The dining room.
Whether it’s where your family gathers to eat every night or is only used on special occasions, the dining room holds a special place in your home. It’s where people come together for holiday dinners, birthdays, and other celebrations. Even if your family only uses the space sparingly, it shouldn’t be neglected. It should be beautiful and inviting—a space to splurge on something special.
Here are some great options to consider if you’re replacing your dining room floors.
Hardwood
Is there anything richer than hardwood?
With a wide range of plank widths, lengths, colors, species, and finishes, hardwood can fit a variety of decors. A deep, espresso-colored walnut can add a touch of classic elegance, while a pale, refined maple offers a clean, modern look.
Hardwood can be one of the pricier options—especially if you opt for solid over engineered—but hardwood floors can add significant value to a home.
Plus, with the rising trend of sustainable sourcing, you can find eco-friendly hardwood options that are as kind to the environment as they are to your dining room aesthetic.
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Take a look at the floor selections offered by our most trusted brands and find the one that excels at meeting your needs.
Tile
If your dining room has more of an “al fresco” vibe, tile floors are a no-brainer.
Porcelain floor tiles are durable, easy to clean, and can mimic a wide range of natural stone and wood visuals. Tiles are perfect for creating a seamless indoor-outdoor transition, ideal for homes with open-plan layouts.
If you want to splurge, natural stone can also lend a luxurious look to dining rooms.
White Carrara marble adds an air of extravagance, while a warm-toned travertine can make your dining room look like it belongs in a Tuscan villa. With underfloor heating, tiles can also provide a cozy warmth during cooler months, combining luxury with comfort.
Vinyl
Vinyl flooring has come a long way from its humble beginnings and is now considered a stylish, practical option for dining rooms.
Modern vinyl can mimic the look of hardwood, stone, and even tile, offering a wide range of design possibilities. It’s incredibly durable, water-resistant, and easy to clean, making it ideal for a space where spills and messes are likely. Luxury vinyl plank (LVP) and luxury vinyl tile (LVT) are particularly popular for their high-end look and feel at a fraction of the cost of natural materials.
With the added benefit of a softer underfoot feel, vinyl is both a practical and trendy choice for dining room flooring.
Carpet
Food and carpet may not sound like a good mix, but carpet is a great choice for dining rooms that are treated as a “special occasion” space.
Saxony, the most traditional cut pile carpet, is a fantastic choice for dining rooms. There are plenty of color options available, and it won’t go out of style. Patterned carpet can also help make a statement in a special space, adding both texture and warmth.
With advances in stain-resistant technologies, modern carpets are more durable and easier to clean than ever before, making them a viable option for a stylish dining room.
Laminate
If your dining room is used regularly, laminate is a great option.
Laminate offers the same beautiful look as hardwood but can handle more wear and tear. It will stand up to heavy furniture—and the inevitable chair being scraped across the floor—better than traditional hardwood. With water-resistant options available, it’s less likely to be damaged by a spilled cup of water. Laminate is also going to be easier on your wallet than hardwood.
Today’s laminate flooring options come in a plethora of stylish finishes and textures, making them a trendy and practical choice for a busy dining room.
Bamboo
Bamboo flooring is gaining popularity for its eco-friendliness and chic appearance.
With some varieties being twice as hard as oak, bamboo flooring is incredibly durable and resistant to scratches. It’s a perfect choice for dining rooms that see a lot of activity. Bamboo also offers a unique aesthetic that blends well with both modern and traditional decors. Its natural grain and range of colors—from light, airy hues to deep, rich tones—make it a versatile and stylish option.
Additionally, bamboo is a renewable resource, making it a sustainable choice for environmentally conscious homeowners.
About The Author
Lauren Moore
June 26, 2024
Proud flooring aficionado and office dog mom, "Flauren" has been a professional writer and editor for more than a decade (though she still maintains her magnum opus was "The Day it Snowed Slurpees," written at the age of 6).
