Tough mudroom flooring that looks great

Mudrooms deserve a certain amount of respect. After all, these rooms are the dropping ground for shoes, backpacks, sports bags, winter gear, as well as a receptacle of all the sand, dirt, snow and gravel that gets tracked in on our shoes and paws.

No matter how many shelves, hooks, and other organization hacks are utilized (and how many times kids are told to clean off their feet), mudroom floors are the recipients of a lot of abuse. That’s why mudroom floors need to be tough, durable, attractive, and easy-to-clean.

Not every kind of flooring can fit all the criteria. Wood floors are attractive and tough, but can be water damaged or stained by standing water. There are other floors, however, that can take whatever life throws at it and still look great.

Luxury vinyl

Luxury vinyl is one of the most popular products on the market and for very good reason. These floors come in a variety of styles that fit with almost every kind of décor. Luxury vinyl floor mimic the look of tile and wood—without the issues. Luxury vinyl floors aren’t as cold underfoot as tile and can be installed without grout (making them easier to clean). While these floors bear a striking resemblance to wood (so close many can’t tell!), luxury vinyl is resilient to water and won’t be damaged or stained by puddles. As an added bonus for handy homeowners, some luxury vinyl plank floors can be installed as a do-it-yourself project (if you intend on a DIY installation, let the salesperson know).

Porcelain tile

Porcelain tile can take everything that comes with a busy mudroom. These gorgeous floors are water, odor, and mildew resistant (perfect for rooms that are wet or humid). The one complaint that comes with porcelain tile is that it is cool underfoot; this concern can be addressed by installing the tile over radiant heating. If you are considering the latter, there are two options for radiant heating. For homes with radiant heating, the system can run with a boiler. Homeowners with forced heating can install an electric radiant heating mat under the tile; porcelain tile is a natural heat conductor (and can be installed with a thermostat).

Brick tile

For a truly unique look or to add character to a home, consider brick tiles. These tiles are incredibly durable and easy to clean; the tiles can be swept, vacuumed, or dry mopped to maintain their one-of-a-kind (and charming) appearance. Brick tiles are also durable and can easily be installed in a neighboring bathroom for a cohesive look.

Waterproof laminate

Laminate floors are incredibly durable but have not been a recommend flooring choice for mudrooms in the past. However, some new laminate floor products are waterproof, alleviating the concern while still offering an affordable and stunning flooring option for a mudroom (if you need waterproof laminate, let your salesperson know that you are looking for flooring for a room with water). In addition to affordable, laminate floors can mimic the look of wood or stone and can hold up in mudrooms that are heavily trafficked by feet and paws.

Sheet vinyl

When it comes to looks, modern sheet vinyl products have come a long way. Today’s sheet vinyl floors look fantastic and are extremely durable. In some cases, sheet vinyl floors have even held up in rooms that have flooded (talk about waterproof!). These floors are easy-to-clean and can take all the snow, gravel, dirt, and sand that gets tracked into a busy mudroom.