How to Know What Flooring Type Is Best for Your Lifestyle (Plus a Quiz)
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Choosing flooring isn't just about what's trendy or affordable. It's about how you live. Whether you're chasing toddlers, hosting weekly game nights, or trying to keep your space clean after muddy Iowa winters, your lifestyle should drive your decision.
In this guide, we'll walk you through the best flooring for every kind of life. We’ll cover pros, cons, room-by-room tips, and even wrap it all up with a quiz to find your perfect match.
Let’s make choosing flooring easy.
Why Lifestyle Should Influence Your Flooring Choice
Every household is different. The right floors for your best friend may be a disaster in your home. Here's why your lifestyle matters:
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Do you have pets? You need scratch-proof, water-resistant options.
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Do you have kids? You’ll want easy-to-clean surfaces.
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Do you entertain often? Your living space has to wow and wear well.
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Live in Central Iowa? Seasonal changes mean you need floors that can handle humidity and cold.
The perfect floor balances beauty, durability, and comfort—for how you live.
Custom Window Treatments can also help reflect your lifestyle, so don't forget the finishing touches.
Flooring Basics: Know Your Options
Here’s a simple breakdown of popular flooring types and what they’re best for:
| Flooring Type | Best For | Lifespan | Maintenance Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solid Hardwood | Main floors, resale value | 100+ years | High |
| Engineered Hardwood | Basements, kitchens, radiant heating | 20–30 years | Medium |
| Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) | Pets, kids, water-prone areas | 10–20 years | Low |
| Laminate | Style on a budget | 10–30 years | Low |
| Tile (Porcelain/Ceramic) | Bathrooms, laundry rooms | 20–50 years | Medium |
| Carpet | Bedrooms, cozy spaces | 8–15 years | High |
Learn more in our in-depth comparison of hardwood, laminate, and vinyl.
Room-by-Room Recommendations
Kitchen
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Spills, mess, and heavy traffic
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Best picks: Tile, luxury vinyl, engineered hardwood
Bathroom
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Moisture is constant
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Best picks: Tile, luxury vinyl
Living Room
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Comfort + durability + style
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Best picks: Engineered hardwood, laminate, luxury vinyl
Bedroom
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Comfort is king
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Best picks: Carpet, engineered hardwood, cushioned vinyl
Basement
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Dampness is a concern
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Best picks: Luxury vinyl, tile, engineered hardwood
Need help comparing? Check out our blog on Engineered Hardwood Flooring.
Flooring for Pets, Kids, and Allergies
Best Floors for Pets
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Scratch-resistant, waterproof
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Top picks: Laminate, luxury vinyl plank, tile
Best Floors for Kids
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Easy to clean, durable
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Top picks: Laminate, vinyl, carpet (for playrooms)
Best Floors for Allergies
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Avoid carpet
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Top picks: Tile, engineered hardwood, vinyl
More on that in our post: Hardwood Floors or Engineered Hardwood.
7 Lifestyles and Their Best Flooring Types
1. The Busy Mom with Kids and Pets
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Top pick: Laminate, Luxury vinyl plank
2. The Homebody Who Loves Cozy Spaces
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Top pick: Carpet or engineered hardwood
3. The Entertainer with Modern Style
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Top pick: Engineered hardwood or tile
4. The Budget-Focused Renovator
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Top pick: Laminate or cushioned vinyl
5. The Allergy-Conscious Household
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Top pick: Tile or hypoallergenic vinyl
6. The Young Professional in a Condo
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Top pick: Engineered hardwood, Laminate, luxury vinyl
7. The Farmhouse Dreamer
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Top pick: Distressed engineered hardwood
Should Flooring Be the Same Throughout the House?
Short answer: not always.
Pros:
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Makes your home feel bigger
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Cleaner look
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Increases resale appeal
Cons:
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Some rooms need different functionality (bathroom vs. living room)
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Can limit creative expression
Stick with the Rule of 3: No more than three types of flooring in one house.
Should Flooring Be Lighter or Darker Than Walls?
There’s no one answer, but here’s a cheat sheet:
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Light flooring: Makes small rooms feel open
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Dark flooring: Adds richness, hides dirt
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Match the mood: Cozy vs. airy
Use this to balance your home style and lighting.
Quiz: What Flooring Type Is Best for Your Lifestyle?
What Flooring Type Is Best for Your Lifestyle?
Final Tips & Sample Checklist
Before you shop:
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Bring home samples
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Think about your lifestyle first, not just trends
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Talk to a local flooring expert
Checklist:
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Who lives in your home?
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Any pets or allergies?
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How much traffic per room?
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Do you want resale value or comfort?
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What’s your cleaning routine?
Conclusion: What You Walk On Should Work for You
The best floor is the one that fits your life. Not just your style. Not just your budget. Your life.
Come visit us in Urbandale or browse our full collection. We’ll help you walk out with confidence.