As the owner of cats and kids, one of the biggest annoyances is how often I have to vacuum and/or steam clean my carpet. Hell, I asked for a carpet cleaner as a birthday present (I got it, too, which made my day!). One of my cats, his royal majesty Blueboy, refuses to yack his hairballs anywhere other than a carpeted surface. So yes, my carpet fibers and I spend a lot of time together. The other day Dan and I stopped at our local Home Depot for a few odds and ends, and we started checking out hardwood floors. And I? I started drooling. The idea of hardwood floors and a few sporadically placed area rugs is so appealing. Yes, I know I would have to deal with the mess of sweeping hair and crumbs and lint off of the hardwood floors, and I’d still have carpeted surfaces to take care of, but I wouldn’t have nearly the amount of work and hassle that I do now!
For the bedrooms, however, I think I would stick with wall-to-wall carpeting. It’s cheaper and easier to leave things as they are, but I also think wall-to-wall carpeting does have a place, and a bedroom is definitely a place for it. But area rugs in my living room and hallways? Yes please!
Hehe, well I’ll tell you one thing: hardwood floors open up your house SO much :x. My room looks so much bigger!
On the other hand though, having to sweep/mopping up the place is such a drag. I’m sure you can just run your vacuum cleaner through it but . . ugh. If it doesn’t get dusted or cleaned like every day, hair and all sorts of other garbage will pile up and stick to the bottom of your feet. Plus, it makes the house cold as heck in the wintertime to walk around on without socks (but then when you do wear socks you’ll slip. . .) :x
I build houses and I will say most people like hardwood floors in their foyer, kitchen, dining rooms, and great rooms. They are easier to clean and are simply beautiful. Add the right area rugs in each room and you have very eloquent looking rooms. Most people still enjoy carpet in their bedrooms. I think they like the feel of carpet on their bare feet. Another alternative that is becoming more popular is tile. This flooring also can be beautiful and it is probably the easiest to clean after pets. Best of luck with your choices as you make your house into a home personalized just for you and your family.