Choosing the right flooring your home is an important decision. With a wide range of materials, colors and designs to choose from; making the right decision can seem a little overwhelming. So, we have compiled a list of some different flooring types with pros and cons to help you in making your choice!

Carpet

A nice thick pile carpet can bring a slice of heaven to your home. First thing in the morning when your toes touch the floor, there is nothing better than softness waiting for them. The biggest benefit of carpet is by far the comfort, warmth, and luxury it can bring to a home.

However, a carpet will require the most maintenance in terms of a flooring choice. Be prepared to be hovering daily, stains will happen and will be a nightmare and you will need to think about investing in full carpet clean annually.

Tiles

Tiles are a popular choice during in kitchen and bathroom renovations due to their durability, sterility and how easy they are to clean. Stains and spillages are not a problem, simply grab the mop and the problem is solved which is great.

But tiles lack the warmth of carpet and in living spaces can be cold, hard and unwelcoming.

Vinyl

Vinyl flooring can perhaps bring a balance of the two. The layers of cushion can create a soft pad for our feet, holding heat and giving us a little bounce. Then their waterproof layer gives the practicality when it comes to cleaning and household maintenance.

The greatest flaw of vinyl is that it cannot hold weight well and can puncture from sharp objects - even high heels can be a problem.

These are three of the most common flooring types and perhaps you already have an idea of what would work best for you. However, if you have pets or children you might also want to consider a few more points.

For example, the tiled floor can seem like a great durable option. But with young children, a slight stumble can end with a bang, and with pets, you may have to purchase a large rug or cushion to give them a soft space to lay.

A carpet with preschoolers makes playing on the floor a comfortable experience and taking those first steps have much less risk of a bump. But stains are a real problem, and carpets collect dust and hairs so keeping on top of carpet maintenance is required especially if you have pets.

Vinyl is the obvious all-around choice but it doesn't have the wow factor, although now with the range of designs and patterns available you can certainly make your vinyl floor a feature. You will need to add cushion pads to your furniture and have a few rules about shoes but otherwise it’s a very practical option. Except if you have a scratcher... scratches on vinyl are usually irreparable so if you have a pet that is prone to scratching, vinyl is not the best flooring for you.

There are a lot of options on the market when it comes to quality, price range, and design. Of course, the more you spend normally directly relates to how much quality you can expect. But if you have young children, sometimes going for a lower quality cheaper option can be a good idea with the view to make a higher quality replacement in the future. And as for design and colors... that's where your creative flair can start flowing!

Making a flooring choice is never an easy decision. You need to find the balance between practicality and comfort, and then factor in how it needs to work for your family and the room you are re flooring. But the great thing is that you will never be short on options!