No matter the room in the house, your flooring choice is probably one of the most important decisions you will make.
When it comes to floor coverings, you will have to choose from laminate to hardwood flooring, plush carpeted floors, stone tile, and many others in between. Whatever floor covering you choose will give certain advantages and disadvantages.
These pros and cons should be weighed according to each room in the house and your personal tastes.
The Right Floor Covering Choice for the Bathroom Ceramic or stone tiling offer some of the most durable floors available with a nice variety of coloring and tile size and design. Linoleum can still give you the kind of durability for typical bathroom use. It may not offer the same warmth as ceramic tiling, but it can give you a similar appearance for a more affordable price.
A small bathroom floor may be a nice place to splurge, given the limited square footage will help control the price. Deciding how important the bathroom is in relation to the rest of the house will help you decide where to put your money.
Finding the Right Flooring for the Kitchen Tiling or linoleum can also be a viable option for your kitchen, but hardwood or laminate flooring is usually the standard for a more high-end installation. Kitchens are right on the boundary for moisture risk to hardwood flooring. If you’re thinking of a hardwood floor for this area, just make sure you find a durable wood and take care with the installation and finish. If you like the look of a hardwood floor but are wary of the price, a laminate floor is probably your best bet.
The Right Floor Covering Choice for Bedrooms and Living/Family Rooms The bedroom is the least public room of the house and as such, should have a floor covering that is uniquely you. Any flooring option works well here so long as you like it. Living rooms, on the other hand, are where you will be inviting guests, so making sure you have something practical, attractive, but still you can be a bit more challenging. Consider if you need carpeted floors for kids that like to plop down in front of the television, or if you’d prefer guests to experience the elegance of hardwood flooring while they visit.
Finding the Best Floor Covering for the Basement A basement floor covering is often the room that causes the most stress for the homeowner and it probably shouldn’t. Concrete staining can imitate almost any other flooring, is almost always the cheapest option, and can be smoothed and insulated to provide a warm, sleek floor that doesn’t in any way match people’s preconceived notions of what concrete can be.
Things to consider for floor coverings in any room: How much traffic does the floor receive? You don’t want to put a less durable flooring material on a floor that is going to see a lot of abuse. Cost vs. budget. If you want an expensive looking floor but can’t afford one, choosing an imitation material such as laminate or vinyl may be the best choice. What is your personality? You shouldn’t install bamboo flooring if you really want carpet just because it seems more elegant. Choose a flooring choice that will both go well with the room and match your idea of what your home should look like. Floor coverings should be one of the more carefully contemplated decisions you make for your home. Their high visibility makes a floor covering a definitive decorating statement. The continual wear of human contact requires a sensible, reliable installation. Without balancing the importance of décor and practicality, you probably won’t be as satisfied with floor coverings as you could be.
