The living room. For some, it’s a gathering place where the family unwinds at the end of the day. Maybe it’s where you watch TV, play games, or curl up with a book. Or, maybe it’s used only on special occasions. It can function as a playroom, TV room, or study. It could be a social hub where you host parties, or that room that’s there, but no one ever really goes in. Every home is different, and every living room is different. The type of flooring you choose for this room should really be dictated by how you use the space.
If you’re searching for new floors for your living room, here are some great options to consider.
If your living room functions as more of a family room – a place where your gang gathers to play board games, watch movies, build pillow forts, or lounge with a good book, carpet is a good choice. A soft surface is more inviting and comfortable if your family and friends are going to be sitting, standing, or laying around in the room. Just be sure to vacuum frequently, and have the carpet professionally cleaned at least once a year.
Cork
USFloors
If you want a comfy living room floor but aren’t sold on carpet, consider cork flooring. Springy and resilient, cork is probably the “softest” hard flooring option out there. It’s a great choice for living rooms where you or your family will be spending a lot of time up and about, and its resilience makes it a safe place to land if you have little ones who are taking their first steps – and spills! Eco-conscious families will also love its green bona fides – cork is a renewable resource that’s harvested without harming the tree.
Hardwood
AHF
Wood flooring is a great choice for more formal living rooms. If the room is used for special occasions, a hardwood floor is going to offer a beautiful, classic vibe. With a variety of visuals, you’re sure to find a hardwood option that complements your decorating style. A rich brown walnut would look great in an Art Deco-inspired space, while a light-toned maple would complement mid-century modern design.
Laminate
Mannington
Is your living room more of a thoroughfare? If this is a high-traffic space where people are constantly passing through, laminate flooring might be the right choice. Laminate will offer the classic and beautiful look of hardwood, but won’t be in danger of scuffing, scratching, or denting during a New Year’s Eve soiree or your kid’s birthday party.
Vinyl
Engineered Floors
Another great choice for living rooms that see a lot of activity, vinyl flooring is a durable alternative to hardwood that has just as much style. With a variety of visual options, vinyl flooring is a great choice for active families, especially families with pets. It also tends to have a bit more give than laminate, so it might be a bit comfier for things like game or movie nights. You can also soften things up by adding an area rug.
About The Author
Lauren Moore
Proud flooring aficionado and office dog mom, "Flauren" has been a professional writer and editor for more than a decade (though she still maintains her magnum opus was "The Day it Snowed Slurpees," written at the age of 6).
We’re just going to come right out and say it: carpet is one of the best flooring choices around. There are so many different types of carpet on the market that it’s easy to find the perfect color and style for any taste.
However, have you ever had the urge for…more? Well, did you know that some people like to put area rugs on top of their carpets? You might be asking, isn’t that a little redundant? Well, yes and no. Besides, who says redundancy has to be a bad thing?
What’s the best flooring for kitchens?
Tile and vinyl can’t be the only options, right? What about hardwood or laminate? Does the best kitchen flooring really have to be waterproof? Are there workarounds?
If you’re here, you have questions. And we have answers!
Below, we’ve put together a comprehensive guide on the best flooring for kitchens, including a quick summary of different features to check for, a full breakdown of 10 of our favorite kitchen flooring choices, and an FAQ section to cover any remaining details about choosing the best flooring for kitchens.
Here’s a question: what’s the best flooring for basements? This isn’t the start of a joke—we’re seriously asking! After all, basements don’t have to be dark pits of 30-year-old boxes, donations you never seem to get around to donating, and dusty old photo albums!
You can turn your basement into the ultimate lounge, workshop, or something in between. And of course, the best basements need the best flooring, right? That’s why below, we’re tackling all the basics you’ll need to know about basement flooring—as well as some important things to think about when exploring basement flooring ideas.
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