From oak floorboards and country flagstones to sleek slate tiles or a cosy carpet, there are plenty of options when it comes to flooring – but which one is right for you?
1 In the zone
Make sure the flooring you choose is suitable for the room you’re putting it in. The bathroom is probably the most humid area of the home and splashing or standing water is not a friend to wood flooring or carpets. Opt instead for waterproof vinyl, porcelain and ceramic tiles, natural stone or slate. Muddy foot or pawprints may be hard to clean off carpet or hardwood in conservatories, entrance halls, or any room with direct outside access – vinyl or laminate flooring are better options here.
2 Family time
If you have a busy household with pets and children, go for an easy-clean option. Natural stone looks good and is both hard-wearing and low maintenance. Wood flooring can be vulnerable to scratches, so choose oak, maple, walnut, sycamore or cherry, which are far more resistant to day-to-day wear than softer woods like pine. You can also buy hardwood flooring with coatings to make it more water, scratch and statin resistant. Vinyl tiles work well in high traffic areas, particularly in the kitchen where spills and drops may be common.
3 Comfort and joy
There’s nothing quite like swinging your feet out of bed and sinking your toes into a soft, warm carpet - and that particular flooring is making a big comeback for 2022. If it’s warmth you want, it doesn’t have to be confined to the bedroom. Kitchens and bathrooms can also keep your tootsies toasty with limestone, terracotta and marble all working brilliantly with underfloor heating systems.
4 The price is right
Your square foot budget will help you determine which flooring to choose. Will you go for bargain laminate flooring, mid-range engineered wood, or the luxury of marble, natural wool, and tumbled travertine?
5 Naturally beautiful
If you want to explore eco-friendly flooring, consider cork, bamboo, linoleum, glass tiles, concrete, natural wool and sisal carpet, and reclaimed hardwood.
