Making your home truly your own may require some improvements and upgrades from the original state it came in when you bought it. Often, an easy upgrade to any home is changing out the floors. But should you choose to carpet your floors or install hardwood flooring? This is a common choice for homeowners, and it can come down to a few factors. Here are some of the things you should consider when choosing the flooring for your home.
Price
In many cases, carpeting can be a less expensive option than installing hardwood flooring materials. It can even be cheaper than a less expensive laminate flooring. However, when considering the home's resale value, a hardwood floor will add much more value to your property than a carpeted floor. If you don't plan to sell your home within the next decade, the option is really up to you and will depend on your budget when shopping for new flooring.
Design
If you are focusing on the look and feel of your home rather than the cost or value flooring can add, carpet can help your home feel much cozier and comfortable than hardwood flooring. However, if you want to have a more rugged or country feel in your home, a hardwood floor paired with beautiful accent rugs can help you pull together a great look. For inspiration and help with making your choice, you can always consult a designer or study design magazines to find your own favorite look.
Maintenance
Carpet and wood flooring have different maintenance needs, so it is important to understand what you will have to do to keep your floors looking like new. Hardwood flooring doesn't need a lot of maintenance except regular sweeping and the occasional buffing to bring back luster and shine. Carpets can be easy to maintain with weekly vacuuming and hiring a
rug cleaning service at least once a year.
When it comes to stains and damage, both types of flooring have setbacks. Carpets are easily stained and dirt can be noticeable on light colors. It is much more difficult to stain hardwood floors, but when furniture is moved or heavy things are dropped onto the surface, damaged can be much more noticeable and costly to repair properly. These are just some of the considerations you will want to think about when you are choosing to upgrade the flooring in one room or throughout the whole house.