Are Luxury Vinyl Planks Or Carpet Better For A Bedroom?

Every room in your home comes with its own little set of challenges when you’re choosing the perfect floor covering. In the kitchen and bathroom, it’s all about finding options that can handle moisture and stains with ease. For your living room, family room, and hallways, durability is key—they need to stand up to a lot of foot traffic. As for the bedroom, it offers a different set of possibilities, with carpet and wood-look luxury vinyl planks being two top favorites. If you’re feeling a bit overwhelmed with this decision, take a look at these helpful pros and cons for each option to guide you.

Budget

Carpet generally costs less than luxury vinyl planks, with an average price of $3-5 per square foot, including installation. Since bedrooms usually see less foot traffic than other parts of your home, you might choose a more budget-friendly carpet option. However, keep in mind that cheaper carpets can feel less comfortable underfoot. Also, even high-quality carpets tend to wear out faster than luxury vinyl tile, often needing replacement every five to seven years. In contrast, luxury vinyl tiles (LVT) typically last 15 to 25 years or longer, and some MSI luxury vinyl plank flooring comes with a limited lifetime residential warranty.

Coastal Cottage Luxury Vinyl Planks

Care and Maintenance

Carpet definitely benefits from regular vacuuming, and it's a good idea to have it deep cleaned every 12 to 18 months, either by a professional or with a home carpet cleaner. Since carpets are absorbent, they can easily stain and trap odors and allergens, so regular care helps keep your space fresh. On the other hand, vinyl flooring is low maintenance—just sweep with a broom or dust mop, no vacuum needed. It's completely waterproof, so spills or pet accidents won't absorb, and it never requires sealing to look its best.If your flooring gets damaged, it's much simpler with luxury vinyl plank; replace the affected piece, whereas torn or stained carpet might need to be fully replaced or professionally repaired.

Installation Requirements

Installing carpeting is often best left to the experts because it involves specialized tools like tack strips, carpet stretchers, and seamers. You can rent these at many hardware stores, but it can still be quite a demanding task. Sometimes, when you buy carpet, professional installation might be included in the price per square foot, making it a convenient option. If you enjoy do-it-yourself projects, you’ll find installing luxury vinyl plank flooring (LVP) to be delightfully simple. It requires minimal preparation of your current floors, and depending on the type of LVP you choose, it either locks into place or is easily glued down, making your renovation project more enjoyable and manageable. 

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Appearance

Choosing between carpet and luxury vinyl tile really comes down to personal preference. Many homeowners might lean toward hardwood flooring if it weren’t so challenging to maintain and protect, but today’s luxury vinyl planks beautifully mimic real wood, offering options for everyone’s taste. They come in a variety of shades, from light to dark, and even feature unique woods like reclaimed lumber. The most popular choice for bedroom carpeting is beige because it easily blends with any décor. However, lighter-colored wood flooring tends to have more character and effortlessly complements every style, from traditional to modern.

Warmth and Comfort

Many homeowners who prefer carpet often highlight its cozy comfort as their top choice. There’s nothing like the soft feel of carpet underfoot. If you have young children, you might find the plush, warm surface of carpet especially inviting for their bedrooms, which often double as play areas. Plus, carpeting does a wonderful job at keeping noise levels down, creating a quieter, more peaceful space.

But did you know that today’s LVT flooring offers many of these same cozy benefits? Modern LVT has a cushioned feel and is far from the old-fashioned laminate or linoleum tiles. Typically, luxury vinyl planks are installed over a padded underlayment that helps absorb sound just like carpeting. Typically, LVP flooring is installed over a padded underlayment that helps absorb sound just like carpeting. Plus, with LVT, you can enjoy the warmth of underfloor heating, an energy-efficient and incredibly comfortable way to keep your room cozy.

If you’re dreaming of a soft, barefoot-friendly surface, rugs are a fantastic option. They’re easy to move, wash, and swap out, giving you the flexibility to refresh your space whenever you like.

Sunnyset Luxury Vinyl Planks

Indoor Air Quality

If you or a loved one has allergies, having carpet in the bedroom might be a bit challenging. Even with regular vacuuming and professional cleaning, carpets can still trap dust mites and other irritants. Luckily, luxury vinyl planks are 100% waterproof, so they easily resist mold, mildew, and bacteria. A simple sweep or damp mop is all it takes to keep your flooring clean and free from dust, dirt, pet dander, and other allergens, making your space more comfortable and healthier.

Return on Investment 

Luxury vinyl planks typically cost more than carpeting, but they represent a better investment due to their longevity—lasting 15 to 25 years or more, compared to carpet’s 5 to 7 years. This isn’t the only benefit! Homebuyers value updates like granite countertops that boost resale prices. Many also admire hardwood flooring's appearance, especially when it’s maintenance-free. Stylish, wood-like LVP flooring can increase your home's value and help it sell faster. While carpeting remains popular in bedrooms and other spaces for its comfort, choosing a durable, low-maintenance, stunning floor—such as luxury vinyl tile—can be a smart, practical decision for many homeowners.

Check out today’s LVT options while you’re shopping for your new floor, and contact us when searching, "Where to buy vinyl near me." We're available through our online chat feature, you can visit an MSI showroom near you, or contact an authorized MSI dealer.

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