The kitchen floor is one of the highest traffic areas in a home and has the wear and tear to prove it. It's an area where it's worth your while to invest in the best quality, most durable flooring. While tile is attractive, wear resistant and spill proof, some people find it cold under their feet. An option you might consider is installing a floor heating system beneath the tiles. Electric floor heating systems have been around awhile and now there are new innovations using hot water lines that are less expensive to install and operate.

Tiling is usually considered best for kitchens, laundry rooms and bathrooms in terms of standing up against water and humidity. Porcelain tiles are more expensive but with good reason. With porcelain tiles, the colour and pattern is contained within the tile, versus ceramic tiles where the colour or pattern is just applied in a thin surface layer. Even the most minor nick or chip shows very visibly. One distinct disadvantage to tile floors is the fact that they can be broken if something drops on it and repairs are not easily managed. For this reason, some people opt for other alternatives. Attractive and environmentally friendly materials such as high quality linoleum - either in rolls or faux tile - cork floors, or composite material are enjoying a resurgence in popularity right now. Roll-type flooring has the added advantage of quick and tidy cleanups without the hassle of grout or seams. Neutral colours with little or no pattern are a safe bet and will be most appealing when the time comes to sell your home. Choose a colour not only for its esthetic appeal, but also for its ability to age well and suit changing décor over a period of time.

Of course, the hottest trend in flooring options is wood floors. Hardwood floors are both durable and elegant, and can potentially add thousands to the resale value of your home. Dark staining will add to a modern, contemporary look. An attractive and functional alternative for high traffic or spill prone areas is wood laminate floors, which combine the appearance of hardwood with a far more durable surface. A word of warning, though. Laminate floors should only be installed in areas that are climate controlled all year round. They are not good options for sun porches or cottages, where moisture can penetrate the laminate layers and then crack when the temperature freezes.

Of course, when redoing a floor, don't forget the finishing touches. For a very limited cost, upgrading your quarter-rounds and baseboard trim can really add to a finished feeling. If you're doing a dining room, hall or living rooms, you might consider adding some crown molding too to complete the effect.

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