How to Choose the Right Flooring for Your Home: Home Improvement Tips

When it comes to tools and home improvement, one key element that plays a crucial role in enhancing the look of your home is the flooring. A well-chosen floor sets the tone of your space, improves its functionality, and in turn suits your lifestyle. Having said that, choosing a flooring of your home isn’t just about the type, color, or pattern, it is also about style, durability, and maintenance. Therefore, you need to ensure that the flooring you choose is a balance of everything so that your home is both aesthetic and functional.

In this guide, we provide you with some tips for choosing the right flooring for the different areas of your home. We will explore the different types of flooring that can be done, and provide you with a few installation and maintenance tips.

Table of Contents

• Understanding Flooring Basics to Make a Successful Choice

• How to Select Flooring for High-Foot Traffic Areas?

• Choosing the Right Flooring for Bathrooms and Kitchens

• Selecting Flooring for Living Rooms and Bedrooms

• Few Installation Tips for Different Types of Flooring

• Maintenance Tips for Popular Flooring Types

Understanding Flooring Basics to Make a Successful Choice

Before we discuss specific flooring types for every section of the house, let’s understand the basic flooring qualities that you should keep in mind so that you can make a successful choice.

Style

The first thing to keep in mind is the style of flooring. You have to choose something that complements the aesthetics of your home – from the furniture to the décor, the textures to the colors.

Durability

Now another important factor to consider when choosing the flooring for your home is durability. Remember each section of your home meets with different levels of foot traffic and this greatly impacts your flooring. Therefore, you need to ensure that the flooring you choose is made of durable materials so that they do not wear off easily.

Maintenance

Maintaining your flooring is essential if you need it to last you longer. Having said that, there are some types of flooring that require a lot more maintenance than others, therefore, when choosing one, consider the time and effort you can put in to take care of the flooring.

How to Select Flooring for High-Foot Traffic Areas?

Your hallway, entryway, and living room are those areas of your house that receive high-foot traffic as you are most often in this section of the house. Therefore, these areas need to have durable flooring besides just being stylish. Moreover, since this area is used often, you also need to ensure that you find something that is easy to maintain as well. Here are a few flooring choices for high-foot traffic areas.

Tile Flooring: Title floorings are one of the best choices for the busiest parts of your home, in particular, ceramic or porcelain tiles. They are highly durable and scratch, moisture, and stain-resistant. They come in various colors, textures, and styles and are quite ideal to fit any type of home – rustic, modern, or traditional.

Hardwood Flooring: Hardwood flooring is not only quite strong but looks exceptionally beautiful as well and it is one of the best types of flooring for the most used areas of your home. These floor types suit any home setting and additionally add a touch of refinement and elegance. Having said that, hardwood flooring needs to be maintained well which means you would need to regularly polish and occasionally do some refinishing so that it maintains its shine. Also, when opting for hardwood flooring, choose strong and durable wood like maple or oak.

Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) Flooring: If you want something to look like hardwood but isn’t actually one, then you should go for luxury vinyl planks (LVP). These imitate the look of hardwood flooring and come way cheaper than hardwood. Besides, they do not require maintenance like actual solid wood. Additionally, luxury vinyl planks are highly durable, waterproof, scratch and stain-resistant. Moreover, they come in a range of styles for you to choose from as per the aesthetics of your home.

Choosing the Right Flooring for Bathrooms and Kitchens

When choosing the flooring for your bathrooms and kitchens you need to make sure that they are water resistant, durable, and easy to maintain because this is the section of your home that not only is busy but also has high levels of moisture. Here are a few ideal flooring options for kitchens and bathrooms.

Tile Flooring: With your kitchen and bathroom space having high levels of moisture, tile flooring – ceramic and porcelain – are one of the best to choose. These tile floorings are known for their durability, easy maintenance, and water resistance. Besides, you have a variety of styles, textures, and sizes to choose from.

Natural Stone Flooring: If you want to go for something luxurious, then natural stones such as granite, marble, or slate are some of the ideal choices. Although they are highly durable, natural stone flooring is quite high maintenance. They need to be regularly sealed so that they remain water and stain-resistant. Besides, they come in various unique textures and can uplift the look of any bathroom or kitchen.

Luxury Vinyl Tile Flooring: If you need something that is durable, easy to maintain, looks aesthetic, and is friendly on your pocket as well, then luxury vinyl tile (LVT) floorings are just what you need. These vinyl titles imitate the look of stone and hardwood flooring, giving your space that luxurious feel without having to spend too much. Besides, they are waterproof, thus quite ideal to be placed in kitchens and bathrooms.

Selecting Flooring for Living Rooms and Bedrooms

Your bedroom and living room is a place where you need the maximum comfort as well as style. These are spaces where you want to ensure that your flooring is super comfortable so that you feel that warmth and coziness. Here are a few flooring selections for your living rooms and bedrooms.

Engineered Hardwood Flooring: Engineered hardwood flooring is basically high-quality plywood that is bonded with a thin layer of hardwood, hence it gives off the look of real wood, however, it’s a much budget-friendly option than solid wood. Besides, it is durable and moisture-resistant and does require to be maintained well if you want it to last you for a longer time.

Carpet Flooring: Carpet flooring are quite popular for living rooms and bedrooms because they are comfortable and give off that very inviting vibe. Besides, you are spoilt for choices as they come in numerous colors, styles, materials, textures, and sizes. Hence, you can choose any type to match the aesthetics of your home. However, carpets are typically challenging to clean and maintain, but over the years we have seen quite an improvement in carpet technology as they are now coming with stain-resistant qualities. Also, carpets do tend to wear off in high foot traffic areas over time, but it is a cost-effective option.

Laminate Flooring: If you want something that is budget-friendly, low maintenance, and durable, then laminate flooring is a good option to go for. These come in a wide range of styles and can mimic the looks of wood, stone, and tiles. Besides, they are scratch and water-resistant. Moreover, they are a great option for DIYers who love to take up home improvement projects. Just make sure to have the right building and construction tools and follow the guidelines for the installation process.     

Few Installation Tips for Different Types of Flooring

Here are a few installation tips for different types of flooring that you can choose for your home improvement project.

• Hardwood Flooring: The subfloor should be cleaned and leveled before installing hardwood flooring. Besides, there should be some gaps left around the edges to allow natural wood expansion.

• Tile Flooring: Ensure the subfloor is levelled well when installing tile flooring. Additionally, make sure to use a moisture barrier in areas that are wet. Also, spacers should be used for uniform gout lines.

• Laminate Flooring: Ensure the surface is level before installing laminate flooring. To reduce noise and provide cushioning, you can use an underlayment. Also, leave some space around the walls because laminate can expand due to temperature changes.

• Carpet Flooring: Use a high-quality underlayment for additional cushioning and comfort when installing carpet flooring. Additionally, to prevent wrinkles, use tack strips to secure the carpet.

• Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) Flooring: The subfloor should be leveled well and make sure to stagger the planks to create a more natural and authentic natural wood look.

• Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT) Flooring: Ensure the subfloor is level and if you are using glue, make sure you follow the adhesive guidelines thoroughly.

• Engineered Wood Flooring: Make sure that you are installing engineered wood flooring on a subfloor that is flat, and free of any moisture. Additionally, ensure you leave gaps for natural expansion.

• Natural Stone Flooring: When installing natural stone flooring make sure that the subfloor is strong and level so that it can sustain the weight of the natural stone flooring well. Also, ensure to apply a coat of mortar, position the stones evenly, and use spacers for even grout lines.

Maintenance Tips for Popular Flooring Types

• Hardwood Flooring: Hardwood flooring needs to be regularly swept and occasionally wiped with a damp cloth. However, make sure that hardwood flooring is not exposed to excess moisture. Besides, to ensure that its natural luster is maintained, you need to occasionally polish and refinish the flooring.

• Carpet Flooring: Carpet flooring needs to be vacuumed regularly and it also requires a thorough professional cleaning occasionally.

• Vinyl Flooring: To maintain a vinyl flooring, regular sweeping and mopping is quite enough. Also, do not use abrasive cleaners else the shine and finish of the flooring will wear off.

• Title Flooring: To maintain your tile floors, you need to regularly sweep and mop them. Besides, the grout lines will need some scrubbing occasionally.