How to choose flooring for each room

Ask three questions first

• How much wear will it get: feet, pets, children, furniture, outdoor shoes?
• Will it get wet or damp?
• What is under it: concrete, boards, underfloor heating? The base affects what you can fit.

Kitchens

You want something hard-wearing and easy to wipe, such as tile, vinyl or a water-resistant product designed for kitchens. Solid timber is lovely but can be damaged by spills and needs care.

Bathrooms and utility rooms

Choose a floor made for wet rooms: tile, good-quality vinyl or a product that is rated for bathrooms. Grip underfoot matters, and the floor must be properly waterproofed and sealed.

Living rooms and hallways

Hallways take the most wear, so choose a tough surface. In living rooms, wood, engineered wood, laminate or carpet all work, depending on whether you want warmth, sound absorption or a particular look.

Bedrooms

Carpet is warm and quiet. Wood and similar floors look clean, and you can add rugs for comfort. Think about noise if you live in a flat or have neighbours below.

Comparing the main options

• Carpet: warm and soft, but shows stains and traps dust.
• Laminate: practical and varied in look; check how it handles moisture.
• Engineered wood: real wood surface, more stable than solid timber.
• Solid wood: can be sanded and refinished but moves with humidity.
• Vinyl or luxury vinyl tile: waterproof options, good for kitchens and bathrooms.
• Tile: very durable but hard and cold without underfloor heating.

Check the details before you order

Ask the supplier whether the product suits your subfloor and underfloor heating if you have it, who will prepare the base and how the floor will be finished at doorways. Ask for samples and look at them in your own light.

Mistakes to avoid

• Using a floor in a room it was not designed for.
• Ordering before the subfloor has been checked.
• Forgetting how the flooring meets the next room.

See it in your room

Upload a photo of your room to GlowUpp to see AI-generated flooring ideas, then test real samples before you buy. Always ask a qualified professional before moving gas, electrics or plumbing, or changing anything structural, and check your lease or local rules if you rent or live in a conservation area.