The Pros and Cons of Carpeting in the Bathroom

Posted by
Lewith & Freeman Real Estate Inc.

5 years ago

There aren’t many bathrooms that you come across featuring wall-to-wall carpeting. Some have just that while others have area rugs, and others still just have your traditional bath mats. No matter your preference, there are pros and cons to each—as with everything. Today, we’re focusing on carpeting in the bathroom.

While I was apprehensive about this one immediately, after doing some reading I have to admit… I get the appeal here. While carpeting in the bathroom may sound like a big no-no, there are ways you can go this route and reap the benefits. Read on to learn about the pros and cons!

The pros if you’re looking to be convinced

So, there are some obvious benefits of a carpeted bathroom, starting with the warmth. While heated tiles may be down the line in your budget, carpeting is a cheaper way to keep your feet warm.

The other pro is that it’s a preventative measure for slipping. Carpets provide much more traction than tile or hardwood does, and you’ll love knowing that kids jumping out of the tub are less likely to slip and get hurt with carpet underfoot.

Now, with these things in mind, it’s important to choose the right kind of carpeting for your bathroom. Choose a lot pile carpet that is made of manmade materials, such as nylon or other synthetic material. This will make them easier to clean and lessen your chances of odd bathroom smells.

The cons and how to fight them

While this can still happen on any other surface, bacteria growth and mold are high possibilities in a bathroom with carpeting, if not cleaned regularly and the right way. Part of the solution to this is having a subfloor that won’t absorb water. You can go with concrete or even tile (so if you decide you don’t like the carpet, you’ve already got the tile installed).

Another part is to properly clean—consider regular professional cleaning if you can swing it or invest in a wet-vac. Additionally, you can use bathmats and area rugs around the tub/shower, sink, and toilet. These are easy to remove and clean and are designed for bathroom use.

You can also go with carpet squares so that you can replace any areas that are specifically exposed to water more than other areas and start to show that sooner than the rest. This will save you money from having to rip out and replace the whole carpet.

You can even cut a carpet to fit and lay it in your bathroom without adhering it. If you do choose to adhere the carpet, choose an adhesive that won’t dissolve—an indoor/outdoor adhesive.