Attics

If you have an unfinished attic with lots of room and easy access, consider turning into a comfortable and livable new space. If this oft-forgotten space is suffering from neglect, new flooring may be in order. In most attics, plywood is slapped down and that's that.  If you want something different, consider the following: Bamboo- Bamboo flooring can be purchased in panels conveniently designed to fit between standard floor joists, making for easy installation. Because it's breathable, you don't have to worry about compressing insulation and trapping moisture in the attic. Best of all, bamboo is more durable than many common flooring materials, and is also one of the most eco-friendly building materials available.

Bedrooms

Just because you have bedroom floors doesn't mean you have to swathe them in carpeting you'll probably hate in five years. Dare to be different, and you'll wind up with the perfect bedroom flooring for everyone from kids to guests. Consider concrete- For modern look that's easy to clean and easy on people with allergies, keep it simple withconcrete. It's also a great choice when it comes to repelling stains and dust. Radiant heating can keep tootsies toasty on cold days. Smile for tile- Keep cool in warm regions by placing tile underfoot. Easy installation and maintenance make it an attractive option, as does the fact that it can painted when you decide that you want a new look. Create a new you with eucalyptus- Eucalyptus hardwood is great option for the environmentally conscious (and everyone else, too). Eucalyptus is fast-growing and planted, so you can rest assured you haven't killed off a species of rare hardwood just to make the space under your feet feel good.

Bathrooms

When it comes to choosing bathroom flooring, the first thing that should come to mind is moisture resistance, followed closely by durability. Because you also want to entertain your own personal style, new alternatives in bathroom flooring are constantly widening you options. Super Ceramic- Go ahead and bring out your creative side with ceramic tile. It comes in so many shapes, colors, and sizes that there is little doubt that you can get something that fits your taste and personality to a tee. One of the most interesting options is mosaic tile. Before you panic at the thought of affixing thousands of tiny bits and pieces to your bathroom floor, relax. This type of tile comes in pre-mounted sheets so you don't need to be a Renaissance artist to install it. The stone age- Although it is a pricier option than most, stone flooring will last long after you're gone and you're great-grandchildren have inherited your house. To avoid slipping due to moisture, choose material like slate that is naturally textured, or have the stone sandblasted to rough it up a bit. The best thing about stone is that moisture problems are a non-issue.

Living rooms

Living rooms are for living, so why not choose flooring that makes it possible. Carpet is a common choice, but high-traffic areas often wear out sooner than you'd like. Consider the following for a long-lasting living room floor: Lovely laminates- Laminate flooring is super-durable and designed to last. It is an especially good choice if you have busy kids underfoot. Today's laminates are of high quality and mimic the look of hardwood so well that it's often tough to tell the difference. They are a great way to get and incredible-looking floor that's easy to install at an affordable price. Cork is it- Cork is a trendy and eco-friendly option with a lot of positives, including: water and fire resistance, durability, sustainability, and natural insulating properties. While it is visually attractive, be aware that it may not be the best choice if you have a room full of super-heavy furniture.

Kitchens and dining rooms

We've grouped these together because the kitchen and dining room are really extensions of one another, so why not reinforce this connection by using the same flooring. Try these on for size: Vital Vinyl- Vinyl is another material that is getting better and better at imitating more expensive types of flooring, while keeping costs super-affordable. Not just for records and tacky furniture anymore, vinyl can be fashioned to look like everything from leather, to tile, to stone. Brick House- Brick is a way to get a super tough as well as cool-looking kitchen and dining room floors. No longer just fire-engine red, brick paverscan be obtained in a variety of colors, and can be given a shiny and attractive look by applying waxing agents. Because brick is a porous material, you'll want to be sure to use a night-quality sealing agent to keep water from seeping downward where it can cause mold and mildew. Sealer should be reapplied every 6-12 months, but the trouble you take to protect is trouble you won't have to go through by replacing the entire floor in a few years.

Basements

As with attics, basements often just sit there wasting valuable space until you decide to do something productive with them. Consider these surfaces while planning to make turn your basement into extra living space: Square deal- If you want to warm up the feeling of your basement by adding carpet, but have the possibility of water issues in the back of your mind, consider using carpet squares. If you detect a problem, it is much simpler and less expensive to pull up a few pieces and fix the problem than it is to tear out the roomful of carpet.