Flooring is an integral cornerstone of home decor and functionality. So ideally, you'd choose the flooring that complements your decorative preferences and lifestyle.
For example, light-colored wood floors can make spaces feel cozy. Meanwhile, tile floors are low maintenance and easy to clean.
There are various flooring options, and your tastes and needs can make choosing between them difficult.
Luckily, we have a few modern flooring ideas to help you select the right choice for your home. We'll discuss flooring types and the pros and cons of picking that specific kind of flooring.
Hardwood Flooring
Hardwood floors are an ever-popular choice for homeowners. One reason people love wood floors is that there are many kinds - Oak, Maple, Pine, Ash, and Walnut are just a few possibilities.Manufacturers make hardwood flooring from a single, solid piece of milled timber. The other reason wood floors are so beloved is because they're tough and adaptable.
Earlier, we said hardwood can make spaces feel cozy. You can also make a room feel grand and sophisticated. There are various pigments also.
Light woods, dark wood, grey, red, black - if you want a particular color of wood, you can find it. There is a catch to picking wood flooring options, though. Hardwood floors also bring incredible value to your home.
However, they are among the most expensive flooring on the market. Hardwood is also high maintenance.
Getting a wooden flooring upgrade means you'll have to perform regular upkeep because they're prone to scratches and gouges.
You'll need to apply a specialty wood cleaner monthly and reapply a coat of finish each three to five years so they don't become dingy and dull. You're also limited as to where you can place wood floors.
Bathrooms, laundry rooms, and basements are not ideal spots for wooden flooring. Hardwood can be susceptible to water damage.
Engineered Wood Flooring
Consider engineered wood flooring if you want an affordable alternative to traditional hardwood. Engineered wood looks like the genuine article, but consists of a thin layer of hardwood connected to a plywood underlayer.Engineered wood is as durable as traditional hardwood and can last as long when cared for. You can purchase this wood flooring in colors like red, white, grey, brown, and black.
Engineered wood has the advantage of easy installation for DIYers. The ability to install your flooring can further help save you money. This type of flooring isn't as susceptible to water damage and warping.
However, engineered wood has weak fade resistance, and you can't refinish it more than once. The single layer of hardwood on top of plywood may result in a hollow sound when you walk.
Certain types of engineered wood may emit VOCs or volatile organic chemicals. The adhesion process (to attach the hardwood to the plywood) utilizes potentially harmful chemicals.
Vinyl Flooring
The third of our modern flooring ideas is vinyl. Vinyl is a multi-layered synthetic material made of PCV, fiberglass, or plastic. You can purchase vinyl in planks, tiles, and sheets. From bottom to top, the layers consist of:- Underlay or backing: which is optional depending on the manufacturer
- Core layer: forms the rigidity of the flooring
- Image layer: may look like wood, ceramic, or other materials
- Wear layer: protects the sublayers from damage and wear
Vinyl with wear layers is difficult to stain and can withstand heavy traffic. Unlike hardwood, 100% waterproof vinyl works well in wet areas like bathrooms, laundry rooms, mudrooms, and kitchens.
Vinyl flooring is perfect for people who don't like the hard feel of wood or tile. The only downside is luxury vinyl planks and tile can be expensive. They also bring less value to your home than wood floors.
Laminate Flooring
Laminate is a cheap flooring upgrade and a terrific selection for homeowners into DIY projects. The floors contain particleboard wood bases topped by a wood or tile image layer covered by protective plastic.Laminate floors come in many textural and color patterns like wood and stone. Laminate works well in high-traffic areas with minimal damage, is UV resistant, and comes in waterproof varieties.
Picking laminate means you'll have scratch-resistant and easy-to-clean new flooring. Unfortunately, laminate can be easily water damaged and is prone to chipping.
Stone and wood textured flooring may not look like authentic stone and wood floors. Laminate also sounds hollow when walked across as well.
Tile Flooring
What kind of tile floors you get should depend on where you intend to place them. For example, ceramic tiles are sleek and best suited for wet areas.Bathrooms, mudrooms, laundry rooms, and kitchens suffer frequent exposure to water and require flooring options that won't rot or buckle from damage.
Terracotta tiles are not waterproof and go best inside living and dining rooms. Tile floors are made of thin, rigid slabs and come in many materials and colors.
Here are a few types you can use for your new flooring:
- Ceramic: often used for economical floors, countertops, and walls
- Porcelain: used for trendy floors and showers
- Terracotta: gives floors a warm, rustic appeal
- Quarry: best for sheltered patios and sunrooms
- Natural Stone: used for luxury floors and showers
Porcelain is amongst the hardiest of tile floors. Meanwhile, quarry tiles are incredibly long-lasting and durable. Tile is also complicated and hard to install; it's not a job for an inexperienced DIYer.
Linoleum Flooring
Linoleum is one of the most attractive flooring options here. It's been around since the 1800s. However, it's still one of our top picks for "modern flooring ideas" because it's still used today.Linoleum is not the same as vinyl. It's made of renewable, natural materials that differ depending on the manufacturer. Some standard flooring components are tree resin, jute, linseed oil, jute, and wood flours.
The difference between vinyl and linoleum is the design is engraved inside the material instead of printed onto thin layers. Linoleum is a popular flooring option because it can last decades if properly maintained.
This flooring is also cheaply installed and comes in many patterns, colors, and styles. It's water-resistant, so it's another alternative for kitchens, bathrooms, and laundry rooms.
Despite linoleum's vaunted durability, you still must avoid damaging your new flooring. The flooring is easily scratched or cut. Linoleum is also prone to darkening or yellowing from UV exposure.
Stone Flooring
Stone is one of the most versatile modern flooring ideas listed here. Natural stone floors like travertine, sandstone, granite, and marble can go indoors and outside.What makes stone a worthwhile flooring upgrade is that it's durable and waterproof. Stone is a beautiful, dramatic flooring choice that easily draws the eye.
Each flooring type's finish determines how much effort maintenance demands. Some stone floors require washing, dusting, sealing, and polishing.
Dirt and sand are abrasive, so you must clean them off quickly and often. The cleaner must also have a pH of 7. Anything above or below is too alkaline or acidic, respectively.
The acid will wear the stone sealant away, and alkaline cleaners may leave a harmful residue that'll damage it without neutralization. Stone floors require a lot of prep work to install and can be slippery and cold.
Carpet Flooring
Carpet is among homeowners' favorite modern flooring ideas. Although you can't place carpet in your bath or laundry room, it goes wonderfully in bedrooms, living rooms, and hallways.You should consider carpet for your new flooring because you'd have your pick of colors, textures, and materials. Black, blue, red, white, brown, pink; you can have whatever color carpet you want.
Many reading this may have been scared off by carpeting, thanks to its tendency to accumulate stains. But modern carpets are stain-resistant.
Carpet flooring, unlike the rest of our modern flooring ideas, is soft and warm underneath the feet. It brings a visual warmth and works excellently to muffle sounds.
Stain-resistant technology doesn't make carpet any less problematic to clean, though. It may take professional assistance to remove the dirt and stains. Carpeting shows wear patterns pretty badly as well.
Modern Flooring Ideas for the Modern Homeowner
Deciding on your new flooring can be a difficult task. There are many flooring options, but hopefully, our modern flooring ideas gave you a bit of inspiration.Now that you've got some ideas for what kind of flooring you want, where are you going to get it? Don't worry, Y's Way Flooring has you covered. We've got wood floors, tile floors, carpet, and natural stone.
Contact Y's Way Flooring today to discuss next-day installations. We service homes in Watertown, Oconomowoc, and Lake Mills, Wisconsin.
