwood doesn’t have that risk.
Better for resale
Hardwood is timeless, and most homebuyers love it. According to Realtor.com, hardwood floors can increase the value of a home by as much as 2.5%. It’s not a completely cut-and-dried issue, though. There are plenty of people out there who prefer carpet. There are also many other factors to consider when resale value is your goal, including: preferences in your area, your region’s climate, and your budget.
Creating the Right Feel in Each Room
For many homeowners, it’s not as simple as choosing carpet or wood floors. It’s more about understanding which flooring materials work best in each area. For example, you might prefer soft, cozy carpet in your bedroom, but sleek, easy-to-clean hardwood for dining areas.
It’s also about personality and the atmosphere you want to create in each room.
What feeling does carpet create?
Carpets impart a cozy, warm atmosphere. Because wall-to-wall carpeting was more popular in past decades, it can even evoke a happy nostalgia in many younger homebuyers, who might remember visits at their grandparents’ carpeted homes.
- Patterns and bright colors can liven up a room and show your creativity
- Shag carpets create a retro vibe
- Simple, low pile carpets are no nonsense and practical
- High pile carpets create a cozier, more luxurious aesthetic
What feeling does hardwood create?
Hardwood generally feels earthier, grander, and more traditional, but it really depends on the types of hardwood you choose.
- Dark wood feels rich and traditional
- Light wood creates a brighter, more casual space
- Plank width matters — all one width lends a elegant, high-end appeal
- Wider planks and random widths (a combination of boards of different widths) tend to work well in more rustic rooms
Honoring your home’s style
Many people who live in older homes want to stay true to their home’s era. For example, carpets were very popular in the middle of the 20th century, so they can be a great, authentic choice for mid-century homes. If you live in a Victorian-era home, hardwood floors would be more in keeping with your home’s original style.
Get the Best of Both Worlds with Area Rugs
If you don’t have a clear preference for one or the other and you want to get the benefits of both, hardwood floors with rugs may be the answer. Many of the drawbacks of hardwood (cold, loud, less cozy, and less safe) can be eliminated with area rugs. Rugs are incredibly versatile and easy to change out. Plus, you can often find large area rugs that provide a similar look, texture, and experience to carpeting.
Still, for many carpet enthusiasts, this just doesn’t provide the same feeling as wall-to-wall carpet. And if carpet is what you want, paying for hardwood and hiding it under a rug is probably not worth the expense.
Still have questions about carpet vs hardwood? We can help!
We’ve been helping homeowners in the Portland/Vancouver area remodel their homes since 1992, and we’ve incorporated both hardwood floors and carpets in a variety of spaces with beautiful results.
Get in touch to learn more about how we work and ask us your questions about different types of hardwood and carpet flooring materials!