Floor coverings in residential bedrooms have traditionally been divided into two categories: hard coverings and soft coverings. Hard coverings are hardwood, tile, stone, vinyl and laminate flooring. Soft coverings include carpet and, more recently, spongy eco-friendly materials such as bamboo. Choosing flooring for one’s bedroom is perhaps the most personal of decorating choices. The bedroom is a haven, one’s private Zen, if you will, where personality shines forth most clearly.

Are you the “hit the ground running” type that likes a sturdy, hardwood floor in the morning, or do you like to sink into a luxurious deep pile that is warm and cozy? Maybe your preference is in the more expensive, spa-like look of natural stone. You have to choose your bedroom flooring based on what makes you feel good, not on what’s the latest trend or what’s on sale. You and your bedroom floor will have to live together for a long, long time.

The bedroom is a place where the flooring should be beautiful as well as comfortable. Maybe you want the best of both worlds for your personal sanctuary. Install a beautiful hardwood floor and scatter luxurious area rugs to create even more personal spaces. Mix it up a little and use varying types of flooring materials to help transition between the spaces within the room. Careful thought and good design can substantially add value to any living space.

Beyond the obvious design elements of bedroom flooring is the practical consideration of how it meets to functional needs of the room. Is this flooring for a teenager’s room? Then choose a floor covering that will stand up well to lots of traffic and be easy to clean. Is this a rarely used guest room? Choose flooring that provides good insulation for both sound and temperature.

Consider, too, how the arrangement, and re-arrangement, of furniture can affect your flooring choice. Big furniture pieces can permanently flatten areas of a carpet so unless you are planning on rearranging every so often, think about how you will fill the space. Rolling furniture like chairs and some vanities can scratch or even permanently damage floors so be sure to use protective furniture pads for your floors.

And lastly think about the long term maintenance needs of the bedroom. Hardwood is always a good option because as it wears out, it can be sanded and refinished allowing you to subtly change the look and feel of the room. Carpets in higher-traffic bedrooms should be chosen for durability and ease of stain removal.

Whatever your personal preferences are, there are a wealth of choices available to the homeowner looking to renew the bedroom floors. Considering your own personal tastes as well as the needs and function of the room will help you make the best choices.