Flooring is one of the first things a new homeowner will replace. It is such an important core aspect of the home. The right flooring will: look nice, function properly, and last a long time. Our floors are something we use daily and don’t pay much attention to. They catch our spills, bear our weight and on top of that play a huge role in the overall design scheme of our home. In the next few minutes, I will discuss 3 tips for choosing the right floors for your home, whether a new-build or remodel; they're key for making sure you choose correctly.

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Function

Every room has a different function and each person uses a room in a unique way. Some people spend hours in their kitchen persistently cooking, while others only use their kitchen prepping cheese boards. Consider the function of your space and know how durable you’ll need your floors. Children and pets can also impact which flooring you choose and how durable it needs to be.

Tile: Tends to be high(er) maintenance due to grout. It also tends to be not so comfy to stand on for longer periods of time.  Stands up to water very well!

Carpet: Can be tricky to keep clean and stains more easily then other floors. It is very comfy to stand on.

Wood Floors: Very durable as it can be sanded down and refinished when needed. Usually on the pricier side. Can scratch and also is susceptible to water damage.

LVT/LVP: Luxury Vinyl Tile and Luxury Vinyl Plank are both durable and affordable options! They are also available in almost any shade or color you can imagine. It cannot be sanded down and refinished, like wood can, which makes it not last long.

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Looks

Take a minute and think about what style of flooring is appealing to you? Do you love patterned floors with unique colors? The rich grain of real wood? Or the sleekness of tiles? If you’re doing a remodel, you should consider other design and color elements in the space such as baseboard/trim, doors, paint color, cabinets, furniture, etc. When using multiple floor types in a home, you should look to make flooring choices that flow well with each other. Consider where the flooring transitions will happen and make sure the flooring will flow well together.

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Cost

In an ideal world, cost wouldn’t be an issue, but I like to live in reality and cost is almost always a concern! You should always have a budget in mind when beginning a project. Keep this number in mind when calculating the cost of flooring. Also remember the cost of underlayment (in some cases), installation labor, delivery, and removal of old flooring. Keep in mind that the more expensive the flooring the longer it will last, typically! An Interior Designer is a great resource for finding flooring you love, that is within budget and that will fit all your needs.