Upgrading your flooring is an excellent way to revitalize your home, change your design scheme, and add value if you are thinking of selling. When engaging in this strategic home upgrade, it’s essential to evaluate which flooring material and color will be best.
Here are some of the key considerations to keep in mind when choosing the best flooring option for your home.
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Consider the Room’s Function
When choosing new flooring for your home, the first consideration is to think about the room in which it will be installed, more specifically, that room’s functionality. Based on exposure to the elements and foot traffic, some rooms require a more durable flooring option than others.
For example, kitchens and bathrooms both require flooring that can withstand changes in humidity — that’s why tile is a common choice for bathrooms. Kitchens can get messy in a hurry, meaning you’ll want something durable and easy to clean. The same logic applies to entryways and mud rooms.
You might opt for something more luxe or sensitive to moisture and grime in bedrooms and living rooms, as these areas aren’t as susceptible to wear and tear.
Consider the Ease of Installation
The next thing to evaluate is the ease of installation, as some types of flooring are more challenging to install than others. This factor also influences whether you’ll be able to DIY or if you’ll need to hire an expert.
According to the flooring experts at Peninsula Flooring Direct, floating timber floors are one of the easiest options to install. This type of flooring is also durable and easy to clean, making it a versatile choice to consider for all areas of your home.
Alternatively, ceramic tile and traditional hardwood installation are complex and nuanced. If you choose these costly flooring materials, hiring an expert to ensure the installation is done correctly is best. Cutting, spacing, and sealing these flooring materials incorrectly will cost excessive amounts of time, money, and stress down the road.
Consider Your Budget
Your budget also plays a pivotal role in deciding which flooring option is best. You may decide to use a few different types of flooring if you are doing a major home renovation. For example, you might opt for ceramic tile in the bathrooms and entryways and floating timbers in the rest of the home.
Your budget will also determine whether you can afford to outsource the installation to the pros or if you should plan on handling it yourself. If you determine that paying for an experienced flooring installer is out of reach, that also eliminates some of the more challenging flooring options.
Consider Trends and Styles
When choosing a semi-permanent design option of any kind, it’s always beneficial to prioritize timelessness over timeliness. In other words, choose a style and color that isn’t a bold, new trend; instead, select something neutral that won’t look outdated in a few years.
If you can’t resist a trendy flooring option, evaluate its permanence and ease of replacement. Ask yourself if you’re willing and able to renovate your flooring again in a few years if the trend falls out of fashion or if your preferences change.
Consider Your Lifestyle and Family
In addition to the cost, look, and durability of your flooring, it’s also integral to consider who will be walking on it. If you have a young family with kids and dogs, durability and ease of cleaning will be a top priority. Conversely, if you have senior residents in your home or you’re approaching the golden years, having something non-slip is a good choice.
Consider the Resale Value
When making decisions for your home, it’s always wise to consider the impact your choices will have on your resale value. This deliberation is even a good idea if you think you’re in your forever home. It’s an unfortunate reality that things sometimes change in unexpected ways, and selling may be something you have to consider sooner than you think.
Fortunately, most buyers look at the flooring with the same lens as the above factors. They want quality, durability, aesthetics, and value when looking at your home. They don’t want to see outdated flooring that they’ll need to replace as soon as they move in, like old parquet flooring or dingy laminate.
There’s recently been a resurgence in putting carpet in bedrooms to create a warm, plush feel in the room. The logic is sound — no one likes putting their feet on the cold floor in the morning— but this trend is likely to fall out of fashion again. If you’re tempted to go this route, opt for floating timber and invest in a plush area rug instead.
Consider Your Location
One of the factors that often gets overlooked when choosing flooring is your home’s location. Hardwood flooring is a poor choice if you live in a hot, humid area. Conversely, if you live in a place with frigid winters, that tile floor is going to feel like ice.
Take some time to think about the factors listed above before you start shopping for a new floor. Making the right choice now will save you money and mitigate the risk of having to go through renovations again in a few years
