comScore
CASACOR
Decoration

7 steps to choose the right floor for the living room traduzido por: OPENROUTER

From the finish to the layout, different decisions help define a beautiful, functional, and timeless living room floor traduzido por: OPENROUTER

By CASACOR Publisher

Submitted at Sep 1, 2026, 4:00 PM

10 min de leitura
Casa de Paulo Azevedo em São Paulo.

Casa de Paulo Azevedo em São Paulo. (Fran Parente/Divulgação)

The living room is one of the main social spaces in the home, where architecture, furniture and decorative choices come together to create a welcoming and cohesive atmosphere. Within this composition, the flooring plays a fundamental role: beyond establishing the visual foundation of the space, it influences the perception of spaciousness, the relationship between elements and the very sense of comfort.

Suite - Casa Magma Portinari. CASACOR São Paulo 2026 project. traduzido por: OPENROUTER

Suite - Casa Magma Portinari. Projeto da CASACOR São Paulo 2026. (Denilson Machado, do MCA Estúdio/Divulgação)

As a long-lasting choice that is more complex to replace, it deserves to be defined with care. The seven steps below help to find the balance between functionality, aesthetics and timelessness.

1. Understand how you use the living room before choosing the material


No flooring is the best in every context; it is the best for a specific routine. So, start with an honest inventory: how many people move through it each day? Is there a pet with long nails? Do the residents usually take off their shoes at the door?

Gabriel Fernandes - Casa Simonetto - Tribute to Janete Costa. Project from CASACOR São Paulo 2026. traduzido por: OPENROUTER

Gabriel Fernandes - Casa Simonetto - Tributo a Janete Costa. Projeto da CASACOR São Paulo 2026. (Denilson Machado, do MCA Estúdio/Divulgação)

These answers eliminate half of the options before you even step into a store. The living room of a couple without children can accommodate a light-toned wood floor, but this may not be the best option for a home with dogs or small children. It is not about luxury, it is about compatibility.

2. Consider the natural light and the proportions of the space


The natural lighting directly interferes with how the colors and finishes of the flooring are perceived. In a small, dimly lit living room, very dark coverings may absorb part of the light and reinforce the feeling of a reduced space. On the other hand, very light and glossy surfaces, when exposed to intense sunlight, may produce uncomfortable reflections.

Ana Maria Miller, Elisa Torres and Tainá Torres - PERMANE(SER). Project of CASACOR Goiás 2026. traduzido por: OPENROUTER

Ana Maria Miller, Elisa Torres e Tainá Torres - PERMANE(SER). Projeto da CASACOR Goiás 2026. (Edgard César/Divulgação)

In smaller projects, light tones and satin finishes contribute to a lighter composition. Larger pieces also reduce the number of joints and can favor the visual continuity of the flooring. On the other hand, spacious living rooms that are well-lit allow you to explore medium and dark tones, which add depth and help create a more welcoming atmosphere.

3. Get to know the main coverings and their characteristics


Each material presents specific properties of resistance, maintenance, comfort and aesthetics. Knowing these differences is essential to find a solution that dialogues with the needs of the project.

Rogoski Arquitetura - Verdante. CASACOR Goiás 2025 project. traduzido por: OPENROUTER

Rogoski Arquitetura - Verdante. Projeto da CASACOR Goiás 2025. (Edgard César/Divulgação)

  • Porcelain tile: versatile and resistant, it is suitable for different proposals and shows good tolerance to moisture and heavy use. It also allows the visual reproduction of materials such as wood, marble and cement. On the other hand, it is a harder and colder surface to the touch.

  • Solid wood andengineered: they offer thermal and acoustic comfort, as well as the richness of textures and tones characteristic of natural wood. They require specific care with water, scratches, sun exposure and periodic maintenance.

  • Vinyl (LVT/SPC): stands out for walking comfort, acoustic performance and ease of installation. Depending on the system, it can be applied over existing coverings, reducing the complexity of the work. However, it is important to check the appropriate resistance for the intended use and the possibility of marks caused by very heavy furniture.

  • Laminate: offers a more affordable alternative for those seeking the appearance of wood. Installation is usually practical, but the material has lower resistance to moisture, which requires attention in areas subject to contact with water.

4. Choose the color and finish with your routine in mind


The floor color affects both the aesthetic composition and the perception of daily maintenance. Very dark surfaces can highlight dust and marks, while very light ones tend to show hair and small dirt.

João Almeida and Gustavo Almeida - Estúdio Capri by Macêdo Fortes. CASACOR Piauí 2026 project. traduzido por: OPENROUTER

João Almeida e Gustavo Almeida - Estúdio Capri por Macêdo Fortes. Projeto da CASACOR Piauí 2026. (Felipe Petrovsky/Divulgação)

Medium tones, wood-look or cement-look with subtle variations in tone and texture usually offer an interesting balance between aesthetics and practicality. Even so, there is no universal choice: the result depends on the lighting, the other decoration elements and, mainly, the routine of the residents.

5. Value the details that complete the finish


The quality of the final result also lies in the elements that make the transition between the floor and the other components of the projects. Grout, baseboards and finishing profiles can reinforce visual unity or, when poorly specified, compromise the composition.

Studior2 - RV Suite. CASACOR Piauí 2025 project. traduzido por: OPENROUTER

Studior2 - Suíte RV. Projeto da CASACOR Piauí 2025. (Felipe Petrovsky/Divulgação)

Grout close to the tone of the pieces creates a more continuous appearance, while contrast highlights the design of the layout. A tall baseboard, especially when it matches the wall color, can enhance the ceiling height. Transitions between living room, kitchen and balcony should be planned during the project stage, ensuring continuity and precision in the finish.

6. Consider the total installation cost


The price per square meter represents only part of the investment. To arrive at the real budget, it is necessary to consider labor, installation materials, baseboards, transition profiles and removal of the existing covering, when necessary.

João Almeida and Gustavo Almeida - Art and Design: Inspiring the Senses. CASACOR Piauí 2025 project. traduzido por: OPENROUTER

João Almeida e Gustavo Almeida - Arte e Design: Inspirando os Sentidos. Projeto da CASACOR Piauí 2025. (Felipe Petrovsky/Divulgação)

It is also advisable to plan for a margin of approximately 10% to 15% for cuts, losses and any future replacements. In some cases, a lower-priced material may require a more complex installation, while another, at a slightly higher price, can be applied over the existing covering and reduce the total cost of the work.

7. Do the test that prevents regret


Before making the final decision, it is worth observing floor samples inside the living room itself. The perception of a color, texture or finish can change significantly according to the incidence of light and the relationship established with walls, furniture and fabrics.

Studio Ark - Gallery. Project from CASACOR Brasília 2025. traduzido por: OPENROUTER

Studio Ark - Galeria. Projeto da CASACOR Brasília 2025. (Edgard Cesar/Divulgação)

The ideal is to analyze the samples at different times of the day— in the morning, afternoon and evening — and also under the artificial lighting of the projects. This assessment helps to understand how the material will behave in the composition as a whole and reduces the chances of a choice based solely on its in-store appearance.

CASACOR Publisher is an exclusive content creation agent, developed by CASACOR's Technology team based on the knowledge base of casacor.com.br. This text was edited by Yeska Coelho.

traduzido por: OPENROUTER