What do you want under your feet?

Flooring options for your small home

Ultimately it comes down to this — what do you like? what's your budget? and what feels good underfoot? Factors such as functionality, durability, acoustics, and design continuity also come into play; Consider how your choice will perform over time while maintaining the overall aesthetic of your home.

Let’s break this down, simplify it and take a look at the pros and cons of some of the most popular flooring options:

Concrete—A popular choice in modern design

Pros

• Durable and long-lasting.

• Low maintenance – relatively easy to clean and care for.

• Energy efficient due to its thermal mass, therefore helps with heating and cooling.

• Great choice for underfloor heating.

• Can be polished or stained for a modern and stylish appearance.

• Resistant to water damage and mould growth.

Cons

• It’s a hard surface that can be unforgiving on joints and uncomfortable to stand or sit on for extended periods.

• Can be cold underfoot, especially in colder climates, requiring rugs or floor coverings for warmth if you don’t have underfloor heating.

• Prone to cracking over time, especially in areas with changing temperatures or structural movement.

• Acoustics in a concrete floor home can be challenging — Sound will reverberate more on hard surfaces, leading to increased noise levels within the home.

• Concrete conducts impact noise, meaning that footsteps, furniture movement, or dropping objects etc will easily travel through the structure of the floor and be transmitted to rooms below or adjacent.

• Initial installation costs may be higher than other flooring options due to preparation and finishing.

Tile (Porcelain or Ceramic)—Versatile and Stylish

Pros

• Easy to clean and maintain.

• Durable and long-lasting.

• Resistant to water and moisture, making them a perfect choice for bathrooms and kitchens.

• Available in a wide variety of styles, colours, and patterns.

• Popular in hot climates as they can help keep the house cool.

• Great for underfloor heating.

Cons

• Cold underfoot in colder climates, without underfloor heating.

• Hard surface can be uncomfortable for prolonged standing or sitting.

• Some styles can be slippery when wet, posing a safety hazard.

• Installation can be costly and time-consuming.

• May require regular resealing or grout maintenance to prevent staining or discolouration.

• As with concrete, tiles will create a more reverberant space, which can be tricky to deal with.

• Repairs can be difficult if, for example, one tile needs replacing.

Hardwood—Timeless Sophistication

Pros

• Durable, often lasting for decades with proper care.

• A great aesthetic that can increase the value of a home.

• Hardwood floors are easy to clean and maintain, requiring simple sweeping and occasional polishing.

• They do not trap dust, allergens, or odours like carpet, making them a healthier option for indoor air quality.

• Hardwood floors can be refinished multiple times to restore their original appearance.

Cons

• Can be expensive to install compared to other flooring options.

• They are susceptible to scratches, dents, and water damage if not properly maintained.

• May feel cool underfoot in colder climates without the addition of area rugs or carpets.

• They can be noisy when walking on them, especially with shoes.

• Certain hardwood floors will be prone to expansion, contraction and wrapping with heat, so if you are planning underfloor heating with a hardwood floor you’ll need to get the right product. Generally, engineered hardwood will be preferable to solid wood when installing underfloor heating.

Laminate—Affordable Luxury

Pros:

• More cost-effective than hardwood, providing a budget-friendly 'faux wood' option.

• Laminate floors are low-maintenance and easy to clean with regular sweeping and occasional mopping.

• Durable and resistant to scratches, stains, and wear and tear, making them a practical choice for high-traffic areas.

• Some laminates offer full water resistance which means consistency through a living / kitchen area.

• Relatively easy to install, often coming in click-and-lock designs that homeowners can opt to do themselves (we’d always recommend you get an installer though).

• A wide range of styles and designs, allowing for customisation to match any decor or aesthetic preference.

• Maintenance and repairs is relatively straightforward and inexpensive.

Cons:

• Unless they are a water resistant product (which we recommend), Laminate floors can be prone to water damage.

• Laminate floors are a harder surface compared to carpet, but many laminate systems are laid on an underlay (a floating floor) which does provide a cushion compared to hardwood.

• Usually a floating floor which may have associated noises, such as creaks.

• While they can mimic the look of natural materials like wood or stone, laminate floors may lack the authenticity and warmth of the real thing.

• Over time, laminate floors may show signs of wear, such as chipping at edges or fading in colour, all depending on the quality of the product used.

Vinyl—Waterproof and Trendy: The Practical Choice

Pros:

• Durable and resistant to moisture, making them suitable for kitchens, laundries and bathrooms.

• Vinyl flooring is easy to clean and maintain, requiring only regular sweeping and occasional mopping.

• Being a softer product its acoustic properties are good.

• It’s softer to walk on and warmer than tiles and concrete.

• Vinyl floors are available in a wide variety of styles, colours, and patterns to suit any decor preference.

• Installation of vinyl flooring is relatively quick and simple compared to other types of flooring materials.

• Vinyl floors are typically more affordable than all other flooring options.

Cons:

• Whilst durable, vinyl floors can be prone to scratching and tears from sharp objects.

• Repairing tears is difficult.

• Vinyl flooring can fade over time when exposed to direct sunlight, especially in rooms with large windows.

• Some low-quality vinyl products may emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which can negatively impact indoor air quality.

• Unlike hardwood or tile floors, vinyl cannot be refinished if it gets damaged; instead, it may require replacement of the affected area.

• The resale value of a home with vinyl flooring may be lower compared to homes with a more premium flooring option.

Carpet—Soft and Warm, Underfoot Comfort

Pros

• Carpet provides warmth and insulation, especially in colder climates.

• It reduces noise levels by absorbing sound and making the space quieter.

• Carpet is soft underfoot, providing a comfortable and warm surface for walking and sitting.

• It comes in a variety of colours and patterns to enhance the aesthetics of a room.

• Carpet can be more affordable than other flooring options such as hardwood or tiles.

Cons

• Carpets can trap allergens such as dust, pet dander, and mould, leading to poor indoor air quality.

• More cleaning required than other flooring options.

• Depending on the colour, they can be prone to staining and can prove challenging to clean.

• Certain types of carpets may release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which can impact indoor air quality.

• High-traffic areas on carpets may wear out more quickly and require replacement sooner than other types of flooring materials.

What we are using in our small homes?

We generally go with the following combinations, It's what we like and what works with our aesthetic and budget!

• Living, Kitchen, Entrance, Hall Ways—High end Laminate (fully waterproof).

• Bedrooms—Carpet.

• Bathrooms—Tile (with electric underfloor heating).

• Garage—Concrete.

• Laundry spaces—Vinyl.

Have fun getting floored!