Theoretically, any type of flooring can go into any room, but certain materials are better suited to specific rooms and functions than others. Tile works better in the kitchen than carpet does, and concrete is better suited for your garage than a baby nursery.
Living Room
One popular living room option is hardwood flooring. It has a warm look and gives the home cozy feel. If you already have hardwood, consider matching and refinishing. This will give your home an updated look without the hassle of installing a completely new floor.
Stone flooring like marble, slate, travertine, or limestone can make beautiful additions to a living area as well. Stone flooring is not only desirable for certain architectural styles, it can be entirely appropriate and elegant and, in some cases, locally sourced. With its natural tones and unique characteristics formed eons ago under the surface of the earth, stone flooring can be a sophisticated, one-of-a-kind and very durable option. It can also be one of the more costly options.
Using natural stone, such as marble, slate, travertine, or limestone, will require careful installation. Cracking, chipping, and staining can be serious issues if the area is not carefully prepped, depending on the type of stone used. Remember, stone flooring will be cool in warm climates and downright chilly in cold climates.
Bedrooms
Carpet is still the most popular choice for bedroom flooring. It’s less expensive than hardwoods and makes rooms seem cozy. Carpet also helps keep rooms warmer in the winter. If you already have hardwood floors in your bedrooms, then you can use area rugs to make the floor more comfortable and warmer in the cooler seasons. This is a cheaper option than completely replacing the floor. Another bonus: area rugs tend to be easier to clean and can be switched out at any time for a new design.
Bathrooms
Ceramic tile is the preferred material for most bathrooms and even laundry rooms. Ceramic tile is cost effective and with a few specialty tools can be installed by just about anyone. Some people prefer to do a high end natural stone flooring in the bathroom like marble or granite. This can give the home a designer look, but a smaller remodeling cost because you are only using it in a small area.
Ceramic and stone flooring have one big downside, however. In the winter, these types of floors will be pretty chilly. If that is a concern for you then radiant heated floors might be your best option. Radiant floor heating is an under the floor heating system that conducts heat through the floor surface, rather than through the air like in conventional forced-air heating systems. Not only does radiant floor heating keep your toes warm, but it ensures that the rest of your body will be kept at a comfortable temperature as well. Radiant heated floors are not for the DIY-junkie. These should be installed by a professional who has experience with heated flooring.
