5 Flooring Choices Designers Completely Regret

When selecting flooring for your home, you will want to think carefully about the materials you are choosing. After all, flooring is an investment, and you’ll want to make choices that will stand the test of time stylistically and also hold up to everyday wear and tear.

Here, interior designers are sharing flooring decisions that you will most likely go on to regret, and why, but they’re also providing insights on the most viable options to consider for an adaptable, timeless look.

Marble and Other Stones

Materials that are difficult to maintain over time, marble being one of them, aren’t going to make for the best types of flooring choices.

“They can become a source of frustration in busy areas of the home,” Marie Cloud, the founder of Indigo Pruitt, says. “These surfaces can easily show wear, scratches, and stains, and without rigorous upkeep, they lose their luster quickly.”

Instead, get the look with a porcelain tile that is much lower maintenance, Cloud suggests.

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Carpet

Going for wall-to-wall carpeting, while soft underfoot, isn’t going to be your best bet in terms of maintenance, Elana Mendelson, the founder of Elana Designs, notes. Mendelson explains how carpeting can be challenging to keep clean in high-traffic zones like entryways, hallways, and kitchens.

She notes that carpets can easily pick up odors and show stains. Plus, what happens if you tire of a carpet color and it’s all over your home? Stick to area rugs instead, which you can always swap out as desired.

Glossy, High Polished Flooring

While it’s totally different in style than carpet, glossy, high polished floors are also a no-no, according to Mendelson.

“They highlight every scratch, dent, and footprint, especially in homes with kids and/or pets,” the designer says.

While many people select this type of flooring for its modern look, it ends up appearing anything but once signs of wear set in.

Mosaics

While beautiful, mosaic flooring just isn’t a practical choice due to the heavy presence of grout lines involved, Jennifer Carter, the founder of Studio Envie, says.

Even in the cleanest home, they can easily attract dirt, mildew, shrinking cracks, discoloration, and more, Carter says.

Anything Too Trendy

Last but not least, Cloud notes that it isn’t wise to opt for any flooring choice that is ultra-trendy.

“While bold colors and patterns are popular, they can quickly become outdated, especially if they dominate a large area,” she says.

Instead, Cloud and her clients keep longevity top of mind as they evaluate possible flooring options. If people are still really craving a bold touch, there are other solutions they can implement that are less likely to lead to regret down the line.

Cloud recommends using rugs to inject some personality into your space instead, since it’s easier to swap out.

Timeless Flooring Options

Ready to invest in flooring that you feel confident about and won’t have to focus too much on maintaining? Designers share some of their top picks for timeless options below.

• Wood: Designers love a classic wood floor in rooms all throughout the house—try it in the living room, kitchen, or the bathroom. Wood is an easy-to-clean option that you can easily refinish later on if needed, Carter explains.
• Natural stones: Try a limestone or slate in the entryway, bathroom, or kitchen, Cloud suggests. “Natural stone offers an elegance that’s both rustic and refined, connecting the space with natural beauty and bringing a sense of permanence and quality to a home,” she says.