Renovating your laundry room is an opportunity to create a functional and stylish space that can handle the daily demands of washing, drying, and cleaning. Choosing the right flooring is one of the most important elements in this transformation.
The laundry room is subject to constant moisture, heavy appliances, and frequent foot traffic, so the flooring must be durable, water-resistant, and easy to maintain. In this guide, we’ll explore the best flooring options for laundry rooms, helping you make an informed decision that balances practicality, budget, and aesthetics.
Let’s get straight to the point.
When renovating a laundry room, it’s important to choose water-resistant, durable, and easy-to-maintain flooring that fits your budget and aesthetic preferences. Top options include luxury vinyl planks (LVP), waterproof and budget-friendly; ceramic tiles, durable but cold and slippery; and natural stone, which is long-lasting but expensive.
Avoid solid wood, carpet, and bamboo, as they are prone to water damage. Ultimately, vinyl and tile are recommended for durability and practicality in laundry room environments.
Best Flooring Options For Laundry Rooms
1. Laminate Flooring
Pros:
- Affordable
- Easy to install
- Fade-proof and moderately water-resistant when seams are sealed.
Cons:
- Can warp with excessive moisture
- Noisy underfoot
Laminate is a popular flooring choice due to its wood-like appearance, offering scratch resistance and being budget-friendly. It’s a practical option for homeowners seeking an easy-to-install and affordable solution.
However, while laminate can handle light spills, it’s not fully waterproof. Prolonged exposure to moisture can lead to warping, making it unsuitable for high-humidity environments.
For extra protection, applying water-resistant glue to the seams can help prevent moisture penetration. Wet mops should be avoided during regular cleaning; dry cleaning methods like vacuuming and dusting work best for maintaining laminate floors.
2. Natural Stone Flooring
Pros:
- Extremely durable
- Adds value to your home
Cons:
- Expensive
- Difficult for DIY installation
- Requires sealing for water resistance
Natural stone flooring, such as marble, slate, and travertine, adds a luxurious and timeless feel to any laundry room. It’s known for its durability, withstanding years of heavy foot traffic and wear.
However, the high installation cost and the need for professional handling make it a costly investment. One major downside of stone is that it can feel cold and slippery underfoot, especially in damp environments like laundry rooms.
Heated and textured tiles can counter these effects, adding warmth and better traction. Regular sealing is also necessary to protect against moisture damage and detergent staining.
3. Ceramic Tile
Pros:
- Affordable
- Easy to install
- Resistant to scratches and water
Cons:
- Cold and slippery
- Requires regular grout cleaning
Ceramic tile is an affordable and durable option for laundry room flooring. With many colour and design options available, it can easily match the aesthetic of your space.
Ceramic is highly resistant to scratches, stains, and moisture, making it a practical choice for high-traffic areas. However, ceramic can be cold to walk on, especially in winter, and can become slippery when wet.
Textured tiles help with grip, and installing underfloor heating adds comfort. Additionally, grout lines between tiles may require frequent cleaning and maintenance to prevent mould or discolouration.
4. Vinyl Flooring
Vinyl is one of the most versatile and budget-friendly flooring options for laundry rooms. Known for being water-resistant and durable, it’s easy to install and maintain, making it ideal for areas prone to spills and humidity.
1. Vinyl Sheets
Pros:
- Inexpensive
- Available in many styles
- Water-resistant
Cons:
- Large sheets can be difficult to install
- Prone to dents and tears
Vinyl sheets are a cost-effective option for covering large areas with minimal seams. They provide a smooth, water-resistant surface that’s easy to clean. However, the size of the sheets can make them tricky to install as a DIY project.
Also, heavy appliances or sharp objects may cause tears or dents, which can be difficult to repair.
2. Vinyl Tiles
Pros:
- Durable and easy to replace individual tiles
- Water and stain-resistant
Cons:
- Requires a smooth subfloor
- Higher cost than sheet vinyl
Vinyl tiles offer a more customisable and durable option than sheet vinyl. Each tile can be installed individually, and damaged tiles can be easily replaced without redoing the entire floor.
Vinyl tiles are resistant to water, stains, and scratches, making them low maintenance. However, having a perfectly smooth subfloor is important, as any imperfections can show through and affect the tiles’ durability.
3. Luxury Vinyl Planks (LVP)
Pros:
- 100% waterproof
- Durable and easy to install
- Mimics the look of wood or stone
Cons:
- Water can seep through the seams
- Requires a stable subfloor
Luxury Vinyl Planks (LVP) have become a popular choice for those who want the look of natural wood or stone without maintenance. LVP is 100% waterproof and durable, perfect for laundry rooms. It’s also easy to install for DIY enthusiasts.
However, water can still seep through the seams if not properly sealed, and a stable subfloor is necessary to avoid warping or uneven surfaces.
5. Engineered Wood
Pros:
- Attractive appearance
- More stable than solid wood
Cons:
- Vulnerable to flooding
- Expensive
Engineered wood is a great alternative to solid wood, offering the same natural beauty with added dimensional stability. Its plywood core makes it less prone to warping due to humidity, making it a better option than traditional hardwood.
However, while it can resist small spills, significant water exposure, such as flooding, can still cause the veneer to peel off. Engineered wood is expensive, and while it offers a warm, appealing look, there might be more practical options for laundry rooms with high moisture levels.
Key Considerations For Laundry Room Flooring
Before diving into specific flooring options, consider the following factors when making your decision:
- Water Resistance: Laundry rooms are prone to moisture from spills, leaks, and humidity. Therefore, the flooring must be water-resistant to prevent warping or damage.
- Durability: With constant foot traffic and the movement of heavy machines, laundry room flooring must be durable and resistant to scratches, dents, and general wear.
- Ease of Cleaning: Spills, dirt, and detergent residue can quickly make the floor dirty. Therefore, choosing a material that is easy to clean and maintain is important.
- Cost: You can stay within your budget by considering both the upfront cost of materials and installation and long-term maintenance costs.
- Comfort and Aesthetics: A laundry room should be comfortable. Flooring that provides warmth and insulation can make a big difference. Additionally, it should fit with the overall aesthetic of your home.
Flooring Options To Avoid In Laundry Rooms
1. Solid Wood
Solid wood flooring is not suitable for laundry rooms because it is vulnerable to moisture. Water spills, leaks, or humidity can cause the wood to swell, warp, or cup, leading to permanent damage.
Even with protective coatings, solid wood lacks the dimensional stability to withstand the fluctuating moisture levels in laundry rooms. As a result, its long-term durability is compromised in such environments.
2. Carpet
Carpets in laundry rooms could be a better choice because they absorb water quickly. If there is a leak or a spill, the carpet can become saturated, leading to the growth of mould and mildew, which are difficult to remove.
Even in the absence of direct spills, the general moisture in a laundry room can cause the carpet to retain dampness, reducing its lifespan and resulting in lingering odours. Over time, the wear and tear from moving heavy appliances can damage the carpet’s fibres.
3. Bamboo Flooring
Although bamboo flooring is often promoted as an eco-friendly option, its sensitivity to moisture makes it unsuitable for laundry rooms. Bamboo can easily expand, warp, or crack when exposed to high humidity or water spills.
In a space where leaks and dampness are common, bamboo flooring requires more maintenance and might need to be replaced sooner than expected. Additionally, the frequent fluctuations in temperature and moisture in a laundry room can cause the material to become brittle over time.
Conclusion
Selecting the right flooring for your laundry room involves balancing practicality, durability, and aesthetics. Vinyl, particularly luxury vinyl planks, offers a durable and waterproof option that’s budget-friendly and easy to install.
Ceramic tile and natural stone provide more long-lasting solutions, though they come with higher costs and potential maintenance requirements. Avoid flooring materials like solid wood, carpet, and bamboo, which are vulnerable to water damage and wear.
With the right flooring choice, your laundry room will be functional and stylish, capable of withstanding the demands of everyday use.
FAQs About Laundry Room
What Kind of Floor Do You Put in Laundry Room?
Ceramic tile is one of the best flooring choices for a laundry room from both a design and durability standpoint. They’re water and chemical resistant and ones with natural finishes are more scratch resistant than ones with a high polish finish.
Can Vinyl Plank Flooring Be Used In a Laundry Room?
Probably the best flooring for your laundry room, vinyl plank and tile offers many waterproof options. Plus, many homeowners simply love this flooring because it comes in various styles, mimicking authentic exotic hardwood to high-end stones and porcelain tiles.
Are Wood Floors OK In Laundry Room?
The answer is yes! Especially if they’re waterproof. In fact, they might just be one of the best flooring options for your laundry room.
Can You Put Vinyl Plank Flooring Under Washer And Dryer?
The floor under your washer and dryer must not only resist staining and wear, it must also stand up to moisture. Interior designers often recommend vinyl for the laundry room, and that isn’t necessarily a limiting choice. If you don’t like sheet vinyl, you can choose tiles or planks.
Is Laminate Good For Laundry Room?
Carpet, solid hardwood, and laminate flooring are all choices to avoid in the laundry room. None of these options are water proof much less water resistant and hold their own potential risks.