Are you trying to find the best flooring for your living room? With so many options out there, it can be challenging to find the right option, but rest assured — there's a flooring type that'll make your space more comfortable and inviting.

Factors to Consider When Choosing Living Room Flooring

Picking the right flooring is about more than just the aesthetic. There are four main factors to consider before making a purchase:

1. Traffic

In high-traffic areas, you want durable, stain-resistant flooring. While a fluffy carpet will make your living room look inviting, it may not be the best pick for a busy space.

A washable rug gives you the same comforting aesthetic, but you can restore it to its original beauty with a quick wash.

2. Preferences

Trends come and go, but your unique style will always matter the most. If you like tiles but are afraid of staining them, invest in quality porcelain tiles. They'll last you a long time, and they aren't porous enough to strain.

3. Lifestyle

Consider the maintenance involved with certain flooring options and decide if it matches your lifestyle. For example, if you have kids or pets (or both) running around the living room, it would be better to choose flooring that doesn't stain easily. Additionally, you don't want a slippery surface like porcelain tiles that could pose a fall risk to your children or animal companions.

Laminate flooring, for example, might work well because it's easy to clean and not slippery.

4. Budget

Before you browse showrooms, consider what you can realistically afford. There may also be more cost-effective alternatives. For instance, if you love the aesthetic of wooden floors but it's not in your price range, vinyl could offer a similar look at a lower price tag.

Remember to also factor installation, shipping, and maintenance into your budget.

The Best Flooring Options for Your Living Room

Different living room flooring options offer various benefits, from easy cleaning to luxurious aesthetics. However, they also have potential downsides, like high price tags and slippery surfaces. Whatever your lifestyle, budget or preferences, there's a flooring option that's perfect for you.

Tile

Tiles are one of the most popular living room flooring options and for good reason. They're durable and easy to clean, making them ideal for high-traffic areas like living rooms. Regardless of your decor, you'll find a tile to match because they come in many designs and styles.

If you already have concrete floors, tiles can be applied simply with adhesive. If not, a professional can apply them to a base of cement mortar and white cement fill the joints.

There are two main tiling options people consider — ceramic and porcelain:

• Ceramic tiles: Ceramic tiles are clay-based and porous, which means they tend to absorb water and stain easily. They're not the best choice for high-traffic areas. Glazed ceramic tiles offer better water resistance and are much easier to clean. DIYers generally prefer ceramic tiles because they're simpler to cut and stick to the floor than porcelain tiles.
• Porcelain tiles: Porcelain tiles are one of the best flooring for living rooms. They're made of highly refined clay, which has a low water absorption rate. They're durable and long-lasting. If you have a high-traffic area prone to damage, porcelain tiles are perfect since the texture runs through the tile and makes damage less visible. It's also stain-resistant and can be waterproofed.

Laminate

Laminate flooring is a durable living room flooring option. It's popular among people who like natural materials like wood or stone but want a more affordable version. Laminate can perfectly mimic the aesthetic of natural options.

If you have heavy room furniture or pets, laminate flooring is a good option because it offers impressive resistance. It has a high-density core board and an ultra-durable top layer that protects it from dents, scratches and fading.

With all the traffic living rooms have, laminate is an affordable choice.

Carpet

Carpets have a bad reputation for being unreliable in busy areas, but if you have that problem, it's probably just bad carpet. With new technology like SmartStrand Forever Clean, you don't have to worry about guests spilling red wine on your carpets and leaving a permanent stain. The fibers in these carpets also handle remarkable weight, including that of a 2-ton rhino.

Carpets on living room floors just make an area feel more inviting. They're an excellent way to add an elegant and comfy feel to a space. Plus, they prevent your toes from freezing up on cold floors during the winter months (not to mention the savings on your heat bill).

Carpeted flooring also offers non-slip benefits. Its high friction allows for better grip and provides extra cushioning in case of a fall.

Luxury Vinyl Flooring

Luxury vinyl flooring, also known as LVT, is an excellent choice for those who want the aesthetic and feel of natural wood or stone without the hefty price tag. It's versatile, so you can use it in high-traffic areas like living rooms or spaces prone to damage, like home gyms.

Vinyl has several layers that mimic the grainy texture of wood or stone. It's easy to clean and super durable, so you don't have to worry about scratches and scruff. You also don't have to use harsh chemicals to clean it, as it naturally prevents marks and stains from sticking.

Unlike some hardwood floors, luxury vinyl offers the aesthetic without the creaking. The quiet underfoot allows you to have a midnight ice cream break without waking anyone. LVT comes in many stunning designs suitable for a range of decor options.

Hardwood

If you're looking for a timeless, classic look, wood floors may be the best flooring for your living room. They bring depth to any space and are warm underfoot, so they don't get as cold as tiles.

Wood floors go with virtually any interior style, and they come in different finishes so you can create your desired ambiance. They're also sustainably produced and sourced. With suitable maintenance, wooden floors can last for decades. In fact, some hardwood floors come with a 50-year warranty as proof of their durability and longevity.

Some hardwood floors can be slippery, so they may not be the most suitable for living rooms where kids or older people are expected to walk. However, most wood floors have enough grain or can be fitted with a non-slip finish to create a surface with sufficient friction.

Many people think hardwood floors are difficult to maintain, but they actually require less maintenance than other options. They're thick and dense enough that they only require a quick sand down and refinish whenever they look dull, which takes years.

Rugs

Rugs are one of the best flooring options for living rooms because they immediately improve the area's appearance. Brighten up the room with an artistic watercolor rug or add a classic look with neutral-finish designs.

You can use rugs to cover a slippery surface to make it safer. They also act as excellent protection for certain floors like hardwood or ceramic tiles — bring them out for those wine-spilling visitors. Rugs can be affordable or pricier if you choose a luxury version, but their versatility makes them worth it.

Rugs can offer peace of mind in a high-traffic area like a living room. If they get dirty, you can simply wash or vacuum them. You can also replace them if they're damaged or switch them out regularly for a new look every time. They also give you the option of using them in various rooms, so you can keep them in your bedroom and put them out when you have visitors.

Find the Best Flooring for Your Living Room at Carpet & Tile Mart

The experts at Carpet & Tile Mart are more than ready to help you find the best flooring for your living room with our high-quality flooring products and affordable prices.

Visit a Carpet & Tile Mart store nearyou and come touch, feel and see the flooring options before you purchase. Alternatively, feel free to contact usand get a free coupon and expert advice.