Are you trying to decide which type of flooring is right for your living room?
The living and lounge areas are often the most walked-through and public areas of the house. With so many different types of floors out there, it can be hard work knowing which one is most suitable.
The good news is you can add essentially any type of floor to the living room. There is nothing that won’t go. Carpet, vinyl, wood and tiles are all suitable choices. So really it comes down to the look and feels you’re hoping to achieve, whether or not you have additions such as underfloor heating, as well as lifestyle considerations like having children or pets around.
Useful questions to ask yourself
In order to determine which living room flooring is right for you, there are a few questions you should ask yourself. These include:
- What type of atmosphere am I looking to create?
- How much maintenance am I willing to put in?
- How many people will be passing through the living room?
Atmosphere and style
The atmosphere you’re hoping to achieve will make a massive difference to the type of floor you should install. If you’re looking for warmth and a cosy feel to the room, carpet would be your best option. If you’re looking to add a rustic, high-end look then hardwood flooring would be better suited. Or, if you’re looking for a modern floor, laminate might be the best choice. So think carefully about what look you’d prefer and the feeling you’re wanting to create in the room.
Maintenance
Of course, it’s all well and good choosing a floor based solely upon how it looks, but maintenance is another thing you need to consider. All flooring types require some maintenance, but solid wood for example, is typically higher maintenance than other flooring types. Are you prepared to put in daily maintenance? If not, you’d likely be better off with vinyl which is one of the easiest types of floors to maintain.
Durability
Another important factor to consider with living room flooring is its durability. It tends to be one of the most used rooms in the home, especially for larger families or households with pets. With this in mind, you need to make sure whichever floor you do choose, it is durable and strong enough to withstand high daily foot traffic and activity.
Understanding the pros and cons of different flooring types
Each lounge flooring type comes with its own pros and cons. Understanding the benefits of each flooring type will help you to make a wiser decision. Below you’ll discover some of the main pros and cons of each flooring for living areas.
Carpet – Carpets come in a wide range of depths and designs. They add warmth to the room, feel soft underfoot, and can help to make a room feel more relaxing. They require minimal maintenance, with a daily vacuum often being enough to keep it looking clean and tidy. However, as there are so many different types out there, you will need to ensure you’re choosing a high quality carpet for the living room. The cheaper, thinner carpets will easily become damaged due to high foot traffic.
Vinyl – Vinyl is more commonly installed within the kitchen or bathroom due to its easy maintenance design. It’s also one of the cheapest types of flooring available. These days you can find vinyl which mimics the appearance of real wood and tiles so style-wise you’ll easily find one to match the look you’re going for.
Solid wood – Solid wood is one of the more expensive types of living room flooring, but it’s also one of the most attractive and durable options. It does require a little more maintenance, but many solid wood floors come with a guarantee from 15-30 years. As a living floor, solid wood will change over time, and can be prone to warping – so we don’t recommend it in areas exposed to high levels of direct sunlight, and it can’t be used with underfloor heating.
Engineered wood – Engineered wood is a perfect alternative to solid wood if you’re looking for a traditional wooden appearance. It is still a real-wood floor, but is made of multiple layers, so is a lot more versatile and resistant to the elements than solid wood. Engineered wood can be used with underfloor heating.
Laminate – Laminate flooring is cheaper than solid wood, but still provides the same kind of style to the room. It’s easier to install and maintain and is available in hundreds of different designs. It’s colder than carpet, but is a popular lounge flooring choice in UK homes.
Overall the possibilities are endless when you’re looking for living room flooring. The above tips will help you to establish which one is right for your home. Whichever type you choose, you’ll find there are hundreds of different designs to choose from. If you’re still not sure, or want advice specific to your circumstances, do feel free to give us a call and have a chat with one of our experts.
