Years back (in upstate New York) I made the major mistake of installing pale yellow wall to wall carpeting in the LR/DR. I had been inspired by a visit to an Ethan Allen showroom. What a disaster! I covered it with plastic runners as the entrance was right into the LR. Carpet was gone in 3 months, installed dark brown (was VERY happy with results) and my hubby never let me live it down. By the way, 30 years later, I now live in Florida and have just installed BLACK wall to wall in my living room. I may have to vacuum every day, but it is husband proof and I do not need to have Stanley Steemer in here except for once a year, (No offense to Stanley Steemer - they are GREAT!)

I'm struggling with flooring decisions too. We love the cozy, quiet softness of our wall-to-wall carpet and will definitely be keeping it in the living room and bedrooms. In the kitchen, we will be installing luxury vinyl plank. My dilemma is whether to continue the LVP into the den and hallway. I am only considering it because it would flow better and look much more up to date. However, I don't like cold, hard, noisy floors so I would probably really miss the carpet. I realize that rugs can be used over LVP but they're expensive and I'm afraid the rugs would become a tripping hazard. Rugs also don't have padding so they are still hard. I wish I didn't have to choose between beauty and comfort. If we could afford it, I might put in carpet for now but purchase enough extra LVP to do the den and hallway later (in case we decide to sell).

I have to say I think this is a very bad idea. Think about the logistics. Plywood sub floor; hardwood over top; hardwood cut to allow for carpet (how are edges finished?). Carpet installed. Assuming you can neatly have carpet and hardwood meet. Each has its own"feel". If you are trying to accommodate aging, stepping on hardwood and then sinking into carpet and its padding would throw anyone for a loop. Go one or the other, preferably hardwood with area rug, which can be rolled up at a future date. P S walkers do better on a solid surface.

I cannot tell you how fed up and disgusted I am with this Big Box nightmare. They are revolting and I would give them negative stars if I had the option. My basement flooded almost 4 weeks ago. Right away we got the water removed and the carpet pulled up. Just finished the basement last year so the carpet isn't a year old. The carpet was salvageable but some pad was not. I was told their install people would contact me to arrange the inspector to come out before anything was replaced. I waited nearly a week to hear from them. Nothing. Finally I took it upon myself to call. The guy lied and said he had been trying to call me. I offered to screen shot my recent call log and send it to him. There were no calls from him. We lined up the "inspector" to come out and basically see what needed to be done. I already had had our adjuster out and could tell him what was going to happen, but NO, the inspector had to come out. And he had to come out on a day I was working so I rearranged my schedule to meet him at 4pm. 4pm rolled around...nothing. 4:15pm...nothing. I called. No response. 4:30...nothing. 5pm...nothing. The window I had been given was between 3-5, I think. I told them I wouldn't be available until after 4 and they made the note in my record and said the guy would be at my house around 4. Nothing. NO show, NO phone call. I was flabbergasted. I called the next day and blasted the guy. He lied and said he had called. Again...no record of this. We reschedule "inspector". The guy was again supposed to come at 4...nothing. 4:15 I called and "Sean", the remote customer service with Install guy says he (the inspector) is about 3 minutes out. I hang up. Well, 4:35 or so he rolls up. He did exactly what I expected...measured and said, "yeah, carpet is fine, pad needs replaced." He writes a report and submits it to this outsourced install company who has, at this point totally disrespected myself, my time and my work. Make no mistake, Home Depot has called and gotten it's money for the new pad. They seemed to be able to get through to me for that. But yet again, I had to call and call and call to get the actual service appointment set up. By this time I know that they are not going to call me. They said they have been trying to get through and this is a lie. Everyone else seems to get through just fine on this phone, but for some reason this Install outfit can't figure out how to make an outgoing call. I setup the install for the pad. I ask what their time windows are and I'm told I'll be called the day prior and TOLD when they would be there. I literally laughed out loud at the woman. Of course they will!!!! I have to set aside my Entire day to wait to hear when THEY decide to show up and do their job. I cannot tell you how much I regret this purchase. I have now dealt with my local home depot who loves taking my credit card number, the inspector who submitted the "report" and these incompetents at their outsourced install company. NEVER, EVER, EVER Again. Go local.