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 6 worst mistakes you make when shopping at Costco
Make sure you're saving big and not losing opportunities
Person grocery shopping with a Costco membership

There’s nothing like spending an afternoon wandering the aisles at Costco. Where else can you shop for organic produce, find a six-month supply of toilet paper, fill a prescription, and enjoy a $1.50 hot dog and soda all in the same building?

For most Costco shoppers, having a membership pays for itself in no time. But new and existing members alike often don’t use their perks to the fullest. There is, after all, an art to shopping at this warehouse store effectively. Here are a few of the most common mistakes members make when shopping at Costco and how to avoid them.
1. Overpaying for your membership

Read more
6 home pieces you should always buy at thrift stores (and 6 you shouldn’t)
Thrift store shopping tips
Multiple antique mirrors on gallery wall

Somewhere along the turbulent line of the last decade or so, thrift store shopping became cool again, and we are all for it. More and more people are rebelling against generic, cookie-cutter styles and want their homes to look more personalized, more unique, and more one-of-a-kind. At long last, your living room looking exactly like the Pottery Barn catalog doesn't necessarily make yours the epitome of style. Individualism is the more sought-after decor style now, and we couldn't love it more.
When shopping secondhand, be it at a thrift store, online auction, or garage sale, there are some general guidelines to keep in mind, and that's where we come in. By remembering these helpful tips, you can take advantage of the perks and avoid the pitfalls of secondhand shopping.

Do: Wooden furniture

Read more
How much a solar roof really costs
Considering getting solar? Here's everything you need to know before you invest
Workers installing solar panels

How much does a solar roof cost? Though many know solar power requires an expensive investment, it can be challenging to pin down an accurate estimate because so many variables are involved. The size of your home, climate, and manufacturer all contribute to variability in total cost, so it's important to do your homework before you commit.

That being said, although the initial cost of installing solar panels is certainly high, it will save you money long term. Since you can power your entire home with solar roof panels alone and no connection to the grid, you could cut your electric bill in half. For a more specific savings estimate, check out Google's Project Sunroof. With this tool, you can simply plug in your address will estimate what kind of savings you might realize by switching to solar power.

Read more