Carpet, Hardwood, Tile or Linoleum Which Flooring is Right For Your Home?
When it comes to choosing the floor covering for your house, you want the best for your family. The problem is that with so many options to choose from, and the different types of hardwood floors and carpeting available, it’s difficult to decide which is the right choice. A lot depends on your own personal tastes, of course, but often people find that different floor surfaces work well in different areas of the house.
Carpets are cozy and soft
Carpeting is a good choice for bedrooms, especially kids’ bedrooms and play areas. Those are places that you want to keep warm. A survey by Houzz found that 38% of the respondents were going to use carpeting in the master bedroom. A soft, inviting carpet that you can walk on barefoot is something to be treasured on a cold winter day.
But with both kids and pets, you have to be prepared for messes and the clean up. Luckily, vacuum cleaners today are specially designed to deal with kid-created messes and pet hair. So you can keep your pastel carpet and rugs perfectly clean for the little ones, whether they’re human, canine or feline, to run around on.
When it comes to picking carpets, you have a huge variety of carpet designs to choose from, including classic, pastel, bold and traditional. In fact, you will be spoiled for choice. It’s best to keep in mind that whatever type of flooring you choose, you will be living with it for a long time.
Hardwood floors are warm and inviting
Hardwood flooring is another popular choice, for its warm, inviting look and ease of cleaning. The Houzz survey found that about a third of the floors, or 34%, in the survey participants’ homes were hardwood. Nearly half, or 47%, of those surveyed said that they preferred hardwood flooring in their homes.
It’s easy to see the reasons for the popularity of hardwood floors. They’re attractive and easy to clean. They come in many different colors and are traditional. Wood floor textures can add interest and complexity to a room without adding clutter. Different kinds of wood – oak, pine and even cherry – each have their own character and associations.
Another benefit of hardwood floors is that they actually increase the value of your house. According to the National Association of Realtors, 54%, or more than half, of all home buyers were willing to pay a higher price for a home with hardwood floors.
Tile and linoleum are practical
Tile and linoleum are the best choices for the kitchen and bathrooms, hallways and mud rooms. In fact, for any space that sees heavy traffic, moisture and spills, you’re best off with a tile or linoleum floor that’s easy to keep clean and that won’t harbor mold or dirt.
In fact, about 90% of all homeowners prefer tile floors for their kitchens. Ceramic tile is a great choice for bathrooms, and allows you to coordinate the floor with wall colors and designs.
Linoleum is actually an interesting material made entirely from renewable sources. It is 100% biodegradable and is made from dried and milled flax seeds, mixed in with other plant material like pine resins, wood flour, ground cork. It has a jute backing, and is lasting as well as easy to clean.
With so many choices, it can be a little overwhelming when it comes to choosing the best flooring for your home. A little planning and thought can help you create a welcoming and inviting space by using the right kind of flooring for each area.
