Most homes have a hallway and it usually takes a battering as it’s typically joined with one or two outside doors, and connects multiple rooms in your house. Therefore, choosing the right flooring for your hallway is important and this is what I discuss below.
Impact of Foot Traffic on Flooring Durability
Hallways are naturally some of the busiest places in our houses as they typically connect the most important rooms in our homes. For example, many houses have a downstairs hallway that leads from the front door to the living room, kitchen, and stairs.
Moreover, most upstairs have a hallway that connects the stairs, bedrooms, and bathroom. As a result, they are constantly walked on by multiple people which places far greater wear and tear compared to rooms like a bathroom, kitchen, and bedrooms.
To make the right choice, think about the number of people in your house, where the hallways are situated, and how foot traffic compares to other rooms. You should then be able to see how important factors like durability and wear resistance are.
Durability and Wear Resistance
The most important consideration when choosing the best flooring for hallway areas is the durability and wear resistance. As mentioned above, hallways naturally see a lot of foot traffic which means the flooring wears quicker.
In terms of durability, LVT flooring and hardwood floors are excellent. LVT flooring, for example, has a special wear layer on the top which helps reduce damage and protect the flooring. Similarly, the natural toughness and robustness of hardwood or engineered wood floors can resist plenty of foot traffic too.
In contrast, carpet is quite durable and lasts for years, but in a location like the hallway, the pile and density of the carpet will soon get squashed. Additionally, carpets stain easier and are more difficult to clean compared to LVT and hardwood so this reduces their effectiveness, especially if people accidentally trample dirt from their shoes as they walk into the hallway.
Size and Layout of Hallways
I also advise considering the layout and size of your hallway as this could affect the suitability of certain floor types. Oftentimes hallways have a strange shape with lots of inserts from the various doorways.
If you have an irregular-shaped hallway you have to consider the flooring patterns and how they would look. Also, consider how the flooring works and if it can easily be cut and shaped to fit your hallway shape.
For example, it is easier to cut carpet to fit around strange angles and corners than it is to shape hardwood flooring.
Hallway Flooring Options
The above factors should already show you the benefits of particular types of flooring for hallways, but below, I outline some of my top pickles together with their pros and cons.
Luxury Vinyl Flooring
LVT flooring is a top option for hallways as it is durable with its versatile wear layer, is easy to install, and is available in a range of styles and patterns that emulate different materials like wood, stone, and concrete. It’s perfect for high traffic areas and the planks or tiles can be cut easily to fit in irregular hallways.
Hardwood Flooring
Hardwood flooring is a luxury option and it offers the most stylish option for your hallway. The durable wood can resist heavy foot traffic, but you have to be careful of scratches and marks. Also, real hardwood floors are typically much more expensive compared to LVT alternatives.
Carpet Flooring
Carpet is the best flooring for hallway areas if you want warmth and comfort as it offers far more padding and insulation compared to hard flooring. Carpets can also easily be cut to shape from the rolls to fit around the various doorways in your hallway. The downside is that they wear easier and are not as durable for intense foot traffic.
Tile Flooring
Tiles are quite popular in hallways as they are incredibly easy to clean and are some of the most durable flooring types to resist the intense wear and tear from hallway foot traffic. Tiles can also be cut relatively easily to fit an irregular-shaped hallway, but because of their quality and the materials (such as ceramic), they are a more expensive option.
Area Rugs
If you are keen on having a hard flooring type like LVT, hardwoods, or laminate but still want a little comfort and warmth in your hallways you could always use an area rug. These rugs typically cover a larger floor area and add a welcomed contrast and dash of colour to your hallways. The great thing is, is that depending on the type they can also be washed to eliminate dirt and scuffs.
Laminate Flooring
Laminate flooring is a cheaper alternative to LVT flooring and has similar qualities such as decent resistance to wear and tear. It’s typically supplied in rolls or sheets so it has the slight advantage of being easier to shape around irregular hallways like carpets. However, the downside is that the quality is typically less than LVT so it may not last as long.
Combat Foot Traffic With the Right Hallway Flooring
Hallway flooring can be tricky to choose because you have to emphasize functionality but you still want it to look great too. Hopefully, with the tips and considerations I’ve provided you can select the best floor for hallway areas for your house!
