What's the Best Flooring for Your Living Room?

Consider Your Needs

If you're looking to build a cozy play space for your toddlers, then carpet might be the right call. On the other hand, if you want a sophisticated space for your dinner parties, maybe hardwood is appropriate. Plus, there are a host of less conventional options that could add a unique twist to your home.



Assess your flooring needs for the next few years before jumping on a decision. And, of course, look at your budget and see what you are willing to pay.

Flooring Living Room Costs Vary by Material

Before you pare down your flooring preferences too much, take a look at your budget. What are you able to spend?

Consider whether your flooring choice is meant for personal enjoyment and relaxation or because you'll be listing the house for sale soon, or because you're re-flooring a showroom or commercial space.



Don't forget about labor costs either. Unless you have the expertise to install doors yourself, hiring a professional is a good idea. You can pay anywhere from a few dollars to over $10 per square foot for installation depending on the flooring.

Hardwood Flooring Is the Classic Choice

In some cases, beautiful hardwood floors lurk beneath carpet or other floor coverings. Investigate your living room floors first.

If you peel back the carpet, are there hardwoods beneath? If so, it might be worth ditching the vinyl or carpet on top and maintaining those old hardwoods.

Hardwoods always can be refinished to bring out their grain and add shine. It's actually more cost-effective to work with what's already there. And stats show that most buyers prefer to walk into a home that has hardwood rather than carpet, so if you're planning to sell soon, then hardwoods make a lot of financial sense.



Oak, walnut, and hickory are popular choices. These floors will have a longer life than carpet will, but they do come with a little more maintenance since they can scratch and look dull over time. They look great in a domestic space and also offer charm and sophistication in a commercial space.

Engineered Hardwoods Will Save Money

If true hardwoods push your budget too far, engineered hardwoods can provide a similar look for less money per square foot. Like veneer furniture, this option has a layer of real wood (veneer) on top with plywood below it.



These floors will save you a few dollars per square foot but still provide the traditional look of hardwoods. You can get a matte or glossy finish depending on preference, and it can last for decades if cared for well.

Laminate Is Worth Investigating

You might already have laminate floors in your kitchen, bathrooms, or basement, so why not add them to your living room? Laminate offers a cost-effective option with a variety of different looks. You can get a textured, glossy, matte, or even metallic finish on laminate floors.



Look at your furniture and wall colors and explore what laminate options might match well. One more bonus: laminate floors are easy to care for (just grab a mop!) and stand up to busy traffic well. So if you're inviting people over for a dinner party or selling a product, you can be assured of laminate's durability.

Concrete Provides a Modern Flair

Modernism meets practicality with concrete floors. The modern, clean, industrial look is gaining in popularity, making concrete an excellent contender.

While concrete works well in a commercial space, it isn't limited to just that. When you think of concrete floors, know that they can look less severe and modern with the right color and finish.



These floors tend to be a cheaper route too, and they are easy to clean. With the right finish, these floors can feel warm and even mimic the look of other more expensive flooring surfaces. They provide a clean backdrop if you have patterned area rugs you're eager to show off.

Ceramic Flooring Has Been Popular for Centuries

With ceramic tiles, you get durability and style. These floors are very hard so they can stand up to a lot of heavy traffic, even from your dancing toddler. Since they're installed as tiles, another advantage is that you can swap out a damaged tile easily without having to fix the entire floor.

They're easy to clean and look great over a large living space. You might even want to carry them into your kitchen or another neighboring room.



If you are living in a hot climate, ceramic tiles also offer the benefit of feeling a little colder beneath your feet. When the temperature ticks past 100 degrees in Phoenix, that slight chill can provide a lot of relief!

Carpet Is the Comfy Choice

Carpet remains a popular choice in plenty of American living rooms. It's comfortable, you can play on the floor with your pets, and it's pretty inexpensive to install. You can change up the pile, or height and texture, to achieve a lower, cleaner look or a taller, shaggier look.

Another advantage of carpet? It softens the sounds of footsteps. If you have young kids or playful pets, this could save your sanity when they're racing around the house.



The color options are endless. Choose a flecked or textured style and you'll be able to conceal dirt or stains a little better!

Your Next Step

When it comes to flooring, living room choices deserve thought and research. After all, you might be living with your flooring decision for a decade or two. Consider who lives with you, what your plans are for the next decade, and what your budget will allow you to do.



When you're exploring new flooring options for a living room or commercial space, give us a call and Eagle Flooring West can help you make the best selection and install it!