Options In Flooring For Your Home

When building a new house or giving your existing abode a new look, choosing flooring is an important decision. There are many variables to take into consideration including the interior decorating scheme, a homeowner's budget, who lives in the house and whether a DIYer or pro will be doing the installation. Many individuals may underestimate just how crucial this choice is. They may pay more attention to the furniture and less to the carpeting, hardwood or tile that everything is placed on. This would be a big mistake because their choice will be the backdrop for each room. If the most elegant antiques or designer sofas are placed on ratty old carpeting, the room will still look terrible. It's important to make the right decision about the floors. Here are some considerations to factor into the decision making process:

Interior Decorating Options

Many considerations must be taken into consideration including whether the space is to be formal or casual, whether the rooms have natural light or are dark, whether they're large or small and what furnishings will be placed in the rooms. Some popular materials include hardwood, laminate, carpeting, tile or cement. The hard surfaces are nice for easy clean up and won't get stained easily. Carpeting may take more upkeep but it comes in an array of colors, weave, pile and textures. Carpets may be wall-to-wall or just cover an area of a room. Rugs are warm to walk on in the cold winter months and easier for babies to crawl on. Lighter colored woods or laminates tend to work better with casual décor while the deeply stained timbers and lookalikes are more suitable for a dressy, formal space.

Budget & The Inhabitants

The budget of the inhabitants as well as who they are will play a part in the decision making process. If the homeowner is only planning to live in the house for a short time, he or she may choose a product that is less expensive and not as durable in order for the home to show well when it's sold. If the owner is a landlord and is rejuvenating the space for tenants, he or she may want to take durability and stain-proofing into consideration so that it can withstand wear and tear.

DIYer Or Professional Installer

Some products are easier to install than others. The laminates are often the simplest of the materials and won't require as many tools or as much experience. It's important to get the flooring installed competently, though, or it won't be worth the investment. If a novice botches laying carpet, hardwood or tile, it will look shoddy and cost even more money to fix. It's important that a homeowner know his or her limitations and hire pros accordingly.


When it comes to flooring products, it's important to choose the right materials as well as the right installers. Carpeting, hardwood, laminate, tile and cement may all look wonderful in the right space. All should be placed by a competent do-it-yourselfer or a certified professional installer.