Open plan living area - flooring

[bellissimiaow]

We're in the process of having an extension which will give us a large, open-plan living area with bi-fold doors onto the garden. It will have a kitchen, lounge area and dining area all in the same space.

What flooring do you have for similar areas? We don't want tiles or carpet and real wood is too expensive which leaves laminate or LVT (which I know nothing about) Can anyone explain the difference, and recommend suppliers please? Or any other tips for open plan flooring?

[Peachi82]

We've opted for engineered wood (to be fitted soon) for our whole downstairs.
Didn't want to cover my house in plastic (LVT, laminate).
If you have the funds for underfloorheating throughout, then maybe tiles are an option as well?

[NotMeNoNo]

I would recommend LVT. I've had engineered wood and it is lovely but would not recommend in a kitchen. Theres a good reason kitchens and sculleries traditionally had tiles or linoleum!

It will be a big outlay so worth getting plenty of samples and checking out showrooms.

[WhereDoesThisToiletGo]

I opted for wood effect porcelain plank tiles in my similar extension. Really happy with it.
We have a big area rug in the sitting part to define and soften it.

[MaybeIDidMaybeIDidnt]

We had Karndean, it's lovely to walk on, never feels cold and is really hard wearing...also looks amazing.

[skippy67]

We have bamboo flooring throughout our downstairs.

[skippy67]

Forgot to say, we have Marmoleum in the kitchen.

[BluebellsGreenbells]

LVT are hard wearing ours came with a 20 year guarantee as we chose commercial flooring. It cleans really well and still looks new.

[wohmum]

We used LVT ,moduleo brand. Love it - warm underfoot, easy to clean

[Henlie]

I would do engineered wood in the living areas, and then limestone (or similar) in the kitchen area. It will still flow. You don’t need to use the same material on the floor throughout for it to be cohesive 😊.

[Lurchermom]

We've got engineered wood throughout the downstairs and in one upstairs room (office). We love it! Never had any issues with it in the kitchen.

[BigRedBoat]

I would go for LVTs.

[Cantbutwill]

@BluebellsGreenbells where did you get your commercial LVT from, if you don’t mind me asking?

[domesticslattern]

I am crazy about cork and don't understand why more people don't consider it. Warm underfoot, easy to clean and eco. I had it in a similar open plan area and it worked really well.

[BluebellsGreenbells]

I actually brought it off eBay

[BluebellsGreenbells]

It was left over from a commercial build.
Half the price as really good quality. Worth a search.

[Cantbutwill]

Thanks, will check it out