Home Ideas

What’s under your feet (or however you get around) is as important as anything when it comes to home. That’s why this fall, we collaborated with The Home Depot on an A to Z guide that’ll give you the confidence to make flooring choices you’ll love. Check out the A to Z handbook here.
Let’s be real: the installation process for any type of flooring is always a complicated, time consuming, and deeply personal process. And while methods and materials vary wildly, whether you’re installing new wall-to-wall carpet in your bedroom or giving your sunroom a porcelain tile facelift, there are foundational tips for any type of flooring installation that will benefit both the health of the project and your own personal health, especially if you are going the DIY route. The Home Depot has products, tools, and even professional installers to help along the way.

Physical health: Always use protection
It might seem like there are dozens of tools out there, depending on what kind of flooring you’re putting down—miter saws, pneumatic nail guns, trowels, drill bits, and more. (See our T section for more on tools!) But the most essential instruments in your flooring arsenal are about protecting your health, not just getting the job done.

Gel-Foam Soft Cap Work Knee Pads
Husky homedepot.com
$24.97

First and foremost, invest in good quality kneepads. Sure, you might look like a ’90s rollerblading enthusiast, but putting pressure on your knees for long stretches of time can lead to short-term pain and long-term damage. (There’s actually a specific type of knee condition—prepatellar bursitis, also known as “floor-layer’s knee”—that is the bane of professional contractors.) You can purchase kneepads that are made specifically for flooring projects, with special features such as thigh supports, gel inserts, and varying cap styles (hard-cap, curved-soft, and flat-cap) that match how much movement you’ll be doing in the pads.

Goggles are also a must for anyone who values their optical health (which is, hopefully, everyone). There are many options on the market, but choosing a pair that meets the American National Standards Institute goggle guidelines—protecting against things like chemical splash and dust—will ensure peace of mind.

“Wear sturdy, closed-toed shoes, like a work boot, when working on any flooring project.”

Oh, and this probably goes without saying, but construction zones should always be flip-flop free. Wear sturdy, closed-toed shoes, like a work boot, when working on any flooring project.

Environmental health: Dust, VOCs, and eco-friendly products
Flooring is a messy business, and can release a lot of byproducts into the air over the course of an installation process. That’s why you should prepare the safest environment possible prior to beginning your work.
Begin by closing off the room you’ll be working in, using plastic and sturdy painter’s tape around doorways, air ducts, and windows to prevent debris and chemical smells from spreading to the rest of the house. (If there are multiple entries, designate one doorway the “entry and exit” place and keep all other access points sealed.)
Always wear a protective mask when doing any sort of flooring work, whether you are cutting wood or applying sealants, to protect your lungs from dust and chemicals. While many flooring products today pride themselves on possessing low or no volatile organic compounds (VOCs)—indeed, there are many beautiful low-VOC laminates on the market now, whereas, a decade ago, the options were slim—it’s always best to err on the side of caution and wear a mask.

10 ft. x 25 ft. Clear 6 mil Plastic Sheeting
HDX homedepot.com
$24.98

Scotch 1.88 in. x 30 yds. Tough Poly Hanging and Tarps Strength Duct Tape
3M homedepot.com
$5.97

N95 Professional Multi-Purpose Valved Respirator with Gasket (3-Pack)
Milwaukee homedepot.com
$14.97

12 Gal. 5.0-Peak HP NXT Wet/Dry Shop Vacuum with Filter, Hose and Accessories
RIDGID homedepot.com
$79.97

During hardwood installation projects, dust is a force to be reckoned with and must be treated as such. Consider renting a HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) vacuum and using it repeatedly throughout the project to suction up any lingering particles.
And remember, fans are mostly your friend. They can help keep temperatures well-regulated while working on vinyl or tiling projects in hot weather, and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends ventilating any freshly carpeted area for 72 hours after the project is complete. (Setting up fans willy-nilly in a hardwood installation, however, will just leave you with a whole lot of tiny dust tornados.)

Mental health: Extra, extra—give yourself extra time
It can be quite disheartening to read online that a flooring project should only take “about an afternoon” or “one day, total!” and realize on the morning of day three you’re not even close to being finished. Give yourself a little breathing room, and whatever the estimated “time to completion,” double it. If you finish it early? Great! If you don’t? There’s no need to stress that you’re not working hard enough or making fast enough progress. Your sanity will thank you.

Health of your home: Follow instructions, please!
There are those among us (this writer included) who are not inclined to read directions, and tend to forge ahead without knowing exactly what’s going on. With flooring projects, that’s a recipe for disaster. If a product includes manufacturer’s instructions—or rules for which products to use with certain types of flooring—always follow them to the letter. Otherwise, your house could be damaged permanently, you could lose your warranty on the product, and you’ll be left with a very expensive mess to clean up.

If a product includes manufacturer’s instructions, always follow them to the letter.

A good example of this is adhesive. Flooring adhesive is a type of permanent glue that bonds your flooring to the subfloor or underlayment. The type of adhesive best suited for your unique undertaking is determined by factors such as the condition of your substrate, the location of the room you’re rehabbing, and the flooring material you’ve selected. Whether you’re using vinyl, tile, or carpet, there’s a type of adhesive out there to match up with your product.
If you’re attaching to a concrete subfloor, for example, you’ll need a different type of adhesive than if you’re attaching to a plywood subfloor. If you’re installing flooring in an indoor-outdoor room—or a strictly outside space—you’ll need an adhesive that can handle the fluctuations of the elements.
If you follow the instructions and use an adhesive intended for carpet in an indoor-outdoor space that has vinyl, be prepared for a sticky mess on your hands. The bottom line: Always read the instructions and follow the manufacturer’s guidelines, for the health of your home.

Emotional health: Help (can be) on the way

While vinyl and laminate flooring tend to be easier to install on your own, other materials like hardwood, tile, and carpet may prove more trouble than their worth to DIY without the help of a professional. If things get too overwhelming (or if the kneepad-chic look isn’t really working for you), The Home Depot’s installation service team is always at the ready to launch a new flooring project for your family, or jump into the middle of one if things haven’t gone quite according to plan. They are the pros, after all. More

What’s under your feet (or however you get around) is as important as anything when it comes to home. That’s why this fall, we collaborated with The Home Depot on an A to Z guide that’ll give you the confidence to make flooring choices you’ll love. Check out the A to Z handbook here.

Beauty and durability can sometimes be at odds when it comes to interiors. Heirloom wool armchairs with hand-embroidered peacocks? Beautiful, but easily damaged. Rubber workout tiles in your basement home gym? They get the job done, but not exactly what you’d put in the living room. Finding that rara avis of product design that combines pretty with practical is thrilling, and porcelain tile is both.
Made from a finer, denser clay, and fired at a higher temperature, porcelain is naturally harder and less porous than other kinds of ceramic tiles. This makes it ideal for sinks and other bathroom fixtures, as well as flooring — and The Home Depot stocks hundreds of styles, from simple white penny tiles and subtle squares to exciting patterns and elegant marble impersonators. But style isn’t its only special quality — here are four reasons why it sits in a category of its own.

A wet environment is no problem

Wind River Beige 6 in. x 24 in. Porcelain Floor and Wall Tile (448 sq. ft. / pallet)
Florida Tile Home Collection homedepot.com
$721.73

Fine-grained and ultra-smooth, porcelain is far more impervious to water than other types of ceramic tile. While the bulk of ceramic tile receives a glaze that works to repel water, porcelain is the only type that must have a water absorption rate of 0.5 or lower as defined by the American Society for Testing and Materials. This means it’s a clear choice for bathrooms, mud rooms, or any space where a more porous surface might be harmed by repeat exposure to water droplets, splashes, or wet towels left on the floor. (Hey, it happens.) Porcelain is also the strongest option for any outdoor tiling situation — if you’re in an outdoor-tile-friendly climate zone, that is. (For more on outdoor flooring, see letter O!)

It’s hardier than other tile

Since porcelain is one of the hardest types of tile, it’s a go-to for high-traffic areas. Its superpower is withstanding whatever life throws its way without showing signs of wear, whether that’s attempted scuffings, stain-making incidents, and dings from dropped dishes. If a chip does pop out, porcelain has a steadfast color throughout the tile, minimizing the visibility of the damage. Most other ceramic tiles, on the other hand, have a different color beneath the visible glaze. (Encaustic tile is an exception to this, and to learn more about it, visit letter E.)
Of course, being the toughest tile on the block does come with some downsides. It’s particularly heavy and somewhat more difficult to cut than regular ceramic tile, so it can be tricky to install (but easier than natural stone if that’s the look you want). And while it follows all the same grouting and tile-laying protocol we’ve outlined in letter G, it’s important to guarantee that the underlayment can support the weight of the tile itself (particularly if you’re working on an upper-level of a building or in an older home).

There are so many patterned options

Madison Hex Matte 11-7/8 in. x 10-1/4 in. x 6mm Cool White with Black Dot Porcelain Mosaic Tile
Merola Tile homedepot.com
$3.89

If you’ve decided to use porcelain tile, but also want a geometric pattern for added interest, Jessica Pleasants, project manager at Godwin Residential Construction in New York City, cautions against getting too wild with your Escher-like creation. “It’s important to consider how the design is going to look in four or five years,” she advises, noting that patterns can look dated in a short amount of time. “If you want to use a geometric pattern, go with something a little bit more subtle that has that geometric look but isn’t overly bold.”

It’s a chameleon-like material
Porcelain is also much-beloved because it can mirror practically any type of natural stone, or even a wood grain, while providing durability and longevity.

12 in. x 24 in. Kolasus White Polished Porcelain Floor and Wall Tile (16 sq. ft./case)
Home Decorators Collection homedepot.com
$31.84

“I think porcelain tile is a good alternative to marble because it’s less porous and easier to maintain,” says interior designer Laura Umansky, who loves how easy it is to care for porcelain with simple mopping and soap-and-water spot treatment.

General contractor Joe Truini used porcelain tile that looks like tumbled granite in one of his bathrooms. He says the difference between natural stone materials and porcelain copycats comes down to simplicity of installation, uniform tile cuts, and durability. “The downside of natural stone is Mother Earth made it a billion years ago, and someone carved it out of the earth: there are defects in it,” he says. And yet, he points out, natural stone is often far more expensive than porcelain. “The [porcelain version] is uniform in strength, thickness, and size. It makes it easier to lay.” More

What’s under your feet (or however you get around) is as important as anything when it comes to home. That’s why this fall, we collaborated with The Home Depot on an A to Z guide that’ll give you the confidence to make flooring choices you’ll love. Check out the A to Z handbook here.

Even though you don’t see it after installation, the quality of any tiling project rests on mortar, the thick cement and sand adhesive that secures tiles to a home’s subfloor, or substrate. Selecting the right mortar is paramount, especially if you’re planning to DIY a tile floor. You might not want a version that dries so fast you can’t get tiles secured in the right place, but you also don’t want a process that drags on so long that you’re quite literally watching the floor dry.
Fortunately, there’s a type of mortar out there for every tiling project — many of which are available at The Home Depot — as well as some handy quick-setting products that don’t require it at all.

The makeup of mortar
Made out of cement, sand and a water-retaining agent, mortar keeps tiles firmly grounded, typically with a layer between a 3/16” and a 1/4”. Its mud-like texture also creates a connective barrier between the tiles and the subfloor, ensuring that excess moisture doesn’t leach through.
Much like grout, which fills the gaps in between tiles, mortar is available in mix-on-site or pre-mixed varieties, and which version you choose often depends on the space you’re working with and the type of tile that’s being used. (Just remember that once you mix up the dry version, you’ll have to move quickly to use it all or discard what’s left over!)

Modified vs. unmodified
The most common type of mortar used for indoor flooring projects is a modified thinset mortar. (You’ll find many companies and contractors use the terms “thinset” and “mortar” interchangeably: confusing, but common.)
The Layers of Tile Flooring

Made with plastic or latex polymers mixed in — which gives the mortar increased long-term performance and bond strength — modified thinset mortar repels mold growth and can really stand up to the elements with its flexibility: no shrinking or contracting based on changes in temperature or moisture levels. These properties make modified thinset mortar ideal for flooring areas of the home that will have to stand up to splashing or pooling water, like bathrooms (or tiled shower floors), laundry rooms and mud rooms. A soaking wet dog plodding in from the rain won’t even phase it.
Unmodified thinset mortar doesn’t have additional polymers in the mix, but is the mortar of choice in some specific circumstances, like when installing natural stone or when you’re working with a product that uses a moisture barrier over the subfloor. Both modified and unmodified thinset can also even out any small imperfections in the substrate before the tile goes down and is ready to be grouted.
For larger tiles, a medium-bed mortar is the way to go, which can be applied up to ½” thick and creates a significant barrier between the substrate and the tile itself, useful if a settling foundation shifts or cracks over time. Due to its use of coarse sand, though, medium-bed mortar takes significantly longer to dry than thinset: up to 72 hours.

Make it quick (setting)
So, when does it make sense to use quick-setting mortar, or no mortar at all?
When it comes to quick-setting mortar, small jobs like a shower floor and repairs are a great place to start for homeowners. The sweet spot for product quality and fast installation is a fortified, quick-setting mortar like SpeedSet thinset mortar, which dries in roughly six hours time.
(It’s worth pointing out that one of the most prominent “quick dry” options is epoxy tile mortar, which is water and chemical resistant with shock-proof bonding ability. But this product’s greatest strengths is why it’s typically only used by professional installers: the mortar sets completely in about two hours once spread, and its “pot life” — how long it can stay in the bucket without hardening — is only about 45 minutes.)
And then there are new, innovative products like Quictile by Daltile, which flips the whole notion of mortar on its head.

QuicTile 12 in. x 24 in. Calacatta Marble Polished Porcelain Locking Floor Tile (9.6 sq. ft. / case)
Daltile homedepot.com
$47.90

This type of tile uses three simple steps and what is known as the “floating floor” method to give you brand new flooring in as little as a day. Simply lay down the correct foam underlayment on top of an existing hard surface, click together the tiles of your choice (like marble-looking porcelain or driftwood-esque porcelain), seal with grout, and it’s a wrap. No need to rip out old flooring, no waiting on mortar to dry, and no racing against the clock if it starts hardening too quickly.
Whether you’re quick-setting, going a more traditional route, or trying a time-saver like Quictile, it bears repeating (yet again!) to always follow the manufacturer’s guidelines, and make sure to measure properly to ensure the tile doesn’t end up obstructing any doorways or thresholds. Your tile (and sanity) will thank you. More

What’s under your feet (or however you get around) is as important as anything when it comes to home. That’s why this fall, we collaborated with The Home Depot on an A to Z guide that’ll give you the confidence to make flooring choices you’ll love. Check out the A to Z handbook here.

Water finds its way onto floors throughout a home, whether via that post-shower tip-toe, a dripping colander, or rain-soaked galoshes.
Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to protect flooring against the wrath water can unleash (mold, mildew and decay, oh my!), no matter what kind of material is underfoot. Whether you are installing tile, laminate, vinyl or hardwood, here are methods and products — all of which you can find at The Home Depot — that can bring peace of mind when water is present.

Tile
Tile is often seen in bathrooms, entryways and mudrooms not just for its good looks and durability, but because it’s often fairly impenetrable to water, particularly if it’s porcelain tile (for more on it, visit the letter P). The grout that fills in between tiles, though, is porous and susceptible to water damage — it needs a little additional help in repelling moisture.

RedGard 3-1/2 Gal. Waterproofing and Crack Prevention Membrane
Custom Building Products homedepot.com
$143.00

A waterproof membrane that’s added between the substrate and the tiles is key for providing the strongest line of defense against floor damage in a tiled room, followed closely by treating your grout with a specialized grout sealant, which works to create an impenetrable barrier against damage not only from water, but any type of sudsy shampoo (or other chemicals). Sealed grout should last between 5 to 10 years without needing another coat, so think of this as an afternoon’s worth of work that’ll last almost as long as a new roof.

Laminate and vinyl
Laminate flooring companies pride themselves on creating products that stand up against stains, scratches, spills and other flooring disasters. And, as many satisfied customers will tell you, they definitely live up to the hype. When it comes to water damage, though, most laminate flooring is “water-resistant” (not easily damaged by water), not totally waterproof.

SimpleSolutions Medium Tone Laminate Floor Sealant
Pergo homedepot.com
$10.28

This is a situation where product guarantees, manufacturer protocol and the warranty vary greatly from brand to brand, so it’s important to read the fine print. A large portion of “water resistant” laminate can hold its own against daily household spills if the liquid is cleaned up immediately. Some companies recommend using a sealant around vulnerable areas (like kitchen counters and dishwashers) to further prevent water damage. In large part, though, laminate will still buckle and warp when faced with any major flooding incident — a broken pipe, a leaking washing machine — and that isn’t covered by the warranty: something to keep in mind when choosing where laminate should go in your home.
And what about vinyl? Many engineered vinyl planks are already 100 percent waterproof, making them a strong choice for bathrooms and basements. And if you’re looking for an extra layer of security (or your subfloor requires it), consider installing a waterproof membrane or underlayment.

Hardwood

Hardwood is, without a doubt, the most finicky of all flooring when it comes to water, moisture or humidity. That’s why applying a finish on hardwood floors is critical for both their longevity and beauty as the years roll on.

1 Gal. Clear Satin Ultra Thick 2X Water-Based Floor Polyurethane (2-Pack)
Varathane homedepot.com
$108.96

A polyurethane finish (either oil or water-based) is a smart option for protecting hardwood floors because it stands up well against the puddles and splashes of life. Some engineered hardwood is treated with a water resistant sealant by the manufacturer, so double-check the warranty before purchasing so you know how to properly care for it.
And don’t forget to waterproof any outdoor wood floors! All decks, porches and sitting areas should be treated with an outdoor-specific wood sealant in order to guarantee you’ll be able to enjoy your backyard oasis for years to come. More

What’s under your feet (or however you get around) is as important as anything when it comes to home. That’s why this fall, we collaborated with The Home Depot on an A to Z guide that’ll give you the confidence to make flooring choices you’ll love. Check out the A to Z handbook here.

The spectrum of tools needed for different flooring projects can undoubtedly seem intimidating at first (so many saws! so many applicators!) but using the right ones can be the difference between a finished project and a flop. You wouldn’t try to paint a watercolor masterpiece with a kitchen whisk or dig in the garden with measuring spoons, would you?
Fortunately, following a few guiding principles, as well as consulting with professionals like those at The Home Depot, will help ensure you have all the right instruments for the job.

Materials dictate the tools
Not surprisingly, the flooring material you’ve selected is the single biggest determining factor when it comes to what tools you’ll need to get the job done. (For example, the trowels necessary for installing tile have nothing in common with the pneumatic nailer you’ll need for hardwood.) The difficulty level of installation and the number of tools needed to complete the job properly should play into the decision-making process for anyone planning to DIY their own flooring installation or project. For example, renting a drum sander for refinishing your hardwood floors is only a worthwhile endeavor if you’re confident you can successfully use one.

Should you rent vs. buy?

Tools can be a smart investment if you plan on future projects, but when it comes to flooring, how many do you need to actually take home with you forever? To ensure your budget doesn’t take a major hit, you should carefully weigh cost versus return on investment and frequency of use when considering whether to rent flooring tools or buy them. Joe Truini, general contractor and weekly host of Today’s Homeowner Radio, advises homeowners to be honest with themselves about this kind of purchase.
“Some of the tools can be relatively affordable, but are you ever going to use them again?” he inquires. “How many floors is the average person going to install in their lifetime? It may make financial sense to add tools to your garage if you’re building a new house and want to install all of the floors yourself, but otherwise, it’s likely renting is the way to go.”

There’s a saw for that

Saws are integral to so many different types of flooring that you’re bound to use one during a DIY flooring installation. Even with the seriously easy-to-install floating floors like laminate, you still have to cut the boards precisely with a circular saw or jigsaw for where they meet the wall.
And when it comes to actual hardwood? Miter saws, jamb and undercut saws and table saws will become your close personal friends. Tile even takes its own type of saw, the wet saw. If you’re feeling uncertain about which will work best for your project and level of expertise, make sure to ask an expert for guidance.

Spring for an all-in-one installation kit

Pro Flooring Installation Kit for Vinyl, Laminate and Hardwood Flooring
Roberts homedepot.com
$32.55

A useful new development in recent years has been the arrival of flooring toolkits, which package together many of the basic instruments needed to install flooring material properly. Most often made for the installation of luxury vinyl planks, laminate and engineered hardwood, these affordable kits provide items like expansion spacers, tapping blocks and pull bars into a single, ready-to-go bundle, taking the guesswork out of your tool-gathering process. (Bonus: all the items are reusable if you plan to tackle another flooring project.)

Take your room’s temperature

Contractors may use a moisture meter or hygrometer to take an accurate reading of the moisture levels in a home’s substrate and general environment, which can inform material decisions. (For more on waterproofing, visit letter W.) Once your materials have been delivered, it is important to store them in the space they’ll be used so they can adjust or expand to the present moisture level.

Yes, math skills are an essential tool

There’s no getting around that math is one of the most-used tools in flooring projects. A measuring tape, speed square, pencil and more are just a few of the instruments that you’ll need on hand in order to ensure proper installation. Don’t be afraid to use the backs of floor boards or even underlayment to do a bit of addition, and nobody said you couldn’t use a calculator. More

What’s under your feet (or however you get around) is as important as anything when it comes to home. That’s why this fall, we collaborated with The Home Depot on an A to Z guide that’ll give you the confidence to make flooring choices you’ll love. Check out the A to Z handbook here.

High-end design has leaned toward minimalism for the past several decades, evangelizing a streamlined life and home. (Think: the International Style championed by midcentury architect Mies van der Rohe; the black-and-chrome interiors typified by upmarket 1980s apartments; or Scandinavian-inspired white and wood that rose to popularity in the 2010s.) Fortunately for the more maximalist among us, the tide is beginning to turn—and kitsch is here to help.
A little over-the-top and a whole lot retro, playful kitsch flooring is making a comeback as homeowners liven up their indoor spaces with a winking nod to the past. The Home Depot offers several options that will read fresh, not fusty, when it comes to injecting a little design nostalgia into your home—four of which are delved into below.
“There’s this move currently towards more of the kitschy, weird, almost campy-looking design, particularly among a lot of up and coming edgier designers,” says Hadley Mendelsohn, House Beautiful’s design editor.
The key to kitsch is embracing the idiosyncrasies of your space, and learning to figure out the unique way that seemingly off-beat pieces, colors, or textures might actually work well side-by-side.

The key to kitsch is embracing the idiosyncrasies of your space.

“If you inherit a room with really old-fashioned wallpaper—like toile or something that’s just not your style—but then you mix it with flooring that’s really funky, like an over-dyed Persian rug, the room can actually end up looking more modern,” Mendelsohn says. “It’s taking that wallpaper out of its initial intended context and making it fresh and more useful again.” Read on to learn more about a few of our favorite retro flooring trends.

Terrazzo

Terrazzo is a durable, statement-making type of retro flooring that, in the U.S., hit peak popularity in the 1960s. It’s eye-catching while remaining subtle enough to serve as a foundation for a variety of interior stylings.

Rizzo Gray 24 in. x 24 in. x 9mm Semi Polished Porcelain Floor and Wall Tile (3 pieces / 11.62 sq. ft. / box)
Ivy Hill Tile homedepot.com
$82.39

Terrazzo features chips of marble, glass, or quartz flecked into a cement or epoxy-resin base, allowing for an infinite number of color combinations and a range of size options for the chips themselves. The tiles become individual, shimmering, but understated, works of art.

Terrazzo can be poured like concrete in situ, but most often it’s purchased and installed in tile form, making it ideal for any high-traffic area such as entryways, hallways, or laundry rooms. If you’re looking to ease into a kitschier lifestyle, terrazzo hits that sweet spot between contemporary and vintage.

Parquet
Parquet floors provide the same “everything old is new again” vibe for a home, particularly for those who are interested in installing hardwood but want a little bit more pizzazz.
Select a parquet square and see it populate below

Gothic Engineered Parquet Hardwood Flooring (17.22 sq. ft./case)
Islander homedepot.com
$186.91

A mid-century modern favorite, parquet flooring tiles are made by arranging pieces of hardwood in a repeating geometric pattern (the most popular is herringbone). Parquet floors already come pre-stained, can typically withstand one refinishing, and are far easier to install than traditional hardwood planks: simply glue the tiles to the level, above-grade subfloor.

Much like hardwood floors, parquet can buckle, so it shouldn’t be laid in bathrooms or other moisture-dense areas. But parquet is perfect for adding a throwback foundation to a den or living room.

Concrete or Linoleum
Kitsch also encourages a great deal of creative license, including using more basic forms of flooring in a space and adding the funky elements yourself.
“If you have concrete floors—for example, in a warehouse loft—you could repaint the floors and do something wacky with splatter painting,” Mendelsohn suggests. Concrete floors can also be successfully stained, either in a solid color or variety of colors. “Or, if you’re using a material like a linoleum, take a giant brush and do random abstract swirls. That can end up making it look like a gallery!”
And then there’s the practical side of kitsch: it’s more sustainable.
As an alternative to buying or replacing every element of a room when remodeling—new wallpaper, new hardware, new lighting fixtures—kitsch encourages repurposing and thinking outside the box to create a one-of-a-kind, mix-and-match space that’s yours, and yours alone. More

What’s under your feet (or however you get around) is as important as anything when it comes to home. That’s why this fall, we collaborated with The Home Depot on an A to Z guide that’ll give you the confidence to make flooring choices you’ll love. Check out the A to Z handbook here.

When you think of or are a designing a house fit for kids, the likes of playrooms, backyards and dens come to mind. But one of the most critical ways to make children feel comfortable in their space — from the time they are an infant to when a closed-door policy becomes the norm —is the look of the flooring. (Really!)
The Home Depot has decades of experience lending families a hand to outfit houses that becomes homes. When your own brood expands, here’s what to consider when it comes to flooring that’ll age well for everyone.

Give them a soft place to land

Pure – Color Butternut Pattern 12 ft. Carpet
Lifeproof homedepot.com
$39.51

The physical nature of child’s play — from roughhousing with a sibling to practicing cheerleading jumps indoors — often means young ones spend an extraordinary amount of time in close contact with the floor. Since bare elbows and knees appreciate a soft landing, it’s no wonder that wall-to-wall carpet is a top choice for their areas.
In addition to being far more appealing to crawl around on than, say, laminate, carpet is great for insulation and sound absorption. This means that if your budding diva loves to belt out movie theme songs 40 times a day, you’re less likely to hear it in other parts of the house, or if your toddler jumps for joy (over and over) every time their favorite show comes on, the thuds won’t be quite as noticeable.
Recent developments in carpet technology have also cut down on the previous drawbacks of putting carpet in a kid’s room — most notably, in the spills and messes category.

Opting for carpet that combats pills, messes, and stains is one way to keep things clean when there are kids at home.

Stain-resistant carpet does exactly what it promises in repelling spots and discoloration. Innovations like SoilSheild technology stands up against not only juice box disasters, but everyday dirt and grime that can potentially cause allergies to flare up.
Carpet tiles are another good option for kid-friendly spaces, thanks in particular to being easy to replace. (For more information on carpet and carpet tiles, check out letter C.)

Pair hard surfaces with a soft layer
If your home has hard flooring, like luxury vinyl, hardwood and laminate, an easy fix is to lay down something plush: an area rug (more on that under letter A). Using area rugs also allows for changes over time as preferences shift. You can definitely swap out a powder-pink high-pile rug for a black-and-white swirled one as whims morph — a whole lot easier than tearing out carpet that’s highly-specific to the interests of a five-year-old. (Hello, dinosaurs!)

Interlocking foam or rubber tiles, like those used for home gyms, are also a simple way to keep knees from getting banged up without a permanent change. Adding interlocking foam tiles over other flooring — like hardwood — works especially well if you’re thinking about selling your home in the future and won’t want to replace existing kid-approved flooring with something new to increase curb appeal.

Cork is durable and eases transitions

Burnished Straw Plank Cork 13/32 in. Thick x 5-1/2 in. Width x 36 in. Length Cork Flooring (10.92 sq. ft. / case)
Heritage Mill homedepot.com
$43.46

If you aren’t interested in carpet but still want a softer, full-coverage option, cork is cushiony and resilient but still looks cool. It comes in sheet or tile form, and is also ultra stain-resistant when installed and sealed correctly.

The anti-microbial and anti-static properties of cork work to keep a room as naturally dust-free as possible, and the material can easily smooth the transition from playful kids to teens with overflowing laundry hampers: no complete flooring redesign necessary. More

What’s under your feet (or however you get around) is as important as anything when it comes to home. That’s why this fall, we collaborated with The Home Depot on an A to Z guide that’ll give you the confidence to make flooring choices you’ll love. Check out the A to Z handbook here.

Think of wall-to-wall carpet, and you’ll likely remember the orange shag your aunt had in her basement growing up; the florescent space-themed flooring of an old bowling alley; the impersonal grey carpet in your first rental apartment. It’s all a little dated.
Fortunately, carpet is making a comeback in a big way, and The Home Depot stocks it all, whether you are looking for a specific color, texture, or feel.
“In years past, carpet was always seen as this plain, neutral flooring underfoot,” says Carisha Swanson, Market Director for House Beautiful. “But if you actually think about why you like standalone rugs, more than likely it’s because it has a great pattern in it. You can also get that great pattern now in a wall-to-wall carpet.”
Let us change your mind about just how refined the material can look—no shag required.

Get your footing with terminology
You wanna talk carpet, the first thing to understand is pile. The pile of a carpet—another word for the height of the carpet fibers—are typically categorized as either low, medium, or high.

Home Decorators Collection Gemini II-Color Artisan Hue Textured 12 ft. Carpet
Home Depot
$22.41

Low-pile carpet has short, dense fibers, which makes it difficult for dirt to get trapped, and is ideal for high-traffic spaces that might require frequent cleaning, like a living room, playroom or entryway.
Often a popular choice for bedrooms, medium-pile carpet has slightly taller, less dense fibers, adding to under-foot comfort while maintaining a relative ease-of-cleaning factor.
And then there’s high-pile carpet—the most lavish, with tall, loose fibers—that works best for less busy parts of the house, or for a smaller space that’s aching for a little bit of luxury.
Next up: choose the carpet construction that’s right for you, which will generally fall into the categories of cut pile or loop pile.

Cut pile refers to carpet where loops of yarn have been cut or shorn after being attached to the backing. The result is soft, and its fibers move more freely, which creates an underfoot experience perfect for a bedroom or family room where you’ll often hang out, sans socks and shoes. Within this category, you’ll find cut pile carpet types like “plush” (extremely soft, but shows footprints), “twist” (in which the yarn pieces are twisted for greater resiliency—currently extremely popular) and “frieze” (in which longer piles are twisted tightly several times so that they create a dense texture—soft and comfortable, but can be hard to clean).
Loop pile carpet, on the other hand, means that a carpet’s yarn loops are not cut after being attached to the backing, making it generally less gentle on feet and better suited to a heavily-trod area like an entryway or staircase. Level loop refers to when the loops are all one height, and “pattern” carpet means the loops form intricate patterns within the carpet’s design. One of the most common loop pile carpets is Berber carpet (which Swanson recommends), a style often made out of nylon and based on the traditional handwoven carpets of Berber peoples in North Africa.

Carpet according to room use

As with most flooring, using your space as a guide to dictate your carpet-of-choice can ensure that you’ll find just the right combination of pile height and construction to meet your needs.

LifeProof Evocative Color Silence Pattern 12 ft. Carpet
Home Depot
$44.00

For example, carpet works well for creating cozy warmth for a child’s playroom—but that isn’t the place for a plush, all-white carpet that’s just asking for a slice of pizza land on it.
For busier spaces that require durability, go with something lower pile that’s built for rough-and-tumble energy, like Lifeproof carpet that has a lifetime warranty against stains and a 25 year warranty against wear. For a more elegant, natural look, explore a higher-pile, yarn-dyed carpet (where the fibers are dyed before being attached to the backing) that will set the mood and provide a touch of low-key sophistication, like many of the options from the Home Decorators Collection.
“Some people think that when they’re making an investment in wall-to-wall carpet that it’s something that they can’t ever change out,” says Swanson. “But if you’re making an investment in a really good area rug, you’re not going to change that either, and wall-to-wall prevents any awkward layouts within a space or rug slippage.”

Leave installation to the professionals
After you’ve landed on the dream carpet for your space, next comes installation. General contractor Mark Clements of My FixItUp Life recommends calling a professional, a far safer bet than trying to measure, cut, and stretch the carpet on your own. “It’s the kind of thing where you’ll say to yourself, ‘Why am I doing this myself, exactly?’” he says, noting that a person tackling the project themselves would have to rent, among other things, a carpet stretcher and install tack stripping—the strips along the edges of a room into which carpet is tacked—to ensure the carpet doesn’t wrinkle.

He does, however, recommend taking up the old carpet on your own, which will save money in the long run. “The trick there is to cut it up into manageable squares—I usually recommend two by three. You use a sharp knife, you cut it into squares, stack them up and carry them out.”

Foss Peel and Stick Hobnail Gunmetal Texture 18 in. x 18 in. Residential Carpet Tile (16 Tiles/Case)
Home Depot
$42.99

Clements also suggests exploring carpet tiles to create the wall-to-wall carpet look with a little bit more flexibility—and if you want to try your hand at a DIY installation. “Carpet tiles are very easy to deal with, they’re beautiful and long-lasting,” Clements says. “Some are solid, some have really cool patterns in them, and you can create any designer pattern you want. They’re easy to cut, to carry, to transport. If one gets stained, you just peel it up and stick down another one.”

And whether your carpeted room becomes the snuggle-on-the-floor, well-loved center of your children’s life, or the high-end bedroom oasis of your dreams, one thing’s for sure: this isn’t your grandma’s carpet. More