What is the one thing that all of your guests will use when they come into your home? Are you stumped?

The one thing every guest will use when they walk into your house is the floor. And yet, many homeowners will drive themselves crazy with picking the right wall color, furniture arrangement, wall decorations and small items that may not even be noticed. Your floor is often taken for granted; it is just "there." But if you are craving a brand-new look for your home, or individual rooms, start literally from the ground up.

Depending on the floor material, it can be a long-lasting item that will outlive many sofas, tables and wall-hangings. Choosing the right flooring for your tastes and needs is very important, because, chances are, that is what you are going to have for quite a while. With the proper maintenance, different flooring techniques can last anywhere from an average of five years (carpets and area rugs) to 20 years for vinyl planks and up to 100 years for hardwood. Some floor materials are more expensive than others, but a brand-new floor may be one of your major design investments and could increase the resale value of your home.

When a house is first built, plywood or concrete often make up the subfloor. The use of an underlayment material before laying the finished floor will help to even the surface, add padding to reduce noise and insulate to reduce drafts from between the joists under the subfloor. Depending on the room and its use, you might decide to choose materials for waterproofing to stand up in high-traffic areas or to make an artistic statement. There are choices of tiles, laminate, linoleum, bamboo or wooden planks. Good flooring choices to go over concrete, such as in basements, include vapor barriers, cork or rubber mats, and vinyl tiles. Mixed-floor coverings are a big 2023 fashion trend.

Luxury vinyl floors are popular and offer an array of colors and designs. Laminate floors can emulate the wood grain; they are waterproof and go well in kitchen areas, and laminate is also much more affordable than hardwood. Vinyl planks are made from layers of PVC or eco-friendly bamboo and are scratch-resistant. Laminates and vinyl planks can be used as "floating floors" where the surface is not glued or nailed to the subfloor. Carpets are making a comeback, especially in upstairs rooms where footsteps can be muted. Current carpet designs offer bold colors and distinctive textures. A current design style is to combine shiny ceramic tiles in a large main room, such as a living room, and accent it with bold-colored scatter rugs. Small area rugs can also help delineate living spaces where each room flows into another.

You may decide to hire a contractor or to do it yourself. Some floors can be quite pricey, so if you are choosing a new floor just to increase potential resale value, it is a good idea to contact a local realtor for advice on floorings that are both popular and fit within the price range of the homes around you. Hardwood and tile are the most popular choices for resale value, with hardwood generally garnering a return of 70% or more. Warmer and more humid climates tend to prefer tile, as it will not warp as some woods do. There are many different tiles including ceramic or porcelain; the main drawback with porcelain is that it should be professionally installed, which will significantly reduce your return on the investment. Stone tiles have a more rough and rugged look and may not be suitable for all rooms. Marble tile, while looking quite regal, requires much higher maintenance to retain its natural beauty.

If you are considering a new floor, whether in one room, or your entire home, do your research thoroughly. Be realistic as to the expense, and determine whether you are going to do it yourself or hire a contractor. Several floor covering supply stores offer terrific online resources to help you visualize various floor finishes in your own home just using a camera and your home computer so that you will know what you want and need before you actually go shopping.