How to Pick the Right Flooring

New flooring is one of the most impactful investments you can make in your home. It changes how a room looks and feels. However, with so many materials, styles and costs available, it can be overwhelming to know which flooring suits your home.

This comprehensive flooring buying guide discusses how to choose flooring, from room-by-room practicality to the best durable flooring options available, supporting you to make a confident and informed decision from the beginning.

What Factors Should You Think About Before Choosing Flooring?

Before you make your final flooring decision based on style or colour, consider how the room is used. This is a fundamental part of any flooring buying guide; the right choice is always about more than just aesthetics.

Consider the following:

Foot traffic – Hallways, kitchens, living rooms and landings have much more foot traffic than bedrooms and spare rooms. High-traffic areas require durable flooring that can withstand daily wear without losing its look.
Who lives in the home – Families with young children and pets may need floors that are scratch-resistant and easy to clean, this is not a priority for couples or single occupants.
Lifestyle and maintenance – How much time are you wanting to spend on upkeep? Some flooring needs regular specialist cleaning, while others just need a sweep or a mop.
Budget – Think about the total cost, not just the price per square metre. You must consider the cost of underlay and fitting as well. A cheaper floor that needs replacing will cost more than a premium floor that lasts twenty years.

Understanding these points ahead of looking for a floor is an important step in the floor buying process. It saves you time and money down the line.

Which Rooms Need Water-Resistant Flooring?

Moisture causes extreme damage to floors and people often overlook purchasing a moisture-resistant floor. Kitchens, bathrooms, utility rooms and hallways are rooms where water-resistant flooring is essential.

Vinyl flooring is one of the best water-resistant flooring options on the market. It is completely waterproof and incredibly easy to clean. This flooring is available in a range of designs that replicate wood, stone and tile finishes. Luxury vinyl options such as Karndean and Amtico are even better. These offer water-resistance and an incredibly realistic and beautiful finish.

Laminate flooring can be used in areas with occasional splashes, however it is not fully waterproof, so consider where you lay it. Solid wood flooring can warp and swell in environments with high-moisture. This means it is better suited to living rooms, dining rooms and bedrooms.

The key thing to remember is to match the material to the environment. Choosing a floor that is not water-resistant for a room that needs it is one of the most common mistakes homeowners make.

What Are the Best Durable Flooring Options for Busy Homes?

If your home sees a lot of activity, prioritise buying durable flooring options as they will protect your investment and keep your flooring looking great for longer. The most hard-wearing choices are:

Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT) – Karndean and Amtico are considered as some of the most durable flooring options available. They resist scratches, dents, stains and moisture making them the perfect choice for families and pet owners.
Laminate – This is a great cost-effective, durable flooring option that withstands everyday wear. Laminate offers realistic wood and stone effects for a more accessible price.
Wood Flooring – Both engineered and solid wood are durable flooring options when correctly maintained and installed in the right environment. They tend to add real value to a property and can be sanded and refinished over the years, extending their lifespan.
Carpet – People tend to disregard carpet when considering durable flooring options, but it is a great choice. Twist pile and loop pile carpets are designed for high-traffic areas. At Colourbank, our range of stain-resistant carpets are built to withstand the demands of a busy household, without looking tired. Choosing the right underlay also makes a difference to the carpets performance and longevity.

If you are unsure whether carpet or hard flooring is the right choice for you, our guide on carpet vs hard flooring expands on this further.

How Do You Choose Flooring for Each Room?

One of the most useful sections of a flooring buying guide is the room suggestions. We recommend thinking of flooring as a room by room thing rather than trying to find one solution for the entire house. Here is a quick run down:

Hallways and stairs – These are hard-working areas, they tend to have a lot of foot traffic, so durable flooring is a must. Stair-carpets, hard-wearing carpets, LVT or laminate are great options.
Kitchens – Water-resistant flooring is non-negotiable here. Vinyl, LVT and laminates are all great choices. The advantages of these types of flooring are that they are easy to clean.
Living rooms – Comfort and style tend to be considered here. Plain carpets, striped carpets, patterned carpets or wood flooring all work amazingly here. The right choice depends on the look you are trying to achieve.
Bedrooms – Carpet is the go-to choice for bedrooms, providing warmth and softness underfoot. Other benefits include sound insulation and a cosy feel.
Bathrooms – Water-resistant flooring is essential, making vinyl and LVT safe choices.

The room-by-room approach ensures that you are choosing flooring that you will love for years to come. Our friendly team is here to help discuss how each option will work in your home.

Does Getting the Right Preparation Make a Difference?

High-quality flooring will underperform if it is laid onto a subfloor that has not been properly prepared. Uneven surfaces and damp issues can lead to early wear, tear, gaps and squeaks, regardless of the material you have chosen.

Before your floor is laid, we recommend investing in getting the groundwork correct. Our guide on preparing your home before installing new flooring covers everything you need to know.

Ready to Choose the Right Flooring for Your Home?

Choosing the right flooring is about balancing what you love the look of with what will actually work for your home and lifestyle. Whether you’re looking for water-resistant flooring for a busy kitchen, durable flooring for a family hallway or a cosy carpet for a bedroom, Colourbank has what you need.

We have been helping homeowners across Leicester and Leicestershire find flooring they love for more than 30 years. Our team takes the time to understand your home and your budget before making any recommendations. We also offer a free estimating service, bringing samples to your home so you can see exactly how they will look before you commit.

Explore our full range of hard flooring and carpets or get in touch with our team today to get started.