Hello World! Welcome Friends! When you are considering giving your living room a makeover there are many things to consider. How do you want your living room to feel? Are you planning to paint or buy new furniture? Will you be updating the art on the walls? All of these changes can help a living room feel updated and different.
But at the very base of the living room is the floor. Perhaps you haven’t given much thought to the flooring of your living room. But if you want to rejuvenate your living room completely you will need to consider giving the floor treatment a facelift as well.
Whether you think it’s time to get new carpeting or you would prefer the look of another flooring material, getting a new living room floor is easier than you think. If you need some ideas on which flooring works best in a living room then look no further. Here are five ideas to help you get the living room you’ve always wanted.
1. Classy Hardwood
If you want your living room to feel formal or traditional then choosing a hardwood floor is a great bet. Hardwood floors are thought to be the most high-end of all the flooring treatments. While occasionally the price tag reflects that, there are many benefits to a hardwood floor.
Did you know that having a hardwood floor can affect the resale value of your home? Putting a hardwood floor in your home can offer a significant return on investment for you. Hardwood floors when treated well age beautifully and can last for a long time.
A living room is a great place for a hardwood floor since it isn’t prone to splashes and drips that may occur in the kitchen which can damage a hardwood floor. While wood is prone to scratches from furniture and even dog nails, hardwood floors are able to be refinished if need be. A great tip to keep your floors looking great is to use area rugs in the high traffic areas.
Hardwood floors come in many design options. With many wood varieties to choose from in varying hues ranging from dark to light, you can match your new hardwood floor to a favorite table or just pick your favorite. Mixing wood tones can be done with careful consideration.
You also need to take into account the strength of the wood, some are harder and softer depending on the variety of tree. A home with small children and large pets may prefer a stronger and more durable flooring material such as European flooring.
Because each tree has a different grain pattern, you can get a completely different look in your living room by choosing one type of wood over another. You will also need to choose your plank size, ranging from wide to narrow, the planks can also change your living room’s design. But any hardwood floor choice is bound to look beautiful.
2. Comforting Carpet
If you want your living room to exude cozy comfort then it’s likely the best flooring option for you is to have carpeting. Carpet offers many benefits to any room including its insulative properties. If you live in a colder climate, having wall to wall carpet may help cut down on your energy expenses as the carpet pad and carpet can keep the heat inside where it belongs.
Choosing the right carpet pad is an important task. The thicker the pad, the more plush and comfortable your carpeting will feel. Not only does a great carpet pad keep radiant heat from escaping but it can also help absorb sound waves. If your living room has a vaulted ceiling, you’ll appreciate the carpeting helps keep the room from becoming an echo chamber.
Because carpeting is available in many different styles and colors it may seem overwhelming to choose just one for your living room. How can you possibly decide? Don’t worry there’s a great way to help you narrow down your options.
Carpeting primarily comes in two varieties: loop or cut-pile. An example of loop carpeting is Berber carpets, where the carpet fibers are looped together. Loop carpeting is extremely durable and stain-resistant. The low profile of loop carpeting makes it easy to clean and excellent in high traffic areas.
Cut pile carpeting allows the carpet fibers to be free. There are multiple styles of cut pile carpeting depending on your tastes and whether you prefer texture or a pattern within your carpeting. Cut pile carpeting feels more luxurious and plush than a loop carpeting option.
Most carpets on the market today are treated to be stain and soil-resistant. For a cozier option in your living room, you can’t go wrong when you choose to carpet. Carpets provide a nice place to sit with your family in comfort and enjoy each other’s company.
3. Trendy Tile
If you live in an area that gets quite hot or humid you may not need or want carpeting in your living room. There are many instances in which a tile floor is the best living room flooring choice. If you live near the beach and you don’t want to vacuum sand constantly for instance. Tile floors are strong and easy to keep clean making them a great floor.
Tile is extremely versatile and available in many different sizes, styles and design options. Simply by laying the tiles in different patterns, you can completely change the look of your living room so you can express a lot of personality on your floor when you opt for tile.
Tile is available in either ceramic or porcelain, and the only big difference between the two is that porcelain is made from more pure source materials. This makes porcelain more durable but also more expensive so it is really up to you which tile is the best choice for your living room.
Because tile is known to stay cool, it is a wonderful flooring option for those who live in warmer climates. Since tile is impervious to water you won’t have to worry about spills in your living room or even those unfortunate puppy accidents. For a living floor that is strong, attractive and a little different, you can’t go wrong with a new tile floor.
4. Lovely Laminate
When you want a floor that looks like hardwood but at a lower price point then laminate flooring might be the exact right floor for your living room. Laminate flooring is created by fusing together multiple fine layers in order to make the laminate overall strong. The top layer is a protective clear finish that further helps protect the floor from fading or staining.
Many pet owners prefer laminate floors in their living room over hardwood flooring because they don’t want to worry about potential damage to their floors. Because laminate flooring is so strong it doesn’t require resurfacing to look great and it can look quite similar to hardwood floors.
If you are in need of a low-cost and easy to care for floor in your living room, consider a laminate floor. Busy families appreciate how easy it is to keep clean and your guests will be impressed by the beautiful look of your floors.
5. Blissful Bamboo
If you are trying to complete a living room makeover that is as stylish as it is eco-friendly then for your floor you will want to consider bamboo flooring. Because bamboo is actually a fast-growing grass and not wood, it is an extremely renewable resource and has excellent sustainability.
Bamboo floors look beautiful and are more resilient to stains and moisture than hardwood floors making it a great option that will look nice for a long time. Bamboo flooring is also less expensive than hardwood floors giving these environmentally friendly floors even more benefits.
Bamboo floors are not great at absorbing sound, however, so you may need to pair these floors with an area rug, especially if your room is large. However, bamboo is naturally antimicrobial making it a perfect flooring option for those who suffer from allergies.
Conclusion
Spend some time looking at samples of flooring for your living room before you decide one way or another. Speaking with a trusted flooring professional will help you make the best-educated decision so your living room feels like home. No matter which flooring option you choose you are bound to love the look of your updated living room.
Click the links below for any posts you have missed:
Roasted Cauliflower & Parsnip Soup
Favorites & Highlights – 2019 Top Posts
Favorites & Highlights – 2018 Top Posts
Favorites & Highlights – 2017 Top Posts
I’d love for you to join my email list! You’ll receive a notification straight to your inbox once a week which will include links to my latest home project posts! Simply enter your address below.
Thanks for stopping by! Have a wonderful day/night depending on where you are in the world! Go with God and remember to be kind to one another!
Toodles,
Alex says
Some great ideas here Kathryn!
I have dark laminate floors in my living room, it looks amazing and adds a nice accent to the room. I am only worried about how to properly deep clean and sanitize them. Is a way to safe way to disinfect these floors without harsh chemicals and stem?
I don’t want to damage the finish.
Thanks,
Alex