Do you pay attention to what flooring type is in the apartment when you are looking to rent? We often tend to ignore that. I did once ignore and ended up in freezing cold tiles on the ground floor through the apartment. Even during summer. This is the reason I wanted to write this guide to flooring, so you will pay attention more to it.

If I would rent another apartment, what flooring would I be looking for? Would it be an apartment with a wooden floor?  laminate flooring or carpets, maybe tiles? I know exactly, but do you know? Do you know the difference between good quality laminate flooring and real wood? Why are carpets being so popular? Well, I know all that, but I didn’t know before I became an interior designer, so I thought I would share some thoughts with you as a pro-renter and interior designer. So, next time when you are looking for that pretty house, take the flooring into considerations as well, not just the layout or location.

As well as flooring, you need to think of skirting boards and architraves as these literally are finishing touches to your final room design. You can choose from a variety of skirting board designs these days to suit the style of your apartment. Sleek and basic geometry would suit a traditional modern apartment for example and more curvy designs will complement a Victorian house. However, there is no must in here, as you can create a really amazing design by using Victorian style skirting in a modern apartment and get that eclectic look. This applies to any architrive too.

First of all, let me help you to determine the obvious thing. We have many types of flooring these days and the most common for residential spaces are carpets, hardwood, laminates and tiles.

Carpets  The most common carpet in apartments is broadloom which means it is on a roll. Commercial spaces are popular for tile carpets (due to easy removal if spillage but also to create awesome patterns).  It’s very common that you will find a carpet if you rent a property. Especially in apartment blocks.
Best use; Bedrooms and living rooms, children’s bedroom, study room quite rooms.
Pros:

Better with acoustics. (fewer complaints from neighbors), as you can imagine a house lady with slippers on a kitten heel and pompom lol (oh my imagination)
Carpets keep the property warmer during winter, saving sometimes quite a load of money and energy.
Many styles. Twist that’s is hardwearing and generally speaking more durable and budget-friendly! Loop pile and Saxony –these are the more luxurious styles, so if you looking for the soft under feet-Saxony is the one! Wool is eco-friendly and stylish!
Cons:

Bacteria and insects! Carpets, unfortunately, can be home to many types of insects including fleas, dust mites, and carpet beetles, especially with pet owners!
Hard to clean. If you have a woolen carpet you pretty much better don’t get kids, animals and forget about holding parties- It’s just invitation to disaster? Joking but obviously, bear in mind that cleaning natural carpet is more difficult than the one that is more synthetic. Professional carpet clean companies can be pricey. However, the feel of a natural carpet will never replace the synthetic one.

Tiles  are great for many and many aspects! These days we have so many beautiful ranges it’s unbelievable! I remember I rented the property when the entire place was full of tiles and the only bedroom had carpet. This actually wasn’t best as I spend most of my wedge to warm up the place!
Best use, kitchen and bathrooms! Areas where is quite moist!

Pros:

Easy to clean and maintain. No fan with heavy clean cost, just mop!
Endless types of shapes, patterns and colours! Like I really mean it!
With the right underfloor heating, can be amazing to keep cool in summer and warm in winter!
Cons:

Ground floor property without under flooring heating can be a pain! Cold I mean brrr! Tiles give you the ‘’church’’ feeling; Cold in summers which can be a blessing for those who always hot ?
Can break with if heavy object land on it. I smashed floor tile when I dropped iron! (I know, right?)

Wooden flooring  is timeless, I love watching all the pretty spaces with natural wood flooring. I think best-looking one is the recycled wooden flooring, there is something in it. Wood also is easily recyclable and you can re-use them into other really cool projects.
Best use: Corridors, lobbies, living room and partially kitchen areas(away from sinks etc)

Pros:

Can last years and years as can be treated and varnished.
Warm feeling and brings every home the style!
Cons:

Woodboring beetles can attack wood in old houses and can be pretty difficult to get rid of!
Can be very pricey and difficult to install.
Can be damaged by excessive moisture so if is near any pipes that broke, not good!

Laminate flooring  This is the best solution for those who are looking for the wood effect but with a lower budget.  Laminate Flooring comes with wide range of effects and you can choose between wood and tiles effects. With laminate flooring, you can create literally any effects, from stone like marble-like or read wood effect.

Best use: Corridors, lobbies, living room and partially kitchen areas (away from sinks etc)
Pros:

Cost effective. Laminate wood is made from pressed wood and usually, the prices are similar to carpets these days. You can enjoy the warm feeling of wood without the price tag.
Colour options. Since this is not the exact real thing, laminate wood comes in a variety of colours and textures.
Easy installation as most laminate flooring is made with systems that you easy join by clipping parts.
More durable and scratch resistant, as above because of the pressed wood, it will be easier to clean and maintain than real wood.
Laminate wood if damaged can be replaced by taking one part.

Cons:
You may lose the real textures and grans that wood offers.
You can’t sand or varnished and if most get damaged you have to replace it with a new one.
So, this is my simple guide to floorings. When you renovate or rent a place is good to take into consideration these above so you will know, which will work for you. Think 3 times before you rent a property that is fully tiled or fully lined with carpets. It can be the gorgeous home but then you don’t want to spend all your money to warm it up or to get cleaned by professionals at the end of your tenancy.