The holidays are around the corner, and, if you’re planning a gathering or two, you might be looking with a critical eye at your home decor, especially your floors. But, with friends and relatives coming over for festivities, there’s sure to be a spill or two. And, if you have children and pets who track every imaginable substance over your living spaces, you might be second guessing new floors. You don’t want to spend your holidays worrying about stains. But before you resign yourself to putting off home improvements until after the new year, let me tell you a secret: with the right material, you can have a beautiful new floor AND stay worry-free. Here are some flooring ideas that are as durable as they are attractive:
Vinyl/Resilient Flooring
If you need a floor that will hold up to the “moisture” of kids and pets without compromising good looks, you may want to consider vinyl or resilient flooring. It is not the same as your grandmother’s linoleum and can be an elegant, yet durable, flooring choice. 
Bamboo
Bamboo is one of the most popular flooring choices for high-traffic areas. It is stain and scratch resistant – more so than hardwood – and eco-friendly, due to its sustainability. It is resistant to wear and tear, but, on the downside, bamboo can be susceptible to water damage and is often more expensive than other flooring options.
Cork
If you’ve ever been to a yoga studio with cork floors, you know how great it can feel under foot. Like bamboo, cork is eco-friendly, and it is naturally anti-microbial, leading to less mold growth and fewer allergens. Cork is water resistant and requires very little maintenance. It can, however, discolor over time if exposed to direct sunlight and is prone to scratches and indentations from heavy furniture.
Laminate
Laminate comes in a variety of qualities, the best of which is indiscernible from real wood. It is easy to clean, water resistant and scratch resistant. Laminate can be slippery, so for greater traction, select a textured variety or add area rugs.
Tile and Stone
Tile and Stone get a lot of points for durability. They are easy to wipe clean, stain resistant, water resistant and scratch resistant. And the variety in size, shape, color and texture are practically limitless. Add area rugs to tile or stone for warmth in cooler seasons. 
You may notice the absence of hardwood and carpet from this list. Hardwood flooring is easy to vacuum and comes in a wide array of colors, but, for high-traffic areas, consider that it can be expensive and prone to water damage and scratches. Carpet can be lush, warm and comfortable on the feet, but is easily stained and shows wear and tear faster than harder flooring.
There’s no reason you can’t have the elegance you desire in your floor and have it last, not only through the holiday season, but for years to come. At Flohr, we are committed to helping you find the right fit for your family. Whether you know what you want or would like a consultation to figure it out, come visit us and let us help put the right floor under your feet.
