Creating a Luxurious Look on a Budget: Affordable Flooring Solutions

Certain common sayings in life, such as “you can’t have something for nothing” and “you get what you pay for”, speak to a particular perceived “truth”, and this is relevant to those carrying out updates to their home, too. To put it another way, so the perception goes – if you want a luxurious look, you need to pay luxury pricing.

However, is that quite the case? In reality, it is possible to make alterations to a property that don’t cost very much, but that make a major visual impact, nonetheless. Replacing the flooring in your property is one example of such a course of action.

One of the first things anyone will notice about a given room in your home is its flooring. So, your chosen flooring type will be crucial if you are seeking to achieve a luxurious ambience.

Understanding Different Flooring Options

Below are some of the options you may consider if you are looking to fit luxurious-looking, but affordable flooring in your property:

Engineered wood flooring: this flooring solution consists of multiple layers of wood, including a thin layer of hardwood on top, and a plywood core underneath. Affordable engineered wood flooring can be an excellent choice for homeowners who seek the look of genuine wood without the high price tag.
Laminate flooring: this multilayered synthetic flooring material is made from natural wood fibre, and comprises four main layers, pressed at a very high temperature and pressure in a single operation. There are many great-looking and affordable laminate flooring options available, which convincingly resemble “natural” wood or stone.
Linoleum flooring: often mistaken for vinyl flooring, linoleum flooring actually differs markedly from it. It consists of a mix of renewable materials, with the exact composition depending on the manufacturer. The Flooring Group, for instance, offers a popular brand of linoleum flooring – Marmoleum – which comprises such materials as linseed oil, wood flour, and chalk. Many different colours, designs, and textures are on offer.
Polished concrete flooring: the type of concrete used for this flooring is much like standard concrete, except that chemical densifiers are added to fill the pores, resulting in a dense and durable matrix. Diamond polishing tools are then used to give the surface a smooth and shiny finish. This type of flooring can last a lifetime with minimal maintenance, which helps to make it very cost-effective.

Top Budget-Friendly Flooring Choices for a Luxe Appeal

Here’s a quick at-a-glance look at some of the great-looking, albeit affordable flooring options that you might consider, with pros, cons, and costs:

Engineered wood flooring: less expensive than traditional hardwood flooring, but a lot of maintenance is needed to preserve its shine and lustre. Typical UK supply cost: between £50 and £60 per square metre
Laminate flooring: flexibility helps to prevent warping and cracking, but unlike hardwood flooring, it can’t be sanded and refinished. Typical UK supply cost: between around £5 and £15 per square metre
Linoleum flooring: exceptionally durable and resistant to wear and tear, but some types can be susceptible to moisture. Typical UK supply cost: between around £40 and £50 per square metre
Polished concrete flooring: can be customised with many different colours, styles, and finishes, but it can feel cold underfoot, especially during the winter. Typical UK cost: between around £120 and £150 per square metre to have the concrete poured, finished, and sealed. Having an existing concrete floor polished will cost around £50 per square metre.

Choosing the Right Flooring Style

With there being so many patterns, colours, and finishes available, you will need to consider a range of factors to determine the right flooring style for your home.

Those factors are likely to include:

How well your chosen flooring visually complements your décor and furniture
The level of traffic the given part of the home is expected to receive
Whether you have pets or children, or instead live alone
Whether you’re seeking a type of flooring with a low upfront cost – even if this means the flooring has to be replaced sooner – or instead a slightly pricier option that you won’t need to replace for a while longer

The Importance of Professional Installation

By hiring reputable professionals to install your flooring – whatever type you ultimately select – you can help to ensure a good-looking, high-quality finish that delivers long-term satisfaction.

Contact our experts at The Flooring Group to discuss how we can install affordable flooring in Acton, Battersea, Camden, Fulham, Pimlico, or wherever in London your property happens to be.

Maintaining Your Luxurious Look on a Budget

Follow these tips to ensure you maintain and care for your affordable flooring in a manner that keeps it looking fresh and luxurious over time:

Clean up any spills as soon as they happen, to help prevent them from becoming stains or permanent damage
Avoid the use of harsh chemicals – such as abrasive cleaners or bleach – that could damage the finish or strip away protective layers of your flooring
Sweep and vacuum the flooring regularly, especially if it is in a high-traffic area of your home
Ensure floors are dry after cleaning or spills, to prevent anyone from slipping on the surface

Conclusion: Achieving Luxury Within Reach

As the above guidance has hopefully made clear, a high-end look doesn’t have to be unattainable when you are seeking out affordable flooring for any given space in your property.

So, why not enquire to The Flooring Group today, to begin your exploration of the possibilities for budget-friendly flooring that will also elevate the look of your abode?