Whether you’re replacing your old carpet or installing floors in a new home, flooring has the power to transform any room. But choosing the right flooring material isn’t as simple as picking out your favorite color or style.
There are a few important guidelines that should be followed, as well as questions you should ask yourself and your contractor to help ensure the best choice for your home.
1. Consider Your Lifestyle
Flooring sets the tone for the aesthetic of a room. It also serves a practical purpose in terms of durability, maintenance and comfort. There are many options available, from classic hardwood to trendy concrete. Choosing the right material for your home depends on the room’s use and your personal style preferences.
For instance, a living room may require durable materials that are easy to clean and slip-resistant. A bedroom, on the other hand, may benefit from a more comfortable, sound dampening and warm flooring material like carpet or cork.
For the kitchen and bathroom, water-resistant materials such as tile (ceramic, porcelain or stone) or luxury vinyl tile are preferred. This is because they are easily cleaned and resist staining from food or beverages. For bedrooms, on the other hand, most people prefer carpet because of its warmth underfoot and sound-dampening properties. In addition, it is also important to consider the color temperature of a flooring material. Warmer colors such as red and orange can create a cozy atmosphere, while cooler colors like blue and green can promote a sense of calmness.
2. Consider Your Budget
If you have a budget in mind, it will help you narrow down your flooring options. Consider the upfront cost of your floor along with other costs like underlayment and installation. Before visiting a flooring store, check out the products online to discover any discounts or deals available. You can also speak with a floor representative to learn about the pricing of specific materials.
If your lifestyle or design preferences conflict with a certain type of flooring, try to find a compromise. For example, if you want hardwood floors but can’t afford them, engineered wood may be an affordable alternative that looks similar to natural hardwood and offers the same durability.
If you’re unsure what flooring material best fits your home, it’s a good idea to visit a showroom. This way, you can see how the material looks in a room with its lighting and furniture. It’s also a good idea to bring home a sample of the flooring to get a feel for it. A flooring sample can give you a better idea of the color and texture than a photo or a digital display.
3. Consider Your Aesthetic Preferences
When it comes to choosing the best flooring for your home, aesthetics play a big role. You want a floor that fits with your overall design plan and complements the color, texture, and style of your décor.
For example, hardwood is a popular choice because it adds warmth and natural beauty to a room. It also comes in a variety of colors, stains and textures to suit any style. Laminate is another option that looks like wood or tile but is typically more affordable and durable than hardwood. It is made up of multiple layers, including a foam backer, fiberboard core, and a printed image layer that is sealed overtop.
Other options to consider include glazed porcelain tile, which is available in a range of hues and textures to complement any décor. It’s also easy to maintain and can withstand heavy traffic and moisture. And finally, bamboo is a sustainable and eco-friendly option that looks similar to hardwood but costs less. It is a good choice for high-traffic areas and rooms with pets and children.
4. Consider Your Maintenance Requirements
When it comes to your home flooring, there are some unwritten rules that you must follow. After all, your floors take a lot of abuse. From spillage and stains to stiletto heels, dog claws and general wear and tear, they have to be able to withstand everything that you throw at them.
Whether you’re choosing a natural material like wood or a synthetic option such as tile, carpet or laminate, it’s important to think about the maintenance requirements for each of these options. For example, ceramic tile is one of the most durable flooring materials and is resistant to water and stains, making it ideal for bathrooms or entryways. However, it can be cold underfoot, so some homeowners opt to use area rugs in these areas.
Engineered wood is another option that combines durability with the look of hardwood and can be used in almost any room of the house. It’s also a great choice for families with children and pets because it’s less expensive than hardwood and is more resistant to scratches. It requires routine cleaning and may require refinishing periodically.
5. Consider Your Resale Value
Depending on your area, flooring color and style can significantly influence the resale value of your home. It’s important to keep consistency in flooring choices throughout your home. Changing styles from room to room can be confusing and turn off potential buyers. Choose tried and true materials that exude quality, and you’ll be sure to attract more buyers when it’s time to sell your home.
For example, carpet is soft underfoot, so it’s a good choice for bedrooms and living areas. Tile is a great option for busy, wet areas like kitchens, bathrooms and mudrooms, and laminate is a cost-effective alternative to wood in living rooms, dining rooms and dens.
In addition to flooring, other factors that can influence resale value include your home’s location and its unique features. For example, single family homes tend to have higher resale values than condos and apartments. Homes that have unique architecture are also desirable. And, of course, homes that are close to schools and other popular landmarks are always a selling point.