I would prefer carpets in my home because it gives off this cozy ambiance in every room, especially during winter when I use candles to light up the place. It also keeps the feet warm even without heated floors installed in the house. However, maintaining a carpet also means acquiring a good vacuum cleaner that has proper suction (at least 1000 W) to be able to remove the dirt off of them and patience. IMHO, I would say that shopping for a good carpet and maintaining it is only as good as the vacuum cleaner you use in cleaning them.
I think a combination of both is best. Certain rooms just feel and look better with carpet, and vice versa. I think living rooms usually look better with hardwood floors, while bedrooms and other casual rooms fit better with carpet. At the end of the day it just comes down to personal preference. I think there's a place for both types of flooring in most homes. I'm also a fan of tile, usually in kitchens.
