6 Bedroom Flooring Ideas: Types and Costs

What Are the Best Flooring Options for Bedrooms?

The ideal bedroom flooring should balance comfort, style, and functionality. According to a National Association of Home Builders survey, 40% of Americans prefer carpet in bedrooms, while 26% choose hardwood floors. The best options typically include carpet, hardwood, luxury vinyl, laminate, and cork. When selecting bedroom flooring, homeowners should consider factors like comfort underfoot, noise reduction, maintenance requirements, allergen concerns, and overall bedroom aesthetic. Cost ranges vary significantly: carpet ($2-$7 per square foot), hardwood ($6-$12), luxury vinyl ($2-$7), laminate ($1-$5), and cork ($3-$8), including professional installation.

Carpet: The Timeless Comfort Choice

Carpet flooring remains the most popular bedroom flooring option in America. It provides unmatched softness and warmth, making those first steps out of bed in the morning much more pleasant—especially during cold winter months.

Benefits of Carpet in Bedrooms

• Superior sound insulation – absorbs up to 35% more noise than hard flooring options
• Thermal insulation – can reduce heating costs by approximately 10% according to the Carpet and Rug Institute
• Safety factor – provides cushioning against falls, especially important for children’s rooms
• Extensive style options – available in thousands of colors, patterns, and textures

Popular Carpet Types for Bedrooms

Type	Characteristics	Best For
Plush	Dense, soft, luxurious feel	Master bedrooms, formal styles
Frieze	Twisted fibers, casual appearance	High-traffic bedrooms, hiding footprints
Berber	Looped construction, durable	Children’s rooms, active spaces
Cut and Loop	Textured patterns, dimensional look	Designer bedrooms, visual interest

For those with allergies, consider hypoallergenic carpet options with low VOC emissions. Many manufacturers now offer stain-resistant treatments that make maintenance significantly easier than in years past.

Hardwood Flooring: Timeless Elegance

Hardwood floors bring natural beauty and lasting value to bedrooms. According to the National Wood Flooring Association, homes with hardwood flooring sell faster and for higher prices—typically 2.5% more—than comparable homes with other flooring types.

Hardwood Species Comparison

• Oak – The most popular choice (70% of hardwood sales) offering excellent durability with a Janka hardness rating of 1290
• Maple – Lighter color with a clean appearance and higher hardness rating of 1450
• Walnut – Rich, dark tones ideal for creating dramatic bedroom aesthetics
• Cherry – Develops a deeper, richer patina over time, perfect for traditional bedrooms
• Hickory – Extremely durable (Janka rating 1820) with distinctive grain patterns

Hardwood can be finished in various ways, from high-gloss to matte, with engineered hardwood offering better resistance to humidity fluctuations than solid hardwood—an important consideration for bedrooms with attached bathrooms.

While hardwood requires more maintenance than some alternatives, its longevity is unmatched, with quality installations lasting 50+ years. Many homeowners pair hardwood with area rugs near the bed to combine elegance with comfort.

Luxury Vinyl Plank: The Practical Innovation

Luxury vinyl plank (LVP) has revolutionized bedroom flooring choices with its remarkable combination of beauty, durability, and affordability. This modern flooring solution has seen a 48% growth in residential use over the past five years according to Floor Covering News.

Today’s high-quality vinyl perfectly mimics the look of natural materials while offering superior performance advantages:

• Water-resistant to waterproof construction
• Scratch and dent resistance (especially important for pet owners)
• Softer underfoot than tile or hardwood
• Simple installation with many DIY-friendly click-lock options
• Easy maintenance requiring only regular sweeping and occasional mopping

When shopping for LVP for bedrooms, look for products with a wear layer of at least 12 mil for adequate protection. Many premium options also include attached underlayment for additional comfort and sound reduction.

For those concerned about environmental impact, look for phthalate-free vinyl options with FloorScore certification indicating low VOC emissions.

Laminate Flooring: Budget-Friendly Versatility

Laminate flooring offers an economical alternative that doesn’t sacrifice style. With significant technological improvements in recent years, today’s laminate options feature remarkably realistic visuals that can convincingly replicate hardwood, stone, or tile appearances.

Key Considerations for Bedroom Laminate

When selecting laminate for bedrooms, pay attention to:

• AC Rating – For bedrooms, AC3 provides sufficient durability while maintaining cost efficiency
• Thickness – 8mm to 12mm options offer better sound insulation and feel more substantial underfoot
• Underlayment – Quality foam underlayment improves comfort and reduces noise transfer
• Edge treatments – Beveled edges create more realistic wood-look planks

Laminate installation has become increasingly user-friendly with glueless click-lock systems that float over most existing subfloors. This makes laminate particularly attractive for bedroom renovations where minimizing disruption is desirable.

According to Consumer Reports testing, today’s top laminate brands can resist fading from UV exposure for 20+ years, maintaining their appearance even in bedrooms with significant natural light.

Cork Flooring: The Sustainable Comfort Option

Cork flooring represents one of the most environmentally friendly bedroom flooring options. Harvested from the bark of cork oak trees without harming the trees themselves, cork regenerates every 9-12 years, making it a truly renewable resource.

Beyond its eco-credentials, cork offers unique benefits that make it exceptionally well-suited for bedrooms:

• Natural temperature insulation – cork maintains a comfortable temperature year-round
• Antimicrobial properties – naturally resistant to mold, mildew, and termites
• Acoustic insulation – absorbs sound vibrations for a quieter sleeping environment
• Joint-friendly resilience – provides cushioning that reduces impact stress

Modern cork floors come in a variety of styles beyond the traditional speckled finish, including planks that mimic hardwood appearances. Cork can be finished with water-based polyurethane for increased durability and easier maintenance.

Research from the University of Southern California found that cork flooring can reduce sound transmission between floors by up to 14 decibels, making it an excellent choice for upstairs bedrooms.

Area Rugs: The Perfect Flooring Companion

No matter which primary flooring is chosen for a bedroom, area rugs serve as versatile design elements that can enhance comfort and style. According to interior design professionals, approximately 85% of bedrooms with hard surface flooring incorporate area rugs.

Strategic Area Rug Placement

• Under the bed – Extending 18-24 inches beyond the bed frame creates a soft landing zone
• Beside the bed – Runner-style rugs provide comfort for midnight trips to the bathroom
• Seating areas – Define conversation or reading spaces within larger bedrooms

When selecting bedroom area rugs, consider pile height carefully. Low-pile rugs (under ½ inch) facilitate easier furniture movement and door clearance, while high-pile options provide maximum softness underfoot.

For allergy sufferers, washable rugs from brands like Ruggable offer the ability to regularly clean bedroom rugs without professional services. Natural fiber options like wool provide durability with inherent stain resistance.

Choosing Flooring Based on Bedroom Type

Different bedrooms within the home may benefit from different flooring solutions based on their specific needs and usage patterns.

Master Bedroom Flooring

As the primary retreat in the home, master bedrooms typically benefit from premium flooring options that emphasize comfort and luxury. According to a Houzz bedroom trends study, 67% of master bedroom renovations include flooring upgrades.

Ideal options include:

• Premium carpet with higher pile height and stain resistance
• Engineered hardwood with wider planks for a luxury aesthetic
• Cork for couples with different wake/sleep schedules due to its sound absorption

Children’s Bedroom Flooring

Durability and safety take precedence in children’s rooms, where spills and active play are common. Practical options include:

• Stain-resistant carpet with quality padding for fall protection
• Luxury vinyl plank for its waterproof properties and ease of cleaning
• Laminate with an AC4 rating to withstand toys and furniture movement

Guest Bedroom Flooring

For spaces used intermittently, focus on impression and versatility:

• Hardwood for timeless appeal and durability during periods of non-use
• Medium-pile carpet in neutral tones to complement various decor styles
• Cork or LVP for allergy-sensitive guests

Installation Considerations for Bedroom Flooring

Before making a final bedroom flooring decision, consider these practical installation factors that impact both immediate and long-term satisfaction.

Subfloor Preparation

According to the World Floor Covering Association, 60% of flooring failures stem from inadequate subfloor preparation. For bedrooms, ensure:

• Level surface – typically no more than ¼ inch variation over 10 feet
• Clean substrate – free from dust, debris, and previous adhesives
• Proper moisture testing – especially important for below-grade bedrooms
• Structural integrity – addressing any squeaks or movement before new flooring installation

Timing and Disruption

Installation timelines vary significantly by flooring type:

Flooring Type	Typical Installation Time (12’×12′ Bedroom)	Post-Installation Wait Time
Carpet	4-6 hours	Immediate use
Hardwood (nail-down)	1-2 days	24 hours
Luxury Vinyl Plank	6-8 hours	Immediate use
Laminate	6-8 hours	Immediate use
Cork	8-10 hours	24-72 hours for adhesive/finish curing

For master bedrooms where disruption to sleep patterns is a concern, quick-installation options like click-lock vinyl or laminate may be preferable.

Flooring Trends for 2023-2025

The latest bedroom flooring trends reflect broader shifts toward sustainability, personalization, and multifunctionality in home design.

Current Trend Directions

• Mixed materials – Combining hard surfaces with area rugs for zone definition
• Lighter wood tones – Blonde and light oak finishes replacing darker stains
• Patterned installations – Herringbone and chevron patterns for visual interest
• Waterproof core products – Even in bedrooms, for maximum peace of mind
• Sustainable options – Increased demand for eco-friendly materials with transparent sourcing

According to design experts at the National Flooring Innovation Summit, there’s a notable return to wall-to-wall carpet in high-end bedrooms, with advances in fiber technology delivering improved performance and sustainability.

For those considering resale value, real estate data indicates that engineered hardwood and high-quality luxury vinyl offer the strongest return on investment for bedroom flooring renovations.

Budget Planning for Bedroom Flooring

Establishing a realistic budget requires understanding both material and installation costs, which can vary significantly based on bedroom size, existing conditions, and location.

Complete Cost Comparison

Flooring Type	Materials Cost (Per Sq Ft)	Installation Cost (Per Sq Ft)	Lifespan	Long-Term Value
Carpet	$2-$7	$1-$2	5-15 years	Medium
Hardwood	$6-$12	$3-$5	25+ years	High
Luxury Vinyl	$2-$7	$1.50-$3	10-20 years	Medium-High
Laminate	$1-$5	$1.50-$3	7-15 years	Medium
Cork	$3-$8	$2-$4	10-20 years	Medium-High

Beyond the initial purchase, factor in these additional costs:

• Subfloor preparation – May add $1-$3 per square foot depending on condition
• Furniture removal – $100-$200 if not included in installation
• Old flooring removal/disposal – $1-$2 per square foot
• Trim/molding replacement – $1.50-$3 per linear foot

For the best value, consider timing purchases during industry sales periods (typically January and late summer) when retailers offer significant discounts on previous year’s styles.

Conclusion: Making the Final Decision

Selecting the ideal bedroom flooring ultimately depends on balancing personal priorities with practical considerations. For maximum satisfaction with your choice:

• Request samples of top contenders to view in your bedroom’s actual lighting
• Consider how the flooring integrates with your overall design vision
• Realistically assess your maintenance preferences and lifestyle needs
• Factor in your local climate’s impact on comfort and performance
• Consult with qualified flooring professionals about specific installation considerations

Remember that bedroom flooring significantly impacts both the aesthetic and functional aspects of your most personal space. The right choice creates a foundation for restful sleep and personal rejuvenation for years to come.

Whether prioritizing plush comfort, timeless elegance, practical durability, or environmental responsibility, today’s diverse flooring options ensure there’s a perfect solution for every bedroom style and need.