Best Types of Living Room Flooring

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Table of Contents

• What to Consider When Choosing Living Room Floors
• Best Types of Flooring for Living Rooms
• Tips for Choosing Living Room Flooring
• Schedule an Appointment with 50Floor Today

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The living room is where you and your family will spend most of your free time together, whether you’re watching TV, reading or just relaxing after a long day. Movie nights, game nights and more fun events will all likely take place in this area of the home. So, when you need to update your living room flooring, you want to be sure you’re picking the right type and material to suit your household.

Homeowners have many choices to make and factors to consider when choosing the best flooring for a living room.

What to Consider When Choosing Living Room Floors

Everyone has unique preferences and needs when it comes to their homes, and that includes the flooring they choose. Since the living room is such a commonly used room of any house, as well as one of the largest, homeowners should carefully weigh out their options before making any decisions. Be sure to approach your living room flooring project by identifying the most important characteristics you want your flooring to have — the features that will benefit you and your family’s lifestyle the most.

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Here are a few factors to consider when choosing living room floors:

1. Cost

How much money are you willing to spend on flooring for your living room? Since your living room is likely one of the largest rooms in your house, you’ll be spending more on the flooring in this area than bedrooms and bathrooms, no matter which material you choose. However, you can still set a budget when you upgrade your living room floors.

Your price point will vary significantly based on the material you choose, so it’s possible to do either a high-end renovation or a budget-friendly upgrade. Remember, the more money you put into renovating your house, the higher the resale value if and when you decide to put it on the market.

2. Purpose

How do you plan on using your living room? Depending on the layout of your home, you can choose to use this area for many different activities and purposes. It could serve as a simple sitting room or “extra” room where you keep all your odds and ends. Or, as it does for most people, it can be the area where you watch TV and do most of your relaxing and hanging out.

Think about how you and your family will likely use this space, then choose between the flooring options for living rooms based on that detail. Will you allow food and drink in this room? What about roughhousing and playing with toys for the kids and pets? Every family uses their living room differently, so make sure you think about your specific needs.

3. Durability

Does flooring in your living room need to be extra durable? Maybe you have dogs, cats or rambunctious kids running around your house most of the time, and your living room flooring needs to withstand anything. Or, perhaps you just want to upgrade your flooring once and have it last as long as possible before you have to touch it again.

Every type of flooring material has a different level of durability, so you should consider how important that is to you before you start shopping.

4. Appearance

How important is the appearance of your living room? Since this room is likely one that you, your family and guests will spend a lot of time in, you undoubtedly want it to look as great as possible. But, you’ll have to define exactly what kind of aesthetic you’re going for.

Carpet and hardwood can both be very attractive types of flooring for your living room, but they create very different vibes. Decide what kind of appearance you want your living room floors to have, such as whether you want a warm, welcoming atmosphere or a luxurious, elegant aesthetic.

5. Maintenance Requirements

How frequently are you willing to perform maintenance tasks on your living room flooring? Some materials require more upkeep than others. For example, hardwood flooring may require you to reseal it occasionally to maintain its coloring and shine. Meanwhile, carpeting will likely not require any maintenance other than regular cleaning until you will need to replace it again. If you don’t mind doing a bit of work to keep your flooring in good condition, then investing in a low-maintenance option may not be worth the savings to you.

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Best Types of Flooring for Living Rooms

Even though everyone has unique preferences, there are a few materials that make for the best flooring for living rooms. Here are four of the most popular flooring choices for living rooms and their benefits:

1. Luxury Vinyl

Luxury vinyl flooring is an option for homeowners who want hard-surfaced flooring in their living room without the expense of hardwood. Luxury vinyl tiles and planks come in a comprehensive range of colors and patterns to complement your existing lighting and furniture layouts. Technologically advanced materials create a durable multilayer structure that provides decades of reliable service.

Several benefits of luxury vinyl flooring are:

• Easy to clean: If you predict there will be lots of spills and dirt tracked through your living room, luxury vinyl flooring is an option that’s easy to clean and maintain.
• Budget-friendly: Since the cost of hardwood can quickly add up for a room the size of your living room, you can opt for luxury vinyl flooring to get the same look and feel for a lower price.
• Waterproof: This flooring is one of the most waterproof options for your living room, outshining both the carpet and hardwood options.
• Durability: Luxury vinyl’s top wear layer protects against everyday scratches, scuffs, dents and high foot traffic.
• Aesthetics: Style selections include many colors and textures, including patterns that resemble natural woodgrains and stone.

2. Carpet

Carpeting is a popular choice for living rooms because it’s comforting, homey and attractive. It’s great for families that want to spend lots of time together in the living room and play games on the floor. Carpet comes in many styles, from frieze and Berber to plush and smooth Saxony, to meet your functionality and lifestyle needs.

Several of the primary benefits of installing carpet in your living room include:

• Comfort: Carpeting is by far the most comfortable flooring option, as you can choose from carpets that are very soft and plush. If you have kids who will likely play or watch TV while sitting on the floor, carpet is a smart choice for your living room.
• Budget-friendliness: You can typically find a type of carpeting that falls within your budget, whether you want a high-end, luxurious carpet or prefer a more basic option.
• Extra insulation: Carpeting is better for insulation than hardwood and other flooring options, providing excellent sound-dampening qualities and warmth in the fall and winter.
• Fast installation: Carpet is among the quickest and easiest flooring options to install, offering even more cost savings while enabling you to enjoy your new floor faster.

3. Laminate

Laminate flooring is a popular budget-friendly alternative to real hardwood flooring for many homeowners. It’s available in various colors, sizes and styles, so you can customize the appearance to meet your needs. Like luxury vinyl, laminate’s synthetic construction offers impressive protection against daily wear and tear.

Several benefits of using laminate flooring in your living room include:

• Durability: For households that expect their living room to see a lot of wear and tear, laminate flooring is a durable option.
• Moisture-resistance: Laminate flooring can resist moisture and spills without becoming damaged or needing repair or replacement.
• Easy care: Laminate flooring is fairly easy to clean and maintain, making it an ideal flooring choice for living rooms and other commonly used areas of the home.
• Aesthetics: Laminate’s ability to replicate natural hardwood enables you to add beauty and elegance to your living room at a fraction of the price.

4. Hardwood

Hardwood flooring for living rooms is a popular choice for households that want an upscale look and prioritize durability and appearance. In fact, one survey found that 72% of homes have hardwood flooring in the living room. These floors come in various colors and finishes to complement nearly any design style, including rustic, traditional or contemporary.

As the most common choice for living room floors, hardwood has many benefits, including:

• Appearance: Hardwood flooring creates an aesthetic that is elegant, welcoming and put-together. It’s a type of flooring that will look great no matter what kind of decor or furniture you have in the home.
• Diversity: With so many species of wood that can be used for hardwood flooring, you can customize your living room’s hardwood flooring in terms of size, shape, style and color.
• Return on investment: If you’re upgrading your flooring because you’re getting ready to sell, then hardwood is an excellent choice — it will appeal to most potential buyers.
• Durability: When maintained correctly, solid hardwood can be the longest-lasting flooring solution, providing decades of service to your household.
• Environmental friendliness: Hardwood flooring contains natural and sustainable materials, making it a more eco-friendly product and healthier for family members with allergies.

 

Tips for Choosing Living Room Flooring

Since your living room is one of the rooms where you’ll spend most of your time, you want the flooring you choose to be effective and attractive for as long as possible. As you shop around, here are a few tips to follow:

1. Be Realistic

When you choose your living room flooring, you may want to go all out and upgrade to the best possible option. However, it’s important to be realistic and weigh your options by thinking about what you actually need. Take your time with this decision to avoid making a choice you might later regret.

2. Look at Your Existing Floor

How well has your current flooring in your living room stood up to the test of time? If you’ve only had it for a few years and already feel like you need to replace it, you may want to opt for a more durable material. On the other hand, if you’ve found that your living room carpeting or flooring is in pretty good condition after a long period, you might not have to invest as much money in a material known for its durability. Consider how much you and your family use this room, and for what purposes, then make your decision based on that.

3. Consider Your Home’s Resale Value

If you’re planning to sell your home eventually or in the near future, the flooring in your living room will impact your listing price. Typically, natural hardwood floors are more of a draw for modern homebuyers, although some may also prefer the comfort of new carpeting in the living room area. While this shouldn’t be a deciding factor for your living room floors — especially if you plan on remaining in your home for several more years — it’s something to think about if your return on investment is important to you.

4. Examine Samples in Person Before Purchasing

Looking at flooring materials online is helpful as you start the research process, but you should view your top two or three choices in person before making a purchase. You could even choose an in-home shopping experience like the one you get from 50Floor to see your favorite flooring options for living rooms in your home’s true lighting. You’ll also be able to see how the materials look next to your existing furniture and decor.

5. Ask for a Professional’s Opinion

Before you make your final decision about your living room floors, consult a professional for their opinion and advice. When you choose an in-home experience, you’ll have a flooring professional in your home who is ready to answer any questions you may have. They can point out considerations you may not have thought of on your own and will contribute to a more seamless, stress-free purchasing experience.