Flooring forms one of the most crucial design elements of the house, and sets the tone of the interiors. If you are planning to replace a shabby floor by removing it completely, then it can turn out to be a tedious, time-consuming and costly affair. However, what if you could go for a new flooring material that can be laid directly onto the existing floor? This works well, especially if you live in a rented apartment or have a budget constraint. The best part about these materials is that they neither add extra weight nor do they increase the height of the existing flooring. Then, how about ways to refresh your floors without even adding another layer of material? Read on and find out.

1. Lay down laminated wooden flooring

Laminated wooden flooring is a synthetic material which is made by fusing multiple layers. This flooring material is lightweight, scratch-resistant, easy to install and an affordable substitute to real wood.

It is available in numerous colours and patterns, which mimic the look of different types of wood such as rosewood, walnut, maple and oak.

One con is that laminated flooring is not moisture-resistant and has the tendency to disintegrate on prolonged exposure to water.

Cost: This type of flooring starts at ₹120 per square foot.

1. Install vinyl floors

Vinyl flooring is available in a plethora of colours and patterns, which simulate the look of natural stone and wood at a fraction of the cost. This flooring material can be installed directly over the existing flooring by a professional. Manufactured with polyvinyl chloride, this type of flooring has foam cushioning and a soft underfoot. It is water-resistant, stain-resistant and ensures easy maintenance.

It is a highly durable and non-slip material. Note that it can be easily fixed with an adhesive, and is also available in the form of a peel-and-stick option.

However, the disadvantage of this floor is that it emits volatile organic compounds, it has a plastic look and is not biodegradable. Do not use this flooring for the outdoors, as it can fade in the presence of UV rays. Vinyl flooring material has an average lifespan of 10 to 20 years.

Cost: Vinyl flooring starts at ₹75 per square foot.

1. Use carpet tiles

The quickest way to enhance the look of your flooring is with carpet tiles. Their surface absorbs sound and provides a soft underfoot.

Modular carpet tiles are available in the shape of squares and are manufactured with a PVC base and nylon top. They are available in thicknesses of 6 to 8 millimetres.

These tiles can be laid over an existing floor within a few hours. In this example, different types of carpet tiles are mixed together to create an interesting design.

Cost: Carpet tiles start at ₹85 per square foot.

1. Roll out carpets and rugs

How about going for a carpet or rug to enhance the look of drab flooring? Carpets are a great way to infuse colour and pattern into the décor, especially if it is a rented apartment. One can strategically position the furniture and the carpet to cover up patches of worn out flooring.

The drawback with using carpets and rugs are that they work as dust magnets and require periodic deep cleaning. Also, carpets are not suitable for homes with pets, as they attract fur and pet dander.

Cost: Carpets and rugs are available across a wide range of budgets.

1. Set out foam tiles

Give a playful look to the home gym, the kids’ room or even a garage, by paving the floor with foam tiles. They are available in a variety of colours, which can be mixed and matched to create an interesting pattern, like in the image above.

Cost: A set of six mats measuring 24 square feet start at ₹1500. They are available in the form of interlocking tiles on reputed online platforms.

1. Go for floor decals

Jazz up the look of your existing flooring with floor decals. This is a great way to infuse colour and pattern into the flooring of rental apartments.

Note that this is a temporary solution as the sticker may start to detach at its edges from the floor surface, after a period of time. Also, one can easily remove the stickers before vacating the apartment.

Cost: Floor decals start at ₹200 per piece and are easily available on various online platforms.

1. Beautify with stencil art

Add more personality and character to your flooring with stencil art. This is a great and inexpensive way to enhance the look of the flooring and is best suited for concrete and hardwood floors.

Cost: Floor and wall stencils start at ₹250 per piece and are readily available on various online platforms.

1. Clean the tiles

If you live in a rented apartment and do not want to spend a penny on any new flooring material, then the best option is to simply clean the tiles.

Use a surface cleaner to deep-clean the tiles. Purchase a good grout cleaner for cleaning the grouting of the existing tiles.

Cost: Invest in good cleaning solutions and combine with some elbow grease.