Buying new floors is one of the best ways to improve your home’s value. Done right, they add beauty, comfort and real resale value. Done wrong, you pay twice, once to install, once to fix.
At King Flooring, we see the same mistakes time and time again. Whether we’re talking with families in Germantown, first-time buyers in Cordova or homeowners in Collierville who’ve been putting off projects for a year, we hear about the same issues.
Mistake #1: Choosing Based On Price Alone
Budget is important, but the cheapest floor in the showroom isn’t always the cheapest in the long run. Thin or low-quality material wears out faster, shows scratches sooner and costs more when you factor in early replacement.
How can you avoid it? Look for the sweet spot between cost, durability and fit for your space. For example, luxury vinyl plank (LVP) is affordable and durable at the same time. We carry the same prices you find at big box stores, at warehouse prices so you don’t have to compromise quality for affordability.
Mistake #2: Ignoring Your Household’s Actual Life
You don’t live in a showroom. Stunning hand-scraped hardwood looks beautiful in photos, but not after six months of kids, dogs and the Memphis humidity.
Think about how you live. Have pets and kids? Scratch-resistant LVP or laminate floors will last longer than hardwood floors in the busiest areas of your home. Is your home humid? Choose engineered hardwood or waterproof vinyl that handles temperature changes better than solid wood in Memphis. The right floor isn’t always the prettiest, but the one that looks great five years later.
Mistake #3: Underestimating Installation
Even the best flooring product won’t last if it’s not installed properly. Gaps, uneven surfaces, buckling and edge lifting are installation issues, not product problems. DIY installs and unqualified installers are the most common culprits.
The key to avoiding this is matching the flooring installation method to the material and the room. Floating floors like laminate or LVP are more forgiving for confident DIYers. Natural hardwood and engineered floors require experienced hands. At King Flooring in Memphis, we install everything we sell. When you choose us, you get same-day and next-day installation (subject to availability) and our 1-year installation warranty and manufacturer’s warranty on materials make a difference.
Mistake #4: Not Thinking About Maintenance Before You Buy
It’s easy to fall in love with a floor at first sight. That said, when this happens, you can overlook what it takes to keep it looking that way. High-maintenance floors without the right care start looking worn out sooner rather than later.
Before you buy, ask yourself how much time and effort you are willing to put into upkeep. With laminate and luxury vinyl floors, all it takes is a sweep and damp mop. Solid hardwood requires more attention and specific cleaning products. Know what you’re buying before you commit.
Mistake #5: Skipping the Subfloor Inspection
Your subfloor is the foundation of everything. Moisture, unevenness or soft spots in the subfloor will show in your new floor. While there’s no specific timeline, it can happen right away or even months later.
Before any flooring installation, a subfloor inspection and prep work is essential. This means checking for moisture (especially in Memphis where humidity runs high), leveling where needed and addressing any structural issues. Once you’ve had your consultation and committed to a product, King Flooring will assess your subfloor before installation day so we can fix any issues.
Mistake #6: Chasing Trends
Bold patterns and statement floors are great for a magazine cover, but aren’t necessarily the best choice for your home. Trends come and go. When they become dated, they can turn off potential buyers when it’s time to sell down the road.
Instead, opt for timeless flooring choices and add those personal touches elsewhere. Choose light oak, warm gray or natural-toned LVP that have staying power in Memphis homes. Traditional, modern and transitional options make a difference. If you want to jump on a trend, choose something replaceable like accent furniture or a rug. Your floors are not.
Mistake #7: Using the Same Floor in Every Room
Some floors aren’t meant for certain rooms, and that’s okay! For example, a floor that looks beautiful in the living room might be the wrong call in a kitchen or laundry room.
Decide on your flooring one room at a time. Kitchens, laundry rooms and entryways need water resistance so waterproof LVP or LVT make sense. Meanwhile, bedrooms and living areas give you more flexibility for carpet or engineered hardwood to shine. Busy areas like hallways benefit from harder, more durable surfaces. The good news is we have this exact conversation during your in-home consultation so you can make the right choice for your space.
Ready to Get Your Floors Right?
Flooring mistakes are more common than you think. That’s why getting help from an expert makes sense. At King Flooring in Memphis, we want you to make the right choice for your home rather than pressuring you into buying what’s best for our bottom line. We bring the samples to you, measure your space and install your flooring when it works for you.
Ready to upgrade your floors? Contact us to book a shop-at-home appointment today!
