Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Hacks & How-to's

21OAK may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

4 cost-effective flooring alternatives you can install yourself

By

You don’t need to break the bank if your floors have become depressing to look at or require some updating. Revamp your flooring by taking a creative approach to traditional flooring options. There’s no need for skill, money, or hours of labor to take your flooring to the next level when you can do it yourself! These are our favorite and cost-effective flooring alternatives that will elevate your space and make your floors the talk of any dinner party.

feet resting on black and white vinyl tile floor
Africa Studio / Shutterstock

Try out a patterned vinyl tile

Pattern has slowly been working its way back into home design. Interior designers have been experimenting with new and vibrant prints that will become the focal point of a space. If you’re looking to change up any room’s look, patterned

vinyl tile

is the way to go.

Recommended Videos

Vinyl tile is more durable and long-lasting than traditional ceramic tiles, and tiles come in a variety of styles, patterns, and colors. Add a

black and white patterned tile

to your kitchen or bathroom to create an elegant look, or use a bright vinyl tile to brighten a mudroom or laundry room.

Kelly Sikkema / Unsplash

Utilize modern sheet linoleum

Similar to vinyl floor tiles, you can opt for a modern sheet linoleum to amp up the appeal of your space. This is a fantastic idea for living rooms and bedrooms that need a bit of TLC. Sheet linoleum is easy to install and is often water-resistant; all you need to do to install it is peel and stick the sheet to the existing flooring and trim the edges.

Related

There are many options of sheet linoleum that allow you to transform your home. You can go for a

natural wood tone

and create a faux hardwood appearance, or aim for a rustic shiplap appeal. The best part about using sheet linoleum is that it is ultra-affordable – one square foot typically costs less than three dollars, so you’re guaranteed not to empty your wallet.

Erica Indriana / Unsplash

Give your space a concrete overlay

As homes implement industrial styles with metal piping and rough, wooden shelves, it’s no wonder that concrete flooring has become a big statement in this aesthetic. Concrete has an industrial feel to it that you cannot express with traditional flooring.

If you’re looking to create a New York industrial loft vibe or want to add a unique flooring alternative to your mudroom, laundry room, or bathroom, you can easily add concrete over the existing subflooring and let it sit overnight. For a more polished look, add a unique finish or stain to enhance the natural appeal. Using a

concrete stone polisher

is another fantastic way to ensure your floors are smooth and stunning.

checkered living room floor tile
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Put wallpaper on your floors

This may sound unorthodox, but adding wallpaper to your floors can be a cost-effective alternative to other patterned flooring options. While not ideal for bathrooms or kitchens where moisture may accumulate, you shouldn’t shrug off this option just yet!

Wallpaper flooring

is an excellent option for non-carpeted bedrooms. They can be a plain color, patterned, geometric, or faux traditional flooring. The opportunities are nearly limitless, which allows you to experiment with unique and sophisticated designs.

No matter which route you take when changing your existing flooring, it’s always great to keep an open mind regarding pattern, color, and texture. These cost-effective solutions won’t break the bank while allowing you the opportunity to play around with new styles. What are you waiting for? Your next room refresh awaits.

Editors’ Recommendations

Topics
Amelia Wilson
Amelia Wilson
Contributor
Amelia Wilson (author pen name Amelia J. Wilson) is a content writer in Greenwood, IN. She often enjoys topics on…
The hidden costs of charging an electric vehicle nobody is talking about
Are there unknown costs to charging an EV? We've got the scoop
EV car charging

Are you among the many people considering an electric vehicle (EV) for their next car purchase? Before you take the leap into EV ownership, it's best to familiarize yourself with the cost. This includes not only the prices of electric cars themselves but also EV charging costs, including how much installing an EV adapter will cost you.

You likely won't be disappointed in your new eco-friendly vehicle. A recent J.D. Power study found that the majority of first-time EV owners are reluctant to go back to gasoline-powered cars. In fact, the popularity of electric vehicles is steadily on the rise, and almost 50% of the U.S. population is in support of phasing out gasoline cars completely.

Read more
Should you be using vinegar in your washing machine?
We weigh in on if vinegar is a good fabric softener or if it's a myth
Woman putting dirty clothes in washing machine

There are so many practical uses for white vinegar that go way beyond an ingredient for salad dressing or brining. Vinegar has long been used as a natural cleaning option, beauty product, and overall household miracle worker. You may have heard your grandparents offering advice to use vinegar for nearly any household obstacle. And to this day, many people tout its numerous benefits, uses, and applications. If you want an idea of some of the incredible ways white vinegar can benefit you and your household, we'll list a few below.

Just a few of the many out-of-box uses for white vinegar:

Read more
Can you heat up Styrofoam? What you need to know to keep yourself safe
Find out if you can microwave Styrofoam
Person holding two Styrofoam carry-out containers

Sure, you may love to cook delicious, gourmet meals that your friends and family salivate over, but sometimes, throwing something in the microwave is just easier. Whether you're heating up yesterday's leftovers or reheating lukewarm takeout, the microwave can be the busy homeowner's best friend. But do you need to take the food out of that convenient Styrofoam container first? Can you heat up Styrofoam or is it unsafe to do so?

Microwaves are easy to use, but that doesn't mean every type of food container belongs in them. Depending on what you're using to reheat food, you may need to transport it to a microwave-safe plate. Metal-based materials, for instance, can't go in the microwave since the waves can't penetrate metal. With a few exceptions, most glass and ceramic dishes are microwave-safe containers, as are some forms of Tupperware, but they may not be practical for transporting or storing foods. Styrofoam is a commonly used food container, but can you microwave Styrofoam or even heat Styrofoam at all?

Read more