Skip to main content

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

4 cost-effective flooring alternatives you can install yourself

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.

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.

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

Amelia Wilson
Amelia Wilson (author pen name Amelia J. Wilson) is a content writer in Greenwood, IN. She often enjoys topics on…
DIY home decor: This bathroom tray looks high end but costs less than $5 to make
We adore this inexpensive bathroom tray and how easy it is to replicate
Modern bathroom with round mirror

Everyone loves a good do-it-yourself project, especially when it saves you a ton of money and looks like it was bought at a high-end store. You don't have to be an expert builder or even that educated in DIY in general with all of the millions of YouTube and TikTok videos done by non-experts that are willing to walk us all through the steps to put something together. This DIY bathroom tray from TikToker "woman.of.gold" is both of those, costing less than $5 and giving that high-end vibe that everyone wants in a bathroom.
How to pull it off
Woman.of.gold wrote that the "plastic plate was only £1.49" and "the tea light holders only 50p each" so the total cost was £3.49 (approximately $4.34) since she already had the paint and baking soda at home. (And even if you don't have those supplies, a little paint and baking soda won't add too much to your total cost.

https://www.tiktok.com/@woman.of.gold/video/7197510192395717893

Read more
You can buy a whole Caribbean island for less than some homes in the U.S.
Imagine waking up on this private island every morning?
travel shows streaming now tourist map plan vacation

Whether you've been in the market for a new home or not, you know house prices have been soaring in the U.S. According to the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, the median home sales price is $428,700, an increase of nearly $60,000 from just a year ago. The mean sale price of homes in the U.S. is even higher: $507,800.

The pandemic began the shift, dropping mortgage rates to the point where many first-time homebuyers entered the market. Our homes became our oasis. But soon after, houses became nearly impossible to find, and with that short supply, demand was at a fever pitch. While recovery began in 2022, increased mortgage rates began to price people out of the market for home ownership. So, what to do if you can't afford to buy in the U.S? How about purchasing a Caribbean island instead?

Read more
4 fantastic reasons to buy a starter home (and 3 reasons not to)
Starter home or forever home? Here's what you need to know to figure out what's best for you
Small red house with blue and white accents

If you’re a prospective homeowner, there are probably a million questions running through your mind. How much house can you afford? Should you be looking for a starter home or saving up for a forever home? Is a starter home still a thing? As a first-time buyer, it can feel natural to assume you should head straight for a starter property. But what if it's actually more nuanced than that?

Starter homes are still a very popular option for young, first-time homebuyers. But deciding which type of property is right for you is a challenge in itself. Keep reading to learn more about starter houses, forever homes, and choosing between the two.

Read more