Top 5 Flooring Options for a Stylish and Functional Home
Hardwood floors offer timeless beauty and are easy to maintain. New engineered hardwood options feature natural wood veneers that are waterproof, scratch, dent, and fade-resistant, making them ideal for busy households with children and pets.
Waterproof flooring like tile is popular for kitchens and laundry rooms. It is durable and moisture-resistant and can complement your style with decorative accents.
Living Room
Often the hub of the home, a well-appointed living room requires a range of different flooring options. It must be durable to cope with the rigors of everyday life and provide comfort and coziness, especially in colder seasons. It must also be practical and easy to clean, as this space will likely see spillages and other debris.
Hardwearing carpet is an excellent choice and can be found in various traditional and contemporary styles. Look for an 80 percent wool and 20 percent polypropylene option to maximize stain resistance.
Wood flooring is another popular option, and it can be refinished to refresh your style over the years. Choose between warm and cool-toned timber and go for solid or engineered boards, depending on your preferred finish.
Natural flooring is also a great option. Various materials purchased with Home Depot coupons suit a sitting room, from hard-wearing sisal with subtle details to woven jute in herringbone or boucle designs. There’s also robust coir (which may require protection in a heavy traffic area) and flat weave natural or kilim flooring that works well with various interior styles.
Hallway
Hallways are one of the busiest areas in a home, so they must be durable enough to withstand the constant scuffing, scraping, and moisture damage. Hardwearing materials, such as tile and hardwood flooring with a protective finish, are excellent choices for hallways.
Alternatively, carpets are a stylish and practical choice for hallways. A wool carpet with a subtle pattern, such as a fine stripe, is especially effective. In addition to creating a comfortable and cozy feel underfoot, patterned carpets are particularly good at hiding dirt and marks between cleans.
Other textures can also add interest and visual impact to hallways. Natural materials such as stone, slate, or jute introduce organic elements into the space, while artificial options like glazed porcelain tiles can offer a bold and modern look. Or try something more unusual, like encaustic tiles, to elevate your hallway design with a vintage feel. They come in various shapes and colors, so you’ll find a plan to suit your taste. You can create a checkerboard effect with these tiles and contrasting wood flooring for a fun and creative hallway design.
Bedroom
It’s no surprise that wood floors are a popular choice in bedrooms. They’re durable, provide a warm aesthetic, and work with various design styles. Crockett recommends light shades like white oak for bedrooms, which will coordinate well with multiple colors and decor.
If hardwood floors are out of your budget, laminate is an excellent alternative. This flooring type uses a resin “print layer” to mimic the look of natural materials. It’s also waterproof and can be re-sanded if needed.
Other excellent bedroom flooring options include bamboo and jute. Bamboo is a sustainable material that scores points for eco-friendly living, while jute has a soft texture and natural color.
Blue flooring has also made a strong appearance in bedrooms this year. It’s a soothing color that promotes relaxation and works with many different design schemes. You’ll find it in patterned floors, sheet vinyl, tile, and carpet. Lastly, area rugs are another stylish yet affordable option for bedrooms. These rugs come in many different styles and colors, making matching them with your other furniture pieces easy.
Bathroom
The bathroom is a wet space where spills, humidity, and steam are the norm. The suitable flooring material should be moisture-resistant, durable, and easy to clean. It should also be warm underfoot and have a slip-resistant grip for safety.
Vinyl is one of the standout bathroom flooring options, as it’s waterproof and comes in a range of styles to match any décor. Luxury vinyl tile (LVT) and vinyl roll are available in many colors, patterns, and textures and can mimic the look of wood, stone, or ceramic tile.
Engineered hardwood is another popular option in the bathroom, as it’s dimensionally stable and can be used where solid wood cannot. However, some engineered wood floors are not designed for wet areas and may experience swelling or warping if they come into contact with water.
Bamboo is another eco-friendly flooring option that’s both hygienic and water-resistant. It’s also relatively inexpensive and easy to install. Cork is a more unusual choice, but it’s a sustainable option used in bathrooms as it’s harvested without damaging the cork oak tree and regrows naturally.
Kitchen
The kitchen is the heart of your home. It’s where spills happen, food is prepared, and family members gather to enjoy a meal. It also requires a flooring material that can withstand much abuse, including heavy foot traffic and dropped items.
Wood floors are an excellent option for the kitchen. Their neutral colors and natural appearance can complement a variety of design styles. They are also comfortable underfoot and compatible with underfloor heating systems. Wood floors can be refinished over the years, allowing you to change their look as your tastes evolve.
Vinyl is another kitchen flooring option that has improved recently, with some products looking more like natural materials. Luxury vinyl tile (LVT) offers a more authentic wood or stone-like surface and is available in various textures and patterns. This durable product is water-resistant and easy to clean. It’s also a good option for people on a budget as it’s cheaper than hardwood or concrete flooring.
