When you’re decorating your home, you want to add your own individual touches. After all, it’s where you live and you want it to be your own little island of tranquility. Somewhere you can escape to and get away from the stresses and strains of everyday life. But there are so many decisions to be made, it isn’t always easy. One of the biggest choices you have to make is how you are going to cover your floor. You’ve got  a few different options, and you need to consider them carefully.

Wooden floors are a classic choice, and done well, they can look wonderful. It has many benefits. It’s durable, and will last you a long time. That is, if you look after it properly, of course! In fact, they can even last a lifetime if not longer, so it really is an investment. It won’t absorb odors or dirt, and it’s a cinch to keep clean. It’s also perfect if any of your household suffer from allergies as it won't harbour allergens such as dust mites.

They also look timeless, it’s unlikely a wooden floor will ever go out of style. Tastes in carpets change, and can date the look of a room rather quickly. It doesn't pay to be a follower of fashion, sometimes! You also have a blank canvas when you are decorating, and as wood goes with most colours, you won't be limited. If you have a particular colour carpet, you may have a restricted choice of what would look good. The downside is that they can be more expensive than most other types of flooring. One way you can save some cash is to get laminate instead. This gives you all the good looks at a fraction of the price. Of course, it won’t last as long but it will see you through a good few years.

Carpeting your home also has its pros and cons. Of course, they are much warmer than a hard floor, and you won't be cold if you pad around in your bare feet. You might prefer carpets if you have young kids, because falls are less likely to hurt quite as much. They also help absorb sounds, so if your kids are prone to running up and down the stairs you won’t get so many complaints from your neighbours. You’re going to save money in the long run too, as they act as extra insulation and keep your house cosy.

The problem with carpet is that it can be difficult to keep clean. It’s recommended you thoroughly steam them at least once every 12 months. Modern vacuums do a lot to help carpets last longer, thank goodness technology has come on in such leaps and bounds. They do tend to stain weasily, so if you’re a messy sort, they might not be the best option for you.

What do you prefer? Do you love laminate or still have a crush on carpet?