The best flooring materials for your home

Johannes van Graan Johannes van Graan
House in Knightsbridge - London, Prestige Architects By Marco Braghiroli Prestige Architects By Marco Braghiroli Livings de estilo moderno
Loading admin actions …

We walk on them, sometimes we even cover them up, but that doesn’t mean we don’t notice them or that their presence is not valued. In fact, if you don’t commit to proper research and planning before picking your flooring material, you might end up with a space very impractical or quite hideous in appearance – or both!

Luckily, we have some prime choices for you to consider in terms of flooring material – it all depends on the type of look you’re after.

To enhance inspiration, we are also taking a look at some designs (floors included) conjured up by the professionals over at Prestige Architects Ltd. Founded by Italian architect Marco Braghiroli, Prestige Architects has become the go-to option for those seeking top-class, bespoke design results. In addition to many private London residencies and English country estates, Prestige Architects has also completed a number of projects in Greece, Monte Carlo, Italy and the Caribbean. 

1. Basing floors on your specific situation

The best flooring for a household depends on the situation of that household. Here, various factors can be considered:

• Budget: If you’re not capable of spending more than €1,000 on a large room, then top-notch materials like marble and granite are not feasible options. 

• Location: Where is the floor being installed? Is it a wet space (like a bathroom), an area with high-foot traffic (such as an entryway), etc? 

• Maintenance: This is more of a personality decision than a flooring one. If properly maintained, any type of flooring can be enjoyed for decades on end. But if you don’t usually stick to those maintenance requirements as laid out by manufacturers, then you need to reconsider your choice. 

• Look and feel: Whether you place this at the top or bottom of your list is up to you. Just remember that the look of your flooring becomes less critical as the years pass by, as flooring manufacturers become more skilled at reproducing the look of natural stone and wood (and multiple other versions) in both laminate and resilient flooring versions. 

2. Tile for budget designs and easier clean ups

Readily accessible, cost-effective, and available in many versatile options – no wonder tile remains one of the most popular choices for homeowners and professionals in the construction / design industry. 

Tile can be purchased in many different materials, from ceramic to stone varieties. And what aids in its popularity is its amazing variety of different sizes (compare tiny little mosaic ones to large, oversized designs), styles and colours. 

In terms of maintenance, tile is one of the easiest options, and it’s usually the grout that’s the bigger problem. Even those problems related to staining or chipping can be mitigated via proper maintenance, sealing, and even opting for an epoxy-based system, which cancels out the need to worry. 

3. Hardwood for looks and proper return on value

There’s nothing like a floor space clad with proper hardwood or timber, which is why so many contractors would rather refinish an old floor instead of ripping it up. Hardwood is a classic choice when done correctly, as those warm, characterful surfaces can instantly style up any space.

Consider the fact that the sanding- and refinishing costs are minimal compared to installing new wooden floors, which might make you think twice about replacing it with something else. 

4. Linoleum for resilience and authenticity

Linoleum is one of those materials that can perfectly resemble another type – and hardwood is one of the most sought-after options. It is made up of linseed oil, making it waterproof, and is one of the best environmentally friendly flooring options available. Sheet linoleum (as opposed to tile) is perfect for bathrooms and kitchens, even though you still need to seal around the wet areas (prone to spills from tubs and sinks) with a silicone caulking.

Standing water doesn’t usually pose an issue to linoleum, unless it can penetrate to the substrate underneath the linoleum. 

5. Luxury vinyl for the look of stone / wood

Should classic wood and linoleum not work for you, yet you still seek that visual appealing look of wooden flooring, luxury vinyl is your next best option.

Perfect for mimicking stone flooring as well, luxury vinyl is the easy answer without high installation costs or associated maintenance. The three factors that make it that much more appealing than old, dreary vinyl flooring of yore are:

• Looks: Manufacturers are capable of perfectly “printing” luxury vinyl surfaces to achieve incredibly realistic 3D graphics on the flooring surfaces.

• Feel: With added texture, the luxury vinyl feels just like the grain of wood or the rough surface of stone. 

• Thickness: Often, luxury vinyl can be twice as thick as ordinary tile. 

6. Concrete for a contemporary ambience

Concrete surfaces might remind many of garages or sidewalks, but this material has slowly established itself as one of the best flooring options for mid-budget projects. 

The staining and stamping methods of modern concrete have opened up an entire new world to all. There are a myriad of ways to embellish a concrete floor, making it look as rough and rustic or neat and contemporary as you want. From radiant heating to inlaid tile, the possibilities of concrete flooring are limited only to flooring designers’ imaginations.

From floors to just about everything else, let’s look at these 12 tips for styling up a minimalist living room.

¿Necesitas ayuda con tu proyecto?
¡Contáctanos!

Destacados de nuestra revista