When it comes to flooring choices, there are a lot of options out there and a lot to consider and it can all feel a bit overwhelming. There is no need to worry, today we're going to give you the lowdown on some of the best flooring options for different areas within your home and you'll soon have all the information you'll need to discover your next favourite floor.
Choosing the right flooring - bedroom
The bedroom is your sanctuary, an escape room away from the hectic craziness of the rest of your home. This is a room where you can let your creativity fly, as it doesn't tend to throw up as many considerations as other rooms in the house. It's not as busy as other areas, and you won't have to contend with as many spillages, so you can really be open with your choices.
Two of the most popular choices when it comes to bedroom flooring are real wood and carpets and both have their own benefits. Real wood flooring has a unique, luxurious feel to it and can even add value to your home. If cared for properly, it can last a lifetime. Solid wood is 100% real wood throughout, with each plank being unique, giving your floor an individual look. Available in a variety of species like Oak, Ash, or Birch, sustainably sourced solid wood is the original, classic, real wood floor.
Alternatively, you could choose engineered wood. Engineered wood, whilst still real, is made up of a variety of different woods with a real wood topper layer. Built for warmth and compatible with some underfloor heating, you can create a cosy escape in your bedroom to start and end your day with complete luxury.
If you're looking for something softer, and even cosier, carpet could be a good option for you. Carpet is an especially popular choice for kids' rooms, providing a softer environment for little knees to grow and play in, as well as decreasing the risk of trips and bumps. Carpet comes in a variety of stain resistant options for any little accidents as well.
WHAT'S THE BEST BEDROOM FLOORING?
Choosing the right flooring - living room
The living room can be a lot more varied in how you use it, and this stretches over to the types of flooring you choose. If you want it to be as snug and cosy as your bedroom then you can look into using real wood or carpets, whereas, if you're expecting your living area to feature a lot more traffic or may be used as a home office at the same time, then you may want to look for flooring that is a bit more versatile, such as laminate or vinyl.
A consideration for a lot of people when thinking about real wood is the worry of scratching the floor. Luckily, we have a variety of protective options and maintenance advice to help you out. For example, a popular method is picking a thicker wood flooring so that it can be sanded back and re-treated for longevity. Real wood also comes in a variety of finishes with varying levels of scratch protection.
With real wood flooring we have options for both DIYers and pros. Our click engineered wood flooring allows you to do it yourself, helping save on cost. You still get some of the great bonuses of real wood such as a variety of styles, finishes, the ability to sand back and re-treat, plus you can lay it over some underfloor heating systems too. However, when it comes to solid wood flooring, we recommend using a professional for the best results.
For a quick and easy installation option that is easy to clean and attractive, whilst also being a bit more affordable compared to real wood, then look no further than laminate. The quick click installation system is perfect for those looking to fit their flooring themselves, while the water-resistant construction makes cleaning up spills quick and simple. Available in a variety of styles including wood plank, herringbone, and stone tile, you will still find a stunning new design for your home.
WHAT'S THE BEST LIVING ROOM FLOORING?
Choosing the right flooring - bathroom
The bathroom can be a slippery decision for sure. One minute it's your very own zen spa and the next, a chaotic mess of suds and water. It makes this one of the tricker rooms in the house to buy for. Not to mention the number of variables to consider such as humidity and risk of warping.
When it comes to bathroom flooring, the main contenders are luxury vinyl, sheet vinyl and laminate and all three have their advantages.
Our luxury glue down vinyl, rigid core vinyl, and click vinyl floors are renowned for their 100% waterproof properties so they make the perfect candidates for your bathroom renovation. You won't have to worry about any unwanted warping with luxury glue down vinyl, as it's fully bonded to the floor so you can be sure it's not going anywhere. The same goes for our own brand of rigid core vinyl, which will neither warp nor bow, even in the sunniest of spaces. Available in a wide variety of styles from wood, stone and marble with plank, herringbone, and chevron designs, you'll find a vinyl floor to suit your home.
WHAT'S THE BEST BATHROOM FLOORING?
Choosing the right flooring - kitchen
The kitchen is a melting pot of creativity, chaos, spillages, culinary triumphs, and woes. Often the liveliest room in the house and the heart of the home, your flooring will need to be up to the task and require a bit more durability than, say, the bedroom or dining room.
There are a lot of things to consider when it comes to the kitchen. From the water, heat, the cooking and smells, a kitchen both needs to be functional yet sociable, so durability is important. The kitchen goes through a lot, years of spillages, scratches and dropped mugs. So it's important that you choose a floor suited to your lifestyle.
Laminate is available in a huge range of wood, tile and stone tile looks to help you get that exact look you're after in your home. Laminate flooring uses beautifully detailed printed designs and a textured resin surface to recreate the look of the natural material. We also have a huge range of water-resistant laminate floors ideal for your kitchen. Modern laminate offers impressive authenticity combined with a high practical floor that's incredibly easy to care for. What's more utilising a click system makes for a hassle-free installation, while some also include integrated underlay saving you time and money.
If your home has a furry friend running about and jumping in from the garden throughout the day, then you might want to consider a luxury vinyl. This offers you the same aesthetic appeal as laminate but with the added benefit of being 100% waterproof meaning any accidents or spillages won't ruin your floor. It's also easy to clean, making it the number one pet friendly choice. Be aware though, that you may need a professional to fit the flooring if opting for glue down vinyl which requires adhesive to be fixed to the subfloor.
WHAT'S THE BEST KITCHEN FLOORING?
Choosing the right flooring - stairs
Your hall and stairs are people's first impression when they enter your home, transitioning from a public to private space, it's important to look at it as a room, not a corridor.
Carpets are the top choice for stairs as they provide a layer of comfort and, depending on which pile type you choose, can be incredibly hard wearing. You will want to provide a level of cushioning as your climb your staircase, but as it is likely to be one of the busiest areas of the home will require a high level of durability and longevity.
The best option for a staircase is the 'twist' fibres. The key here is practicality. Whilst the twist fibre will still give you that nice smooth surface, it's going to be a great, durable choice for those not wanting footprints to show.
Deep saxony pile is one of the most luxurious carpet you can purchase, the fibres are longer and thicker for a softer, more opulent feel. The long soft fibres are prone to showing footprints though, and as such is unsuitable for a high traffic area like a staircase.
You might also consider a loop pile carpet which is just as hard wearing and equally practical. However, loop carpets are not pet friendly as their claws can get caught in the loops, so if you've got little paws running up and down the house then it is probably not going to be the one for you.
You can make your hallways look more open by using lighter colours and for hallways with real wood, you can use chevron and herringbone patters to create depth.
WHAT'S THE BEST FLOORING FOR STAIRS?
Hopefully that gives you a better idea of what flooring will best suit the rooms of your home and you'll be better equipped at finding your perfect floor.
