Your floors are the surface your family and friends will walk, work, play, and live on for years. Choosing the right flooring requires balancing your personal taste with practicality. Our guide will walk you through picking the best flooring option for every room in your house.
Understanding Different Flooring Materials
When picking flooring for your home, start by researching materials. Each type of flooring has pros and cons, making them work better for different rooms or lifestyles. Let’s explore some of the most popular flooring options.
Hardwood Flooring
Hardwood floors add natural beauty and warmth to a room. They’re a timeless choice that can increase your home’s value, and they’re available in various wood species, colors, and finishes. They’re also durable and can be refinished multiple times, extending their lifespan.
On the downside, hardwood is sensitive to moisture and can be prone to scratches. It’s best for living areas, dining rooms, and bedrooms. When installing hardwood in kitchens, apply a protective polyurethane finish to protect against moisture.
Ceramic and Porcelain Tile
Tile is an excellent choice for areas exposed to moisture, such as bathrooms and kitchens. It’s durable, easy to clean, and resistant to stains and water damage. Ceramic and porcelain tiles come in a variety of colors, patterns, and sizes, allowing for a lot of customization.
While tiles are long-lasting, they can be cold and hard to walk on. Consider using textured tiles in bathrooms to prevent slipping after bathing. Remember that tiles may crack if installed over unstable flooring, so make certain the subfloor is suitable.
Luxury Vinyl Flooring
Luxury vinyl flooring (LVF) is a popular choice for its durability, water resistance, and affordability. It can mimic the look of hardwood, stone, or tile while offering easier maintenance. LVF is ideal for high-traffic areas, basements, and moisture-prone rooms.
This flooring is softer underfoot than tile and more resistant to scratches and dents than hardwood. However, it may add less value to your home than natural materials.
Carpet and Area Rugs
Carpet provides warmth, comfort, and sound insulation, making it a cozy choice for bedrooms and living areas. It’s also popular for those with small children and young crawlers. It comes in various styles, textures, and colors. Area rugs offer similar benefits but are flexible and allow you to easily change your room’s look.
Carpet is comfortable, but it can be challenging to clean and may not be suitable for those who suffer from allergies. It’s also less durable than hard flooring options and may need replacement more often.
See our guide on types of flooring for a deeper dive into your options.
Factors To Consider When Choosing Flooring
Finding the right flooring involves more than just appearance. Consider these factors when searching to make sure your floors meet your needs and lifestyle.
Room Function and Traffic
Consider how you and your family use each room. High-traffic areas such as entryways, hallways, and living rooms benefit from more durable materials such as hardwood or tile. Bedrooms, where comfort is key, are better suited for carpet or area rugs.
Moisture Exposure
Rooms exposed to moisture, such as bathrooms and kitchens, need water-resistant flooring. Tile, luxury vinyl, and properly sealed hardwood are good options for these spaces. Avoid carpeting these areas.
Maintenance Requirements
Think about how much time and effort you want to dedicate to floor maintenance. Hardwood floors require regular cleaning and occasional refinishing, while tile and luxury vinyl are generally easier to maintain. Carpet needs frequent vacuuming and periodic deep cleaning, especially if you have pets.
Budget Constraints
While some options, such as hardwood, may cost more upfront, they can add value to your home. When deciding, consider both the initial installation cost and long-term maintenance expenses. Check out our flooring installation cost guide for more information.
Flooring Options by Room
The rooms in your home have different flooring needs. Let’s explore suitable options for key areas of your house.
Kitchen
Kitchens need flooring that can handle spills, dropped utensils, and frequent cleaning. Ceramic or porcelain tile is a common choice for because it’s durable and easy to maintain. Luxury vinyl flooring offers a softer surface that’s still water-resistant and easy to clean.
Hardwood can work well in kitchens if properly sealed. It adds warmth and can create a cohesive look throughout the main living areas. However, be prepared for more upkeep to protect it from moisture and scratches.
Bathroom
Bathroom floors need to be highly resistant to moisture. Ceramic or porcelain tile is the top choice for its water resistance and durability, but for a warmer feel, consider luxury vinyl flooring or natural stone tiles such as limestone or marble.
Prioritize slip resistance to ensure safety. Textured tiles or those with a matte finish offer better traction when wet.
Living Room and Bedroom
Living rooms and bedrooms have more flexible flooring choices. Hardwood is a popular, classic option that complements various decor styles. Carpet provides comfort, especially in bedrooms where you often walk barefoot.
Area rugs can be used over hardwood or tile to add warmth and define spaces within larger rooms. This combo offers the best of both worlds—the durability of hard flooring with the comfort of soft surfaces where needed.
The Rule of Three in Flooring Design
The Rule of Three design principle can help create a cohesive and beautiful flooring scheme throughout your home. This rule suggests balancing color, texture, and pattern to tie your home’s design together.
Balancing Color
When picking flooring, consider how the color will interact with your walls, furniture, and decor. Aim for a balance of light and dark tones. For example, a lighter floor can brighten the space if you have dark walls. Conversely, darker floors can add depth to rooms with light-colored walls.
Coordinating Texture
Combine smooth surfaces, such as polished hardwood, with rougher textures, such as a plush area rug. This contrast creates depth and prevents your flooring from looking flat or dull.
Harmonizing Pattern
If you choose patterned flooring, make sure it complements and does not compete with other patterns in the room. For instance, if you have bold wallpaper, opt for a more subtle floor pattern. Alternatively, a patterned floor can be balanced with simpler decor elements.
Floor Installation Methods and Considerations
Proper installation is important for your flooring’s longevity and performance. Think about these factors when planning your flooring project.
DIY vs. Professional Installation
While some flooring types, such as luxury vinyl planks or laminate, can be DIY-friendly, others, such as hardwood or tile, require professional installation. Consider your skill level and the complexity of the job. Professional installation may cost more upfront, but it can save money in the long run by avoiding costly mistakes. Explore our flooring how-to guides for help completing DIY projects.
Subfloor Preparation
Make sure your subfloor is clean, dry, and level. Address any structural issues or unevenness before laying new flooring. This preparation is particularly important for tile installation to prevent cracking and breaking.
Acclimation and Expansion Gaps
Many flooring materials, especially hardwood and laminate, need to acclimate to your home’s environment before installation. This helps prevent warping or gaps. Additionally, leave gaps around the room’s perimeter to allow for natural expansion and contraction of the flooring material.
Enhancing Your Home’s Value With Flooring
Your flooring choice can impact your home’s value, so consider both your immediate needs and wants and your long-term investment.
ROI of Different Flooring Types
Hardwood flooring typically offers the highest return on investment, recouping up to 106% of your investment, according to Angi. Quality tile and luxury vinyl can add value, especially in kitchens and bathrooms. While carpet is comfortable, it generally doesn’t increase home value as much as hard flooring options.
Timeless vs. Trendy Choices
When considering resale value, opt for timeless flooring choices that appeal to different types of buyers. Classic hardwood, neutral-toned tiles, and high-quality vinyl planks are good choices. While trendy options may be appealing now, they may seem old-fashioned and turn off potential future buyers.
Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Flooring Options
There are several sustainable flooring options available for or environmentally conscious homeowners.
Bamboo and Cork Flooring
Bamboo and cork are rapidly renewable, sustainable resources. Bamboo offers hardwood-like durability and appearance, while cork provides a naturally antimicrobial soft surface. Both options can add character to your home.
Reclaimed Wood Options
Reclaimed wood flooring reuses timber from old buildings, giving it new life in your home. This option reduces demand for new lumber and brings rich history and character to your floors. Each piece of reclaimed wood tells a story.
Low-VOC Flooring Materials
Many flooring options now have low volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions, improving indoor air quality. Look for flooring and adhesives certified as low-VOC to minimize off-gassing and create a healthier home environment. Many manufacturers offer eco-friendly versions of traditional flooring materials as well.
Our Conclusion
Trends come and go, but quality flooring is a long-term investment in your home. Whether you opt for the timeless appeal of hardwood, the durability of tile, or the comfort of carpet, make sure your choice aligns with your lifestyle and improves your home’s overall design.
