Should I have carpet in a hallway? Experts weigh up the pros and cons

If you're thinking about your hallway ideas, it's likely flooring is high on your priority list. After all, it's the first point of contact for your feet when you get home each day and the last before you leave.

But therein lies the main issue when asking – should I have carpet in a hallway? With nothing but a door mat and threshold separating the outdoors from indoors, your hallway flooring has a lot to live up to. Can a carpet withstand the rigours of daily life?

Getting the right balance between aesthetics and practicality is key in this high-traffic area so we asked the experts, should I have carpet in a hallway to decide if the pros outweigh the cons.

Should I have carpet in a hallway?

Should I have carpet in a hallway is a bit like the question is carpet in a bathroom always a bad idea. It's likely to divide opinion and even when you weigh up all the pros and cons, it will probably come down to personal choice when you finalise your hallway design.

I can still recall damp, mouldy carpet in student bathrooms and can safely say it's never something I'd consider myself. Give me a soft bathmat I can regularly pop in the washing machine any day. And it's much the same when it comes to my views on hallways. While the idea of stepping onto something soft is appealing, the risk of dirty shoes, wet pets and heavy wear and tear has always made other options seem more sensible.

But, what do the flooring experts say? Are we a nation of hallway carpet lovers or should practicality always win when it comes to hallway flooring ideas?

Pros of carpet in hallways

Whether you live in a renovated Victorian terrace or a sleek and modern self-build, the chances are you've got at least one main entrance into your home that you enter and exit from.

Visited numerous times on a daily basis, it's an area of considerably high traffic and one where outdoor clothings, shoes, bags and deliveries collide with the indoors. If you're seeking an immediate warm welcome, the thought of stepping into a cosy carpeted hall could therefore be appealing. But are there any additional benefits beyond its soft appearance?

“Carpet in a hallway can be a great choice for adding warmth and comfort to your hallway," says Johanna Constantinou, interiors trends expert and floorologist at Tapi Carpets & Floors. "It creates a soft, welcoming environment and provides extra grip underfoot when compared to vinyl and other smooth flooring types.

“From a design standpoint," she adds, "carpet also offers an opportunity to introduce colour, texture, or pattern, creating more cohesion with adjoining rooms and stairs, if you choose the same material.

When it comes to additional practical benefits, "the softness and warmth underfoot also adds a cosy touch while helping to reduce noise – ideal for bustling households," adds Kirsty Barton, brand storytelling manager at Alternative Flooring.

Johanna Constantinou

Johanna is passionate about sharing unique tips, insights, and helpful key information on all things flooring. From the technical to the trends, she has been in the industry for over 10 years, amassing a vast amount of knowledge to share with consumers.

Kirsty Barton

Kirsty has been working at Alternative Flooring for over 20 years and her comprehensive experience across different areas of the business have been instrumental in shaping Alternative Flooring's brand identity.

Cons of carpet in hallways

Of course, while looking at your new carpet may bring you joy, the question is how long its pristine finish will last and if it really is the best option for your home. "As the hallway is a high-traffic area, it's important to select the right material, to ensure lasting durability and style," says Kirsty Barton.

Johanna Constantinou agrees: “While carpets can be a great stylistic choice for your hallway, the reality is they can be difficult to clean and require frequent maintenance due to the high foot traffic. Stains, moisture, and wear will show faster, particularly in areas exposed to outdoor shoes or pets."

And while you may have a house rule to remove shoes before you come inside, without a covered porch area or a front door canopy idea, the chances are on rainy days, everyone will clamber to get indoors at the same time, resulting in wet shoes, clothes or bags ending up on your carpet.

Dirt, stains, marks and general wear and tear are inevitable in a hallway – regardless of your flooring finish.

Doormats to help protect hallway flooring

Best carpets for hallways

But, if despite the negatives, you're still keen to press ahead with carpet in a hallway, what are the best choices you can make when it comes to choosing the right type of carpet?

Is the best carpet for stairs the same as hallways, or can you choose something different? While stair carpets often include hardwearing options such as jute or sisal, if you're barefoot or in socks by the time you reach the stairs, can you afford yourself the luxury of choosing something a little softer?

"It’s important to consider some practical factors," suggests Johanna Constantinou. "Opting for neutral or darker tones for example will help hide dirt and stains that are common in hallways, and durable, loop-pile carpets like this Jagger carpet are often the better choice for hallways as they are designed to stand up to wear and tear."

"Wool carpets are a brilliant option for hallways, offering a luxurious, warm touch while remaining hardwearing," says Kirsty Barton. "Naturally resilient, wool can withstand heavy footfall, combining both elegance and function. Available in an array of patterns and colours, wool carpets are a great choice if you wish to add a little personality to your design scheme – from stylish stripes to bold florals, carpeting your stairs with a decorative wool design is sure to make the best first impression.

"For busy families, synthetic fibres are worth considering too," she adds. "Highly durable and stain-resistant, they're an ideal choice for households with younger children or pets. Our newly launched Anywhere Ca-rPET collection for example, is a standout eco-friendly yet stylish option.

"Made from 100% recycled fibres, it mimics the look of sisal while offering softness and little maintenance, making it a great option for high-traffic areas like the hallway and stairs, either as a runner or fitted carpet.

"Finally, if a natural fibre is your preferred choice," says Kirsty, "then look to sisal and coir. Hardwearing and versatile, both fibres complement a range of interior styles and can also be made into a bespoke runner or stair runner.”

Alternative hallway flooring options

If however the need for a clean and practical floor finish weighs still weighs heavy on your mind – even with a sturdier or darker coloured carpet choice – what are your alternative options?

"While you can't stop people walking on the carpet," says Johanna Constantinou, "what you can do is add a protective barrier in the form of rugs, runners and mats.

Or, if carpet really feels like a step too far, then it's time to widen your flooring search.

“In some cases, hard flooring options like this Richmond Dana Oak Flooring, may be more practical, offering durability and easier upkeep," says Johanna Constantinou. Other options include wood flooring ideas, laminate flooring ideas, LVT flooring and of course tile or stone flooring ideas.

You can still add a rug or runner to tie in with your stair runner ideas, but will likely feel more secure in the knowledge that your hallway flooring will be more equipped to deal with the daily tread of everyday life.

Soften your wooden or tiled hallway floor with washable runners

FAQs

How much will hallway in a carpet cost?

Carpet costs can vary from £10 per m2 for a budget range up to in excess of £100 per m2 for more expensive types of carpet. Then, you'll also need to factor in carpet installation costs which is where the fitting and extra sundries such as underlay, carpet grippers all come into play. The size and shape of your hallway will also play a part, with unsually shaped rooms or awkward angles all influencing the cost.

Always make sure you get a carpet fitter to visit prior to install in order to get the most accurate quote.

Can I lay hallway carpet myself?

If your entrance hall is a fairly uniform shape and you have good DIY skills, it's more than likely an area you could tackle yourself. Carpeting stairs is a little more complicated, although stair runners are certainly considered a DIY option.

Just be sure to measure carefully and make sure you follow the expert advice in how to lay carpet to find out not just how to do it, but what tools you need to complete the job like a professional.

Undertaking a full hallway renovation project? Check out these modern hallway ideas or find out just how to tackle smaller spaces with our range of narrow hallway ideas and small hallway ideas.