Your floor is one of the key features of your home’s interior. It’s as much of a statement as it is a necessity.

When choosing a new floor, you want to make sure you've done your research on the right flooring for your space, lifestyle and budget. Knowing how to choose your new floor begins with understanding your unique needs. Some good questions to ask yourself are how long do you need it to last? Do you have children or pets? Does anyone in your home have allergies? What look are you going for? What type of cleaning is involved?

There’s a lot to consider and a lot to choose from! To help you on your research journey, we’ve created some tips on choosing the right floor for your lifestyle.

Floors for families

If you have little ones then you’re going to want a floor that can withstand potential stains, spillages and scratches. In areas where your family will be eating or likely to make mess, we suggest choosing a resilient floor such as ceramic tile or vinyl. Vinyl is a particularly popular option for families because they look like natural wood or stone – often being mistaken for the real thing! - and are easy to clean. Their durability makes them perfect for those who want to maintain a stylish interior but want to protect their flooring from little hands and feet.

We recommend checking out Amtico’s beautiful collection of luxury vinyl planks and tiles. Amtico Spacia is a great starting point and if you’re ready to be a little more experimental with your designs check out the endless layout options in the Amtico Signature collection.

Floors for pets

If you have a pet they’re part of the family and your home just wouldn’t be the same without them. However, when it comes to flooring, they can bring their own set of challenges. It’s important to find a floor that’s compatible with claws, hair and if you have dogs, mud!

Similarly to a lifestyle that includes children, we recommend choosing a floor with resilient qualities. You will need a floor designed to be durable and resistant to stains, and that can be easily cleaned with a mop. Be aware that wood flooring in particular can be permanently damaged by pet accidents or scratched by nails.

We would recommend choosing a vinyl floor, as it will look elegant and high-quality whilst remaining in top condition.

If you decide that you want carpet in your home, then we suggest choosing a carpet that doesn’t have a looped pile, as these can be badly snagged by your pet’s claws. Additionally, it would be worth researching the best way to clean up pet accidents on your chosen carpet, as different materials and stains require different techniques. Man-made polypropylene carpets are a great choice as they’re bleach cleanable (yes, really!) Or opt for a good quality wool carpet which is naturally resistant to dirt.

Floors for allergies

Making decisions about the right flooring for your home can be tricky if you or a family member has asthma or allergies. It’s generally said that carpets are a bad idea for allergy sufferers due to carpet trapping dust and allergens in their piles.

A hard surface flooring is a great option. It’s very easy to sweep, vacuum and mop, meaning allergens can be managed a lot easier. Additionally, wood flooring or luxury vinyl tiles are very on trend for 2019, meaning your home can be healthy and beautiful.

Floors for the elderly

For elderly homeowners, comfort and safety are the two biggest factors when choosing a new floor. It’s very important that their environment is safe in the event of a fall, but also not too high maintenance.

Carpet seems like the most compatible choice due to its softness and warmness. We recommend choosing a low-pile carpet, which is soft and compatible with a wheelchair or walker. Additionally, carpet is a great choice for its insulating qualities that help keep the heat in and is comfortable underfoot.

However, carpets need to be hoovered regularly, otherwise they can collect dust and dirt. If you need something easier to maintain, we recommend choosing a luxury vinyl tile. They’re extremely easy to clean and have scratch and stain resistant qualities.

Whilst many elderly people are independent and can take care of themselves, having the right floor is a long-term investment and can bring peace of mind to both you and your family.

Floors for fashion

If you’re looking to make a statement with your new floor, then researching the latest trends is a good place to start.

Wider wooden planks have always been very popular due to their ability to make an area of the home look more spacious, but this year they’re making a big comeback, especially in lighter toned woods. Check out the Classic 3060 range of engineered wood from Parador flooring. Additionally, the parquet design is a great choice if you want to bring a classic and contemporary decor to your home. Combining the parquet design with a light toned wood, such as Parador Oak Pure, will have your floor looking elegant and on trend for years to come.

If you’re looking for something that has the ‘wow’ factor, then opting for something quirkier like Alternative Flooring’s spots and stripes could be just what you’re looking for. Or the Amtico Décor range from Amtico Signature - we particularly love the Amtico marble.

If you have any questions about which floor would suit your home and lifestyle, then get in touch with us! Find us on Facebook or email us at sales@carpetandflooringonline.com.