Here’s a chill guide to help you pick the right flooring for your space.
When it comes to home design, flooring is a big deal. You walk on it every day, but it also plays a huge role in how your place looks. It can be just as eye-catching as your wall colors or furniture. Plus, redoing your floors can cost a pretty penny—think new car or kitchen appliance money! Carol Swedlow, the President of Aronson’s Floor Covering, points out that most folks don’t have all the info they need when making this kind of investment.
The Good Housekeeping Institute has been around since 1900, and we totally get how important flooring is for both style and function. We’ve tested classic materials like wood and stone, as well as newer options like vinyl and engineered wood that popped up in the ’70s. Lately, we’ve also been keeping an eye on the rise of cool materials like concrete and wood-look porcelain.
Our ultimate flooring guide breaks down all the options, including the good, the bad, and what you can expect to pay. Remember, most homes have different types of flooring in different rooms, so it’s smart to spend more on high-traffic areas and go for budget-friendly, durable options elsewhere.
Hardwood Flooring
You’ve got two main types of hardwood: solid wood, which is one solid piece, and engineered wood, which has a thin layer of real wood on top of plywood. There are tons of species to choose from, like oak, ash, maple, and walnut.
Pros: Hardwood is warm and beautiful, and if you take care of it, it can last for decades (or even centuries!). You can sand and refinish it multiple times.
Cons: The biggest downside? It can be pricey. Plus, it’s prone to dents and scratches, and solid wood can warp with humidity changes.
Cost: Solid wood: $5 to $10 per square foot installed; Engineered wood: $4 to $9 per square foot installed.
Laminate Flooring
Laminate is another engineered option, but instead of real wood, it uses a photo of wood (or stone) with a plastic coating on top. The base is usually dense fiberboard.
Pros: Super durable and scratch-resistant, laminate is one of the cheaper options out there. It often comes as a DIY-friendly “floating” floor that snaps together.
Cons: It doesn’t feel or sound like real wood, and the patterns can look repetitive. Plus, you can’t refinish it, so it’s not a forever floor.
Cost: $3 to $7 per square foot installed.
Vinyl Flooring
Vinyl is the fastest-growing flooring option. It ranges from cheap peel-and-stick tiles to luxury vinyl tile (LVT), which has multiple layers for a more realistic look.
Pros: Affordable and waterproof, vinyl is great for basements and bathrooms. LVT can look and feel like real wood, and it’s easy to install.
Cons: Even LVT can’t fully replicate the look of real wood or stone, and once it wears out, you’ll need to replace it. It can also get surprisingly pricey.
Cost: $2 to $6 per square foot installed.
Carpet
Carpet is still the most popular flooring choice in the U.S., even though it’s losing ground to other options. Most carpets are tufted with nylon fibers, while woven carpets (more common in Europe) are made from wool.
Pros: Carpet is comfy, cost-effective, and comes in tons of colors and patterns. It’s easy to install and maintain with just regular vacuuming.
Cons: It can trap dirt and dust, which isn’t great for allergy sufferers. Woven carpets are better at resisting dirt, and wool doesn’t attract dust like nylon does.
Cost: $3 to $10 per square foot installed.
Stone Flooring
Stone flooring is timeless and can really boost your home’s value. There are three main types: sedimentary (like travertine and limestone), igneous (like granite), and metamorphic (like marble and slate).
Pros: Each stone is unique, and stone flooring is super durable and can handle heavy foot traffic. It also helps keep dust and allergens at bay.
Cons: It can be pricey and usually needs professional installation. Plus, it’s hard underfoot, and dropped dishes are likely to break.
Cost: $3 to $7 per square foot installed.
Concrete Flooring
Concrete is making a comeback as a stylish flooring option. You can go with the classic gray or get creative with colors and surface treatments.
Pros: Concrete floors are durable and easy to maintain if sealed properly. They’re also great for radiant heating.
Cons: They can be expensive and need professional installation. Plus, they’re hard and need to be resealed regularly to avoid stains.
Cost: $3 to $8 per square foot installed.
So there you have it! A laid-back look at the best flooring options for your home. Happy flooring!
