5 Flooring Faux Pas: Designers Reveal Their Biggest Regrets

When picking out flooring for your house, you should thoughtfully consider the materials you select. Flooring represents an investment after all, so it’s important to choose options that will endure both aesthetically and practically over time. withstand daily use and abrasion .

In this piece, interior designers reveal the flooring choices you might end up lamenting and explain the reasoning behind their opinions. Additionally, they offer guidance on selecting durable alternatives that can maintain a classic appearance over time.

Meet the Experts

• Marie Cloud The creator of Indigo Pruitt.
• Jennifer Carter is the creator of Studio Envie.
• Elana Mendelson Elana is the founder of Elana Designs.

Why Choose Timeless Flooring

Installing flooring can be costly both for setup and maintenance, hence choosing an enduring option initially will help you conserve resources over time. There’s no desire to stress about scuffs and marks appearing whenever you, along with your household members and visitors, move through your home.

Additionally, traditional flooring adds to your home’s resell value, positioning you well for future sales.

Marble and Other Stones

Substances that prove challenging to upkeep over prolonged periods, one of which is marble aren't ideal selections for various kinds of flooring options.

Marie Cloud, who founded Indigo Pruitt, explains, "They can be quite frustrating in bustling parts of the house." She adds, "Such surfaces tend to display signs of use like scratches and stains readily. Without thorough maintenance, they lose their shine rapidly."

Alternatively, achieve the desired appearance with porcelain tiles that require far less upkeep, according to Cloud.

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Carpet

Going for wall-to-wall carpeting While comfortable underfoot, carpet may not be ideal when it comes to upkeep, according to Elana Mendelson, the founder of Elana Designs. She points out that maintaining cleanliness in heavily used areas such as entrances, corridors, and kitchen spaces can be particularly difficult with carpets.

She points out that carpets tend to absorb smells and display stains readily. Additionally, consider what might happen if you grow weary of a carpet’s hue and find yourself surrounded by it everywhere at home. Instead, opt for using smaller rugs; these can be effortlessly changed whenever you wish.

Glossy, High Polished Flooring

Although it has an entirely different look compared to carpets, highly glossy flooring is also not recommended, as per Mendelson's advice.

The designer notes that they emphasize each scratch, dent, and footprint, particularly in houses where children and/or pets are present.

Although numerous individuals choose this kind of flooring for its contemporary appearance, it ultimately comes across as quite outdated once signs of wear become apparent.

Mosaics

Although visually appealing, mosaic floors aren’t very practical because of their numerous grout lines, according to Jennifer Carter, who founded Studio Envie. In even the tidiest homes, these grout lines tend to collect dust, mold, shrinkage cracks, stains, and various other residues, she explains.

Anything Too Trendy

Lastly, Cloud advises against choosing flooring options that are overly fashionable.

She notes that although vibrant hues and designs are trendy, they may swiftly go out of style, particularly when used extensively.

Rather than focusing solely on immediate trends, Cloud and her clients prioritize durability when considering various flooring choices. Should individuals be eager for an eye-catching element, there are alternative approaches they can adopt that reduce the likelihood of future remorse.

Cloud suggests incorporating rugs as they can add some character to your area more easily, allowing for quicker changes when desired.

Timeless Flooring Options

Eager to invest in flooring that you can rely on without needing constant upkeep? Here are some enduring choices favored by designers, as recommended below.

• Wood: Interior designers often appreciate a timeless wooden flooring in various spaces across the home; consider using it in your living room, kitchen, or even the bathroom Carter points out that wood is a practical choice for cleaning and can be readily refurbished whenever necessary.
• Natural stones: Consider using limestone or slate in your entryway, bathroom, or kitchen, as recommended by Cloud. She notes that natural stone brings an air of sophistication—combining rustic charm with refinement—which ties the area to nature’s allure and imparts a feeling of durability and high-quality craftsmanship to the residence.