Carpet selection depends on your use for it-Berber/pattern carpet is nice more formal looking, Frieze carpet is nice as well but keep in mind the thicker/taller you go for carpet the more wear you might see in traffic areas- Whichever you choose to go with pad selection is a big factor. If you have a person from a flooring store come out and give you an estimate they will have some ideas for you as well. Good Luck!

I would go to a good quality vinyl plank floor instead of carpet which IMO looks like crap after a year and collects no end of crud Then add an area rug that can be removed and cleaned when needed.

We insisted that we only have real solid hardwood flooring. We walked in to our builders showroom/office and my wife said she loved the floor and wanted it.

Stay away from that certain one big box hardwood store. Past that...

You will find lots of options that look fantastic and probably hold up as well as real hardwood out there.

The vinyl plank is worth consideration. We put it in the living rooms of three rentals we own several years ago and it holds up great and looks great to this day. Our tenants and primarily college kids, so it takes a beating. You'd never know it from looking at it. We've replaced bedroom carpeting more than once over the same period.

And the new stuff is really awesome. I also like the vinyl cork .