Whether you’re currently redecorating your bedroom or are simply searching for inspiration for the future, bedroom flooring ideas are an important part of the room’s design that can determine the overall feel of the space. Is it going to be cosy or sleek? Or are you going for a traditional bedroom scheme or a modern one?
Whichever direction you decide to take, you can create an elevated bedroom idea – and there are several flooring styles you can choose from. Whether that’s hardwood or carpet, each of these bedroom flooring ideas has its own benefits. So at the end of the day, it’s about what works best for you, your taste and your lifestyle, as well as your bedroom colour scheme and aesthetic.
Bedroom flooring ideas
‘When it comes to choosing a suitable flooring option for bedrooms, there’s a range of choices available that can add character and style to the room,’ says Liam Cleverdon, flooring trends expert at Flooring King.
It’s just about figuring out what character and style matches yours the best.
1. Opt for neutral shades
While we love a statement, patterned bedroom flooring design, there is something to be said for neutral-coloured floors. It’s no coincidence that the likes of grey bedroom carpet ideas are so popular – it’s because neutral shades are versatile and go with pretty much everything. So if you decide to change up the look of your bedroom, you don’t necessarily have to change the flooring if you stick to neutrals, saving yourself extra work and money in the process.
‘In terms of flooring colours, I recommend a neutral tone – such as beige or grey, as these colours are extremely versatile, matching well with a variety of different patterns or shades. It gives people more flexibility when redesigning a room while still being a great choice for creating a cosy atmosphere,’ Liam says.
Charlotte Coop, marketing manager at Abingdon Flooring, elaborates on the particular neutral shades, ‘Neutral tones like beige, grey, and taupe are perfect for a calming environment. Warm tones like tan, terracotta, and caramel can make larger bedrooms feel cosier, while lighter colours help brighten smaller spaces.’
2. Go for durability with engineered wood flooring
If you don’t already have hardwood flooring that you could expose but are after that very look then a more cost-effective and easy-to-maintain alternative to install in your bedroom is engineered wood flooring.
‘Engineered wood is a wonderful option, combining a natural look with durability. This is a great alternative to carpets in the bedroom, giving an elegant aesthetic that can be easily managed and cleaned,’ Liam says.
3. Lay down a laminate floor
There are ways to mimic the look of natural materials without actually having to install a real wood or stone floor in the bedroom. Instead, you can opt for something more durable and cheaper like a laminate floor.
‘Laminate offers a natural look and feel with the benefits of being scratch, stain, and water-resistant,’ says Anastasiia Kudashova, lead design manager at Quick-Step.
Liam adds, ‘Both laminate and vinyl flooring make great options for bedrooms, but with added durability and a more natural look, laminate tends to be a more popular choice. Laminate mimics the look of natural wood or stone flooring and is a durable, scratch-resistant choice – making it popular in kid-heavy households or those with pets.’
4. Pick a discreet vinyl tile
After something that’s cosy underfoot but isn’t carpet? Consider luxury vinyl tiles.
‘Luxury vinyl tiles (LVT) is the perfect solution for those looking for a low maintenance flooring, whilst still looking aesthetically pleasing,’ says Sarah Escott, design manager at Amtico.
‘Whilst LTV is a great option to be creative with your flooring, Amtico’s products also provide an extra hard-wearing surface with protective wear layer to ensure it is long lasting. It’s extremely durable and robust and is resistant to stains, furthermore, LVT flooring is warm underfoot and can be used with underfloor heating making it the perfect choice.’
5. Use rugs for colour and character
On a budget but want to update with fresh bedroom flooring? Bedroom rug ideas are a versatile choice that can add authenticity and texture to a bedroom. Plus, even if you love those with a larger price tag, you can use nifty home furnishing discount codes to keep them within budget.
They’re also ideal if you are renting and can’t change the existing floor – choose a design that complements your bedroom colour scheme and remember you can layer more than one.
Neutral shades and natural materials work particularly well in a bedroom as they are both soothing and grounding. And this jute rug from Dunelm doesn't only provide the above in addition injects a hint of a subtle herringbone pattern that will elevate the space.
Berber-style rugs are one of the most classic rug designs that is both sophisticated and versatile. With the fluffy finish and fringed trims, this La Redoute version is perfect for a bedroom.
A rug can be the ideal way to inject a little bit of colour and pattern into your bedroom. And the Gaia rug from Ruggable with its abstract motif and earthy shades is perfect for that. It also helps that just like all of Ruggable's designs, this one too is washable.
6. Create a focal point
'When it comes to bedroom flooring, carpet is the obvious classic choice, it’s cosy, warm, and feels great underfoot,’ says Jemma Dayman, hard flooring buyer at Carpetright.
‘However, laminate is a highly versatile option, easy to fit and is extremely affordable. Perfect for modern homes with underfloor heating, it not only comes in traditional wood finishes, but you can now also find concrete, marble, stone and tile effect patterns.’
7. Clash with a patterned carpet
If the maximalist home decor trend is right up your street, then look no further than a patterned carpet. By choosing a colour scheme that’s neutral you widen your options for being able to update the rest of the room as and when.
A two-tone stone design will go with pretty much any other colour like sky blue, lime, blush and white.
8. Match your floor to your walls
This may sound off the wall, but it can look amazing if you get the tones right, cohesion - nowadays also known as colour drenching - is your best friend when it comes to interior design.
Although you can use it with any colour, it works best with paler shades as the key is to create a balanced look rather than one that’s too all encompassing. Break up the scheme by adding darker colours – this can be done with bedding – pillows and a throw for example.
9. Source a subtle stripe carpet
‘Stripes are a key trend in interiors with many working with a variety of materials to create inviting room schemes. Stripes add visual interest to the floor and for those tight on space, it is worth remembering that linear stripes can help to enlarge the appearance of a room, this is especially effective in hallways as the stripe draws the eye along the design and thus appears to elongate the area,' says Jon Flannigan, product manager at Kersaint Cobb.
'Striped flooring is also ideal in high-traffic areas as it will withstand the effects of dirt and wear better than plain and flat single colour flooring.'
10. Choose natural materials for an organic feel
Sisal, seagrass, coir and jute are great alternatives to a traditional style carpet if you want an allover flooring that’s not a hard surface.
Perfect for a more contemporary bedroom, the colours are usually muted with subtle patterns. They're also softer underfoot than you might imagine yet extremely long-lasting.
11. Opt for a characterful natural wood
You might be lucky enough to have real wood flooring in your home already, if you do, then preserve and let it show. The beautiful patinas from the wood grains will give your bedroom a stunning look and if it’s laid in a herringbone design it will add a subtle pattern to your space too.
Team it with dark tones to help ground the look and add in other textures like sheepskin rugs, tongue and groove walls and slubby linens.
12. Create the illusion of space with pale wood
‘It’s not just the colour of the walls that makes a difference, the flooring choice is equally as important,’ says Natalie Mudd, creative director at The Wood Flooring Company.
‘Choosing a lighter-toned wooden floor gives the illusion of more footprint. The direction of the flooring makes an immense impact on the flow and spatial feel of a room. It’s recommended to place the planks parallel to the widest wall. This will create an elongated look by drawing attention to the longest portion of the space.’
13. Go wild with 3D style tiles
'Don't be frightened of choosing a bold floor in bedroom spaces, as they can add a valuable layer of texture to neutral wall palettes. Consider geometrics for a contemporary twist which can be softened with furnishings and accessories,' says Eline Belo, design manager at Moduleo.
The way to balance a strong floor like this is to create balance with the rest of the scheme. Plain walls and ceiling teamed with single coloured bedding and throws will do the trick.
FAQs
Which floor is best for bedrooms?
The best bedroom flooring will depend on your style and what you want from it. Modern spaces look great with laminates and hardwood options, and can be practical if you have pets. But for a cosy and luxurious feel there's potentially only one choice – carpet – we asked Jon Flannigan, product manager at Kersaint Cobb, for his advice and why it suits this space so well:
'There are numerous benefits to having a pure wool carpet in addition to it being a wonderfully soft and luxurious option. Pure wool carpets will not only add style and finesse to a home, but will also help to preserve energy. The pure wool content acts as a natural heat insulator and is one of nature’s best ways of preserving warmth. This is especially important in period homes where drafts can be an issue.
'It is also very effective at absorbing noise which will allow rooms such as the bedroom to remain peaceful and quiet away from the rest of the house. Carpets are also synonymous with comfort which is why they are the most popular choice for flooring in rooms such as the bedroom. People want to feel relaxed before they go to sleep and soft, neutral tones such as dove grey and taupe are good for this because of their harmonious, calming qualities.'
Is carpet or laminate better for the bedroom?
This will depend on the kind of look you want, budget and your style. Do you love texture or prefer a smooth finish? Both have their pros and cons with carpet winning hands down if you want a touch of luxury, as we mention above:
‘Bedrooms are one of the most important rooms in the home, a place where we go to relax and unwind. There’s nothing like a soft, deep pile carpet under foot to create a cosseting and luxurious feel. With practical benefits of helping to maintain warmth, as well as working as a versatile canvas to carry colour, they make a perfect choice for every home,’ advises Punam Chada, carpet buyer at Carpetright.
Though from a practical point of view laminate or a ‘no-vinyl’ tile could be options to consider especially if you have children or want an easy-to-maintain flooring.
‘For pet owners we would definitely recommend our No-Vinyl Tiles collection,' suggests Natalie Mudd, creative director at The Wood Flooring Company.
'100% waterproof, the tiles are super easy to clean and look after, ideal for homes prone to muddy paws! Emulating the look and feel of real wood, our No-Vinyl Tiles are great for homes looking for longevity as they are extremely hard wearing and resistant to scratches. Available in an array of beautiful shades to suit schemes of all décor styles, they are the perfect option for homeowners looking to pet-proof their homes.'
Whatever you end up choosing, just make sure that your bedroom flooring solution is not an afterthought. It’s no coincidence that Lily Allen and many interior designers start with their carpet or rug choice before decorating the rest of the room.
