Living & Family Rooms!
Hardwood is the best option for living rooms and family rooms for many reasons.
First, they are easier to clean-a great trait for some of the busiest rooms in the home. Second, these are the rooms where buyers want to see that in-demand material and where it can greatly help your resale value.
Hallways & Stairs!
Hallways and stairs benefit from either option. Hardwood is a good because high-traffic throughways would benefit from a durable, low-maintenance flooring. Carpet, on the other hand, would muffle those high-traffic sounds and make for a safer stairway. If you do have hardwood stairs, you may want to consider a runner to increase safety.
Basements!
Carpet works better when it comes to basement flooring. It is a good basement insulator. Some fiber materials perform better in basements than others, however, and you must take care to choose the right type for your basement. You or your professional should also be sure to prep the subfloor (concrete) in order to minimize moisture.
Kitchens & Bathrooms!
Carpet does not fare well in bathrooms or kitchens. It traps moisture, dirt and spills and will be difficult to maintain. Hardwood doesn’t do well in bathrooms either because it is so responsive to moisture. You can install hardwood in the kitchen, but it must have a sealant that protects it against the moisture in the space.