Choosing the Right Flooring for Your Home Remodel

23 June 2025

So, you're diving into a home remodel. First of all—high five! Remodeling is exciting, a little nerve-wracking, and, let’s be honest, full of choices that feel like they carry the weight of the world. Paint colors, kitchen cabinets, fixtures—all overwhelming, sure. But one sneaky decision that often flies under the radar until it smacks you in the face? Flooring.

Yep, choosing the right flooring for your home remodel is a BIG deal. It’s literally the foundation of your space. Your floors take a beating—from muddy shoes, spilled coffee, wild dance parties, and that one pet who just won’t behave.

So how do you pick the right one? Let’s walk through it (pun totally intended).

Why Flooring Deserves Your Attention

Think of your floor as the jeans of your home. It goes with everything, it needs to be comfy yet stylish, and it should definitely stand the test of time. The wrong floors can clash with your vision, wear out faster than a fast-food drive-thru, and, let’s be real, cost you way more down the line.

Still tempted to just "pick whatever's on sale"? Let's slow your roll and look at your options with a bit more pizzazz and planning.

Questions to Ask Before Picking a Floor

Before you start drooling over Pinterest boards, ask yourself:

- Where is the flooring going?
- How much foot traffic will it see?
- Do you have kids or pets?
- What's your lifestyle? (Lazy Sunday binge-watcher or barefoot gourmet chef?)
- Are you into low-maintenance or high-drama materials?
- What's your budget?

Your answers here will shape your choices faster than a Roomba dodging furniture.

Let’s Talk Flooring Types (With All the Pros and Cons)

There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to floors. Each type brings its own charm (and quirks). Let’s break down the usual suspects.

1. Hardwood Flooring: The Timeless Classic

You've seen it in magazines. You've seen it in your dream home. Hardwood floors are like that classic leather jacket—sexy, durable, and never out of style.

Pros:

- Adds value to your home
- Gorgeous and warm with natural grain
- Easy to clean
- Lasts decades with proper care

Cons:

- Pricey upfront
- Susceptible to scratches and water damage
- Needs occasional refinishing

Best For: Living rooms, dining rooms, and bedrooms.

Pro Tip: If you’ve got dogs with the zoomies, go for a harder wood like oak or maple to resist those enthusiastic claws.

2. Laminate Flooring: The Budget-Friendly Impersonator

Looks like hardwood. Costs way less. Laminate is the undercover agent of the flooring world—sleek, sneaky, and surprisingly cool.

Pros:

- Affordable
- Scratch-resistant
- Installs easily (especially the click-lock type)
- Tons of styles

Cons:

- Not waterproof (beware bathroom or kitchen use)
- Can’t refinish if it gets damaged
- Doesn’t add as much resale value as real wood

Best For: Family rooms, home offices, and low-moisture areas.

3. Vinyl Flooring: The Comeback Kid

Vinyl has had a serious glow-up. Forget the tacky stuff from grandma’s kitchen. Today’s luxury vinyl planks (LVP) and tiles (LVT) are stylish, durable, and oh-so-easy on the wallet.

Pros:

- Waterproof (yes, kitchen and bathroom friendly!)
- Cushiony and quiet underfoot
- Easy to clean
- Huge variety of designs

Cons:

- May not increase home value much
- Can be damaged by sharp objects

Best For: Bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms—heck, even basements.

Fun Fact: Some luxury vinyl options are even textured to feel like real wood. Sneaky and sassy!

4. Tile Flooring: The Cool Underfoot Hero

Tile is the MVP in areas where things get messy. It's like the friend who never panics when stuff hits the fan—or the floor.

Pros:

- Super durable
- Waterproof
- Great for radiant heating
- Wide range of styles, from classic to funky

Cons:

- Hard and cold (unless you add radiant heat)
- Grout needs maintenance
- Can be slippery

Best For: Bathrooms, kitchens, entryways, and mudrooms.

Pro Tip: Go for porcelain if you want extra durability and water resistance.

5. Carpet: The Cozy Companion

Nothing beats waking up and stepping onto soft, warm carpet. It's like a hug for your feet.

Pros:

- Comfortable and warm
- Great for soundproofing
- Budget-friendly options available
- Tons of colors and textures

Cons:

- Stains easily
- Traps allergens and dust
- Wears out faster than hard flooring

Best For: Bedrooms, playrooms, movie rooms (popcorn spills happen, though—be warned).

Heads-Up: If you’ve got allergies, you might want to skip carpet or at least go for hypoallergenic versions.

6. Engineered Wood: The Tougher Sibling

Not quite hardwood, not quite laminate—engineered wood is the hybrid hero. A natural wood top sits over a plywood base, making it more stable and less prone to warping.

Pros:

- Real wood look
- More moisture-resistant than hardwood
- Can be refinished (depending on thickness)
- Often easier to install

Cons:

- Still pricier than laminate or vinyl
- Can’t be refinished multiple times

Best For: Anywhere you’d put hardwood but want better moisture resistance—think kitchens or entryways.

Matching Flooring with Your Lifestyle

Okay, let’s play matchmaker. Based on your lifestyle, here’s what might fit:

- Busy families with kids and pets? Vinyl or laminate all the way.
- Luxury lover with a zen bathroom dream? Tile, maybe heated.
- Laid-back vibe with a low-maintenance mantra? Carpet or LVP.
- Trendsetter with a strong resale game? Hardwood or engineered wood.

Make your lifestyle the blueprint for your flooring choice. After all, your house should work for you—not the other way around.

Mixing Flooring Types Like a Pro

Think you have to pick one flooring for the entire house? Nope!

It’s totally fine (actually, it’s fabulous) to mix materials—just do it with purpose. Use transitions to define spaces without breaking the flow. For example:

- Hardwood in the main living area
- Tile in the bathrooms
- Carpet in the bedrooms

Just stay in the same color family to keep things cohesive. Think of it like putting together a great outfit—different pieces, same aesthetic.

Flooring Trends to Watch (But Not Always Follow)

Design trends come and go, but if you're curious what’s hot on the flooring fashion runway, here’s a peek:

- Wide-plank wood flooring
- Waterproof everything (even hardwood-look tile!)
- High-variation tones (natural is in!)
- Eco-friendly materials like bamboo and cork
- Patterned tile vibes for bathrooms and backsplashes

Just remember: trends are fun, but timeless design is your friend if you plan to stick around or resell.

Budget Breakdown: What's Gonna Cost Ya?

Flooring cost can vary wildly, but here’s a rough guide:

- Hardwood: $8 – $14+ per sq. ft. (installed)
- Laminate: $2 – $6 per sq. ft.
- Vinyl (LVP/LVT): $3 – $7 per sq. ft.
- Tile: $5 – $15 per sq. ft.
- Carpet: $2 – $8 per sq. ft.
- Engineered Wood: $5 – $10 per sq. ft.

Installation costs add up too, so always get multiple quotes—and build in a little wiggle room for the unexpected. (Because there's always an unexpected.)

DIY or Hire It Out?

If you’re handy (or trying to become handy), DIY flooring can save big bucks. Laminate and some vinyl planks are beginner-friendly. But tile and hardwood? Maybe leave those to the pros unless you’re cool with mastering the art of grout.

Hiring a pro ensures top-tier results, and sometimes, your time is more valuable than your wallet. Just saying.

Final Thoughts: Walk the Walk

Choosing the right flooring for your home remodel isn’t just about looks—it’s about function, lifestyle, and budget. It’s about finding the Goldilocks fit: not too hard, not too soft, but just right.

So take your time, test those samples under different light, and maybe stomp around a bit. Your future self—and your feet—will thank you.

And hey, if you mess it up? That’s what rugs are for.