For age and stage: Your guide to flooring that fits the way you live

This piece is sponsored by Montgomery’s.

If it has been at least 10 years since you installed  flooring in your home, it might be time to take a second look at it.

You might notice some “wear and tear” depending on what sort of surface you installed. You could realize your household and its needs have changed. Or you might be inspired to see the latest options that could surprise you with their durability.

“It’s worth a new look,” said Melissa Nelson, senior interior designer at Montgomery’s.

Since moving into its expanded Sioux Falls showroom, Montgomery’s is able to better highlight the broad range of flooring available for customers.

“It’s a beautiful space, and as part of the design center, we’re able to focus on flooring and help people better understand how we find the right solution,” Nelson said.

When it comes to flooring, there are more options than ever. Here’s a glimpse at what you might consider.

If you have young children

The early years can be hard on flooring — especially carpet. Think spills, snacks and lots of activity.

“If you’re looking at carpet, we generally suggest going with a pattern or color to it so you won’t see traffic and wear patterns created by children as much, and it’s easily cleanable,” Nelson said.

“If you’re looking at hard surface products, we typically suggest an engineered wood, or luxury vinyl plank, LVP, has become extremely popular because of its durability and reasonable price.”

If you have pets

The same approach to flooring that works for kids tends to fare well with pets.

“LVP is a good choice depending on the size and type of pet,” Nelson said. “Hardwood can also be a great option, and we have a  great ceramic tile selection that will hold up well to pets.”

If your four-legged friend has especially sharp nails, consider your flooring color selection, she added.

“You could see scratching more with some of the darker colors versus a light one.”

If you have mobility challenges

Older adults often gravitate toward LVP or hardwood, which can offer better traction. If you’re looking for carpet, Nelson suggests a low-pile option.

“With mobility challenges, you can have some reduced foot clearance while walking, and with a higher-pile carpet, it increases the risk of tripping.”

One newer option in the market also is worth considering, Nelson added.

“It’s a 2-foot-by-4-foot tile with minimal grout lines so there’s less to trip on and clean,” she said. “We’re also seeing them on fireplaces, in bathrooms and as shower walls. They give you a pattern that doesn’t have a lot of grout lines.”

If you enjoy outdoor living

Montgomery’s also can help with flooring for your all-season rooms and patios.

“We’ve been doing some outdoor ceramic tile and also are seeing increased interest in both small turf areas and turfed lawns,” Nelson said.

“If you’re looking for something that’s lower maintenance, it can be a good fit, and we partner with professional landscapers for the installation.”

“There’s also a pet-friendly turf that drains effectively, allowing homeowners to let their dogs out without worrying about muddy or soggy conditions,” she added.

If you want to be on trend

If you’re the sort of person who loves a home update, flooring is a great element to address as you stay on trend.

“Look at the larger tiles — they have been very popular — along with lots of organic patterns,” Nelson said. “Warmer colors are coming back, including in flooring, so we’re no longer seeing much gray. It’s more wood tones and natural-looking stones and products.”

The “farmhouse look” is fading as well, she added.

“We’re seeing more wood wall panels with smaller vertical grooves.”

If you’re managing your budget

There are plenty of ways to update your flooring without a major investment.

“It used to be enhanced laminate products were hard to recommend, but they have come out with better engineering on them, which allows many people to stay on budget,” Nelson said. “There’s also a glue-down LVP that’s an option, plus we have an in-stock carpet wall with lots of products in stock.”

The in-store selection “is highly competitive in the Sioux Falls market, both for selection and price,” she added. “Plus, you still receive Montgomery’s personal, complimentary design service. And we’re constantly refreshing what we offer because styles and designs change.”

To get started, stop in any Montgomery’s store or begin browsing online here.