I'd vote for the vinyl plank flooring as well with an area rug. We put the plank in our dining room a couple of years ago and are getting ready to put it in our bedroom as well. Soft; quiet; easy to clean. But the area rug helps tremendously. I do have hardwood (original to this 200+ yr old house) in my sewing room with an area rug and I love that combo as well. But if I didn't have the hardwood - it would be the vinyl plank.