The living and lounge areas are often the most used and walked-through public areas of the house. And with so many different types of floors out there, it can be hard work knowing which one is most suitable, both in terms of aesthetics and practicality.
In truth, you can add essentially any type of floor to the living room. Carpet, vinyl, wood and tiles are all suitable choices. However, it really comes down to the look and feel of the rest of your house as well as the style you’re hoping to achieve
Key Determining Factors
When choosing a flooring option for your living room, run through the following areas to help you come to a decision.
Maintenance
All flooring types require some maintenance, but solid wood, for example, is typically higher maintenance than other flooring types. Some floor materials are fine when it comes to general cleaning products, while others will need something special to get the job done.
Carpets, for example, can’t really be cleaned with soap and water. For the ultimate hassle free flooring option, something like vinyl might work well, but obviously this is not the first material you’d think of when planning your living room design. It’s all about compromising the different qualities you need.
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. As well as people walking through it, you’re likely to have people gather and use it at various points throughout the day.
Therefore, you’ll need a material that can withstand high daily foot traffic and activity and if you have an active social life and regularly invite guests over, you’ll probably want to opt for flooring that won’t stain quite so easily as a cream carpet, for example.
Atmosphere and Style
The atmosphere you’re hoping to achieve will make a massive difference to the type of floor you should install. Natural hardwood flooring can be cosy for some, while others might find it a bit oppressive and traditional for their tastes.
If you’re looking for warmth and a cosy feel to the room, carpet might be your best option. However, if you’re looking to add a rustic, high-end look then hardwood flooring would be better suited.
Equally, if you’re looking for a modern yet affordable 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.
Popular Flooring Options
With the above in mind understanding the benefits of each flooring type will help you to make a wiser decision about what you should put down. Below is a quick intro to the pros and cons of each material.
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 will last for many years when treated right. Engineered wood is a perfect alternative to solid wood if you’re looking for a traditional wooden appearance. It is made of multiple layers, so is a lot more versatile and resistant to the elements than solid wood.
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. Cheaper, thinner carpets may easily become damaged due to high foot traffic but good quality, thick carpets require minimal maintenance and can last for many years.
A weekly vacuum will often be 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.
Vinyl – Vinyl is incredibly popular today. It is more commonly installed within the kitchen or bathroom due to its easy maintenance design, however, it’s increasingly used in living room designs today. These days you can even find vinyl which mimics the appearance of real wood and tiles.
Laminate – Laminate flooring is cheaper than solid wood, but still provides the same kind of wood-based style to the room. It’s easy to install and maintain and is available in hundreds of different designs.
Is Your Floor Surface Suitable for Your Desired Flooring Options
Many types of floor finishes will require you to first have a very strong and smooth flat surface before you start to lay it down. This is especially the case for materials like tile where any unevenness or bumps can cause your floor to look funny and even dislodge and crack in some places.
At UK Screed, we offer floor screed solutions exactly for this purpose and help homeowners to lay the perfect base layer for their desired floor. If you’re looking for advice or information about where to find a suitable floor compound in Hampshire for your next floor project, get in touch with us at UK Screed today!
