One of the hardest decisions I've had to make with regard to this house was what kind of flooring to use. I've been shopping and shopping and have finally made a few decisions. The family room floor was the first to be ordered. It arrived last week, though I haven't put it down yet cuz I'm still painting. I'll post pics when it's all done.

I chose a mat type floor that looks like wood for that room. I did this for several reasons. One, I wanted something my daughter could dance on and that I'd be able to work out on. Two, it's lighter weight, so I can do it myself without having to maneuver heavy materials. Three, it's easy to install, snapping together like puzzle pieces, and does not require floor prep, special skills, or underlayment. Four, it's easy to clean. Five, I thought it would help with insulation. Six, the price was right as I got it for about $1.25 per sq ft.

The next big decision was what to do with the living/dining/kitchen/hallway/entry. I knew I wanted the 'wood look' in the living room, but didn't know if it would be too much wood to carry into the kitchen where my cabinets are also wood. I'd already purchased a floor for the kitchen last year. It's the heavy vinyl tiles that you can put grout around.

I haven't installed them because once I got them, I began to worry that they might be too light and the grout hard to clean. They would be just as nice in the bathrooms if I decide not to use them in the kitchen, so, no major loss there.

Price is a big issue for us as there are many more things that we need. It really pays to shop around! I finally settled on a vinyl plank for the living room that was an 80%-off online closeout. It's supposed to be waterproof, durable, easy to install, needs no additional materials, looks just like hardwood floors, and cost only $1.19 per sq ft with free shipping!

I will do the living room first, then decide which looks best in the kitchen, the planks or the tiles. I bought enough for it, just in case, thinking that I could put them in a bedroom if I didn't use it for the kitchen. Do you see how my mind goes round and round, always allowing for a 'plan B'?

WHEW! Shopping is SO MUCH WORK! I think I did well, though. I can't wait to get rid of this dirty old rug! Well, I guess I'd better get back to my paint project. Could possibly be done with that room in the next day or so!