6 Alternative Flooring Ideas for Your Home Renovation

Rose Morrison

Jul 7, 2020

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If you’re looking for something different for your flooring situation, you’re in luck. There are so many fun alternative flooring ideas to choose from. Whether you’re bending for the budget or simply looking for something a bit out of the ordinary, carpet and hardwood are far from your only options.

You can keep the look warm and cozy, go a bit eclectic or keep it completely classic. You can use your floors to find the mood and aesthetic you want in a space from the ground up, and that involves getting creative and exploring all your options. 

Whether you’re remodeling the whole home or just one room, here are some unique alternative flooring ideas to classic flooring.

1. Rip It Up

One of the cheapest and most beautiful flooring renovation processes is to work with what you already have. So many older houses have gorgeous hardwood floors hidden beneath their dingy carpets simply waiting to be revealed. This can be a bit of a gamble, but the payoff is often beyond compare.

You can refurbish or update the floors to make them look bright and new, or you could leave them with the quirks that give them character and flair. Either way, this process often leaves you with unique vintage floors that give your home charm and depth.

2. Bamboo

Bamboo is a great alternative to wood floors, and it can impart a lot of new benefits. Often, it’s cheaper than wood, and it is typically more moisture-resistant and hard-wearing. Its gentle color and natural grain can help it blend and enhance any space.

Bamboo flooring can also be much more environmentally friendly than traditional wood flooring. However, it’s not always guaranteed. If you’re looking specifically for sustainable bamboo, it’s important to research shipping and production so you can find the greenest flooring for your home.

3. Concrete

Utilitarian looks have been all the rage recently, and if you love the minimalist style, concrete floors could be for you. These floors are sleek, inexpensive and unique. Plus, they’re long lasting and relatively easy to keep clean and tidy. 

Concrete flooring can bring an industrial flair and open up a cozy room. It can also sharpen up a space already veering on the side of modernism. It’s versatile, working with the shifts and developments in your style as you grow and change.

4. Pennies

If you’re looking for an artsy, creative flooring that will really wow guests, pennies — that’s right, real money —  can actually be made into the perfect fun floor for any space. While it may take a little elbow grease, making a floor out of pennies is actually inexpensive — like one might expect.

All you need for this project is a clear sealant coat and a grout of any color — though black tends to work best, making the copper tones pop and shine.

5. Cork

Cork flooring can go literally anywhere — from the kitchen to the bathroom. It’s durable, comfortable and resistant to mold and mildew, which makes it the perfect choice for high traffic areas of the house, as well as rooms with water. Cork flooring is inexpensive and aesthetically pleasing, so you can find a classy, unique look without breaking the bank.

6. Porcelain Tiles

Porcelain tiles are a great choice if you’re not looking to splurge on hardwood, but vinyl flooring also just isn’t your style. You can find all kinds of tiles to fit the room you’re filling. Tile is usually good quality, and it comes in a variety of styles and prices. You can even find tiles that mimic wood grains if you’re looking for cheap wood alternatives.

You can lay the tile yourself, which cuts the largest cost from the equation and leaves more room for your other decor needs. While it may seem like a daunting DIY project, taking your time and being thorough can help get the job done well.

Alternative Flooring Ideas to Consider

No matter what flooring you choose, it’s great to explore all your options. There’s much more out there beyond simple carpeting and hardwood. When you find something special that works for your style, the aesthetic of your home will flourish.

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