Carpeting Your Whole Home: Room-by-Room Guide to Choosing the Right Carpet | Melbourne & Adelaide
Published 28 October 2026 by Bargain Carpets in Carpet Guides. Approx 828 words.
Carpeting a whole house? Our room-by-room guide covers the best carpet for bedrooms, living areas, hallways and stairs, plus underlay, planning and cost.
One Carpet Throughout, or Different Carpets by Room?
This is the first decision, and there is no single right answer.
| Approach | Best For | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| One carpet throughout | Open-plan homes, a clean uniform look | Cohesive, simple, can save on wastage | Same pile in every room, even where another would suit better |
| Two carpets (living + bedrooms) | Most family homes | Durable carpet where it is needed, softer in bedrooms | Needs a clean transition point |
| Different carpet per room | Larger homes, specific needs | Best fit for every room | More variety to coordinate |
A common, practical choice is two carpets in the same colour family: a harder-wearing pile for living areas and hallways, and a softer one for bedrooms. You get performance where you need it without the home looking patchy.
Room-by-Room Guide
Bedrooms
Bedrooms are where you want comfort underfoot. A soft carpet with a good underlay feels warm in winter and quiet at night. Neutral tones help rooms feel calm and make furniture and bedding easy to change.
Look for: softness, warmth, a quality underlay
Living Areas
Living areas take the most use: foot traffic, furniture, spills and, often, pets and kids. This is where a durable, stain-resistant carpet earns its keep. Twist pile hides footprints and vacuum marks, and loop pile is hard-wearing and easy to clean.
Look for: durability, stain resistance, easy cleaning
Hallways and Entries
Hallways are the highest-traffic spaces in the home, so they wear first. Choose a carpet that holds its look under constant walking, and consider a colour that is forgiving of dirt tracked in from outside.
Look for: the most durable carpet in the house
Stairs
Stairs need a hard-wearing carpet and careful fitting, because they take concentrated wear on each step edge and safety matters. Stairs are best installed by professionals, with secure edges and a good finish on every nosing.
Look for: high durability, professional fitting
Kids' Rooms and Play Areas
Spills, art projects and constant activity call for stain resistance. Our StainfreeXP range is built for this, and comes with a lifetime stain guarantee. Soft underfoot also matters for floor play.
Look for: stain resistance, softness, easy clean
Home Office and Study
A home office sees chair movement and regular foot traffic. A firm, durable carpet handles office chairs better than a very soft, deep pile.
Look for: a firmer, hard-wearing pile
Home Theatre and Media Rooms
Dark, dense carpet absorbs light and sound, which suits a theatre room. See our Home Theatre Room Carpet project for more.
Look for: dark colour, dense cut pile
Where Carpet Should Not Go
Keep carpet out of kitchens, bathrooms and laundries. Water and moisture are a poor match for carpet. In these areas, waterproof hybrid flooring is a better fit, and sheet vinyl or tiles also suit wet areas.
Choosing the Fibre and Style
| Option | Best For | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Twist pile | Living areas, bedrooms | Hides footprints and vacuum marks |
| Loop pile | High-traffic areas, kids' rooms | Hard-wearing and easy to clean |
| Wool and wool blend | Living rooms, bedrooms, premium homes | Natural fibre, warmth and long life |
| Cut pile | Bedrooms, low-traffic rooms | Soft and luxurious underfoot |
Our range includes StainfreeXP (stain-resistant, with a lifetime stain guarantee), Sonning (100% homespun wool, with a 15-year warranty), and wool-blend options. A free in-home measure and quote lets you see samples in your own light and match them to each room.
Underlay: The Part You Cannot See
Underlay affects comfort, noise and how long your carpet lasts. Our standard is Dunlop Springtred 10mm underlay, which is included in our pricing. For homes with pets, we recommend Dunlop Springtred Protect with seam tape for extra protection.
Planning a Whole-Home Install
- Free measure and quote. We measure every room and talk through options
- Choose your carpets. Decide on one, two or several, and select colours
- Plan the order of rooms. Furniture is moved room by room, so installing in sequence keeps disruption low
- Clear what you can. Smaller items and breakables moved out make the job faster
- Installation. Old carpet is removed, new underlay and carpet go in, and everything is finished at doors, stairs and transitions
- Walkthrough. A final check before we leave
Most full-home jobs take one to two days, depending on size and stairs.
Cost Guide
Carpet starts from $45/m² fully installed on Dunlop underlay. Premium ranges and wool cost more, and small single-room jobs are subject to a minimum charge. Because every home differs, a free in-home quote gives you an accurate figure for all your rooms in one go.
Related Reading
- Book Your Carpet & Flooring Now for Christmas and January
- Spring Property Renovations: Why Carpet Should Be Reno #1
- Home Theatre Room Carpet Installation
- Carpet Installation Cost Melbourne 2026
Get Your Free Measure and Quote
Planning a whole-home carpet job? We come to you with samples and measure every room.
Melbourne: 0414 015 621
Adelaide: 08 7095 2585
Email: sales@bargaincarpets.com.au
Web: bargaincarpets.com.au
Book your Melbourne measure and quote | Book your Adelaide measure and quote
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I use the same carpet throughout my house?
It is a popular choice for open-plan homes because it looks cohesive and keeps things simple. Many families use two carpets in the same colour family, one tougher for living areas and one softer for bedrooms.
What is the best carpet for a family home?
A durable, stain-resistant carpet in living areas and hallways, and a softer one in bedrooms. StainfreeXP is designed for families, with a lifetime stain guarantee.
What carpet is best for stairs?
A hard-wearing carpet, professionally fitted with secure edges. Stairs take concentrated wear, so durability and finishing both matter.
Can I put carpet in a kitchen, bathroom or laundry?
We do not recommend it. Water and moisture are a poor match for carpet. Waterproof hybrid flooring, sheet vinyl or tiles suit these areas better.
How long does it take to carpet a whole house?
Most full-home jobs take one to two days, depending on the size of the home and whether there are stairs.
Do I need to move my furniture?
Smaller items should be cleared. Larger furniture can often be moved room by room during the job. We will confirm what is needed at your measure and quote.
What underlay should I choose?
Our standard Dunlop Springtred 10mm underlay is included. For pets, we recommend Dunlop Springtred Protect with seam tape.
Is carpet a good choice for pets?
Yes, with the right choice. Stain-resistant carpet and a protective underlay make cleaning easier and protect the floor underneath.
Do you service Melbourne and Adelaide?
Yes. Call the number for your city below to book a free measure and quote.