The right flooring for your home very much depends on your home. If you live a very busy lifestyle filled with children, pets and muddy footprints, your priorities might be very different to a young couple looking to create a particular aesthetic.
Your budget, foot-traffic levels, personal preferences, and of course your current decor, will all play a role in your decision, but we’re going to look specifically at how the most suitable flooring can differ for each room in your home.
How to choose the right kitchen flooring
Kitchens are natural gathering places for families and friends. Whether it’s cooking together, sharing a meal, or hosting a dinner party, the kitchen often becomes the social center of the home.
That means your flooring has to be both durable and stylish. This high-traffic area is prone to spills and stains so it makes sense to choose durable, easy-to-clean materials like tile, vinyl, or laminate. It’s also very flexible, helping you create the look you prefer. Higher end products can also have a very realistic wood look and feel.
What is the best flooring for a bedroom?
Comfort is often people’s biggest priority for a bedroom, which is why carpet is such a popular choice. Alongside that soft cushioned feeling underfoot, carpets come in so many styles, colors and fibers that it’s easy to find something that meets your taste and fits with the look and feel of your home.
As with all flooring, carpets come in varying levels of durability. For childrens’ bedrooms, which might be more prone to spillages, polyester and polypropylene carpets are worth considering, as both are naturally stain-resistant. Find out more about choosing the right carpet here.
It all comes down to personal preference. Others may like the appearance of hardwood, laminate or vinyl flooring. For those with severe allergies or asthma, these may also be a more suitable choice.
How to choose bathroom flooring
Because of high moisture levels, water-resistant materials such as vinyl, laminate or tiles are best for bathrooms.
While laminate and vinyl both offer good water resistance, if you’re particularly cautious, opt for vinyl, as despite having the appearance of natural wood, vinyl flooring is 100% synthetic. Laminate on the other hand has a core layer made of wood byproducts, which means the boards can swell, warp or crack if exposed to water for long periods of time. Small spills and wet footprints that are dried promptly shouldn’t cause damage to the boards however.
What is the best flooring for a hallway and stairs?
Areas such as hallways and staircases typically have the highest foot-traffic in your home. Therefore these zones need flooring that can bear weight.
If carpet is your preference, consider nylon. As well as offering the best crush-resistance, this material is known for being long-lasting and durable.
If you prefer a wood-look for your flooring, consider luxury vinyl plank. In these busy areas you’ll want something that doesn’t scuff too easily, and luxury vinyl plank offers good wear and scratch resistance, as well as being easy to maintain and clean. Plus If it does become damaged, you don’t have to replace the entire section.
Whatever flooring you opt for, consider having it installed by a professional to increase its longevity and ensure premium results.