It’s the stage upon which your domestic life unfolds. Covering the largest surface area in the house, it can define your aesthetic environment. Chosen well, it facilitates ease and enjoyment of living. Chosen badly, it can be the source of profound physical and psychological discomfort – and hurt you financially as well.

It’s no surprise then that flooring has become a defining priority for homeowners, according to Tara MacTavish of Changes by Design. For those with floor on the brain, our expert’s advice is simple: think carefully. If you have a house under construction, or simply have renovation fever, stop everything, sit back, and absorb the seasoned advice we’ve collected for you on the subject.

The guiding principle for choosing flooring is: Whatever you choose for any given area of your home must be a function of your lifestyle, tempered by personal taste. Very often, MacTavish says, clients have only a vague notion of what they want, or are fixated on a particular material. Ultimately, however, a balance must be struck between aesthetic aims and practical necessity. Of course a floor should look beautiful – but it should also function as ideally as possible.

So what MacTavish does first is have clients outline their lifestyle. Question number one: How will the space be used? To break things down further, Heidi Streu of Imperial Flooring asks: How many children live with you? Any pets? Do you live in the country or the city? Such questions, Streu explains, are directly connected to others, such as: How do you like to live? Do you prefer being formal or casual?

Once a homeowner has answered these questions, he or she can make clear-eyed choices. Now, let’s talk materials. Every material has strengths and weaknesses, and some are definitely better for certain rooms than others. Keep in mind that, depending on your lifestyle and domestic situation, preventive measures may be required for certain floors to minimize damage. Some lifestyle adjustments may also be necessary; for example, Streu advises clients that wearing slippers and socks in winter are going to be a fact of life in almost any home with hardwood.

CARPET
The shagadelic classic is still popular, according to Tracy Dubois – otherwise known as The Carpet Girl – as many clients want that “warmth under their feet” feeling, especially for bedrooms. Since young children spend so much time down on the floor, said softness also makes carpet worth considering for main living areas; the simultaneous drawback being that kids are synonymous with spills. This problem can be solved, however, by buying either stain-resistant or toned carpet, the latter of which will wear stains less prominently. Cats’ claws can damage long-fibered carpets, so if you are feline inclined, consider a short shag carpet like frieze. Consider also that high foot traffic will prematurely wear carpet, making it ill-suited for entranceways, for instance.

Also, whereas it was once thought to be the worst alternative, carpet has more recently been proven to be the best choice for those with allergies, as allergens in fact circulate more easily from a smooth surface.

HARDWOOD
The elegant alternative, it’s the only thing some clients will consider, says Streu. Its chief selling point is obvious: it looks fabulous, whether in a bedroom, living room, dining room or hallway. Its solidity under foot can also be appealing. Be warned, though: at $8 to $15 per square foot, hardwood has probably the highest material cost, and after installation can wind up one of the priciest options. Hardwood also requires some diligence to keep up: heels and outdoor grit do it no favours, so you’d better make sure that you, your friends, family and guests are leaving your shoes at the door, especially during winter or if you live in the country. If you’ve got a dog, he’d better adjust to socks or vinyl covers, as canine claws can scratch. Moisture is another arch-foe of hardwood, which makes it a bad choice for bathrooms or entryways; even with a mat or rug thrown down, Streu says that moisture can seep through to cause discolouration and rot.

BAMBOO & CORK
The growing popularity of these “hard” materials as a hardwood alternative is not only because of lower cost ($6 to $8 per square foot), but also because of their renewability as a “green” resource. Bamboo and cork shouldn’t merely be thought of as hardwood’s less expensive cousins, however, as they can possess unique patterning and colouring that creates a distinct aesthetic. That being said, Streu advises caution if you’re entertaining bamboo as an option; not only does it tend to shrink in our cooler climate, its grains are so tight that surface blemishes become more visible under natural light. It is therefore not ideal for larger surface areas, but rather for more low-key spaces such as a study. Cork, says MacTavish, is a great choice for kitchens, as it not only provides a fine-looking surface that is resistant to spills, but is also softer underfoot than other popular kitchen options like tile.

TILE
Like hardwood, our experts say that some people simply can’t live without tile, but also like hardwood, it can get expensive, although in tile’s case it’s on account of installation ($8 to $10 per square foot), not material costs (as low as $2 per square foot). The most popular (and ideal) areas for tile are bathrooms, entryways, and kitchens; in the case of the latter, however, MacTavish advises clients that standing for long periods on a tile floor can be bad for your back. Another drawback is tile’s conductivity of cold, although some people solve this problem by heating their floors.

LAMINATE & VINYL
Our experts say that the homeowner on a budget who nonetheless wants a luxurious look should consider the wonders these materials can work; as Streu says, manufacturers have become highly adept at fooling the eye. Laminate, while far cheaper than hardwood, can still provide a near-identical look, while vinyl can be used to achieve faux surface textures like tile or flagstone. Another alternative to tile is Dura ceramic, which is softer and less conductive of cold.

In the end, says MacTavish, you may have to settle for some trade-off: compromises on look or function are often par for the course. That being said, sometimes it’s simply a matter of diligence on the part of the designer or consumer to find just the right colour, pattern or texture to perfect a particular project. In other words: plan carefully, don’t give up easily – and think of the advantages of hiring a designer!