Choosing a type of flooring for a bedroom can be a tough call, as different flooring styles offer different advantages and disadvantages.
If you’re struggling to decide between carpet and laminate in the bedroom, consider the pros and cons of these two popular flooring choices.
Pros of Carpet in a Bedroom
Absorbs sound
Carpets are known to absorb sound and can help with soundproofing a room. When walking through the bedroom, you won’t hear footsteps on the carpet, or if you drop something on the floor, you won’t hear a loud thud.
As well as not creating noise, the carpet also helps to absorb the noise and prevent reverberation of sounds on the walls and ceiling, making carpets even more effective at reducing noise than acoustic ceiling tiles. If you have a light sleeper in your family, then carpets can be a great choice to prevent them from being woken up by the noise.
Comfort underfoot
Carpets can feel luxurious under bare feet and offer a feeling of comfort that cannot be found on other types of residential flooring. If you enjoy being barefoot in your home, then carpets can make your space feel more comfortable.
Cushioned for sitting on the floor
Carpets have a cushioned effect, especially if you choose a deep pile or use a cushioned underlay. This is great for children’s bedrooms, where they will often sit on the floor to play, as it provides them with a more comfortable surface to explore.
Non-slip
Many types of hard flooring surfaces can be slippery, especially if you’re zipping around wearing socks. By comparison, most carpet fiber types are non-slip, so this can help to prevent accidents.
Warmth
Carpets create a warm feel in a bedroom which is conducive to relaxation, but they also feel physically warm under feet which is especially nice when getting out of bed on a cold morning.
Energy efficiency
Having wall-to-wall carpets in a bedroom can improve energy efficiency as they are natural insulators. They create a barrier against floors that are prone to cold drafts or those which are concrete underneath and susceptible to cold. Carpets are able to reduce energy loss associated with hard floors by around 10%, providing a warmer environment and saving money in energy costs.
Low maintenance
Carpets are a low-maintenance type of flooring, requiring vacuuming to keep them clean and in good condition. In a low-traffic area such as a bedroom, vacuuming should only need to be carried out once a week, making it an easy-care surface.
Low cost
Carpet floorings are cost-effective, so they can be a good option if you have a tight budget or a large area to cover. The cost of carpets can vary depending on the type and quality you opt for, but on average, you can expect to pay between $2 and $15 per square foot for carpet and installation. For example, the average cost to carpet a 12×12 room could be between $288 and $1584.
Quick installation
Carpets are quick and easy to install, with one room typically being fitted with carpet in under an hour. This means that if you want a quick transformation, carpet is a perfect choice.
Cons of Carpet in a Bedroom
Colors fade
If you install carpet in a bright room, then you should expect the color to fade over time as a result of sun bleaching. Even when kept out of the direct sun, carpets do have a tendency to become duller over time.
Easier to stain
Carpets are much easier to stain compared to hard flooring surfaces, and though many stains can be removed with a specialist carpet cleaning product, there are some stains that even a professional will struggle to remove.
If your carpet suffers from a noticeable stain, you could try to cover it by rearranging furniture, but the only alternative to completely remove it would be to replace the entire carpet.
Holds onto smells
As carpet is absorbent, it has a habit of holding on to odors. If you are potty training a toddler or have a new pet who uses the carpet as a toilet, your flooring might take on some nasty smells. Spilled milk is another common issue that can cause a very bad smell to emerge from the carpet.
A professional carpet cleaner can help to remove some smells, but some become so embedded in the carpet that they will still persist. If you move into a home where a smoker previously lived, you’ll find that nothing you do can rid the smell of cigarettes from the carpet.
Can harbor germs, bugs, pollen, or mold
Whereas hard floor surfaces are water-resistant and wipe clean, carpet is made of many tiny fibers, which are a perfect breeding ground for mites, fleas, and other bug infestations. Bacteria, pollen, mold, and dust particles can also be hidden in carpets, creating an unhealthy environment in our homes.
Pros of Laminate Flooring in a Bedroom
Easy installation
Laminate flooring is easy to install and can be laid by most capable DIY enthusiasts. Laminate takes longer to install than carpet, but it still has a quick turnaround time compared with some other flooring types, such as tile.
Low cost
The price of laminate flooring varies in line with its quality, but generally, it offers a low-cost solution for bedroom flooring. On average, you can expect to pay between $5 and $25 per square foot for laminate.
Easy to clean
Laminate is incredibly easy to keep clean. It needs to be swept with a broom occasionally; some people might do this daily, whereas others will get away with sweeping once a week. You can also use a mop to wipe away spills, making it ideal for a child’s bedroom.
Low maintenance
Unlike hardwood flooring, laminate does not require any maintenance. It won’t need to be routinely sanded, stained, or sealed and therefore is great for minimal upkeep.
No fibers for bacteria or bugs to hide in
Laminate flooring is a solid surface that can be mopped with antibacterial cleaner. This gives peace of mind that no nasties are harboring on the floor where your children might be playing.
Hardwearing
Laminate flooring has a reasonable thickness is incredibly robust and sturdy, which makes it ideal if you have pets, as their claws won’t mark the floor. Its hardiness means it will remain in good condition for a long time without the need to replace it.
Looks like real hardwood
If you want the look of hardwood at a fraction of the cost, then laminate is a good option. Many high-quality laminate floors have come to the market, which looks almost identical to hardwood to the untrained eye.
Cons of Laminate Flooring in a Bedroom
Poor reputation
When laminate was first introduced, it had a very fake plasticky look which chipped easily and didn’t look great. Due to this, laminate flooring has a reputation for being cheap and low quality, which might put some people off.
Laminate nowadays has come a long way, and there are many high-quality options available with various laminate flooring thicknesses, but the poor reputation of laminate flooring lingers and is associated with basic, low-grade homes.
Noisy
As a hard surface, laminate flooring can be noisy to walk on. It also won’t absorb sound like carpet.
No cushioning
Laminate flooring has no cushioning, which will make it an uncomfortable surface to sit on. It will also cause more pain in the event of a fall compared to landing on a carpet, so this could be a disadvantage if you have children who tumble frequently or for elderly people who might fall over.
Cold on feet
Laminate flooring is cold underfoot, which is a particular disadvantage when used in the bedroom because it can be quite a shock to get out of bed and step barefoot onto a cold floor.
Susceptible to water damage and UV damage
Laminate flooring should not be allowed to have water pooled on the surface as this can cause it to swell and become misshapen. When mopping, you should take care to use a minimal amount of water or cleaning product and wipe up any excess afterward.
Any liquid spills should also be cleaned up immediately. This type of flooring is also susceptible to UV damage, which can cause dulling over time.
Conclusion
Both carpet flooring and laminate flooring offer many benefits as well as drawbacks when used in the bedroom. The best choice for your home will be dependent upon how you use the room and what your priorities are.
For example, in a children’s bedroom, many parents opt for carpet because it absorbs sound, is soft in the event of a fall, and provides a nice surface for children to sit and play on. However, you’ll need to weigh this up against the fact that carpet can harbor bacteria and is much easier to stain.
Both types of flooring present a good choice for the bedroom, so mulling over the key benefits you want from a floor surface will be fundamental in helping you to decide whether carpet or laminate will work best in your circumstances.
