Best Flooring by Room
Reviewed by Kevin Sill, Owner, Harmony Flooring. Updated October 2026.
The right floor depends on the room. Here are our 3 best picks for every room in a Madison home, with the pros, the cons and what to watch for in a Wisconsin house.
Short answer: Vinyl plank for kitchens, basements and home offices. Porcelain tile for bathrooms and entries. Carpet for bedrooms and stairs. Hardwood for living rooms.
At a Glance
| Room | Top pick | Also great | Skip or check first |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kitchen | Vinyl Plank | Porcelain Tile, Engineered Hardwood | Carpet. Laminate only if the line is rated for kitchens. |
| Bathroom | Porcelain Tile | Vinyl Plank, Sheet Vinyl | Carpet and hardwood, solid or engineered. Laminate only if the line is rated for bathrooms. |
| Basement | Vinyl Plank | Carpet, Porcelain Tile | Solid hardwood. Standard laminate. Carpet on a damp slab. |
| Bedroom | Carpet | Hardwood, Laminate | Tile is usually too cold for a bedroom without floor heat. |
| Living Room | Hardwood | Vinyl Plank, Laminate | Tile is usually too cold for a living room unless the floor is heated. |
| Stairs | Carpet | Hardwood, Vinyl Plank | Any laminate or vinyl line with no matching stair nose. |
| Entry and Mudroom | Porcelain Tile | Vinyl Plank, Sheet Vinyl | Solid hardwood, standard laminate and carpet right at the door. |
| Home Office | Vinyl Plank | Laminate, Carpet | Thick, plush carpet under a rolling chair. |
Want the side-by-side on each floor type? See how the five floors compare.
Pick a Room
KitchenTop pick: Vinyl Plank
Best Flooring for Kitchens
Vinyl plank is the best all-around kitchen floor for most Madison homes. Porcelain tile is the toughest. Engineered hardwood gives you real wood that flows into the living room.
Vinyl Plank
It handles spills, kids, pets and busy traffic, and it looks like wood.
- Waterproof planks
- Softer and quieter than tile
- Hundreds of wood and stone looks
- Heavy drops and appliance feet can dent it
- Water left sitting at the edges can still reach the subfloor
Tip: Run the floor under the fridge and dishwasher spots so they slide out later.
Porcelain Tile
It is the toughest surface you can put in a kitchen.
- Stands up to water, spills and scratches
- Lasts for decades
- Easy to mop
- Hard and cold underfoot
- Dropped glasses break
- Grout lines need cleaning and sealing
Tip: Pick a matte or textured finish. It is less slippery when wet.
Engineered Hardwood
You get real wood that can run from the kitchen into the rest of the main floor.
- Real wood, warm feel
- Handles humidity swings better than solid wood
- Great for open floor plans
- Spills need a quick wipe
- Shows dents and scratches
- Not for a kitchen with frequent leaks
Tip: Put washable mats at the sink and dishwasher.
Madison note: Furnace heat dries out Madison homes from fall into spring. In a kitchen that opens to the living room, engineered hardwood handles that swing better than solid wood.
Skip or check first: Carpet. Laminate only if the line is rated for kitchens.
Or text us a photo of your room: 608-221-5500.
More help: Kitchen Flooring in Madison Homes · Tile vs Vinyl for Kitchens and Bathrooms
BathroomTop pick: Porcelain Tile
Best Flooring for Bathrooms
Porcelain tile is the best bathroom floor. Waterproof vinyl plank is warmer and softer. Sheet vinyl has few or no seams, which makes it a smart pick for kids' baths and laundry rooms.
Porcelain Tile
Bathrooms get water every day, and tile does not mind.
- Water cannot hurt the tile itself
- Lasts for decades
- The best match for heated floors
- Cold without floor heat
- Grout is not waterproof and needs sealing
- Hard if you drop something
Tip: Choose a slip-resistant finish, especially by the tub and shower.
Vinyl Plank
It gives you a waterproof floor that feels warmer than tile.
- Waterproof planks
- Warmer and softer than tile
- Wood and stone looks
- Standing water at the tub or toilet can get under the edges
- Not for shower floors
Tip: Ask for the edges at the tub and toilet to be sealed.
Sheet Vinyl
It comes in one big piece, so there are few or no seams for water to find.
- Few or no seams
- Waterproof surface
- Soft and warm
- Fewer high-end looks
- Sharp objects can cut it
- Hard to patch
Tip: A smart pick for kids' baths and laundry rooms.
Madison note: Heated bathroom floors are popular in Madison. Porcelain tile is the easiest floor to pair with in-floor heat.
Skip or check first: Carpet and hardwood, solid or engineered. Laminate only if the line is rated for bathrooms.
Or text us a photo of your room: 608-221-5500.
More help: Bathroom Flooring for Madison Homes · Best Flooring for Radiant Heat
BasementTop pick: Vinyl Plank
Best Flooring for Basements
Vinyl plank is the best basement floor for most Madison homes. Carpet is warmest, but only on a dry slab. Porcelain tile is best for basement baths and laundry rooms.
Vinyl Plank
It floats over concrete and water does not hurt the planks.
- Waterproof planks
- Warmer than bare concrete, especially with an attached pad
- Wood looks for a finished space
- It does not fix a wet slab
- Moisture trapped under any floor can cause mold
Tip: Do the quick moisture check below before you pick a floor.
Carpet
It is the warmest and quietest choice for a basement family room or play area.
- Soft and warm on cold concrete
- Quiet
- Carpet tile lets you swap one damaged square
- Only for a dry basement
- Needs a moisture-barrier pad
- A flood ruins it
Tip: Consider carpet tile if you have kids or pets down there.
Porcelain Tile
Water cannot hurt it, so it suits basement baths, laundry rooms and walkout entries.
- Not harmed by water
- Very durable
- Easy to clean
- Cold without floor heat
- Hard underfoot
Tip: Add area rugs in the living areas.
Madison note: Many Madison basements get damp in the spring thaw, even with no leak. Check the slab before you choose. If it is damp, fix that first.
Skip or check first: Solid hardwood. Standard laminate. Carpet on a damp slab.
- Tape a 2-foot square of clear plastic flat on the bare slab.
- Leave it for 24 to 48 hours.
- Lift it. Damp concrete or drops under the plastic mean the slab has moisture.
It is a quick first check, not a full test. If you see moisture, have a waterproofing pro find and fix the cause. Then call or text us to pick a floor.
Or text us a photo of your room: 608-221-5500.
More help: Basement Flooring in Madison · Why Is My Basement Floor Wet? · Best Laminate for Basements
BedroomTop pick: Carpet
Best Flooring for Bedrooms
Carpet is still the best bedroom floor for most families. Hardwood is the classic hard floor. Laminate gives a scratch-resistant wood look for rooms with kids and pets.
Carpet
It is the floor most people want under bare feet first thing in the morning.
- Warm and soft
- The quietest floor, great upstairs
- Lots of colors and textures
- Needs regular vacuuming
- Spills need blotting right away
- Wears in walking paths over time
Tip: The pad matters as much as the carpet. Ask about it.
Hardwood
It gives a bedroom a clean, classic look that pairs well with an area rug.
- Real wood, warm feel
- Easy to keep dust-free
- Buyers love it
- Louder than carpet
- Can dent and scratch
- Small gaps can show in winter
Tip: Add an area rug by the bed for warm feet.
Laminate
It gives you a wood look that stands up to toys, claws and furniture.
- Very scratch resistant
- Realistic wood looks
- Easy to clean
- Can sound hollow without a good underlayment
- Water-resistant, not waterproof. Wipe pet accidents fast.
Tip: Upstairs, choose an underlayment made to quiet footsteps.
Madison note: In two-story Madison homes, carpet in upstairs bedrooms keeps footsteps from carrying to the rooms below.
Skip or check first: Tile is usually too cold for a bedroom without floor heat.
Or text us a photo of your room: 608-221-5500.
More help: Best Carpet for Bedrooms · Flooring for Kids and Playrooms
Living RoomTop pick: Hardwood
Best Flooring for Living Rooms and Main Floors
Hardwood is the classic living room floor. Vinyl plank is the best pick for busy homes with kids and pets. Laminate is a scratch-resistant wood look.
Hardwood
It is the floor most buyers hope to find.
- Real wood, warm feel
- Lasts for decades
- High buyer appeal
- Pet claws can scratch it
- Small gaps can show in winter
Tip: Choose engineered hardwood over concrete or radiant heat.
Vinyl Plank
It can run through the kitchen, entry and living room as one floor.
- Stands up to kids, pets and spills
- One floor through the whole main level
- Warm and quiet with a pad
- Not real wood
- Heavy furniture can dent it
Tip: Put felt pads on chair and table legs.
Laminate
It gives a realistic wood look with a very hard top layer.
- Very scratch resistant
- Realistic wood looks
- Hard surface, easy to clean
- Water-resistant, not waterproof
- Can sound hollow
Tip: Keep it out of spots that get wet, like a mudroom door.
Madison note: Running one floor through the kitchen, entry and living room means fewer transitions and a calmer look. That works well in Madison's open-concept homes.
Skip or check first: Tile is usually too cold for a living room unless the floor is heated.
Or text us a photo of your room: 608-221-5500.
More help: Carpet vs Hard Surface in Living Rooms · Open-Concept Flooring in Madison · One Floor Throughout the House
StairsTop pick: Carpet
Best Flooring for Stairs
Carpet gives the best grip on stairs. Hardwood is the classic look. Vinyl plank matches a vinyl plank main floor.
Carpet
It gives the best grip and softens footsteps.
- Best grip
- Quiet
- Softer if someone slips
- Wears first on the front edge of each step
- Shows traffic over time
Tip: Pick a dense carpet and a firm pad for stairs.
Hardwood
It matches wood floors and gives a stairway a finished look.
- Classic look
- Matches hardwood floors
- Easy to clean
- Slippery in socks
- Louder
Tip: Choose a low-sheen finish for better grip.
Vinyl Plank
It lets the stairs match a vinyl plank main floor.
- Matches your main floor
- Durable and waterproof
- Easy to clean
- Needs matching stair nose pieces
- Each step is fitted by hand
Tip: Choose a line that offers a matching stair nose.
Madison note: Older Madison homes often have steep or uneven stairs. We look at them in person before you pick a floor.
Skip or check first: Any laminate or vinyl line with no matching stair nose.
Or text us a photo of your room: 608-221-5500.
More help: Best Flooring for Stairs in a Madison Home
Entry and MudroomTop pick: Porcelain Tile
Best Flooring for Entries and Mudrooms
Porcelain tile is the best entry and mudroom floor in Wisconsin. Vinyl plank is a warmer pick that can match your main floor. Sheet vinyl has few or no seams for a back-door mudroom.
Porcelain Tile
Salt, slush and grit cannot hurt it.
- Not harmed by water or salt
- Very hard surface
- Easy to mop
- Cold underfoot
- Slick when wet unless the finish is textured
- Hard if you drop something
Tip: Darker or patterned grout hides salt and dirt.
Vinyl Plank
It is waterproof and can match the floor in the next room.
- Waterproof planks
- Warmer than tile
- Matches your main floor
- Grit can scratch the top layer over time
- Salt film needs wiping
Tip: Use a big walk-off mat at the door.
Sheet Vinyl
It comes in one big piece, so meltwater has few or no seams to get into.
- Few or no seams
- Waterproof surface
- Soft underfoot
- Fewer high-end looks
- Sharp grit can cut it
Tip: Good for a back-door mudroom that takes a beating.
Madison note: Salt season in Madison runs from November into April. The first few feet inside the door take wet boots every day.
Skip or check first: Solid hardwood, standard laminate and carpet right at the door.
Or text us a photo of your room: 608-221-5500.
More help: Best Flooring for Mudrooms and Entryways · Protect Entryway Floors From Salt
Home OfficeTop pick: Vinyl Plank
Best Flooring for Home Offices
Vinyl plank is the best home office floor for most people. Laminate has a very scratch-resistant top layer. Low-pile carpet is the quietest for calls.
Vinyl Plank
Chairs roll easily and it stays quiet with a good pad.
- Easy for rolling chairs
- Durable
- Quiet with a pad
- Chair wheels can scuff it
Tip: Use a chair mat under a rolling desk chair.
Laminate
Its hard top layer resists scratches. Use a chair mat under a rolling chair.
- Very scratch resistant
- Wood looks
- Easy to clean
- Louder than carpet
- Water-resistant, not waterproof
Tip: Add an area rug to quiet the room for video calls.
Carpet
A low, dense carpet keeps an office quiet.
- Quietest for calls
- Warm
- Chairs roll harder on it
Tip: Pick a low, dense pile and add a chair mat.
Madison note: Working from a basement office? Madison basements can get damp in the spring thaw, so use the basement picks above.
Skip or check first: Thick, plush carpet under a rolling chair.
Or text us a photo of your room: 608-221-5500.
See Them in Person
Come see these floors in person at our showroom at 2125 S. Stoughton Rd in Madison. Bring a photo of your room. Or try floors in your own photo with our room visualizer.
Flooring by Room Questions
What Is the Best Flooring for a Basement in Wisconsin?
For most Madison basements, vinyl plank is the best pick. It floats over concrete and water does not hurt the planks. Check the slab for moisture first. Carpet works only on a dry slab, and porcelain tile is best for basement baths and laundry rooms.
Is Vinyl or Laminate Better for a Basement?
Vinyl plank, in most homes. Standard laminate has a wood-fiber core and is water-resistant, not waterproof. Only some laminate lines are approved for basements.
What Flooring Should You Avoid in a Basement?
Solid hardwood and standard laminate. Carpet only belongs on a slab you know is dry.
Can You Put Hardwood in a Kitchen?
Yes, with care. Engineered hardwood is a better kitchen pick than solid wood. Wipe spills quickly and put mats at the sink and dishwasher.
What Is the Best Flooring for Dogs and Cats?
Vinyl plank is the best pick for most homes with pets. It is waterproof and resists everyday scratches. Laminate is very scratch resistant but is water-resistant, not waterproof, so wipe up accidents fast. Pet claws can scratch hardwood. In a basement, carpet tile lets you swap one damaged square.
Is Laminate Waterproof?
Most laminate is water-resistant, not waterproof. Some lines are sold as waterproof under set conditions. Ask us about the exact line before you put it in a kitchen, bath or basement.
What Is the Best Flooring Over Radiant Heat?
Porcelain tile is the easiest match for heated floors. Many engineered hardwood and vinyl plank lines are approved too, with temperature limits. Check the exact product before you choose.
What Flooring Holds Up Best to Winter Salt and Snow?
Porcelain tile holds up best. Vinyl plank is a good second choice. Either way, use a big walk-off mat at the door from November into April.
Can You Mix Flooring Types From Room to Room?
Yes. Most homes do. On an open main floor, fewer changes in flooring look calmer and remove trip points.
What Is the Safest Flooring for Stairs?
Carpet gives the best grip on stairs. For hardwood, choose a low-sheen finish. For vinyl plank, pick a line with a matching stair nose.
