The flooring in your home is one of the most important design elements that impacts both aesthetics and functionality. With so many flooring options to choose from, it can be overwhelming trying to select the right material for each room in your house. The flooring has to suit your lifestyle, work with your overall interior design, and stand the test of time through wear and tear. This comprehensive guide will walk you through all the essential factors you need to consider when choosing new floors. Read on for expert tips that will help you pick flooring to maximize your home’s beauty and utility for years to come.
Introduction
The flooring in every home serves both form and function. It establishes the foundation for your interior design scheme and decor. The right floors can pull together a cohesive style throughout the house. Flooring also has to withstand the demands of daily activity. The material you choose for high-traffic spaces like kitchens and entryways needs to be durable and easy to clean. At the same time, softer surfaces in bedrooms promote comfort underfoot. With so many options to select from—hardwood, tile, vinyl, laminate, and more—it can be difficult to know where to start.
Choosing new floors is an exciting process that allows you to put your personal stamp on your living space. The goal is to select materials that meet your unique needs and lifestyle. You want flooring that looks beautiful, feels great underfoot, fits your budget, and lasts for years before needing replacement. Keep reading for the definitive guide to choosing the perfect flooring for every room in your home.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Flooring
Many key factors come into play when selecting new floors. Keep these elements in mind as you assess options for each area of your home:
Budget
Cost will play a major role as you evaluate flooring materials. Create a realistic budget for the project based on the square footage needing new floors. The price per square foot can range drastically for flooring types. For example, solid hardwood floors cost $3-5 per square foot for materials, while basic carpet squares are $1-2 per square foot. Include the cost of professional installation in your budget as well.
Room Function
Consider the main purpose of each space. For high-traffic areas like kitchens and entryways, prioritize durability. Moisture-resistant flooring is crucial for bathrooms. Plush carpeting adds comfort to bedrooms. Take room function into account when assessing the practicality of each flooring option.
Style Preferences
There are endless options when it comes to flooring aesthetics these days. Look for materials that align with your interior design vision. For traditional spaces, hardwood floors add classic warmth. Contemporary homes shine with polished concrete or glossy porcelain tile. Always think about how new floors will coordinate with your existing furniture, fixtures, and decor.
Noise Level
Certain floors amplify noise more than others. Laminate and hardwood materials echo loud footsteps, while carpet and rugs absorb sound. If you want to minimize noise, avoid hard surface materials in rooms directly above bedrooms or living spaces. Soundproof underlayment can help reduce noise transfer for hard surface floors.
Eco-Friendliness
Today’s flooring options range from natural products like bamboo to synthetic materials like vinyl and nylon carpet. Select products made from renewable resources if environmental impact is a priority. Also look for flooring with sustainable manufacturing processes. Many brands offer eco-friendly options.
Ease of Installation
DIY flooring projects can save money on labor—but only for easy to install products. Snap-together laminate and floating vinyl plank flooring are beginner-friendly. Materials like hardwood require specialized tools and techniques best left to the professionals. Evaluate whether you are comfortable tackling the installation yourself or would prefer to hire a flooring specialist.
By weighing all of these factors, you can zero in on the ideal flooring type for each area of your home. Next, we will do a deep dive into the most popular categories of flooring to discover the pros and cons of each.
Different Types of Flooring
Hardwood Floors
Hardwood floors reign supreme when it comes to timeless beauty and value addition for homes. Wood species like oak, maple, and hickory bring unparalleled warmth and elegance to living spaces. Pros of hardwood flooring include:
Durability: Hardwood can last 100 years or more with proper care. Solid wood floors can be sanded and refinished multiple times.
Value: Wood floors boost resale value and appeal to buyers.
Timeless aesthetics: The natural graining and color variations of wood create beautiful, unique floors.
Variety: There are numerous wood species and plank styles to choose from. Wide planks and dark stains are popular these days.
Insulation: Wood provides some insulation from cold or heat transferred through the floor.
Easy maintenance: Simply sweep and damp mop hardwood floors periodically.
Potential downsides of hardwood include:
- Higher cost for materials and professional installation.
- Susceptible to moisture damage and scratches.
- Not good for damp areas like basements.
- Can be noisy and echo footsteps.
Best for: Living rooms, dining rooms, bedrooms, offices, hallways.
Laminate Flooring
Laminate flooring simulates the look of real hardwood but is made by fusing photographic images of wood onto composite wood core boards. Pros include:
- Affordable alternative to hardwood.
- Easy DIY installation with floating, snap-together planks.
- More scratch and moisture resistant than real wood.
- Wide variety of styles from different wood looks to tile and stone.
- Noise reducing underlayments available.
Downsides of laminate flooring:
- Not as durable as real wood long-term.
- Cannot be refinished like hardwood.
- Not suitable for wet areas.
- Hollow sounds when walking on it.
- Toxic formaldehyde emissions from some cheaper products.
Best for: Bedrooms, offices, playrooms, finished basements.
Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring
Luxury vinyl plank (LVP) flooring has boomed in popularity thanks to its realistic visuals, durability, and water resistance. Pros:
- Mimics wood and stone visuals convincingly.
- Budget-friendly alternative to natural stone and hardwood.
- 100% waterproof and suitable for kitchens, baths, basements.
- Scratch and stain resistant durable surface.
- Easy DIY installation.
Downsides:
- Not as valued by homeowners as natural materials.
- Prone to dents from heavy furniture or pets.
- Can emit volatile organic compounds.
- Not repairable, individual planks cannot be replaced.
Best for: Kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms, basements.
Ceramic and Porcelain Tile
Tile floors provide a classic, durable surface for heavy use areas. Pros:
- Extremely durable, lasts for decades
- Water, stain, scratch resistant
- Easy to clean and hygienic
- Heat and fire resistant
- Soundproof material absorbs noise
- Comes in endless styles from natural stone visuals to vivid patterns
Downsides:
- Chilly underfoot
- Installation is challenging – best left to professionals
- Brittle material can chip and crack
- Grout accumulates dirt and needs regular cleaning
Best for: Kitchens, bathrooms, mudrooms, laundry rooms.
Natural Stone Tile
Mined materials like granite, marble, travertine, and slate create showstopping high-end floors.
Pros:
- A selection of beautiful, unique natural patterns and textures
- Timeless, classic material adds luxury
- Extremely durable for centuries
- Value boost for homes
- Heat resistant abilities
Cons
- Most expensive flooring option
- Challenging professional installation
- Needs resealing to prevent stains
- Can have imperfections and variations
- Cold underfoot
Best for: High-end kitchens, entryways, bathrooms.
Carpet
Cons:
- Prone to stains, spills
- Can harbor allergens and odors
- Not moisture resistant
- Requires frequent vacuuming
- Replacing carpet is costly
- Not as durable long-term as hard floors
Best for: Bedrooms, finished basements, kids’ rooms.
Cork Flooring
Cork is a natural, renewable material harvested from tree bark.
Pros:
- Soft, warm, and quiet underfoot
- Naturally antimicrobial and hypoallergenic
- Made from sustainable sourced cork oak trees
- Naturally fire and moisture resistant
- Easy on joints for standing
- Insulating abilities
Cons:
- Prone to indentations from furniture
- Not suitable for high-traffic areas
- Difficult to repair sections
- Stains easily from spills
- Expensive compared to carpeting
Best for: Bedrooms, play rooms, offices, eco-friendly homes.
Bamboo Flooring
Despite its name, bamboo is technically a fast growing grass.
Pros:
- Provides the look of wood with distinctive grain patterns
- Eco-friendly option since bamboo is highly renewable
- Resilient and scratch resistant surface
- Naturally antimicrobial
Cons:
- Prone to discoloration and damage from moisture
- Releases VOCs into the air
- Not as hard as traditional hardwoods like oak
- Color fades rapidly from UV light exposure
Best for: Eco-conscious homeowners, living rooms, offices.
Concrete Flooring
Concrete creates cool, contemporary floors.
Pros:
- Extremely durable, lasts indefinitely
- Can be stained, stamped, or polished into different looks
- Seamless, minimalist appearance
- Reflects light well in rooms
- Naturally fire resistant
- Affordable compared to wood or tile
Cons:
- Very hard and unforgiving to stand on for long periods
- Challenging installation process
- Can crack over time
- Moisture issues in basements
- Limited insulation from cold
Best for: Modern homes, basements, warehouses, garages.
The Impact of Flooring on Home Aesthetics
Flooring has a profound impact on the look and feel of a home’s interior design. Materials like hardwood and natural stone bring warmth and timeless elegance. Meanwhile, sleek surfaces like glass, metal, and polished concrete create a contemporary, cutting-edge aesthetic. As you evaluate flooring options, consider how they will interplay with your current decor and furniture. You want cohesive style throughout your home’s rooms that makes sense visually. Here are some flooring design tips:
Match flooring undertones to walls/furniture: Have the flooring bring out subtle tones already in your color scheme. For example, medium brown hardwood floors can highlight tan walls or leather furniture.
Tie spaces together: Use similar flooring on main levels to connect rooms aesthetically. Natural materials like hardwood or travertine can create flow throughout living areas.
Make bold statements: Use flooring to define different zones like kitchens or baths. Glossy porcelain tile can distinguish a mudroom while plush carpeting defines a living room.
Contrast for impact: Alternating sheen and texture creates visual interest. Pair matte wood floors in a dining room with shiny tile in the adjacent kitchen for contrast.
Frame focal points: Direct the eye to accent walls or fireplaces by framing them with floors that contrast in color and pattern.
Complement architectural details: Choose flooring that accents special home features like exposed beams or bay windows. Wide plank hardwoods suit Craftsman homes well.
Following these tips will ensure your flooring selection enhances your space instead of clashing with it. Always visualize how new floors will look in the context of the rest of the room before purchasing. Samples also help you see how the flooring impacts the aesthetics of your home before installing throughout an entire room.
The Role of Flooring in Home Functionality
In addition to looking beautiful, flooring materials must be functional in order to perform well long-term. Assess each room’s needs in terms of:
Traffic: How much foot traffic and wear does the space see on a daily basis? Entryways, kitchens, family rooms, and mudrooms experience the most constant traffic within homes. These areas do best with ultra durable options like porcelain tile, stone, or hardwood. For lightly used spaces like guest rooms, softer surfaces like carpeting hold up fine.
Moisture levels: Kitchens, bathrooms, mudrooms, basements and laundry rooms all experience elevated moisture from cooking, bathing, cleaning, and appliances. Water-resistant flooring is crucial in these environments to avoid warping, mold development, and damage. Choose tile, vinyl, laminate, or even rubber floors for any area prone to spills or dampness issues.
Comfort underfoot: Flooring provides the literal foundation for rooms. For rooms where you spend hours standing or lying down, comfort is key. Plush carpeting is ideal for bedrooms, while soft cork or bamboo suit playrooms where kids spend time on the floor.
Acoustics: Flooring impacts noise transmission in rooms. Hard surfaces like tile and laminate amplify echoes, footsteps, and appliance sounds. Carpeting and area rugs absorb noises significantly. Use sound absorbing flooring to reduce noise transfer between rooms.
Analyzing foot traffic patterns, typical noise levels, common moisture exposure, and necessary comfort levels will point you in the direction of flooring options suited to the unique function of each room.
Environmental and Health Considerations
Today’s flooring options range from natural materials like wood and cork to synthetic materials like nylon carpeting and vinyl. There are key environmental and health factors that may influence your flooring decisions:
Sustainability: If you aim to reduce your environmental footprint, look for flooring materials made from renewable resources that replenish rapidly like bamboo and cork. Reclaimed wood flooring gives salvaged lumber new life. Seek flooring from brands that use recycled production scrap as well.
Indoor air quality: Certain flooring materials emit VOCs, resilient gases that can negatively impact indoor air. Luxury vinyl and laminate floors often contain VOCs, while solid hardwood emits almost zero. Natural linoleum and cork absorb toxins in the air for good indoor air quality.
Allergens: For those sensitive to allergens, the wrong flooring can exacerbate issues. Carpeting and area rugs trap dust, dander, mold, and pollen. Tile, wood, and vinyl resist dust and won’t harbor allergens.
Off-gassing: Flooring adhesives used for installation also impact indoor air initially. Look for low or zero VOC adhesives. Let new flooring off-gas for a week before full use of the space.
Thermal insulation: Some floors either absorb or conduct heat more readily. This impacts energy costs and comfort. Cork, carpet, and hardwood provide the best insulation while concrete, ceramic tile, and vinyl do not retain heat well.
Consider both the manufacturing processes and inherent properties of flooring materials in relation to your environmental priorities and sensitivities. This will help you pick healthy, eco-friendly floors.
Budgeting for Flooring Projects
Setting a realistic budget makes selecting new floors much easier. Costs vary greatly based on the material:
Carpeting: $1-5 per square foot installed
Laminate flooring: $1-8 per square foot installed
Luxury vinyl plank: $2-5 per square foot installed
Hardwood flooring: $4-15 per square foot installed
Ceramic/porcelain tile: $5-15 per square foot installed
Natural stone tile: $15-40 per square foot installed
Measure each space needing new flooring and multiply it by the cost per square foot of your desired material. This provides a spending estimate. Also add roughly 10% for incidentals like transitions between rooms or decorative trim. Keep the following budget factors in mind as well:
- Adhesives, underlayments, and other prep materials
- Removal and disposal of old flooring if necessary
- Thresholds between flooring types
- Additional matching tile for future repairs
- The cost difference for professionally installed floors instead of DIY
Create your budget with some built-in buffer room over the initial estimate. This allows flexibility if you decide to splurge on pricier materials down the road. Setting a clear budget upfront makes choosing flooring straightforward.
The Importance of Professional Installation
While DIY options like interlocking laminate planks make installing floors seem quick and easy, there are trade-offs. Professional flooring installers have specialized tools,
