Regardless of the type of flooring you chose to cover the ground in your home, you'll be keen to avoid costly and time consuming flooring mistakes. Not only can they result in you going over-budget, but can also add time and stress to your build or renovations.
But, with such a wide variety of flooring available, are there any common mistakes that can be applied across the board? Yes say the experts, citing 12 of the top flooring mistakes they see time and time again.
So, whether you're choosing cosy carpet or more contemporary tiles, these are the flooring mistakes to avoid if you want a floor that looks good, lasts well and is the best choice for your home.
1. Choosing the wrong flooring type
Making sure you avoid flooring mistakes starts at the very beginning of the process say flooring experts, and involves you making sure that you've chosen the right product for your home, your floor and the main use of the room it's being fitted in.
Avoiding making the mistake of buying the wrong flooring comes down to consideration of a number of factors says Yarl Christie, founder of Stories Flooring, citing the following as prime examples of when general mistakes are made:
- Choosing looks over practicality: Dark or glossy floors look stunning in the showroom, but in reality they highlight every speck of dust, hair and scratch. Always think about the day-to-day upkeep before you buy.
- Ignoring room conditions: Putting wood in a bathroom or carpet in a damp basement is asking for trouble. You’ll end up with warping, mould and premature deterioration.
- Choosing the wrong material for your lifestyle: Soft woods and pets don’t mix; glossy laminates show every smudge; some vinyls can feel cold underfoot. Match your choice to how you actually live.
- Overlooking comfort features: Hard, cold floors without underfloor heating can make a space uncomfortable to live in. Comfort is just as important as style.
Yarl Christie is the founder and managing director of Stories Flooring, one of the UK’s fastest-growing online flooring retailers. Beginning his career as a floor fitter at 18, Yarl gained hands-on experience that shaped his understanding of quality, design and customer needs. In 2018 he launched his own business, originally trading as Lifestyle Flooring UK, before rebranding as Stories Flooring in 2020 to reflect the idea that flooring helps create the stories of people’s homes.
2. Buying tiles that aren't fit for purpose
“Tiles are a love affair waiting to happen but only if you pick the right ones for the right space," says Grazzie Wilson head of creative at Ca' Pietra. "People often fall in love with a tile in a showroom but don’t stop to think about how it will behave day-to-day.
"A busy entrance for example needs hallway flooring ideas that can stand up to daily traffic, while natural stone in a shower needs sealing so it stays beautiful instead of waterlogged," she says.
"Porcelain, on the other hand, is the all-rounder we always recommend. It’s hardwearing, versatile enough for indoors and out, and comes in every colour and finish you could wish for. Think of it as your no-regrets option.
"Slip resistance is also a detail many homeowners overlook," she adds. "If your tiles are going on the floor, check the R rating. For bathroom flooring ideas, kitchens and hallways, R10 is a safe starting point. Go higher in wet rooms where surfaces will get slippery. A small bit of texture underfoot makes a big difference day to day. For example, polished stone in a busy kitchen or bathroom can be slippery, while textured finishes or R11-rated porcelain are far more practical for high-traffic or wet areas."
Why not try these Pumice Porcelain Off White Ca' Pietra tiles from Hyperion Tiles as a starting point when renovating a bathroom? They have a lovely terrazzo finish and come with an R10 rating.
Grazzie has worked in the interiors industry for more than a decade. At Ca’ Pietra, one of the UK’s leading stone and tile brands, she heads up creative, overseeing product collections as well as the company’s distinctive brand, look and feel.
3. Selecting the wrong underlay
Opting for carpet as part of your flooring scheme? Don't forget to choose the right type of underlay too, warns Johanna Constantinou, interior trends expert at Tapi Carpets & Floors.
“Underlay plays a crucial supporting role in carpet performance, and selecting the wrong type undermines both comfort and durability. It's also important to considering tog ratings, in a similar way to duvet warmth. A high tog carpet over underfloor heating, without a low tog underlay, can block heat flow. We recommend a maximum of 2.5 tog over underfloor heating," says Johanna, "such as our Unity underlay which has a tog rating of 2.4."
Johanna is passionate about sharing unique tips, insights, and helpful key information on all things flooring. From the technical to the trends, she has been in the industry for over 10 years, amassing a vast amount of knowledge to share with consumers.
4. Not picking underfloor heat compatible wooden flooring
"When installing wood flooring over underfloor heating, a common mistake is not checking compatibility," says Ian Tomlinson, managing director of Chaunceys Timber Flooring. "Solid wood can be prone to movement in these conditions, so engineered wood flooring is often a better choice for stability.
"Many people also focus on choosing the right wood but forget about the finish and how it will be maintained," he adds.
"Some finishes offer more protection against spills and scratches, while others highlight the natural beauty of the wood but require more upkeep. Picking the right finish for your lifestyle and knowing how to care for it is essential for keeping the floor looking its best."
Chaunceys Timber Flooring is a family-run company based in Bristol with Ian becoming the Managing Director in 2012. They have been supplying sustainable, high-quality timber flooring to homeowners, award-winning architects, design and build companies, and renowned interior designers since 1988.
5. Not testing how your floor will look
In the same way as you'd use tester pots to try out the newest paint trends on your walls, it's a mistake not to do the same when it comes to your flooring ideas too.
And, it can be particularly advantageous when tiling a floor, says Grazzie Wilson.
"Our recommendation is to never buy tiles without ordering samples first. Light, shade and texture can completely change how a tile looks once it’s in your home. We always tell customers to live with a sample for a few days before committing," says Grazzie.
"With patterned tiles, scale is often overlooked. A bold design might look beautiful on a sample, but if the repeat is too large or too small for the room, it can feel overwhelming or lose its impact. Always mock up a few pieces at home before ordering, to make sure the proportions work," she advises.
But it's not just tiles that need testing. "Lighting changes everything," adds Yarl Christie. "A floor that looks perfect under bright showroom lights might feel completely different in your own home, so always order samples."
6. Making colour mistakes
Once you've decided on type, then colour, pattern and finish will all need to be considered, and if you're running the same flooring through a number of different rooms, you'll want to make sure your choice doesn't end up as an unpleasant flooring mistake.
One way to do this is by trying not to chase short-lived trends, says Yarl Christie. "Bold colours or patterns might be fun now, but they can date quickly and even hurt your home’s resale value."
So why do we make flooring mistakes when it comes to colour and pattern?
"Too often people see flooring as purely practical, but the right colour, texture or finish can completely transform a space," says Darwyn Ker, managing director of Woodpecker Flooring. In the same way as designers often refer to the ceiling being the fifth wall, "your floor can be considered the fifth wall of your home too," he says.
Grazzie Wilson agrees that picking the wrong colour can indeed be a common flooring mistake.
“Colour choice can also trip people up," she states. "Pale tiles can make a room feel wonderfully bright for example, but will show up every speck of dirt in a hallway, while very dark tones may hide mess, but can leave a space feeling smaller.
The same goes for grout too, adds Grazzie. "Choosing the wrong grout shade can also completely change the look of a floor. A tonal grout gives a seamless, calm finish, while contrast grout highlights the pattern and adds drama. Think about light, layout and lifestyle before committing to your flooring colour."
Darwyn Ker grew up in the timber industry. From the earliest memories immersed in the hands-on production of wood flooring from the late 1990s to the early 2000s when production was moved to France and spread out to now 10 locations across the world. He is incredibly passionate about the personality, character, life, ambience, and atmosphere wood floors bring into any home or space.
7. Compromising cost over quality
With floors in every room of your self build or renovation project, it's understandable that it can feel a little overwhelming when your flooring costs start to mount up. But, as the most well-used surface in your home, taking a budget-led approach to your flooring isn't always the best idea.
"One of the most common mistakes we see is homeowners focusing too heavily on cost when choosing flooring," confirms Adam Robertson, managing director at Urbane Living.
"While budget is of course a consideration, opting for the cheapest option often means compromising on quality. In the case of wood flooring costs, and engineered wood in particular, a lower price point can indicate a much thinner wear layer, which is the top layer of real wood that can be sanded and refinished over time.
"A floor with a substantial wear layer not only looks more luxurious, it will stand the test of time and can be restored multiple times, making it a far better long-term investment," he explains. "Choosing a very thin wear layer might save money initially, but it can limit the floor’s lifespan to only a few years before it needs replacing entirely.
"The finish applied to protect the floor is also an essential consideration," he adds. "A good-quality finish can last decades. If opting for an oil finish the maintenance will require frequent maintenance oil, so if you are not in a position to apply the maintenance oil consider a quality lacquered finish which requires minimal maintenance."
It's not just the main product where cutting on costs can turn into an issue either. It can extend to the materials you use with it, or the way in which your flooring is installed.
For example, when it comes to underlay, "it isn’t just an optional extra," warns Yarl Christie. "It impacts warmth, noise, and the lifespan of your floor. Skimping here is a false economy."
Likewise opting for an unbalanced spending approach won't work either," he says. "Overspending on premium wooden flooring for example, but cutting corners on labour – or the other way around – usually compromises the end result."
Adam Robertson is the co-founder and managing director of Urbane Living, a specialist flooring company recognised for its expertise in parquet, bespoke carpets & runners. With a background in design and a strong eye for detail, Adam is passionate about helping clients create elegant interiors that stand the test of time. Under his leadership, Urbane Living has built a reputation for installing high quality flooring to prime residential properties, hotels and retail stores throughout UK and beyond.
8. Not ordering enough flooring materials
Next on the list of flooring mistakes is the crucial stage of ordering your materials. The main error people make in this instance? Not ordering enough.
"Homeowners often underestimate wastage allowances when ordering wooden flooring," confirms Ian Tomlinson. "Not ordering enough means you risk running short mid-installation, and because timber batches can vary, topping up later can lead to visible differences in colour or grain.
"We generally suggest 5-10% for planks, 12–15% for parquet patterns like herringbone or chevron, and 15–20% for reclaimed boards."
It's the same for floor tiles too," says Grazzie Wilson.
“Once you’ve found ‘the one’, don’t cut it too fine," she suggests. "Order at least 10% more tiles than your exact measurements to cover cuts and breakages, and bump it to 15% if you’re going bold with herringbone or chevrons."
Bit it's not just the tiles to take into account, "the same goes for grout," she warns. "Colour matches can be surprisingly tricky if you run out halfway. Trust us, future-you will thank present-you for being generous."
And, while carpet costs will normally be calculated based on a professional installer quoting and pricing the job, make sure they haven't forgotten to consider the potential wastage you might need to accept when using a wider carpet roll.
“Many of Tapi’s carpets max out at 5m width, and larger areas require precise joins, ideally placed where they’ll be least noticeable, such as near the furthest wall or under furniture," says Johanna Constantinou.
"A mistake here is failing to position the join strategically, which can make seams obvious and visually disruptive, so make sure there's enough allowance included for the right joins," she says.
Try these 5m wide carpets for larger rooms
A stain and UV resistant, easy to clean twist style carpet available in 16 colour ways
Add some colour and pattern with this striped carpet that comes in 10 different shades
A simple Saxony carpet that also comes in 2.5m and 4m widths if you need smaller
9. Rushing sub-floor preparation
Next on the list of flooring mistakes is rushing the preparation or getting it wrong, and it's of particular importance if you're laying flooring on a new subfloor. "A floor is only as good as the surface beneath it," warns Yarl Christie. "If the base is uneven or damp, you’ll end up with squeaks, swelling, and gaps."
"One of the biggest mistakes we see is neglecting proper subfloor preparation," agrees Ian Tomlinson. "If the base isn’t clean, dry and level, it can compromise both the look and longevity of the floor.
"Skipping moisture checks is particularly risky as hidden damp in the subfloor can lead to swelling, warping or cupping immediately during acclimatisation, and even months down the line. A good installer will always test and manage moisture levels before starting work," he says."
"A subfloor can take months to completely dry out," warns Darwyn Ker, "and if you rush, you’ll run into problems later. Taking the time to get the preparation right is every bit as important as the product you choose."
It's also the same for tiles and even carpet, meaning this flooring mistake is one to avoid, regardless of the product you've chosen to lay.
"With tiles, the base has to be sound, level and dry before installation,' says Grazzie Wilson. Skip this step and you risk cracks, uneven finishes or tiles lifting over time. A little extra care at the start saves a lot of stress later."
Johanna Constantinou agrees that in all cases, "a subfloor must be dry, smooth, structurally sound, and debris-free, especially before fitting laminate or other flooring types. If it's in poor condition, repair or replacement is required first. Similarly, with carpets, failing to ensure proper surface preparation can lead to poor adhesion, unevenness, or premature wear.”
10. Skipping the acclimatisation step
Although not all flooring needs acclimatising prior to being laid, some types do, and failure to do so is a flooring mistake that can lead to costly repair or replacement.
"Timber is a natural material and needs time to adjust to the temperature and humidity of the room," says Ian Tomlinson and this is the process known as acclimatisation.
"If you lay it straight away, the boards may expand or contract afterwards, causing gaps or buckling," he warns. "For kiln-dried boards, we recommend 10-14 days; for reclaimed timber, it might be four weeks,' he adds. "Regular checks with a hygrometer and protimeter will tell you when the boards have reached their equilibrium moisture content."
Not all flooring needs as long though, which may be something to bear in mind when looking at your extension planner. For example, “laminate must acclimatise for at least 48 hours in the room where it will be laid so it can adjust to temperature and humidity," says Johanna Constantinou.
11. Incorrect or poor installation
Although you may have decided to splash out on expensive flooring, the reality is poor or incorrect installation will reduce the quality. So, when it comes to getting your flooring laid, make sure you know what's involved so that you don't make a flooring mistake at this late stage in the game.
"Choosing the wrong installation method is a pitfall with wood or engineered wood flooring," says Ian Tomlinson. "Nail-down, glue-down, and floating floors all have different requirements and benefits, and using the wrong approach can lead to an uneven finish or a floor that doesn’t perform well.
"Another easily overlooked detail is the expansion gap," he adds. "Wood naturally moves with changes in humidity, so without a proper gap around the room’s perimeter, the floor can press against the walls and buckle. It’s a small step that can prevent a big problem."
It's also one I experienced with floor tiles, where a big enough expansion joint hadn't been allowed in a hallway. As it also had underfloor heating, which resulted in frequent temperature changes, long cracks appeared in the tiles and were clearly visible.
With all flooring materials, it's also important to ensure the transition between rooms and different materials is accounted for in the installation process, adds Yarl Christie. "Threshold strips aren’t just cosmetic," he explains, "they prevent trip hazards and create a professional finish between rooms."
And, while it's certainly possible to lay flooring yourself to save money, if your DIY skills aren't up to scratch, it's not always a good idea to take on the job yourself.
"Patterns like herringbone or rooms with uneven subfloors really need a professional," says Yarl Christie. "Poor DIY can lead to movement, gaps, and potentially even void your warranty."
"Floor installation is a highly skilled job," agrees Darwyn Ker. "Over 90% of problems arise from poor fitting rather than the floor itself, so it’s worth investing in a professional installer from the outset." For intricate designs or specialist products, a professional fitter is usually worth every penny and will leave you with a floor to be proud of.
12. Forgetting room flow
Keen to make sure when your flooring is installed you can sit back and look at it with pride? Don't forget to consider room flow say the experts.
"One of the biggest mistakes we see is not thinking about the flow between rooms," says Darwyn Ker. "A floor doesn’t exist in isolation – it runs throughout a home – so choosing a product that offers matching elements such as planks and trims makes a huge difference to how cohesive your space feels."
Also be careful not too add too many different types or colours, warns Yarl Christie, particularly if you're dealing with a more petite property.
"Mixing too many floor types in one sightline disrupts the visual flow," he warns, "and can make spaces feel smaller."
Keen to know what you can expect to pay for professional installation to make sure you avoid flooring mistakes? Check out our guide to carpet installation costs, and if you are going to embark on a DIY project to save on your renovation costs, follow the expert tips for tiling an uneven floor to make sure the end result is a smooth, flat and even finish.
