6 Things to Consider when Choosing Flooring

Just bought a new home and looking to make it fabulous? Or are you considering a quick makeover because all spaces change with age? Whatever the situation, flooring plays a leading role in the aesthetics of your house.

Choosing the right flooring might be downright stressful, especially when you don’t have any idea what would best suit your home. Several aspects are to be considered when you’re planning to change the floor, such as the footage of space, the durability or the maintenance requirements of the new flooring material. There are many decisions and choices to be made, but don’t get discouraged – you’ve already taken an important step when acknowledging that your flooring needs to be changed.

To help you out, we compiled a list of useful tips on selecting the best floor, and they’re nothing but practical. Let’s jump in!

Price

The first and one of the most important steps to take when choosing flooring for your home is determining a budget and sticking to it. You should be aware that the price of each flooring type varies, depending on the material it is made from.

First, you need to figure out your needs and consider whether it’s a financially viable solution. If your budget allows, you can opt for solid wood flooring because it’s highly durable and stands the test of time. A material like marble, on the other hand, would be a perfect choice for the kitchen due to its everlasting elegance. But there are cheaper alternative options that also have charm.

Tiles are an excellent alternative for marble or ceramic, and if chosen carefully, they can breathe new life into your kitchen. If you’re working with a small budget, laminate floors are also affordable – and can mimic the appearance of hardwood so well that it makes it difficult to make the difference between the two. Laminate flooring is incredibly resistant to external damage and easy to clean, so no wonder it’s among the preferences of many householders.

Space

Where the flooring will be laid is crucial in deciding on the right type of material. Some floors may not be suitable for every room in your house. While in the living room and bedroom, wood flooring would look great, it’s impractical to lay it in the bathroom. With respects to bathroom flooring, opt instead for vinyl flooring because it’s waterproof – and this is essential quality need in a bathroom, given the amount of water that is spread every time you take a bath.

Carpet is also a not so viable option for a bathroom or kitchen, and the reasons are obvious. If you’re looking for versatile flooring, tile and laminate would be a great option. Besides, you can use rugs on top of laminate or tile anytime if you think your room is not cosy enough.

Maintenance

You should check out the maintenance requirements of the flooring material you’re going to purchase, to prevent surprises a few years later. Some floors need more maintenance than others, which is only related to the material they’re made from.

For example, solid wood floors need to be restored or varnished at least once a decade. In an equal manner, stone has to be polished every couple of years. It’s crucial to take into account the maintenance aspect when it comes to flooring, especially if you’re particular about cleanliness.

Floors that won’t bother you in this regard are laminates and tiles. Sure, you may round a mop every now and then, but at least you don’t have to worry about regular refinishing. Plus, you can remove the dirt effortlessly and make them look like new in a trice. Resilient floors, such as laminate and vinyl, are generally easy to maintain, which classifies them on the top of homeowners’ preferences.

Your Family’s Lifestyle

You probably didn’t think about that, but your family’s lifestyle is an essential factor to consider when buying flooring for your home. One important thing to remember is that materials determine the degree of any floors practicability.

Consider the activities that occur day to day in each room and choose appropriate flooring accordingly. For example, for heavy foot fall traffic areas like the kitchen, bathroom, or entryway, pick a versatile flooring that is easy to clean and maintain, like laminate and tiles.

Another crucial aspect to bear in mind is whether you have or not kids. Choosing slip-resistant flooring, like moquette, would be advisable if you have younger children. If you don’t love the idea of a carpet, you can apply at least an anti-slip floor coating.

We all know that the little ones can sometimes transform the kitchen into a football field, so better safe than sorry. On the other hand, if there are no small children to be careful of, you can choose marble or ceramic tile flooring without a second thought.

Durability

Durability is a decisive factor in selecting flooring for your recently bought house or changing the existing one. More importantly, flooring is a big investment, so it’s normal to want something that would stand the test of time. The quality of the material also determines the life of the flooring. Therefore, if you don’t plan to change your flooring too often, it would be best to choose hardwood flooring since it’s solid and durable enough to be passed on to the next generation.

Apart from that, wood is easily adaptable to any décor theme due to it being a natural material with a variety of different shades, grains, and swirls that do nothing but add character to any home. Laminate and vinyl flooring are excellent alternatives to natural wood due to their high durability. They also come with bonuses: water- and scratching-resistant, making them a perfect choice for families with kids.

Aesthetics and style

On top of all this, it’s normal to hope for a floor that would best suit your homes style. Various flooring materials, colours, shapes, and designs will only confuse you in the selection process. Thus, pay special attention to the ambience in your home and try to imagine what a particular floor would complete the look. Wood is generally a common choice because it’s easily adaptable to each and every décor, but you have many more options these days – laminate, tile, vinyl, and marble also have their place.

To ease your selection process, make sure to get some samples of any flooring you’re considering – many manufacturers nowadays will post these items to you free of charge. It’s will also you to get a proper feel for each option as well as place it to get an understanding of what it could look like in situ.