A guide to flooring for family homes

Families and their homes come in all shapes and sizes, big, small, young and old. No matter the family though, one thing they have in common is that life moves fast and mistakes happen! That’s why finding a floor that suits your home can not only complement your interior design but also make life that little bit easier when things go wrong.

In this guide, we’ll talk you through what to consider when choosing flooring for your family home and what the best flooring options are.

The twists and turns of family life

For many families, their first consideration when choosing flooring is resistance to spills and ease of maintenance. Whether you have children who love to make a mess, a cat who loves to scratch, or a dog who won’t stop shedding, not having to worry about the time spent cleaning and repairing your floor is ideal.

Safety is, of course, another priority for families. Everyone wants to protect their children from bumps and bruises where possible, and if you have elderly relatives who frequently visit your home, non-slip and soft surfaces will give you some peace of mind.

Those troublesome tots can also cause quite the racket, which, if you work from home, can be a bit of a distraction. It might not be top of the list when choosing flooring, but noise insulation is something to consider if your office sits under a bedroom.

Whether it is your first home or your forever home, future-proofing for a housing market which increasingly values eco-friendliness and sustainability is a bonus. While eco-friendly flooring doesn’t have a direct impact on your EPC rating, it can help add to the overall environmental credentials of your home.

Finding the best flooring for you

Laminate

Laminate flooring is fantastic for families with school-aged children or pets and it’s a common choice for hallways, kitchens, bathrooms, and utility rooms. It is a jack of all trades and fantastic for any family home. 

It’s very easy to clean, a simple mop or wet wipe can get rid of small stains and you can comfortably use a vacuum or sweeping brush to clean up loose dirt. Laminate flooring also comes coated with a scratch-resistant surface to provide an extra layer of protection from any claws or moving furniture.

Laminate flooring is also relatively cheap and simple to install and because it’s comprised of several layers of synthetic material, including a wood fiberboard core, it comes in a wide variety of designs. Our laminate flooring uses high-resolution imaging of natural surfaces to appear just as authentic as many wood or stone styles.

Vinyl

Vinyl flooring is similar to laminate in that it is made of several layers. It has a top layer made of synthetic materials meaning you have plenty of designs to choose from. It also handles spills and moisture well, making it well-suited for kitchens and bathrooms.

Compared to laminate, vinyl flooring is slightly softer and more cushioned. It comes with a coating that gives it a warmer and more comfortable feeling, however, this does mean it is slightly more prone to scratches than laminate.

Luxury vinyl tiles (LVT)

Like laminate and vinyl flooring, LVT is water-proof and spill-resistant. Luxury vinyl tiles are a slightly higher-end product though, often indistinguishable from genuine wood, stone and tile designs. 

Compared to authentic stone and tile though, LVT is far warmer underfoot and also offers a degree of flexibility and cushioning. To replicate wooden designs some LVT floors are textured, increasing grip, which is a great feature if safety is a concern.

Carpets

Carpets are the ultimate flooring when it comes to providing a blend of safety and comfort. If you have very young children and are worried about falls, a soft carpet is the way to go.

Carpets are also a fantastic choice for keeping your home both heat- and sound-insulated. This is ideal if you live in a large or otherwise poorly insulated home or if you want to dampen sounds between rooms.

You might be worried about stains and scratches with carpets, and, while it is true carpets do require a bit more maintenance, there are plenty of simple ways to keep your carpet looking fresh. You can read more about how to care for your carpet at the bottom of this page. We also offer a variety of cleaning products in-store.

Carpets come in a wide array of piles (the density and length of the carpet fibres, and the way they are woven or tufted) and this has a large impact on the softness and feel of the carpet, and, importantly, its durability.

Twist pile carpets, for example, are very common in high-traffic family homes as they offer a nice blend of comfort and durability. Loop pile carpets are even more durable but provide a slightly firmer feeling underfoot.

When it comes to sustainability, wool carpets are a great choice. As a naturally occurring material wool is sustainable and environmentally friendly.

Rugs, mats and runners

Rugs, mats and runners are a great way to adjust or compliment the aesthetic of your home. They can also quickly and simply add comfort or improve safety where needed.

If you have a wooden staircase, stair runners are a fantastic way to improve the safety of the staircase whilst maintaining a degree of a more natural wooden styling. A fabric runner will add extra grip if you are worried about accidents.

A well-placed and durable rug can also help prevent scratches. If your floor is prone to scratches and scuffs or you have a piece of furniture which is particularly abrasive, you can put it on top of a rug.

There is never a one-size-fits-all when it comes to flooring. Every family, every home and every room is unique. We all have different priorities and preferences in terms of style, comfort, safety and ease of maintenance.

To help make the choice more simple, you can arrange a free in-home consultation. We’ll give you advice on the best flooring styles and help you choose from hundreds of designs. Once you’ve made a decision our expert fitters will install your new floor for free. To learn more, contact us and arrange a free quotation.