Best flooring ideas for kitchens, basements, bathrooms & more.

Different types of flooring overview.

The many flooring options out there can make your head spin. No one has time to become a flooring expert, so we've compiled a quick guide with the best flooring ideas for your home. 

Hardwood flooring.

Timeless and classic, hardwood floors offer a natural wood surface in a wide range of colors, board widths and wood types. You can choose either solid or engineered wood. And you can choose to DIY the installation or hire a professional.

Pros: It’s easy to clean, long-lasting and feels good to walk on. Solid hardwood can be refinished several times and can last over 100 years. Engineered wood is very durable, slightly cheaper and can be used in rooms where solid wood could warp. 

Cons: Solid wood may warp or swell with fluctuations in temperature and humidity, so it’s not suitable for kitchens, basements or bathrooms. Some engineered wood floors can't be refinished, and while they’re resistant to moisture, they’re still not waterproof. 

Where to install: All hardwood floors are good for living rooms, dining rooms, bedrooms, and hallways. Engineered wood can be installed in kitchens and basements as well. 

Cost: Depending on the type of wood, hardwood flooring costs from $3-$22 per square foot to install.

Laminate flooring.

Laminate flooring is artificial, consisting of several layers with a surface designed to look like natural material. From a distance, it can be pretty convincing. But up close, you may be able to tell it’s artificial. 

Pros: Laminate flooring is easy to install and water-resistant. It’s also an all-around cost-effective flooring option. 

Cons: Laminate flooring almost always looks artificial. It doesn't feel completely solid, and gives a little when you walk on it. It also can’t be refinished.

Where to install: Basements, kitchens, living rooms, bedrooms and hallways (anywhere but bathrooms, saunas and laundry rooms). Laminate flooring can also be installed over wood or concrete.

Cost: Laminate wood flooring costs from $3-$7 per square foot to install. 

Carpet.

Carpet is a soft, natural or synthetic material that generally comes in several styles: cut pile, loop pile, multi-level loop pile and cut-and-loop pile. Cut pile is durable, soft and luxurious. It’s often recommended for high-traffic areas in your home. Loop pile is also durable and great for high-traffic areas. Multi-level loop pile carpeting offers a casual, decorative look, and cut-loop pile comes in multiple textures, colors and patterns.

The range of carpet colors and fibers (nylon, wool, polyester, triexta, etc.) is vast, allowing you to find the style and aesthetic that suits your needs.

Pros: Carpet is soft, warm and dampens noise, making it one of the best flooring options for bedrooms and children’s play areas. Amongst your other flooring options, carpet is one of the least expensive, and you have many options when it comes to color, design and style. Carpets can last a decade if cared for properly. 

Cons: Carpet needs to be installed by a professional. Adding carpeting won’t necessarily increase your home’s value. Also, carpet fibers can collect pollen, dust, pet odors and other allergens.

Where to install: Bedrooms, living rooms, hallways, stairs, basements — anywhere that moisture isn't an issue. 

Cost: Carpet costs anywhere from $2-$13 per square foot to install. 

Vinyl flooring.

Vinyl flooring is a highly durable, versatile flooring option that can last decades if properly installed and maintained. The types of vinyl flooring range from inexpensive and thin to luxury vinyl flooring that is well-padded. Easy to install and resistant to stains, dents and scratches, vinyl is also one of the best flooring options for pets. 

Pros: Vinyl is inexpensive, durable and easy for homeowners to install without any specialized tools. It’s available in many styles with different levels of quality, and it can last up to 25 years. It can also mimic other materials, including wood and stone.

Cons: Vinyl flooring will likely not add much to your property value. Low-end vinyl flooring can look cheap, and removing vinyl flooring can be a challenge. 

Where to install: Bedrooms, kitchens, bathrooms, basements and laundry rooms. Vinyl flooring is a good choice for most rooms. 

Cost: Vinyl flooring costs $3-$7 per square foot to install. 

Tile flooring (ceramic/porcelain).

Ceramic tile is a durable material made from clay that has been molded and fired so that it resembles stone. Porcelain tiles are denser, more durable and more water-resistant than ceramic tiles, but they’re also more expensive. Ceramic tiles are easier to install than porcelain tiles and more customizable.

Pros: One of the most cost-effective flooring options, tile is easy to clean, can last for a lifetime and is easily the best flooring for bathrooms. Plus, the range of styles makes it easy to customize. 

Cons: Tile can be cold underfoot, offer little sound dampening and is difficult to install on your own. Tiles can also be heavy and rigid and can crack without proper underlayment. You’ll also need to maintain the grout to keep your tiles looking new.

Where to install: Unlike other flooring types, tiles can be installed in any and every room. 

Cost: Ceramic and porcelain tile floors cost anywhere from $2-$10 per square foot.

Natural stone flooring.

Natural stone tile is made from stone that’s been quarried, slabbed, finished and then cut to dimension. Some of the most common natural stones used for flooring are granite, marble, limestone, slate and travertine.

Pros: Natural stone flooring is environmentally friendly, durable and has a high-end feel. Slate, marble and granite flooring can last 100 years. You can also consider using natural stone flooring for outdoor areas, such as patios.

Cons: One of the most expensive flooring options, some types of natural stone can be chipped, scratched or stained and are difficult to repair. Stone requires more maintenance and care than other flooring materials, and some types must be treated to ensure they’re waterproof. 

Where to install: Natural stone can be installed in any room of the house but is one of the best flooring options for kitchens and bathrooms. You can also consider using natural stone for your outdoor patio.

Cost: Natural stone tiles typically cost between $5-$15 per square foot before installation. But prices can increase drastically depending on the stone.

Concrete flooring.

Concrete is already the foundation material for many homes. Despite its industrial, “cold” reputation, it can be finished to create a visually stunning interior floor. Concrete can be etched, polished or stained to suit any decorative style. 

Pros: Concrete is durable, inexpensive, and easy to clean and maintain. It can be finished in a wide range of styles. Concrete floors can last more than 50 years if you install them right and stay on top of maintenance. 

Cons: This type of flooring can be hard, cold and slippery. It needs to be properly installed and resealed over time. It can also settle or crack throughout the years. 

Where to install: Concrete can be installed in any room, but is particularly good for the laundry room, kitchen, bathroom, garage and basement. 

Cost: Concrete flooring costs $3-$10 per square foot.

Bamboo flooring. 

Bamboo flooring can be as hard and durable as hardwood. While offering less visual variety than hardwood floors, bamboo is sleek and modern and looks especially good in minimalist and contemporary homes. 

Pros: Bamboo is a renewable material. It’s also easy to install, clean, maintain and refinish. Bamboo flooring can add value to your home and can last more than 100 years if you take good care of it.

Cons: Moisture and humidity can damage bamboo floors. These floors can also be scratched easily.

Where to install: Bedrooms, hallways and living rooms. 

Cost: Bamboo flooring costs about $5-$10 per square foot to install. 

Flooring ideas for every room.

Your best flooring ideas might be a bust if you don't know the basic rules of the flooring game. Check out our room-by-room flooring options to help you choose the best flooring for basements, bathrooms, kitchens and more. 

Best flooring for kitchens.

Winners: Tile, concrete, laminate, hardwood and vinyl planks. 

Kitchens get a lot of traffic — and a lot of attention. Your kitchen floor should be something that can stand up to heavy wear. The best kitchen flooring is water-resistant, easy to clean and attractive, so consider polished concrete, tile or vinyl flooring. You may love kitchen flooring ideas like natural stone tile, but make sure you choose one that is water- and stain-resistant.

Best flooring for basements.

Winners: Concrete, vinyl, tile, epoxy coatings, carpet and engineered wood.

Basements are tricky. Some homeowners convert their basements to living areas and choose carpeting and wood for their flooring. But underground areas tend to be damp and are vulnerable to flooding. When considering all of your basement flooring options, stick to materials that can stand up to moisture. Ask yourself how often you plan to use your basement. Then, weigh the cost of the flooring you're considering.

Best flooring for bathrooms.

Winners: Tile, vinyl, engineered wood and cork. 

Your top priority when choosing material for your bathroom floors: water resistance. Porcelain, ceramic and stone tiles are all great options for your bathroom. But if you have your heart set on wood flooring, choose engineered wood over solid wood flooring. Even better: choose water-resistant or waterproof vinyl flooring that mimics wood.

Best flooring for garages.

Winners: Concrete, rubber tiles, epoxy coatings and vinyl.

The best garage flooring options will vary, depending on how you use your garage. Many homeowners tend to use concrete that’s painted or covered in an epoxy coating. You can also choose to cover your concrete with rubber tiles and mats that are designed for garage floors.

Best flooring for living rooms.

Winners: Bamboo, carpet, concrete, hardwood, laminate and natural stone tile.

Living rooms are often used for entertaining and spending time with loved ones. When considering flooring ideas for living rooms, think about the look and feel of the room first. If you want cozy, soft flooring, choose carpets. But if you have pets or children, a smooth surface may be easier to keep clean. 

Best flooring for bedrooms.

Winners: Bamboo, carpet, hardwood, laminate, linoleum, natural stone tile and vinyl. 

There are many bedroom flooring ideas. Bedrooms tend to be the lowest-traffic rooms in the house where spills are least likely to happen. The best flooring for bedrooms is whatever is most comfortable underfoot, comes in a color and textures you like and is within your budget. 

Best flooring for dogs.

Winners: Tile, engineered wood, vinyl, bamboo and cork. 

Let's be honest, as much as we love our pets, they can wreck flooring. Accidents stain. Nails scratch. And shedding fur means you need to clean your floors often. Dogs are harder on floors than cats, so as a dog lover, you'll want to consider tile, engineered wood and vinyl flooring.

Remember: the best flooring for pets overall is going to be easy to clean, durable and stain-resistant. Ceramic tile and natural stone are super durable and easy to clean. Bamboo and engineered hardwood flooring are scratch-resistant and easy to clean. Vinyl flooring is durable, easy to clean and affordable. 

Cheap flooring options.

If you're on a tight budget, don't sweat it — there are a ton of flooring options that look expensive but won't break the bank. Cheap flooring options include:

• Bamboo (starting at $5/sq. ft.)
• Carpet ($2)
• Ceramic tiles ($2.50)
• Engineered hardwood ($4) 
• Vinyl ($3)

If you're trying to keep costs low, consider the price of hiring a pro for installation versus DIY-ing the project. Ceramic tiles and carpet are a challenge to install, while bamboo and engineered hardwood are usually easier to DIY. Luxury vinyl tiles are easy to install and (despite the name) are quite affordable. 

You can also ask your contractor and suppliers about ways to save on materials, such as getting discounts. For more ideas on how to save money, read our guide.

Quick flooring comparison guide. 

When you're comparing your options, it helps to look at your top picks side-by-side. We compared some of the most popular flooring options for you. 

Laminate vs. vinyl flooring.

Laminate and vinyl flooring are both artificial materials. However, laminate is more moisture-sensitive, and vinyl can be installed anywhere. 

• Most affordable: Laminate flooring may be slightly more affordable than vinyl flooring. 
• Most durable: Both flooring types are extremely durable, but vinyl should last 25 years. Laminate flooring tends to last for 15-25 years. 
• Easiest to install: Laminate is generally easier to install. 
• Easiest to maintain and clean: Both flooring types are very easy to clean and maintain. 

Laminate vs. tile flooring.

Laminate is a lightweight, manufactured, synthetic flooring option. Meanwhile, tile is a heavy, durable, stone-like flooring material. 

• Most affordable: Laminate flooring is more affordable than tile (especially natural stone tile). 
• Most durable: Tile is more water-resistant and durable than laminate flooring. Tile also has a longer lifespan at 75-100 years.
• Easiest to install: Laminate flooring is much easier to install than tile. You’ll most likely need a professional to install your tile floors.
• Easiest to maintain and clean: Both laminate and tile flooring are easy to maintain and clean. However, you’ll need to clean and fix your tile’s grout.

Linoleum vs. vinyl flooring.

It’s important to understand that these two flooring materials are not the same — even though some people use “vinyl” and “linoleum” interchangeably. Linoleum is a natural flooring material, and vinyl is a synthetic material. However, they do share some similarities.

• Most affordable: Vinyl flooring and linoleum have similar costs, but vinyl tends to be more affordable. 
• Easiest to install: Vinyl flooring is easier to install than linoleum. 
• Most durable: They are both extremely durable and have similar lifespans.
• Easiest to maintain and clean: Vinyl flooring is easier to maintain and clean. Linoleum often requires sealing a couple of times every year.

Carpet vs. laminate flooring.

Carpet is a soft, textile-based floor covering, and laminate is a manufactured flooring printed to look like wood, stone or tile. 

• Most affordable: The costs are fairly even but can vary wildly by product quality. 
• Most durable: Laminate flooring is more durable than carpet and has a longer lifespan. 
• Easiest to install: Laminate flooring is much easier to install than carpet. 
• Easiest to maintain and clean: Laminate flooring is easier to clean and carpet occasionally requires a deeper clean like dry or steam cleaning. 

Tile vs. wood flooring.

Tile is durable, water-resistant and cold to the touch. Wood is more organic, softer to the touch, warmer and moisture-sensitive.

• Most affordable: With so many different types of wood and tile materials, there are too many factors to say for certain. However, installation costs are generally similar. 
• Most durable: Tile is generally more durable, water-resistant and scratch-resistant than wood. 
• Easiest to install: Both tile and wood floors are challenging to install — except for engineered wood, which is a breeze. 
• Easiest to maintain and clean: Tile is slightly easier to maintain and clean because it is water-resistant. 

Bamboo vs. hardwood floors.

Unlike hardwood, bamboo is technically a type of grass. While it offers fewer design options, bamboo is less expensive and easier to install than hardwood.

• Most affordable: Bamboo tends to be less expensive than solid hardwood flooring. 
• Most durable: Hardwood tends to be longer because it can be refinished more often. 
• Easiest to install: Bamboo is typically easier to install, but engineered wood and bamboo are about equal. 
• Easiest to maintain and clean: Equally easy to maintain and clean.

Vinyl vs. hardwood floors.

Hardwood has a natural, authentic appearance. Vinyl can mimic wood’s appearance, but up close, it’s easy to tell that it’s not real wood.

• Most affordable: Vinyl is considerably more affordable to install.
• Most durable: Solid wood can be refinished several times. However, vinyl is better at resisting moisture and scratches.
• Easiest to install: Vinyl is the easiest to install, although engineered hardwood is not difficult either. 
• Easiest to maintain and clean: Vinyl is easier to clean and maintain. 

Use Thumbtack to hire floor installation pros.

Now that you're a flooring expert, it's time to make your ideas come to life. If you don’t want to install or replace your flooring by yourself, use Thumbtack to find the best flooring pros in your area.