Basement family room flooring ideas

Basement family room flooring needs to be durable, comfortable, and—most importantly—able to withstand the moisture that comes with our Wisconsin basements. Basement slabs are porous and moisture is continuously seeping through the slab. Because of the moisture (and common high humidity levels in basements), wood and laminate floors are not recommended for basements.

There are plenty of other flooring options for a basement family room. Every one of the basement flooring options look great and wear well; use these pros and cons—and a visit to your local flooring store to see your options—to choose the best basement family room flooring option for your space.

Carpet tiles

Pros: Affordable, easy to swap out and replace when stained, durable, available in a variety of colors and styles, perfect for a family room or play room, can be installed as a do-it-yourself project

Cons: Does not look as finished as other flooring options, not as soft as carpet (no carpet pad is underneath)

Carpet

Pros: Soft under foot, affordable, durable, available in a variety of colors and styles, easy-to-clean, can be installed over radiant heating (ask a local flooring pro about carpeting and radiant heating)

Cons: Needs to be installed by a professional

Ceramic tile

Pros: Affordable, durable, available in a variety of colors and styles, easy-to-clean, can be installed over radiant heating, can be installed as a do-it-yourself project

Cons: Very cold under foot and hard, needs to be installed with grout

Luxury vinyl plank

Pros: Durable, available in a variety of colors and styles, can resemble wood, easy-to-clean, can be installed as a do-it-yourself project

Cons: More expensive basement flooring option, can fade in direct sunlight

Engineered hardwood

Pros: Durable, available in a variety of colors and styles, easy-to-clean, can be installed as a do-it-yourself project

Cons: More expensive basement flooring option, can be susceptible to water damage, very cold under foot

Sheet vinyl

Pros: Affordable, durable, available in a variety of colors and styles, easy-to-clean

Cons: Can scratch, needs to be installed with adhesive

Luxury vinyl tile

Pros: Durable, available in a variety of colors and styles, easy-to-clean, can be installed as a do-it-yourself project

Cons: More expensive basement flooring option, has to be installed with adhesive

Concrete

Pros: Durable, can be painted to fit the décor, easy-to-clean, can be painted as a do-it-yourself project

Cons: Very cold under foot, not ideal for theater or media room