How do I choose the right flooring?

Kathy W
by Kathy W

We need to get new flooring, I’d prefer to use the same in our breezeway, utility room, kitchen, living room & bathroom. Any specific suggestions would be welcome. Kitchen & bath have oak fixtures, living room furniture is darker, but not super dark. I know that gray is the “it” color right now, “it” doesn’t particularly thrill me. (Or is there a new “it” color on the horizon? 🤞🤞🤞Thanks for any wisdom you might be able to share.

  5 answers
  • Kelli L. Milligan Kelli L. Milligan on Jan 12, 2019

    Do not use laminate, not water proof! Look at the wood look solid vinyl floor planks. They are water proof, quiet and look great. You can install yourself.

  • Lisa Lisa on Jan 12, 2019

    Laminate is somewhat water resistant, but not water proof, if you feel you need that. A lot depends on where you live. I've heard a lot of good about the newer vinyl type flooring, some of which I saw at Lumber Liquidators. They have some really nice patterns and wood looks. According to the salesman there, they have installed the click vinyl in hair salons and restaurants, along with homes. When we decided on our laminate flooring, we knew we were not putting it into our bathroom. We were also told that we'd be just fine with kids coming into the house from outside with wet feet. Dry the floor with old towels or whatever and you're good. We've had ours for two years now with zero problems. You might be able to get some click vinyl flooring that matches (or comes really close) to the rest of the house, which you can do in laminate.

  • Not a fan of laminate, I ripped it out and replaced with hardwood. The new vinyl products are much different than what they were in the 50's and 60's - don't take my word for it, visit local flooring showrooms. Takes a beating, easy to maintain and as waterproof as a floor is going to get. As to gray, I am not a fan at all. Even in rooms with tons of light. To me it is dull, depressing, institutional. I had a pretty gray on my kitchen walls when I moved in as I thought that would be cool. That was 19 years ago and I repainted over in pure white not 6 months later. Do what makes you happy! Your house, you should be joyful when you walk in.

  • Oliva Oliva on Jan 14, 2019

    Younger buyers are looking for hardwood floors, although I would not recommend it in a bath, and unless suited for kitchen use, not there, either.

    Tile can be hard to stand on for long periods of time, can be hazardous to children and elderly if they fall, and can crack if something hard falls on them.

    It's a simple task to coordinate hardwood flooring colors with bathroom tile flooring. Darker floors show more dust, lint, flour, sugar. Lighter colors better reflect light. Hickory has a great deal of graining, so if this pattern is too distracting, avoid Hickory. Red Oak is not as hard as White Oak flooring. Flooring subjected to intense sun will fade over time.

    Note that some floors now contain titanium oxide, which can develop a "glitter" appearance over time.

    Many people dislike grey, so purchase what best appeals to you and complements your existing furniture and fabrics.

  • Jan Clark Jan Clark on Jan 18, 2019

    The answer to "How do I choose the right flooring" is pretty simple. Ask yourself these three questions: how much can I afford to spend?; is there anything that suits all of my needs? (dry/wet, hard/soft, noisy/quiet, etc.); what appeals to my eye? Once you answer these, it's going to leave you with only a few possibilities. And, as long as everyone is putting in their 2 cents, have you thought of bamboo? It's sustainable, beautiful and doesn't really care so much about getting wet. Remember to have fun!