From the natural beauty and character of wood through to the soft and cosy allure of carpet, there are many choices for the flooring in our homes.
When considering what type is best for each space, think about how much that area will
be used and how low-maintenance you’d like the zone to be.
We naturally associate certain types of flooring with specific rooms, but modern manufacturing techniques offer a great range of versatility, with some products even mimicking the look and characteristics of others.
Below we unveil the key considerations for different rooms, some expert insight into the main contenders and inspiring examples to get your creative juices flowing.
In this article:
Flooring options by room
Hallways
Monochrome Decor Porcelain, £38.61 per m2, from Mandarin Stone
This is the zone that’s nearly always going to get the most footfall in your home, so the flooring needs to be hardwearing and low-maintenance.
It’s the first space that guests will see, so it needs to work to set the tone for the rest of the house.
Patterned porcelain and ceramic tiles will offer a traditional allure – go for a black and white chequerboard for a classic period look.
Alternatively, painted floorboards are another option that allows for some creativity; a popular solution is to use the same hue on the staircase and accompany with a carpet runner.
Consider solid or engineered bamboo flooring from the likes of Moso Bamboo Surfaces Shop for its good durability or poured concrete for an ultra-modern look.
Living & dining areas
Versailles Antique engineered oak wood flooring, £136.74 per m2, from Havwoods
The living room is one of the most used areas in the home, a versatile place that needs to cater for relaxing and entertaining, so your choice of flooring should be both practical and hardwearing.
Carpet and wood are the most common choices, with the latter often zoned using rugs to offer a softer feel for bare feet.
Bear in mind that solid wood tends to have a higher price tag and requires more maintenance than the alternatives.
Engineered wood is more durable and can be used alongside underfloor heating.
Luxury vinyl tiles are an option that can offer the look of wood without the same expense.
Kitchen flooring
This kitchen features poured resin floor by The Resin Floor Company
Known as the heart of the home for a reason, the kitchen receives high footfall in repetitive areas, and the chance of food spillage calls for durable and low-maintenance flooring.
This makes properly sealed stone and porcelain tiles great choices. Wood is another option, but look for a hard-wearing engineered design.
If you’re updating the whole kitchen, choose your cabinets at the same time as the flooring to ensure an aesthetically-pleasing look.
Also consider having the same surface throughout the ground floor – perfect for open-plan kitchen-living-dining areas.
In depth: Kitchen Flooring Options Explained
Bathrooms
Little Bricks, £39.95 per m2, from Harvey Maria
Being a wet zone, the flooring in your bathroom needs to be slip resistant and waterproof. Glazed or shiny tiles are probably better suited to walls than floors for this very reason.
The ambience should be relaxing and, as it’s a place that gets a lot of use, being easy to mop up water is a key priority.
Vinyl, porcelain and unglazed ceramic tiles are popular, but wood isn’t completely out of the question.
Stone, slate and terracotta are porous so need sealing. Consider making patterns with tiles to create a unique finish.
If you want warmth underfoot, then choose a product suitable to be paired with UFH.
Read more: Choosing Bathroom Tiles
Bedrooms
Malmaison in faded gold, £74.99 per m2, from Brintons
Your bedroom flooring needs to enhance the sense that this zone is a sanctuary for calm and effective rejuvenation, so think about comfort and cosiness.
This makes carpet a popular choice; it offers a soft and warm landing for bare feet first thing in the morning, plus its insulating capabilities help to reduce noise transfer to produce as restful an area as possible.
Solid wood is another key option; while this material is not as padded and can be noisier
to walk on, it can be softened with rugs. Its inherent natural character also helps to create a serene ambience that’s perfect for tranquillity and mindfulness.
Wood-effect vinyl and laminate are also suitable for achieving this aesthetic and can have a softer, warmer feel underfoot.
Read more: Ultimate Bedroom Design Guide
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