Carpet vs. Hardwood vs. LVP
Which Flooring Fits Your Family's Lifestyle?
Choosing flooring for your home isn’t just about what looks good in the showroom. The best flooring for your family is the one that works with your daily life, not against it. After helping Spokane families make this decision for over 90 years, we’ve learned that the right choice depends on how you actually live in your home.
At Caruso’s Floors, we see this question come up constantly: “Should we go with carpet, hardwood, or LVP?” The honest answer? There’s no universal “best” choice. What matters is finding the flooring that fits your specific situation – your budget, your family’s needs, and your long-term plans.
Let’s break down how each option performs in real-world situations, so you can make the choice that’s right for your household.
Understanding Your Family’s Flooring Needs
Before we dive into specific flooring types, think about these questions:
Who lives in your home? Young kids who spill everything? Teenagers who track in mud from sports? Empty nesters who love to entertain? Pets who shed or have accidents?
How do you use your spaces? Is your living room a formal area for guests, or command central where everyone gathers? Do you cook elaborate meals that might lead to kitchen spills, or are you more of a takeout family?
What’s your maintenance style? Are you someone who enjoys weekend deep-cleaning sessions, or do you prefer flooring that looks good with minimal effort?
How long do you plan to stay? Some flooring choices are investments that add long-term value, while others are great for enjoying your space right now without breaking the budget.
Carpet: The Comfort Champion
Carpet gets a bad reputation sometimes, but modern carpet has come a long way. Mohawk, Shaw Floors, and Anderson Tuftex have created options that are more durable and stain-resistant than ever before.
When Carpet Works Best
Young families with small children. Carpet provides a soft landing for toddlers who are still mastering walking and climbing. It’s also warmer underfoot during those early morning diaper changes.
Bedrooms and cozy spaces. Nothing beats the feeling of soft carpet when you’re getting out of bed on a cold Spokane morning. Karastan and Stanton offer particularly luxurious options that make bedrooms feel like retreats.
Homes where noise is a concern. If you live in a two-story home or have close neighbors, carpet naturally dampens sound better than hard surfaces.
Budget-conscious families. Quality carpet from Godfrey Hirst or Phenix can give you beautiful floors at a fraction of the cost of premium hardwood.
The Reality of Living with Carpet
Maintenance is straightforward but consistent. Plan on vacuuming high-traffic areas twice a week and the whole house weekly. Southwind and DH Floors carpets are designed to hide dirt well between cleanings.
Stains happen, but they’re manageable. Modern carpet treatments make most spills easy to clean if you act quickly. Milliken carpet, for example, often comes with built-in stain protection.
Replacement timeline is shorter. Quality carpet typically needs replacement every 7-15 years, depending on traffic and care. However, the lower upfront cost often makes this acceptable for many families.
Best Carpet Scenarios
- Bedrooms: Especially master bedrooms where comfort matters most
- Family rooms with young kids: Soft surfaces for playing and lounging
- Basements: Warmth and comfort in naturally cool spaces
- Home offices: Quiet, comfortable surfaces for long work days
Hardwood: The Long-Term Investment
Hardwood flooring represents a significant investment, but it’s one that can last generations with proper care. TAS Flooring, Hallmark Floors, and Duchateau offer options that can literally outlast the homeowner.
When Hardwood Makes Sense
Empty nesters or families with older children. Once you’re past the stage of constant spills and toy-dropping, hardwood becomes much more practical.
Homes where resale value matters. Hardwood consistently adds value to homes and appeals to a wide range of buyers.
People who prefer minimal maintenance. While hardwood needs regular care, it doesn’t require the consistent deep cleaning that carpet does.
Allergy sufferers. Hard surfaces don’t trap allergens the way carpet can, making them easier to keep truly clean.
Living with Hardwood: The Full Picture
Daily care is simple. A quick sweep or vacuum removes surface dirt. Shaw Floors and Anderson Tuftex hardwood finishes are designed to handle normal family life.
Spills need immediate attention. Water and hardwood don’t mix well, so you’ll need to be quick with cleanup. This can be stressful with young kids or pets.
Refinishing extends life dramatically. Quality hardwood from Contempo or Hallmark Floors can be sanded and refinished multiple times, essentially giving you new floors every 10-15 years.
Initial cost is higher, but cost-per-year can be lower. When you factor in hardwood’s 30+ year lifespan, the annual cost often beats carpet replacement cycles.
Ideal Hardwood Situations
- Dining rooms: Easy to clean under tables and chairs
- Living rooms in adult households: Beautiful and practical for entertaining
- Kitchens: With proper sealing, hardwood handles kitchen life well
- Hallways: Durable enough for high-traffic areas
LVP: The Best of Both Worlds
Luxury Vinyl Plank has become incredibly popular because it offers many benefits of hardwood with much more forgiveness. Coretec, Karndean, and Armstrong have created LVP that’s hard to distinguish from real hardwood.
When LVP is the Perfect Choice
Active families with pets and kids. LVP handles spills, scratches, and general chaos better than any other option. Provenza Floors LVP looks beautiful even after years of family life.
Basements and moisture-prone areas. Unlike hardwood, quality LVP from Mannington or TAS Flooring won’t warp or buckle in damp conditions.
Busy households that want style without stress. LVP gives you the look of hardwood without the anxiety about water damage or scratches.
Rental properties or starter homes. Durable, attractive, and reasonably priced – perfect for situations where you want good-looking floors without maximum investment.
The LVP Lifestyle
Maintenance is minimal. Sweep regularly, mop occasionally with appropriate cleaners. Southwind LVP is particularly easy to keep looking great.
Durability is impressive. Quality LVP resists scratches, dents, and stains that would damage hardwood or show on carpet.
Comfort is better than traditional hard floors. LVP has more give than tile or hardwood, making it easier on feet and joints.
Replacement is straightforward. Individual planks can be replaced if damaged, unlike hardwood which might require refinishing entire rooms.
Perfect LVP Applications
- Kitchens: Handles spills and dropped items beautifully
- Entryways: Tough enough for muddy shoes and wet umbrellas
- Bathrooms: Water-resistant options work well in moisture-heavy areas
- Basements: Won’t be damaged by occasional moisture issues
Mixing and Matching: You Don’t Have to Choose Just One
Many successful flooring plans use different materials in different areas. Here’s how to make mixed flooring work:
Create logical transitions. Use carpet in bedrooms and LVP in living areas, or hardwood in formal spaces and carpet in cozy ones.
Consider traffic patterns. Put the most durable flooring where you need it most – LVP in entryways, hardwood in dining rooms, carpet in low-traffic bedrooms.
Think about moisture. Use water-resistant options like LVP in kitchens and bathrooms, while enjoying hardwood or carpet in drier areas.
Budget Considerations: More Than Just Upfront Cost
Carpet: Lower initial cost, but factor in replacement every 7-15 years plus regular professional cleaning.
Hardwood: Higher upfront investment, but can last 30+ years with refinishing. Adds significant resale value.
LVP: Moderate initial cost with excellent durability. Good balance of cost and performance for most families.
Don’t forget installation and preparation costs. Some floors require more subfloor preparation or complex installation, which affects your total investment.
The Long View: How Your Needs Might Change
Young families often start with practical choices like LVP or carpet, then upgrade to hardwood as kids get older and budgets allow.
Growing families might choose durable options that can handle increased activity and traffic.
Empty nesters often prefer low-maintenance options that look sophisticated for entertaining.
Aging in place considerations might favor softer surfaces like carpet in bedrooms and slip-resistant options in bathrooms.
Making Your Decision
The best flooring choice is the one that makes your daily life easier, not harder. Consider these final questions:
- What would you regret more – spending extra on features you don’t need, or saving money but dealing with daily frustrations?
- How important is it that your floors look perfect all the time versus being practical for your lifestyle?
- Are you choosing for how you live now, or how you hope to live someday?
Getting Professional Guidance
Every home and family situation is unique. What works perfectly for your neighbor might be completely wrong for your household. At Caruso’s Floors, we’ve learned that the best flooring decisions come from understanding not just the products, but how families actually live.
We work with Spokane families to consider factors like your home’s layout, your daily routines, your long-term plans, and yes, your budget. Sometimes the “best” choice on paper isn’t the right choice for your real life, and that’s okay.
Whether you’re drawn to the comfort of Stanton carpet, the elegance of Duchateau hardwood, or the practicality of Mannington LVP, we’re here to help you make a choice you’ll be happy with for years to come.
Ready to find your perfect flooring match? Visit our Spokane showroom to see how different options look and feel in person. After three generations of helping local families, we know that the right flooring makes your house feel more like home.
Visit Caruso’s Floors in Spokane, Washington, to explore flooring options that fit your family’s lifestyle. Since 1933, we’ve been helping Inland Northwest families make flooring decisions they love living with.