Choosing Bedroom Flooring Materials - Pros and Cons

Flooring is an important element in any design and every room of your home. When it comes to your bedroom flooring, you have many options and some considerations. More than almost any other room in your home, it should, of course, be comfortable on your feet, but it also needs to be durable, beautiful, and fit aesthetically with your bedroom's décor.

Options can vary widely in both cost and quality. Here at Degnan Design Build Remodel, we believe that an educated homeowner is our best customer. When it comes to flooring, it's good to understand the pros and cons of different materials so you can make an informed decision when choosing your bedroom flooring. 

Here are the pros and cons of some of the most popular bedroom flooring materials among both homeowners and designers.

Carpeting

You pretty much either love carpeting or your hate it. however, when you think comfort, nothing feels better on bare feet than a warm, plush carpet. It comes in an endless array of colors, patterns, and textures. It's a budget-friendly choice, and helps to control room temperatures, and dampens sound. It is hands down, the number one choice of homeowners. 

There are two major types of carpeting; cut pile and loop pile. Within these two major types, there are several different subcategories. Saxony, textured, and frieze are variations of cut pile carpeting. Berber and level loop are the main types of loop pile carpet. Textured cut-pile carpeting is the most popular choice for bedrooms. It's luxuriously soft, is a casual look, and resists dirt well. 

The downside of carpeting is that spills can easily stain and can be difficult to remove. It can also make a home look dated when it's worn, and it doesn't last as long as other options. Carpet can also be hard on allergies, as it can accumulate pet hair, dust, and other allergens. 

Wood Bedroom Flooring

It's hard to beat the natural beauty and warmth of natural hardwood flooring in the bedroom. It has an unmatchable depth that adds beauty to any décor. While there are literally dozens of hardwood bedroom flooring types, some popular species include ash, walnut, oak, and maple.

Read About Your Flooring Options For A Home Remodel

The three most common styles of wood flooring are strip, plank, and parquet. For use in the bedroom, strip and plank are the most popular. Both appear traditional and are linear pieces of wood. Plank flooring is wider than the strip, which gives it a more casual look. 

Homes that feature hardwood have a strong resale value. It offers good insulation and comes in a number of attractive species. Hardwood bedroom flooring can be softened through the use of strategically placed area rugs.

The downside is that wood floors are easy to damage. If not properly finished, water and other liquids can stain them, leaving you with a pricey choice of either refinishing them or replacing them. In general, hardwood can be a pricey choice.

Laminate Flooring and Luxury Vinyl Plank

Laminate flooring is a good, affordable option in several instances. Today's manufacturing techniques offer consumers great looks that mimic natural materials like wood or stone, but it is really a photographic process, which is then covered by a protective plastic coating. It comes in a wide range of wood tones and styles to match any décor. It's less expensive than hardwood and is cheaper and easier to install. Plus, it's easy to keep clean, just sweep and occasionally mop it, and you're good to go!

Laminate holds up well to daily wear and tear but is susceptible to scratching, and although it is waterproof, it can buckle if liquids are left puddling on it. Laminate doesn't have the same resale value as wood. And it can not be refinished but must be replaced after being worn down. However, Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) is resistant to water damage and is considered a premium material, not a cheap alternative.

That being said, laminate might be a good choice for a bedroom in a finished basement or a guest bedroom that is only used occasionally. LVP typically has a better warranty for being used in a finished basement bedroom.

Rubber Flooring

This one is strictly for the kids (or the spare bedroom/exercise room). Rubber flooring is made of virgin or recycled rubber. It comes in a wide variety of colors, patterns, and styles. This type of flooring is extremely durable, lasting for more than thirty years, and is a great option for a child's bedroom. Along with its durability, it also easy to maintain and clean.

The downside to rubber flooring is that it's a commitment. It is really a “specialty” material. If you get bored with it, you'll need to remove it and re-floor the room. It can also be a turn-off for some potential buyers. 

Cork Flooring

Most often used in the kitchen, cork flooring is an excellent choice for the bedroom. It is comfortable to walk on and absorbs sound well. Made from a cork tree's bark, it's considered a “green” building material that is renewable, sustainable, and environmentally friendly. The bark is ground up, compressed, and bonded together with resin. It features a natural texture and has become more popular for bedroom flooring in recent years.

Cork is comfortable to stand on for long periods. That makes it a popular choice in kitchens or a child's bedroom. Much like hardwood, cork can be resurfaced – just sand and stain. Cork doesn't accumulate dust, hair, or other allergens; in fact, it's hypoallergenic!

Unfortunately, it's easy to damage cork flooring. A sharp object can puncture it, and even if sealed or stained, it is susceptible to water damage. Sunlight can also damage cork, and it can buckle n extreme humidity. Finally, heavy furniture can leave permanent dents in the flooring. 

Bamboo Bedroom Flooring

Bamboo flooring is actually stronger and harder than hardwood floors. Bamboo is another “green” material. It's eco-friendly, grows quickly, and is sustainable. Bamboo flooring comes in strips and planks, like wood or laminate. Bamboo flooring comes in a variety of grain styles and colors.

Bamboo's appeal is similar to hardwood. It gives a room a modern look, and like hardwood, it enhances your home's resale value. Bamboo is easy to repair as it can be sanded and refinished like hardwood. It's also extremely durable and can last for years.

However, there are many cheap bamboo products on the market today, and they don't last. Research any product before your purchase. Bamboo can also suffer from water damage and might not be the best choice in humid climates.

These are some of the most popular bedroom flooring products with both designers and homeowners. Your flooring is an important element in your design and is instrumental in creating a comfortable environment. Educate yourself on all of the choices available. If you're still not sure, speak with your contractor or design-build professional. They can help you to make an informed decision to help you meet your specific needs and aesthetics.

If you live in the greater Madison, Wisconsin area and are considering a home remodeling project, give the award-winning design team at Degnan Design-Build-Remodel a call at (608) 846-5963. We can help you make the right choices to meet your needs and fit your budget. Call today for a free no-obligation consultation to discuss your project. 

This article was updated by Abe Degnan on 9/12/2022.