Living Room Flooring Guide: Pros and Cons of 17 Different Options

The sky is truly the limit when decorating your living room. With 18 popular design schematics to choose from, beautiful polished flooring options, and countless decorating accouterments, creating your dream living space is as easy as opening your web browser and letting your imagination and creative energy run free.

In order to come up with the very specific design ideas, we create most designs with the assistance of state-of-the-art AI interior design software.

We show you how to create the living room you have always fantasized about. With an exhaustive library of colorfully inspiring pictures, charts, and graphs that chart the popularity of top design concepts, and countless tips and tricks, you have everything you need to start taking the first steps to bring your design concept to life.

Read below for some of the top living room designs, and flooring finishes available today. Featuring decors ranging from the warm and inviting rustic country aesthetic to sleekly sexy minimalist styling cues, inspiration awaits you! Check out the colorful pictures, informative graphs, and wealth of information to help you choose your living room floor finish and overall styling concept. It’s that easy!

Best Flooring for Living Rooms (by popularity)

We analyzed 246,930 living rooms and, from that data set, determined which are the most popular living room floor materials. Here they are from most popular to least popular.

• Hardwood: 72.84%
• Carpet: 10.19%
• Ceramic Tile:  3.30%
• Concrete: 3.29%
• Porcelain Tile: 3.11%
• Travertine: 1.27%
• Marble: 1.42%
• Vinyl: .76%
• Limestone: .68%
• Laminate: .65%
• Painted Wood: .67%
• Slate: .41%
• Bamboo: .55%
• Terra-cotta Tile: .35%
• Brick: .09%
• Cork: .10%
• Linoleum: .11%
• Plywood: .13%
• Tatami: .07%

The 17 Types of Floors for Living Rooms

Below we explain the 17 types of flooring options for living rooms. We include approximate costs and the pros and cons of the flooring ideas. We also provide a link to a photo gallery showcasing examples of living rooms with that type of floor.

1. Hardwood floors in light, medium, and dark hues

Hardwood flooring is a classic and favorite choice amongst homeowners looking to upgrade their space. Available in shades ranging from light, medium, to dark, hardwood flooring is a beautiful way to give your home a timeless elegance and luxurious feel.

Smooth, polished, and topped with an artisan rug or carpet, hardwood floors are aesthetically appropriate in various settings and decors, from traditional to modern, and even Asian and Mediterranean styles.

Hardwood flooring is typically available in three varieties (strip, plank, and parquet) and has a specific size bracket (1.25-2.25 inches wide). A variety of wood types are available, including but not limited to walnut, cherry, oak, and unfinished varieties, which can be stained to your specifications.

Price	$3 per square foot for unfinished oak to over $12 per square foot for exotic wood types
Product Availability	Walnut, cherry, oak, and unfinished varieties in strip, plank, and parquet forms
Product Sizing	1.25-2.25 inches wide

Pros

• Easy maintenance
• Adds significantly to the resale value of homes
• The vast array of styles available

Cons

• Costly materials and installation
• Requires periodic refinishing

=> Click here for our massive living rooms with hardwood photo gallery

Related: Pine Flooring

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2. Carpet

Carpeting, especially wall-to-wall carpeting, is the most popular choice amongst homeowners regarding floor coverings.

Available in a vast array of colors, patterns, and textures, carpeting can be effortlessly and perfectly matched to your individual tastes and unique décor.

Carpeting offers a cozy, warm, and inviting element to homes. You can choose from wool, nylon, olefin, polyester, and acrylic in natural or synthetic forms.

Price	$1400 – $4000 for an average-sized living room
Product Availability	Natural and synthetic
Product Sizing	By the square yard

Pros

• Easy maintenance (regular vacuuming)
• Energy saving (provides insulation in winter and summer)
• Sound minimizing

Cons

• Can aggravate allergies
• Water contact can create mildew and mold
• Stains can be hard to remove and clean

=> Click here to see living rooms with carpet flooring

Also, check out our gallery of living rooms with area rugs.

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3. Ceramic Tile

Ceramic tile floors are a fantastic option for water and stain-resistant flooring. Highly durable ceramic tiles are sturdy materials that can withstand years of use.

Ceramic tile comes in either glazed or unglazed options. When topped with protective glaze, ceramic tile becomes highly resistant to stains or damage from water and can stand in high-humidity environments.

Easy to clean, ceramic tile flooring is perfect for those prone to allergies. Unlike carpet fibers that can harbor allergens, tile flooring is smooth and requires a wipe to remove dust and dirt.

Price	$5 – $10 per square foot
Product Availability	Triangle, rectangle, and plank cuts are available in a variety of motifs, patterns, and simulated materials (ex. Hardwood)
Product Sizing	By the square foot

Pros

• Durable and can last for decades when properly maintained
• Cracked tiles are easy to replace
• Easy to clean and maintain

Cons

• Moderately high price
• Tiles can crack when exposed to abuse

=> See photo gallery of living rooms with tile floor

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4. Concrete

Concrete flooring offers unparalleled durability and functionality in comparison to other flooring options. Concrete flooring requires only minimal maintenance and must be sealed once per year.

Available in an array of colors and textures, concrete offers a smooth surface that can be topped with your favorite rugs and cozy carpets for unrivaled versatility and limitless design options.

Price	$2-$6 per square foot for polished gray slab concrete to $5-$8 per square foot for elaborate options
Product Availability	An array of colors and textures can be achieved by dye, tint, latex paint coverings, and etching or scoring
Product Sizing	By the square foot

Pros

• Highly versatile
• Environmentally friendly
• Anti-allergen
• Long-lasting durability

Cons

• Hard surfaces can prove to be hazardous for children and the elderly
• Requires periodic resealing to keep moisture out
• Cold surface necessitates the use of rugs and carpets for comfort

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5. Porcelain Tile

Porcelain tile offers a gleaming opulence and certain regality to living room floors.

Porcelain tile is similar to ceramic tile but differs in that it is constructed from denser clays and fired at much higher temperatures.

The end result is a tile that is resistant to scratches and stains, supremely durable, and strong enough to withstand commercial applications.

Easy to clean and requiring a simple wipe to remove dust and dirt, porcelain tile is perfect for those with allergies or just looking for an attractive, low-maintenance flooring option.

Installing porcelain tiles yourself is a particularly cumbersome task. Due to the thick, heavy, and dense material, it is difficult to cut precisely. Hiring a contractor to install porcelain tile flooring will be your best bet to ensure professional results.

Price	$2-$25 per square foot
Product Availability	Unglazed, matte, or polished
Product Sizing	12 x 12, 16 x 16, 6×6 sizing. Also available in rectangle, triangle, and hexagon shapes.

Pros

• Tough and long-lasting
• Stain and liquid resistant
• Fireproof
• Low maintenance
• Can withstand frost and freezing conditions

Cons

• Cumbersome installation due to required special setting compound
• Pricey materials and installation

=> See photo gallery of living rooms with tile floor

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6. Travertine

Travertine flooring is unique in its composition, natural coloring, and stylishly organic presence.

A type of limestone, Travertine comes in an earthy palette featuring softly muted colors like golds, creams, browns, tans, beiges, and rusts.

Travertine is an excellent way to add a dash of patina to your home décor; its fabulous natural coloring offers an old-world flavor and elegant opulence at the same time.

Price	$3-$30 per square foot
Product Availability	Polished, matte, brushed, and tumbled with natural color variations
Product Sizing	1×1, 1×2, 2×2, 2×4 and 4×4 with custom sizes available

Pros

• Easy to replace
• Water and moisture resistant
• Environmentally friendly “green” option
• Uniquely beautiful

Cons

• Cumbersome maintenance requires regular use of sealants and polishes
• Extreme porosity requires holes to be regularly filed
• Difficult to self-install; professional installation recommended

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7. Marble

Marble flooring exemplifies one-of-a-kind luxury and elegance. With its inherently broad presentation of natural whorls, hues, and tonality, marble is a distinctly unique and upscale flooring option that offers gorgeous visual appeal, timeless looks, and long-lasting durability.

Price	$5-$15 per square foot
Product Availability	Multiple colors and multicolor mixes; are available in tile. Rectangle, triangle, and mosaic cuts
Product Sizing	By the square foot

Pros

• Unparalleled natural beauty and luxury
• Boosts resale value of homes

Cons

• High maintenance; requires regular sealing and cleanings
• High porosity surface is prone to stains
• Impractical surface for children
• Prone to cracks
• Hard to match tile to tile

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8. Vinyl

Vinyl has been touted for decades as the low-cost flooring material of choice for homeowners; vinyl has withstood the test of time in popularity and ubiquity of use.

A litany of benefits comes with vinyl flooring. Minimal maintenance, water-resistant, and scratch-resistant, it is kid-friendly and easy on the feet of older adults. Durable enough to hold up to heavy foot traffic, vinyl flooring is also straightforward to care for and clean. Dirt and dust only require a damp mop or cloth, and an entire floor can be cleaned in minutes.

Properly installed, a vinyl floor will last for decades. Replacing a vinyl floor is also very affordable, as pricing can be as little as $.50 per square foot. Installing a vinyl floor is a DIY-friendly endeavor that homeowners can take on themselves without hiring a contractor or professional.

With modern-day advances, vinyl flooring is now available in simulated finishes that offer luxury vinyl at affordable prices. Wood plank-style flooring and simulated ceramic tile flooring are readily available vinyl options that won’t break the bank and can transform the overall look and feel of your entire living room.

Price	$.50 to $10 per square foot
Product Availability	Sheet vinyl and “tile” vinyl
Product Sizing	Sheets are available in  6 or 12 feet wide, and vinyl  tile flooring is available in  9″x9″ or 12″x12″ sizes

Pros

• Easy maintenance
• Very affordable to install and replace
• Easy installation doesn’t require hiring a professional
• Stain, water, and scratch resistant
• Comfortable on the feet

Cons

• Elevated levels of chemicals that can be released during the installation process
• Not environmentally friendly. Vinyl is not biodegradable.
• Surface can rip and tear over time
• Difficult to repair
• Yellows with age and time
• Not fireproof and releases toxins when burned

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9. Slate

Slate flooring is at the intersection of functionality, durability, and affordability. With the ability to last for 50 years or more, slate floors are dependable options for homeowners looking for flooring materials they can count on.

Slate’s natural durability renders it resistant to scratches, breaks, chips, stains, and cracks.

Price	$4-$10 per square foot
Product Availability	Gauged or ungauged slate
Product Sizing	By the square foot

Pros

• Adds significant resale value to homes
• Naturally, slip-resistant and stain resistant
• Unique, natural, earthy aesthetic and appeal

Cons

• Costly materials and installation
• Cold surface temperature
• Heavy and dense material makes self-installation difficult; professional installation is recommended

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10. Bamboo

Bamboo flooring is an eco-friendly choice due to bamboo’s sustainability, widespread availability, and its status as a rapidly renewable resource.

Top-quality bamboo is touted for its durability and is comparable to hardwood flooring. Bamboo is a perfect addition to modern or contemporary living spaces and adds instant elegance to your décor.

Different forms of bamboo are readily available for flooring purposes. Vertical bamboo is used when uniformity and straight, even lines are desired, while horizontal bamboo has a natural pattern with slight variations. Strand-woven bamboo mixes the grass fibers together in an interlocking mechanism for long-lasting durability and hardness.

Bamboo flooring is typically available in its natural light color profile; however, carbonized bamboo with a darker hue is also readily available.

Price	$5-$8 per square foot
Product Availability	Vertical, horizontal, and strand woven bamboo in natural coloring and carbonized darker colors
Product Sizing	By the square foot

Pros

• Eco-friendly
• Adds significantly to the resale value of homes
• Vast array of styles available

Cons

• Bamboo sourced from overseas may contain toxic chemicals
• Susceptible to water damage
• Does not fare well in excessively humid climates
• Inferior quality bamboo does not offer the durability of top quality bamboo and will show scratches

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11. Painted wood

Painted wood floors are an ingenious and creative way to freshen up dull or drab floors and add lively appeal and bold colors. Often, refinishing a hardwood floor is cost-prohibitive for homeowners. A painted wood floor provides an instant facelift to any floor and livens up the overall vibe of the entire home.

A crisp white can add an upscale and elegant look, while a boldly audacious color can add punch to an eclectic living room scheme. Stencils, contrasting paint colors, and geometric design elements can transform a floor from drab to fab with little monetary investment and creative energy.

Price	$152.30 for an average-sized floor
Product Availability	Paint in assorted colors, stencils
Product Sizing	N/A

Pros

• Low maintenance
• Provides endless creative options
• Vast array of styles available

Cons

• Tedious and lengthy job
• Requires retouching

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12. Linoleum

Valued for its long-lasting reliability, linoleum flooring can last over 40 years. Available in abundant colors, patterns, and simulated textures, linoleum has a versatility that will lend itself excellently to your home’s décor and your budgetary needs.

Linoleum comes in two primary forms; linoleum tile flooring and floating linoleum flooring. Linoleum tile flooring is water-resistant, eco-friendly, and comfortable on the feet.

Similarly, floating linoleum flooring shares the same attributes as linoleum tile flooring. Still, it differs in that it is typically the go-to choice for DIY’ers due to its ease of installation and click-and-lock design mechanism. Simply snap the linoleum pieces into place, and apply with no adhesive, hired professionals, or mess required.

Price	$2-$5 per square foot
Product Availability	Solid colors, flecked, marbled, and patterned
Product Sizing	By the square foot

Pros

• Easy maintenance
• Water-resistant
• Vast array of styles available

Cons

• Excessive humidity can cause edges and corners to curl up
• Requires periodic sealing
• Linoleum yellows with age and time.

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13. Laminate

Laminate flooring is highly durable and protected by a rugged external layer. A resin coating adds protection against scratches, impact, and stains. This synthetic flooring comes in an endless variety of colors and tones ranging from classic brown to modern gray and more. Laminate flooring is resistant to pet claws, kids, and high heels, making it an excellent option for busy households and high-traffic areas of the home.

If you’re looking for durable flooring, laminate is a wise choice. This versatile flooring works well in standard rooms like living spaces and bedrooms and areas with high moisture, such as a bathroom, kitchen, and laundry room. Choose laminate flooring as an affordable alternative to costlier hardwood floors.

Thanks to its versatile look, low maintenance, and reasonable cost, many homeowners choose to install laminate. This flooring is easy to clean with simple sweeping and mopping, making it a family-friendly choice. It’s available in a wide array of patterns and colorways, so it’s easy to find a laminate flooring product that works with your favorite interior design style and aesthetic.

Price	$0.79-$3.00 per square foot, and the underlayment ranges from $0.29 to $0.79 per square foot
Product Availability	Textured, matte, shiny, and smooth finishes are available. Laminate comes in plank styles in a range of colors, like ash, cherry, bamboo, black, gray, and more.
Product Sizing	Planks are between 5” and 8” wide

Pros

• Easy to install, great for DIY projects
• Stain, scratch, and water-resistant material
• Affordable flooring alternative to tile and hardwood
• Available in a wide range of textures and colors

Cons

• If installed incorrectly or exposed to excess moisture, warping may occur
• Cannot be refinished
• It can be loud and noisy if installed improperly

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14. Limestone

Limestone is a tile made up of sedimentary rock that formed at the bottom of the ocean over a period of millions of years. This beautiful stone tile is made up of primarily calcium carbonate and can vary significantly in appearance, depending on the amount of calcite it contains. Shades range from very light to yellowish or tan, making them an excellent option for neutral-colored flooring.

This stone tile has a Mohs rating of between three and four out of 10. Granite is much harder, while marble is slightly lower and less durable. While limestone flooring is fairly resistant to scratches, it does require some upkeep and maintenance to help preserve its beautiful, natural appearance. Applying a penetrative sealer after installation is recommended, with reapplication occasionally advised, depending on the level of foot traffic your limestone tile floors receive.

Due to its elegant appearance, limestone is quite popular in many modern homes, particularly in dining rooms and living spaces. While the material is quite sturdy, it can still be prone to breakage, particularly if a heavy object is dropped on it. In most cases, it’s best to install limestone in entryways and other lower-traffic areas of the home. Many homeowners also install it outside to create a beautiful patio or garden area.

Price	$3.00 to $10 per square foot, limestone accent tiles can cost $30 or more
Product Availability	Earthy tones like creams, yellows, beiges, and browns are common with this all-natural stone tile
Product Sizing	Standard tiles are typically 12 x 12, 16 x 16, 18 x 18, or 24 x 24 but larger sizes are also available

Pros

• Because it’s a natural material, limestone comes in a wide variety of patterns and colors that can vary with each individual tile
• This flooring adds an elegant appearance to modern homes
• Overall, limestone is durable particularly when installed in lower-traffic areas
• Only occasional sweeping and mopping are needed to keep them clean

Cons

• Limestone flooring is expensive and may be out of reach for some homeowners’ budgets
• The material should be sealed and then re-sealed to protect it from stains and marks
• This tile can crack easily if something is dropped on it
• Not recommended for extremely high-traffic areas of the home

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15. Terracotta Tile

Terracotta tile is one of the oldest forms of clay ceramic tiles and means “baked earth” in Italian. These porous tiles feature a warm, rich, red coloring reminiscent of regions like Tuscany. The tiles are made of clay and get red coloring due to the high iron content. Today, you can purchase terracotta tiles in various sizes and shapes.

To make this tile, the clay is heated in a kiln with temperatures up to 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit. Not only does terracotta tile look beautiful inside, but it’s also a gorgeous addition to a patio or even as a roof tile. Homeowners may find this specific type of flooring tile available from many different retailers and manufacturers worldwide. Prices are mostly affordable but largely depend on the source of the tile, the finish, and if any special details are required.

It’s important to choose high-density terracotta tiles for flooring and roofing. These specific tiles have a more hardened finish resistant to cracking and other types of damage. Low-density terracotta tiles are more affordable, but they’re also prone to damage and unsuitable for flooring. They’re also much more porous, and most terracotta tiles for flooring should be glazed to create a waterproof surface.

Price	$4.00 to $12 per square foot, imported tile may cost more
Product Availability	Featured in deep reddish orange colors and available in glazed or unglazed finishes
Product Sizing	Standard tiles are as small as 4 x 4 (usually used for backsplashes or finishing details) and as large as 24 x 24 inches

Pros

• Adds a warm and earthy feel to the home
• Popular tile for kitchens and outdoor spaces
• Easy to clean with a damp mop or rag
• Fairly durable and scratch-resistant flooring choice

Cons

• Sealing is recommended to prevent stains
• Some installers say terracotta tile is more difficult to install than other types of tile
• Unglazed tiles cost less but are also much more vulnerable to stains and marks
• Grout can be difficult to keep clean and requires occasional re-sealing

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16. Cork

Cork is a sustainable, eco-friendly flooring material that is harvested from the bark of cork trees. This flooring material has been used in other countries for centuries and is now gaining popularity in the United States. This beautiful flooring has unique characteristics that give it a unique look and feel underfoot.

Cork floors are durable and resist scratches. The bouncy feel of cork makes it an incredibly comfortable option for homeowners. If it’s maintained properly, cork floors can last for up to 40 years or even longer. This material is naturally resistant to mold and mildew and is also anti-microbial. Unlike other common flooring materials like carpet, it doesn’t off-gas or shed fibers. It’s also fire-resistant and much less toxic than other flooring styles, such as vinyl.

This flooring material comes in various sizes, colors, and formats. It’s commonly found in either tiles or planks and creates a seamless look. Since there are no grout lines on cork floors, it’s an excellent choice for modern, contemporary spaces that want a clean, smooth aesthetic. You can also alternate the colors of cork tiles or planks to add a fun effect.

Price	$5.00 to $10 per square foot, an additional $2 to $3 for a floating cork floor, and between $6 to $10 per square foot for glue-down
Product Availability	Available as tiles, planks, or rolls and comes in mostly warm colors like brown, tan, and beige
Product Sizing	Standard tiles are 12 x 12 to 12 x 24 inches each, and planks are approximately 36 inches long by 7-18 inches wide

Pros

• Cork is a natural, sustainable material which makes it an eco-friendly choice
• Mostly affordable and comes in a wide variety of options to suit any budget
• This flooring has a nice “bounce” that makes it extremely comfortable to walk on

Cons

• Not very resistant to dents or scratches
• Heavy furniture and appliance can leave permanent dents behind
• Cork is not available in many colors, so it’s often considered bland or boring by some homeowners

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17. Plywood

Construction-grade plywood is becoming a popular choice for homes. This material features several thicknesses of a thin wood veneer that is glued and compressed under heat to create a durable laminated sheet of wood. While plywood is resistant to expansion from moisture, its softer surface makes it prone to chips and dents.

You can use construction-grade plywood as an alternative to hardwood floors , and it can be used in kitchens and bathrooms. A basement installation is not recommended since the concrete may transfer too much moisture to the plywood and cause it to swell or warp.

Since this material can be refinished, it’s a versatile option for many homeowners. You can also have this material cut into custom shapes, adding a unique personal touch to the home. Plywood flooring can also be painted and sealed to give your home a custom look.

Price	A standard sheet costs approximately $15 each; higher grades cost more
Product Availability	High-end plywood comes with an oak veneer face; standard plywood can easily be stained any color
Product Sizing	Standard sections are 4 x 8 feet and 1 ½ inches thick

Pros

• Easy to stain or sand and refinish as desired
• More affordable than standard hardwood flooring
• Can be cut into any shape and size

Cons

• Much more sensitive to moisture than other flooring types
• Gets slippery when wet
• More expensive than bamboo flooring and less sustainable

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Related: Should your Coffee Table Wood Match the Wood Floor in the Living Room?