If you are looking for traditional flooring ideas that are not trendy but timeless, then you are at the right place. Traditional design adheres to the most aesthetic and time-proven past designs. Traditional flooring remains one of the most popular options in the United States.

Traditional flooring can set the tone of the entire home in intangible ways. It triggers warmth, nostalgia and a welcoming atmosphere. Many people have the misconception that traditional designs are old or stuffy. However, traditional styles can be more elegant, comfortable and welcoming, just not in the same way a contemporary design would. 

This article discusses some traditional flooring style ideas to help you pick the best floors for your home.

Elements of Traditional Design

What makes a traditional flooring design? Classic hardwood is a typical example of traditional home flooring. It was first popularized in colonial America. Hardwood floors are inviting and create a welcoming feeling. Tiles also fit into traditional designs, with many tile floors being neutral or earth-toned, such as slate gray or terracotta. However, traditional designs are not limited to natural materials. Carpet is also an element of a traditional design and can make rooms feel softer and cozier.

While solid hardwood can be expensive, most engineered flooring, such as vinyl and laminate, can mimic traditional hardwood or tile designs at a much lower cost. Additionally, many homes have a combination of hard floors and carpets. For example, some houses have hardwood on the main floor, tile in the bathrooms and carpet in the bedrooms.

Popular Traditional Style Flooring for Homes by Room Type

Every room has different flooring needs because of its different uses. Choosing the right floor takes precision and understanding of the components in every room. For example, a room with heavy traffic would require more durable flooring, while a room susceptible to moisture would need more water-resistant floors. Here are our top suggestions for the best traditional flooring for each room. 

Bedrooms

Your bedroom is like an escape from the rest of the world. This is the most important room for many. It is not as busy as the other rooms in the home, and you will not have to deal with as many spills and stains so you can get creative with your choices. Two popular traditional flooring options for bedrooms are real wood and carpet. Real wood feels luxurious and can improve your home's value, lasting a lifetime if you take good care of it. Solid wood is a real wood that comes in varieties like ash, birch and oak.

You can also choose engineered floors as an alternative. Engineered wood is still real wood, but it's made of several layers instead of one solid piece. Luxury vinyl planks (LVP) and laminate floors look like real wood but are generally less expensive and can be more durable.

If you want something softer, carpet may be the answer. Carpet is an excellent choice for kids' rooms because it provides a cushier and safer environment for them when they play. You can choose from wall-to-wall carpet or put area rugs over a hardwood or wood-look floor.

Living Rooms

Because of its many options, the living room lets you be as creative as you like. If you want your room to be comfy and cuddly, you may want to look into carpets or real wood. But if there is going to be more traffic and you are considering including a study, then you may want to opt for more versatile vinyl or laminate flooring. 

Bathroom

The bathroom can be tricky because of the amount of moisture in it. So, you want to be careful when choosing the floor for this place. You might consider vinyl, laminate and tile since these flooring types are highly water-resistant. The best traditional bathroom floor tile ideas are often marble. Consider small hexagonal tiles or a checkerboard pattern. You could also choose luxury vinyl tile (LVT), sheet vinyl or laminate floors that mimic the look of tile without the weight or cost.

Kitchen

The kitchen can be chaotic, with spills, moisture, scents and heat. It is the heart of the home, so your kitchen floors need to be sturdier and more durable than those in other rooms. A kitchen has many functions, from cooking and cleaning to eating and spending time with family and friends. You need a floor that is easy to clean and can stand up to heavier foot traffic.

If you're looking for traditional kitchen flooring ideas, consider tile or hardwood. Vinyl or laminate floors are also an excellent choice. They are low-maintenance and easy to install. Vinyl floors can also be great for pet owners. They look similar to laminate floors and are waterproof, so spills and accidents will not damage them. The only difference is that you may need a professional to fit the vinyl floors. 

Stairs and Hallways

For many homes, the stairs and hallway are the first things visitors see, which form their first impression of the home. Therefore, it's necessary to treat your hall like another room. Carpets are an excellent choice for stairs, as they provide the most comfort and traction to prevent slips. Staircases and hallways are also high-traffic areas in the home, so the flooring must be durable.

How to Choose the Best Traditional Flooring for Your Space

Choosing the best traditional flooring for your space depends on your needs. If you want something durable, you can opt for natural materials like stone. If you are after the easiest floor to maintain, artificial options like porcelain are better than natural options. If you have pets and want to minimize scratches, unglazed tiles are a better option as they are less likely to scratch.

Overall, your lifestyle is the most significant factor affecting your flooring choice. If you have a busy family, you want an easy-to-maintain and durable option — LVP is an excellent pick for this. If you entertain guests regularly, you might want something more sophisticated, and marble tile can give your home a classic finish.

Carpets are great for bedrooms and home offices as they can make the space look extra luxurious and serene.

Shop Flooring at Carpet & Tile Mart

Getting the right traditional floors for your home takes some skill, but at Carpet & Tile Mart, we work to make the process easy for you. We have various flooring products, including rugs, carpets, tiles and hardwood. Founded over 55 years ago, our goal has been simply to give you the most durable and sophisticated floors that suit your lifestyle, so let's talk! Schedule an in-store appointment to help you decide today.