Deciding whether you should use the same flooring throughout your house depends a lot on a matter of personal taste and style.
However, there are some practical issues to consider as well. Before deciding on using the same flooring throughout the entire house or switching it up, first weigh the pros and cons.
Benefits of using the same Flooring Throughout your House
Here are some of the many benefits to using the same flooring in the entire house:
- Using the same flooring throughout the home creates a harmonious, more consistent appearance. Some interior designers insist on this consistency.
- Having the same flooring throughout the house, especially if that flooring is hardwood, will most likely increase the resale value of your home.
- Consistent flooring throughout the home actually makes the house look more spacious.
- Having the same type of flooring throughout the house will be more cost-effective to install since they can all be installed at one time.
- The same flooring throughout the home will help to eliminate tripping hazards caused by going from hardwood to carpet, for instance.
- Using the same flooring throughout the entire house is going to simplify cleaning and maintenance. You will not need to purchase a variety of cleaning supplies and tools to clean the floors if they are all the same. For instance, if the floors are all carpeted, you will only need a vacuum. If they are all wood or tile, you will only need a mop, broom, or a vacuum without a beater bar.
- If the floors are all the same, and they are a lighter color, the entire house will look clean and open.
- Having the same type of floors everywhere will eliminate the need of figuring out how to connect awkward combinations of flooring. For instance, if you have one type of floor in the dining room and a different type in the living area, some type of connector would have to be used.
Cons of using the same Flooring Throughout the Home
Of course, with everything, there are always pros and cons.
One downside to using the same flooring throughout the entire house is that some feel like using different styles or types of flooring creates a more intimate and individualized tone for each room.
Another disadvantage to the same flooring in the entire home is that if part of the floor gets damaged, it is more difficult to replace it to keep the continuous look. Whereas, if the flooring is different in each room, any repair will not look as if you tried to patch it all together.
Points to Consider When Deciding on Flooring
In addition to weighing the pros and cons of using the same flooring throughout your house, consider these practical points.
Subfloor
If you want the same type of flooring throughout the entire house, make sure that the subfloor is consistent throughout the rooms where you want the same flooring laid.
Home Layout
Consider the layout of your home. If you have an open floor plan, then the same type of flooring throughout is highly recommended.
Architectural Style
When you choose the right type of flooring that reflects the architectural style of your home, you stay true to the original style. If you keep the flooring consistent with the architectural style, it will increase the home’s resale value when you go to sell.
Humidity Levels
Not only does the climate of the geographic location of your home make a difference in what flooring will work best, but the humidity levels of the individual rooms could change what floors you use.
Wall Lines
The best flooring pattern to use is one that follows the lines of the walls.
Working with what you already have in place structurally is actually going to give the illusion that the space is more open and roomy than if you try to go against the grain and create a chaotic flooring pattern.
Color
If you have the same type of flooring throughout the entire house, be sure to choose a lighter color.
If you choose a bold, bright, or dark color, it can overwhelm the look of the entire home and make it more difficult to choose furnishings or décor that goes well in each room.
Functionality
Some considerations are more practical than preference.
Always consider how the floors will be used and how the flooring chosen will really stand up to the wear and tear. For instance, do you have a pet who will have a tendency of scratching the floor? Is the floor in the kitchen going to be the same as the flooring in the living room?
What adjustments need to be made to accommodate using the same flooring throughout your house?
Multi-Level Homes
One big question when it comes to deciding on flooring is whether to use the same floors upstairs as you do downstairs in a multi-level house.
If hardwood floors are used on upper levels, for instance, you will need to use an underlayment to cut down on sounds of footsteps as well as an area rug or some other form of comfort to provide warmth when getting out of bed, for instance.
Budget
One very important practical issue to consider is cost. While hardwood floors are going to be a large investment, it often pays off in the long run. However, if the budget is limited, other options can still work well throughout the entire home.
Style and Personal Needs
Your sense of style and the personal lifestyle needs of family members will also matter when choosing flooring. For instance, if a family member has an allergy, carpets may not be the best choice.
When it comes to style, some people choose to use distinct types of wood patterns in adjoining rooms on purpose. For instance, different wood may be used to make a border or a barrier that stands out with contrasting wood.
Or, parquet-style wood flooring may be used in an entryway to distinguish that the area is used purposefully as an entrance. Choosing dark woods can offer a feeling of luxury in some rooms while it may overwhelm and make others look smaller.
Final Thoughts
Deciding to use the same flooring throughout your house or switching it up with different types is going to depend largely on a matter of personal taste and style. However, there are some practical issues to consider as well.
Always weigh the pros and cons and consider all the important factors before deciding on flooring for your home.