One of the most crucial areas in a home is the living room since it’s considered a space to gather with family and guests. Every component needs to complement each other to create a room optimal for connecting, leisure, socializing, and entertaining. Among many things that need to be checked, one of them is the flooring. The style of your living room will catch people’s eyes first, but the flooring will catch their senses first.
How to Choose Flooring Types for Living Rooms
Below we have some options that you can use as a reference if you’re looking for flooring ideas.
Wood
Wooden flooring will never go out of style because it incorporates a natural aspect into living spaces. Wood flooring has various options and the most popular ones are solid hardwood and engineered wood.
Solid hardwood provides a natural and warm appearance with a stylish impression whether it’s a dark or light-colored hardwood. It can also be furnished and is easy to clean by wiping or vacuuming.
Engineered wood is wood with a smooth surface and a coated wear layer which is an excellent alternative for living room flooring. It can withstand strong foot activity and is available in various patterns and styles. Just like solid hardwood, it’s water-resistant and requires the same care. The sole distinction is that engineered hardwood can only be sanded once or twice.
Bamboo
Bamboo flooring is another good alternative for its aesthetic and eco-friendliness since it’s relatively low maintenance. You only need to sweep or vacuum it frequently to remove minor dirt particles. Besides that, bamboo is marginally more resistant to water damage than hardwoods.
Carpets
Using carpets may look too traditional and old school but it’s a good way to add warmth and coziness. If you decide to use a carpet, you should be ready for its maintenance since it’s made of fabrics that are prone to spills and stains. Carpet flooring may only be cleaned with a vacuum or dry cleaning.
Porcelain Or Ceramic Tiles
If you love something classic other than carpets, porcelain and ceramic tiles are the best choices with their exceptional durability, attractive appearance, and simple maintenance.
The primary disadvantages of these tiles are that they can be cold under bare feet, crack if not installed uniformly, and break after a hard crash. In some instances, they might also become slippery.
Vinyl
Usually, you can find vinyl flooring in kitchens and bathrooms but now they’re suitable for every kind of room since they improved a lot. Just like tiles, the good point of vinyl is its good durability that can withstand heavy foot traffic, give comfort to feet, eliminate noise, and are easy to maintain. It’s also water, stain, and mildew resistant so you can rest assured that vinyl flooring is constructed to withstand the busiest lifestyles.
Laminate
Laminate flooring comprises several layers of veneered wood to increase its water and heat resistance. They’re affordable, durable, easy to install, and environmentally friendly. However, it scratches easily and can’t withstand sharp objects, so you must exercise caution when installing it in your living room. Unlike wooden floors, they can’t be refinished several times; once ripped or worn, they must be replaced entirely.