Versatile Vinyl
Price: $0.50–$4 per square foot; $7 per square foot for luxury vinyl planks Vinyl is one of the most versatile and cheapest ways to cover a bedroom floor. Composed of thin resilient sheets, vinyl is a synthetic material that is resistant to stains, rips, tears, damage, and water penetration. It can be printed with a nearly endless variety of patterns and colors, and it can even be made to resemble natural materials, such as stone and hardwood. So you have almost endless options to choose which color flooring is best for your bedroom—whether you want a soothing tone or a unique pattern. If you use sheet vinyl or tile vinyl, the flooring will be thin and can feel hard if it’s placed directly over plywood. In a bedroom, a cork or foam padded underlayment can be used to soften the feel beneath your feet. However, underlayment can significantly add to the cost of the installation. For an upscale look in the bedroom, consider luxury vinyl flooring (LVF), also known as luxury vinyl plank (LVP). It’s a thicker material fabricated in planks to look much like hardwood. And it snaps together, much like plastic laminate flooring planks, for a snug fit. While it costs more, luxury vinyl flooring will also add more value to your home than basic sheet vinyl or vinyl tile. If you choose vinyl for your bedroom floor, remember that it is a synthetic material that can off-gas volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which can compromise the air quality of your room for a short time.
Natural Linoleum
Price: $2–$5 per square foot Linoleum in tile or sheet form can be a comfortable choice for bedroom flooring. The design options for linoleum have expanded over the years, and now it can replicate natural materials as well as take on artistic patterns to match your decor. Linoleum is a thin sheet of resilient flooring material with properties that are similar to vinyl. It is durable, resistant to stains, difficult to scratch, and easy to maintain. The difference is that linoleum tile is made from all-natural linseed oil, and it does not use non-renewable resources in its manufacturing process the way vinyl does. You also don’t have to worry about the off-gassing of VOCs. Linoleum is a little more expensive than vinyl, and it will also need a padded backing layer to make it comfortable enough for a bedroom. The material is also slightly less durable than vinyl, and it doesn’t have the same impervious resistance to water penetration.
Durable Laminate
Price: $2–$10 per square foot Laminate flooring in the bedroom has its pros and cons. It’s a frugal choice with unlimited and attractive design options, but it can be hard and noisy to walk on. So in that regard, it is better to have carpet over laminate in the bedroom if you’re choosing between the two. Laminate consists of a backing layer, a decorative layer, and a wear layer. The backing is generally made of recycled, low-cost materials that make up the bulk of the actual laminate. The appearance of each piece is achieved by printing a very thin decorative strip over the top of this backing. This is then covered by an invisible wear layer that protects the material from stains and damage. The manufacturers of laminate flooring materials are able to produce print layers that can accurately achieve the look of numerous natural hardwoods and stones. Because of this, you can use laminate to create a bedroom floor that looks far more expensive than it actually is. However, the material can’t be refinished, so its lifespan is limited to the durability and quality of its protective wear layer. When the wear layer breaks down, the material will be exposed and will quickly start to deteriorate. However, laminate flooring can last longer than usual in a low-traffic bedroom.
Cushiony Carpet
Price: $3–$13 per square foot (wall-to-wall, not including padding) Soft, plush, cozy carpeting is one of the best types of flooring for a bedroom not only for comfort, but also because the material is sound-dampening and retains warmth. There are plenty of pros and cons to carpeting in the bedroom. Most notably, the price of carpet for a bedroom can vary widely. The most luxurious plush wall-to-wall carpeting—the kind that feels great on bare feet in a bedroom—can end up costing more than most other flooring materials. There are ways to buy medium- to high-pile carpet for your bedroom while sticking to a budget. For example, choose an inexpensive synthetic fiber rather than wool. Or look for closeouts and in-stock styles at a carpet warehouse. Note that carpets are notoriously hard to keep clean, especially the ones with a higher pile. They can attract dust, dirt, and other particles that can contribute negatively to the indoor air quality of your bedroom. So keep this in mind if you’re debating whether you prefer carpet or hardwood floors in your bedroom.
Decorative Concrete
Price: $1 per square foot for a fresh pour; $2–$15 per square foot for decorative etching and artistic treatments You probably wouldn’t think of concrete as a good bedroom flooring idea, but it has its perks. If you live in a warm climate in a home that’s built with a concrete slab foundation resting directly against the ground, you might be able to remove the existing floor surface coverings and use the existing concrete as an economical option for your floor. The concrete will help to keep your bedroom cool, and it’s very easy to keep clean. Concrete also will last for a very long time and is extremely durable and resilient. Plus, you can have it decoratively finished with stains, etching, and polishing to create a flooring color that’s best for your bedroom space. And to make it warmer and easier on the feet, you can throw down some area rugs.
Hardwood Options
Price: $5–$12 per square foot; refinishing $1.50–$5 per square foot; engineered hardwood $4–$7 per square foot Hardwood is an expensive bedroom flooring material. However, it is quite popular for its warmth and natural beauty. And hardwood is generally the flooring that adds the most value to a home, so you should see a return on your investment. To save money, you can opt to refinish existing hardwood floors instead of replacing them, or you can choose a less expensive engineered wood floor. Engineered hardwood is not solid hardwood, though it’s constructed with layers of solid hardwood. Think of it as a durable veneer-style flooring. Engineered hardwood flooring is designed so it won’t warp or bow like hardwood, and it should have a protective moisture barrier. So you’ll get all the beauty of hardwood, along with easy care and maintenance. As with vinyl and laminate, an engineered wood floor depends on the quality and durability of its top wear layer. But in a low-traffic bedroom, that should mean it lasts a long time. Also, as with natural hardwood flooring, engineered hardwood can creak and pop. So take that into consideration if you’re looking for a quiet bedroom floor.
