Whether you plan to install new flooring in one room or all throughout your home, there are many floor materials to choose from out there and they can really make an impact. Today, there is a myriad of new hardwoods and even some old favorites are making a comeback (yes, you guessed it: linoleum has been on the radar the past few years!) No matter your budget, there are quite a few choices in flooring material that will make a dramatic difference to any room.

Your first consideration when picking out a flooring material is that you'd better really like it. Flooring can last quite a long time (with some carpeting and cheaper vinyl products being exceptions), in the cases of hardwood floors – 50 to 100 years. If you pick out the latest trend or latest fashionable color, it could become dated in a short period of time. It doesn't mean you shouldn't make a bold statement with your floors, but don't always jump at the first color or pattern. Think it over for some time, ask friends and family for opinions, and compare it to your existing color palette in each room.

The next consideration is wear and tear. When installing new flooring, think about what kind of a beating these floors will be taking. Is the flooring in a wet area, like a main or side entrance, a bathroom, or a kitchen where there is the potential for a lot of moisture? Water can do a lot of damage to a wood. If you're putting new flooring in a family or living area, will it be comfortable? Ceramic tile can be quite cold during those long winter months. Natural stone can handle a lot of traffic in a kitchen, but it can be hard to stand on for long periods.

Finally, consider what your budget can stand and take into account the overall value of your house. You might want to install marble throughout your house – but if you can't afford it, well you can't afford it. Stay within your budget and you won't need a second mortgage to replace or install your flooring. Also, if your home is in the low to medium value range, it might not be a great idea to install an expensive flooring material. An incredibly luxurious floor in a below-average home can really expose all the other weaknesses around it. And when it comes time to sell, it will be hard to recoup the investment if the floor is in perfect shape and the rest of the house is not up to par.

So, what are the latest flooring materials for your home today? Hardwood floors are still at the top of everybody's wish list. Naturally. But there are a host of materials currently rising in popularity across the country, including: stone, concrete, laminate, vinyl, tiles, and – yes! – Linoleum is coming on strong. And don't leave carpet out of the equation.

Carpet has fallen out of favor over the last twenty years. But many are still taking advantage of the new carpeting patterns, colors, and styles that are available today. Gone is the boring beige carpet found in nearly every apartment, condominium, and model home across America. It's being replaced by stain-resistant carpeting with high quality padding and great designs. To recap some of the major carpeting styles, you can choose from Saxony, Berber, textured, velvet, frieze and sculptured. Saxony is the plush style that shows the footprints and vacuum marks. Frieze is the durable style that resists footprints and the short pile can really highlight the colors and textures in the carpet. The name Berber seems to be everywhere these days. Berber is usually made of non-allergenic wool with flecked colors, usually with short thick loops that make it easy to clean. It's great for high traffic areas.