Head or heart when it comes to flooring?

[dulcefarniente]

I need to replace my existing flooring downstairs. I've never been keen on hard floors because I tend to think they look industrial/commercial rather than homely, don't find them very comfortable as a surface to walk on and the noise issues (I live in a semi and can hear the neighbours moving their chairs across their hard floor every time they have a meal).

OTOH I'm a single parent working full time whose pet likes to bring "presents" home so the existing carpet gets a battering and is why I need to replace it.

Realistically I need to go for the practical option don't I?

Hard flooring with lovely rugs that are easier to clean? There are a huge variation in hard flooring such as real wood, karndean, tiles, lino etc... it might be you prefer one a lot more than others.

Real wood would be out of my price range so not an option. I used to have a lovely textured rug but it was a nightmare to keep clean and Lego etc free. I think it would have to be more of a large mat than a snuggly rug.

Cork! Bouncy and soft and homely, but still wipeable and doesn't cost a fortune.

Huffle - isn't that more for a bathroom floor?

We had it in the kitchen living room growing up and my friends have put it in theirs recently.

I would ago for tiles in kitchen and bathroom. Engineered wood in dining room if have a separate one. Carpet everywhere else and keep the kichen door shut so the cat can;t bring gifts into the sitting room!

Can get quite nice carpets cheaply, much warmer and a steam clean works wonders on them if they do get mucky.