When it comes to home decor, flooring is one of the most important features. After all, aside from the walls and the ceiling, it is one of the biggest surfaces in any of the rooms. However, many people tend to overlook it, not giving it much thought, which is actually a mistake. Although it might not seem so, the flooring choice can make or break the whole decor – especially if it doesn’t suit the overall style of the space.
Below, you will find some of the best flooring ideas to use in your home – no matter what vibe you are going for in the space you are picking the flooring for, you are sure to find something that will suit it below.
What to Consider When Choosing Flooring
Whenever you’re picking new flooring for your house, there are a few things you need to keep in mind.
First of all, think about the budget. How much can you afford to spend on this project? Don’t go overboard and set a realistic budget. With the amount of flooring options present on today’s market, you are bound to find something that you will like, that will fit your home aesthetic and that will be within your price range.
Secondly, consider the location. Not every flooring option will be a great match for all rooms. For instance, there are some that you shouldn’t put in your bathroom or in the outdoor area as they might get damaged due to the conditions they will be exposed to.
Next, is the maintenance. Think about the upkeep of your flooring – do you want a flooring that doesn’t require any special treatments or cleaners, or is it something that you don’t mind? Truthfully, every flooring will last you for years to come if taken care of properly, so this one is more about how much work you want to put into it rather than a critical flooring criterion.
Lastly, think about the look and feel of your new flooring. The good thing about the advancement we’ve seen in the flooring market is that more and more manufacturers are making their laminate and resilient flooring resemble natural wood or stone, which means that if, for example, you wanted either of those in your home, but you don’t have a budget for the real thing, there’s a cheaper alternative to choose from without comprising what you want.
Go with the Flooring Trends or Not?
Some people tend to go with the flooring trends that are the most popular at the moment when choosing their flooring, but, as with most trends, those come and go, and you might find yourself with flooring that you don’t even like that much but you picked because it was popular.
Since it’s not something that you will replace in a year or two, but something that should last you for at least a few years, it needs to be a very thought-through decision. Think about the said flooring in 5 or 10 years. If it’s something that you can still imagine having in your house in a decade, then go ahead. But if you aren’t sure, it might be worth giving it a second thought.
With that being said, let’s dive into the best flooring ideas for 2022.
Porcelain Tiles
Porcelain tiles are a classic flooring option that will be suitable for a wide range of rooms, including the kitchen, living room, or bathroom, as well as the outdoor area. There are a few reasons why this flooring continues to be one of the most commonly chosen ones, such as:
- low maintenance – porcelain tiles don’t require any special treatments, as they can be easily cleaned with water and a floor cleaner. What’s more, in case a tile breaks, it is quite easy to replace it, especially considering the fact that often there are some spare tiles left behind after the installation.
- durability – this specific material is not only naturally stain-resistant and scratch-resistant but also water-resistant, which makes it ideal for rooms in which they can come into contact with quite a bit of moisture (e.g. the bathroom) – especially since porcelain is naturally dense, meaning that water will have a hard time penetrating it. They also won’t freeze or crack due to low temperatures, making them a good choice for an outdoor area exposed to different weather conditions.
- finish choice – even though many people associate porcelain tiles with a glossy surface, that’s not always the case. Due to the number of flowing options available these days, it is possible to choose between glossy, matte, refined, and textured finishes.
- timelessness – porcelain tiles can last you for years when taken care of properly. Also, with the right design, your flooring will never go out of style.
However, while it undoubtedly has many positives, porcelain tile also has some disadvantages that you need to take into consideration when thinking about installing this type of flooring in your house.
First of all, depending on the tiles you pick, it can be very expensive, meaning that if you’re looking for cheap flooring ideas, this might not be the way to go. Secondly, tile can be cold – although this can be resolved by installing heating underneath.
Hardwood Flooring
When it comes to classic flooring ideas, hardwood flooring definitely takes one of the top places, alongside porcelain tile. While it is especially frequently encountered in older homes, most homeowners tend to remove the hardwood floor completely or overlay it with a different type of flooring when acquiring the property, often not realizing just how lucky they are to have such a gem in their new home.
Hardwood flooring has a variety of advantages and things that work in its favour.
First of all, it can increase the value of your property, which is an important thing to consider if you’re unsure whether you’ll be staying in the house or selling it in the near future. Many of the potential buyers would be willing to pay more for a house with hardwood floors rather than other types of flooring, like carpet.
Secondly, hardwood is easy to maintain. If you to get rid of the debris that has accumulated on it over time, you can simply vacuum or swipe the floor. It is also rather stain-resistant – especially if you pick the right kind of wood. Generally speaking, the harder the wood is, the more resistant to stains it will be. Additionally, there are plenty of sealers and other products that can help make your flooring stain-proof.
Lastly, hardwood flooring can keep a fresh look for years. That’s because instead of having to install completely new floors, you can simply refinish them. Hardwood flooring can be refinished multiple times, ensuring freshness for years.
Of course, there are also some disadvantages to it. For instance, real hardwood flooring can turn out to be quite an investment, especially if you’re thinking of using it in a few different rooms.
It also can be subject to scratches and dents, especially in high-traffic areas. While it’s not that easy to do, it is still a possibility.
Vinyl Flooring
The next type of flooring is vinyl flooring. When you’re looking for cheap flooring ideas, vinyl might be your way to go, as it is probably one of the most affordable flooring options out there. It doesn’t mean that it’s not a quality product though. Quite the opposite.
Vinyl is a very durable material – when taken care of properly, the high-quality types of vinyl can last even ten to twenty years. It also doesn’t get damaged easily meaning that it’s a good flooring option for areas that experience high foot traffic, like the living room or the bedroom.
While most flooring types require professional installation, vinyl is relatively easy to install, making it a nice DIY project, which can also save you money since you won’t have to hire anyone for it. Just keep in mind that before you put the vinyl, you have to ensure that the surface you want to install it on is flat.
What’s more, vinyl floor is available in plenty of different colours and patterns, so no matter what style you want to go for in your house, you’re likely to find a design that will suit it.
Finally, vinyl is water-resistant, which means that it is a great flooring option for rooms in which the floor can be exposed to moisture, such as the bathroom or kitchen.
Now, for the disadvantages. First of all, vinyl is more prone to damage, especially when it comes in contact with a sharp object. Also, the colours on the flooring can fade due to the exposure to the sun, which is why it’s a flooring option that usually isn’t recommended for outdoor areas.
Other Flooring Ideas
While the flooring options mentioned above are some of the most commonly chosen ones, they are not the only ones. Here are some other flooring ideas with their pros and cons:
- engineered wood flooring – since the top layer of this flooring is actually hardwood, it creates the same feel, but is more affordable and easier to install (can be DIYed). It’s also more water-resistant than real wood. As for the cons, it can only be refurnished ones, and can also fade over time.
- laminate flooring – this is another, more affordable alternative to hardwood flooring. It is easy to clean and scratch-resistant. However, it isn’t water-resistant meaning moisture can damage it and it can chip easily.
- stone flooring – one of the less common flooring options. While stone flooring looks great and is long-lasting and waterproof, it also has many disadvantages. For instance, it is cold and slippery under feet, as well as hard to install and maintain. It can also be expensive.
- linoleum flooring – an affordable and easy to install flooring option that comes in a variety of different colours and patterns. It can, however, become darker or turn yellow when exposed to sunlight for long periods of time. It also shouldn’t be used in areas prone to moisture.
- carpet – a favourite of many homeowners, especially when it comes to bedroom flooring. Carpet is soft under your feet and works great for soundproofing. It also comes in different colours in materials. As for the cons, it can be hard to clean, it can stain, and the wear is visible.
The Bottom Line
Even though many homeowners don’t pay much attention to flooring, it is one of the most important elements of the space and can make it or break it, which is why some thought should be put into it. And with the amount of flooring options available on the market, you are bound to find something that suits your home.
There are a few things to consider when choosing the right flooring for your space – the budget, the location, the maintenance, and the look and feel of the floor. There’s also the question of whether to go with current flooring trends or pick something more timeless.