12 Bedroom Flooring Ideas That Will Set The Tone For Sleep

Hardwoods, vinyl, shag rugs, and more.

Neutral coastal bedroom with lots of windows
Photo: Laurey W. Glenn; Styling: Matthew Gleason

Want to set the right foundation for your bedroom? Start from the floor up. Finding the right flooring for your bedroom might seem overwhelming with so many options, styles, colors, and even installation considerations to keep in mind. But knowing what details are worth paying attention to can make all the difference. “When selecting bedroom flooring, some simple factors to consider are durability, ease of maintenance, noise reduction, compatibility with the overall bedroom design, and personal preferences for aesthetics such as color, texture, and pattern,” says Atlanta-based interior designer Jasmine Crockett of JoyMeetsHome. If it sounds like a tall order, you aren’t mistaken. To help break down the process, Crockett shares her tips for selecting flooring that will fit your needs and aesthetic both now and for the long haul.

Jasmine Crockett is an Atlanta-based interior designer and the founder of JoyMeetsHome.

How To Choose the Right Bedroom Flooring

“When it comes to narrowing down the options and finding the perfect bedroom flooring, I suggest clients start by considering their lifestyle and preferences,” advises Crockett. “Assess factors such as durability, comfort, maintenance requirements, and aesthetic appeal to determine whether options like hardwood, carpet, laminate, or vinyl would work best.” Once you select your flooring foundation, particularly if you opt for hardwood, vinyl, or laminate, you can still add even more personality and style with rugs—whether layered, wall-to-wall, or even strategically placed additions that can add just the right amount of texture and warmth. 


Once you find the right flooring type, ensuring it has the longevity to see you through the coming years can come down to both durability and its overall appeal. To ensure clients don’t opt for a flooring type that will look dated in six months, Crockett advises them to opt for classic materials and natural colors and steer clear of overly trendy patterns and bold color plays. Perhaps most of all though, she urges clients to focus on their own preferences and how that can play up their home’s style.  

Common Types of Bedroom Flooring

Hardwood 

Opting for hardwood in the bedroom is a popular choice both for its durability and aesthetics. As we look into the year ahead, Crockett has her eye on light woods like white oak. “It brings a warm and inviting feel to the space while providing a modern and timeless look that pairs well with various design styles,” she says. 

Carpet

If you’re looking to add warmth and a cozy feel, carpet is an option worth considering. With so many varieties to choose from, you can create a bedroom style that’s all your own. Patterned options, pops of color, and even getting down to the nitty gritty when it comes to weave can help set the tone for your retreat. 

Vinyl

Vinyl flooring is more versatile than ever. You can find fun takes on retro patterns, opt for peel-and-stick installation, or even pull off a hardwood look but with the waterproof and scratch-resistant features that make this material so appealing. 

Laminate

One of the biggest draws of laminate flooring is its price-point. If hardwood or stone is out of the budget, you can bet there’s a laminate that can help you get the look for less. The waterproof nature of this bedroom flooring type makes it a great option for other spaces as well, like baths and basements. 

Our Best Bedroom Flooring Ideas

01 of 12

Give It a Fresh Coat

River House guest room with yellow and white color scheme
Laurey W. Glenn; Styling: Elly Poston Cooper

For older wood floors that need a little love or even hardwoods that aren’t your ideal color or style, giving them a paint job can completely change the look. Here an off-white shade brings cottage charm to this space already brimming with originality. A small rug placed by the bed allows for a cozy landing spot for toes while also bringing a bit of warmth to the space.

02 of 12

Consider Your Lifestyle

This Rehoboth, Delaware, bedroom is the perfect combination of restful and rejuvenating, thanks to its soothing neutrals, fiery color palette, and ebullient patterns.
Photo: Helen Norman; Stylist: Liz Levin

If you’re outfitting a children’s bedroom, a guest room that will likely see a lot of foot traffic, or even have a few pets under your roof, carpet might be a tricky choice. But for those who have a lifestyle that pairs up with this chic and cozy bedroom flooring material, it can create a dreamy space you’ll be eager to curl up in. Paying attention to the carpet’s weave, pattern, color, and texture when selecting your ideal match can help set the right tone for your bedroom.

03 of 12

Go Natural

Idea House 2020 Guest Bedroom with Warm Neutral Colors
Robbie Caponetto; Styling: Kendra Surface

Not every space is right for a natural-looking hardwood floor, but when it’s utilized to perfection, it’s close to heavenly. Doing away with shiny finishes and bold stains leaves room for the natural grain to shine. A natural wood floor can quickly take a ho-hum space into one with a sense of history that might just be well beyond its years.

04 of 12

Make It Plush

Lindsey Ellis Beatty bedroom

LAUREY W. GLENN

A shag rug is yet another choice that can be tricky for little ones (and furry ones, too), but it can be a fun way to add texture and personality to a bedroom in the right situation. While you’ll find plenty of white and ivory shag options on the market, consider how pattern, fringe, and other stylistic details can take your rug up a notch.

05 of 12

Play Up a Pattern

Bedroom

ALISON GOOTEE; Styling by Dakota Willimon

When it comes to flooring, pattern can and should certainly play a part, whether you’re painting your floors with a unique herringbone or adding in a striped rug or jute with diamond pattern. Layering color, texture, and pattern can all create a greater sense of dimension and style so find ways to kick your flooring up a notch.

06 of 12

Go Wall-to-Wall

Pretty Floral Bedroom
Photo: Hector Sanchez

If you have hardwoods that you just can’t part with but are going for a different look with the current bedroom setup, consider a wall-to-wall rug. You can add color and texture without the permanence of removing the hardwood or simply installing carpet, plus you’ll have plenty of style options to choose from. 

07 of 12

Consider Texture

Master Bedroom with Green Headboard
Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

When you’re looking to create an inviting space that’s ready for curling up in, few flooring materials can compete with a big, fluffy shag rug. Here it adds lots of warmth without feeling too heavy thanks to its ivory tone. While a shag isn’t typically the most family friendly choice, there are washable options on the market that can make them a more realistic choice for those with pets or children. 

08 of 12

Keep It Minimal

Wood-clad Master Bedroom with White Four-Poster Bed
Dane Tashima; Styling: Page Mullins

Just because you’ve gone for a hardwood, vinyl, or even a tile doesn’t mean you need to cover it up with a rug. Allowing the floors to shine, particularly if you live in a warmer climate, can create a minimal aesthetic with all the appeal. Just make sure you add texture in other areas. Here a statement bed frame alongside a paneled wall and ceiling add interest to the space. 

09 of 12

Invest in Custom

330 Argonne Dr Main Bedroom
VSI Group/Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty

Large rooms or spaces with special nooks, crannies, and architectural details might be begging for a little custom attention. In this bedroom a bay window is pulled into the space by utilizing a custom rug that’s designed to suit the seating area as well. It creates cohesion in the room, rather than imparting a sense of separateness that might have resulted if the bay window seating area was left to its own devices.

10 of 12

Add Layers

Charleston Loft Bedroom with Asian Screen
Photo: Ralph Anderson

A natural rug isn’t necessarily the comfiest choice underfoot, but it can do wonders in covering an unsightly floor. To dress it up and provide a little more cushion, add in a higher pile rug around the bed. Not only can it make a more comfortable flooring situation, but the layered aesthetic can also work to create a more dimensional design.

11 of 12

Go Vintage

Idea House 2023 primary bedroom

Photo: Laurey W. Glenn; Stylist: Matthew Gleason

For a durable choice that brings sophistication sans fuss, vintage pieces (like the Oushak pictured above) are often the way to go. They're generally better made than their newer counterparts to boot.

12 of 12

Try A Runner

Wood-Clad Bedroom with Twin Beds and Red White and Blue Accents
Dane Tashima; Styling: Page Mullins

When space is tight (or the furniture configuration allows), opt for a runner rather than an area rug. It allows the natural material of the flooring to shine through, while still offering softness underfoot.

Was this page helpful?

Related Articles