What type of flooring is best for basements?

The best type of flooring for your basement is vinyl planks or tile. It looks almost exactly like stone or hardwood but is better because it’s more affordable and waterproof. Vinyl flooring is made from PVC, which makes the flooring durable and resistant to the moisture that could come through the concrete.

What is the cheapest way to finish a basement floor?

If you have a tight budget, then your best option is to use epoxy or concrete floor paint. This will make your basement floor look good and be affordable. Another affordable option is to use vinyl or linoleum flooring.

Can you put peel and stick flooring on concrete?

Concrete is the preferred base material for installing peel and stick flooring in your basement. It’s easy to clean the concrete’s surface, and it’s a flat, smooth surface. This gives the stick adhesive plenty of surface area to adhere to. This gives you a smooth and level finished floor.

30 Basement Floor Ideas (Inspiring Design Options)

It doesn’t matter what type of furniture you buy and the amount of decor you add to your basement; if the flooring is still unfinished, it ruins the entire look and feel of your basement. In addition, the bare concrete doesn’t look great and feels cold and damp on your feet. So, isn’t it time you finally finish your basement by addressing them bare concrete floors?

These basement floor ideas will help you know your options and find the perfect flooring for giving your basement the finished look it needs.

1. Carpet

Turn your basement into an inviting space for entertainment and relaxation! By carpeting your basement floor, you’ll be able to create a warm and comfortable atmosphere that any guest will appreciate. With carpet, you can also dampen sound, which is especially helpful if you plan on hosting family get-togethers.

This charming addition can open so many possibilities for what you can use your basement for! Add carpet to the mix, and you’ll definitely have a room in your home the whole family will love spending time in.

Grid-patterned vinyl basement flooring in neutral tones adds visual interest and a modern touch to a finished space. — Source: @jeanne_rivkin_design via Instagram

Cozy basement with plush carpet flooring, a home theater setup, and a bar-height table with modern stools for entertaining. — Source: @kchomereport via Instagram

Light beige basement with soft carpet flooring and recessed lighting, creating a clean and bright transitional space. — Source: @plum.construction via Instagram

Modern basement with plush carpet flooring, dark walls, home theater screen, sectional sofa, and a corner pool table setup. — Source: @sipnsisters via Instagram

Spacious basement with tan carpet flooring, a large sectional sofa, wall-mounted TV, and a cozy, family-friendly layout. — Source: @transformedinteriors via Instagram

No matter how hard you try, there’s no such thing as a completely waterproof basement. Moisture that comes up through the concrete can gather and set in the carpet and pad. This can lead to a damp and stagnant smell that also fosters the growth of mold or mildew.

One way around this is to use carpet tiles. These are square tiles that you lay down and adhere to the concrete floor. They are less likely to trap moisture and are easily replaced without requiring the replacement of the entire floor.

2. Concrete

Your basement probably already has concrete floors. It’s one large concrete slab that covers your entire basement. Instead of looking for a concrete overlay, you can embrace the concrete and make it look beautiful.

Unfinished basement with bold blue painted concrete floors, exposed ceiling beams, and utility area in an open layout. — Source: @yourroomyourway via Instagram

Paint or stain the concrete to elevate its look. Stained concrete can mimic the look of expensive stone when done well. Add a sealant to protect the concrete and give it a highly polished gleam. Of the basement flooring ideas, this one is simple yet can have a significant impact.

3. Epoxy

Instead of just painting your concrete floor, you can use epoxy. This is a protective and durable floor coating that is moisture resistant. This basement flooring option is good if you’re ok with the limited color options.

Keep in mind that most people use epoxy for coating their concrete garage floor, so this is the type of look you’ll have in your basement.

Glossy metallic epoxy flooring with a swirling black and silver pattern adds a dramatic, upscale look to this finished basement bar area. — Source: @armor_pro_epoxy via Instagram

Polished concrete basement floor with a colorful area rug and dark sectional sofa creates a sleek yet cozy lounging space. — Source: @conceptsinconcretepa via Instagram

Utility basement with speckled epoxy flooring and exposed ductwork, offering a clean, durable, and functional mechanical space. — Source: @totalgaragesolutions via Instagram

With careful preparation, you can apply the epoxy coating. You’ll need to thoroughly clean the floor and work quickly to prevent it from curing before you can get it on the floor.

4. Tiles

If you’re ready to make an investment in your basement, ceramic tile is beautiful and strong. It’s safe for use in your basement and has the most options when it comes to size, shape, color, and design. Just be careful to choose the correct type of tile. You want to use floor tile and not wall tile. Floor tile will have more traction when it gets wet and be generally safer to walk on.

Minimalist basement with dark slate tile flooring, white walls, cozy seating, and natural light creating a bright, airy feel. — Source: @evabeeinteriordesign via Instagram

Contemporary basement entry with white marble-look tile flooring, dark wood stairs, built-in bench, and sleek cubby storage. — Source: @innovationwelding via Instagram

Eclectic basement with light tile flooring, exposed brick wall, cozy decor, and a compact kitchen area in warm wood tones. — Source: @madelineinthegarden via Instagram

Basement home office with polished brown concrete floors, a glass-top desk on white columns, and a black accent wall with bookshelves. — Source: @microbizchick via Instagram

Rustic basement with natural slate tile flooring, stacked stone fireplace, wood ceiling, and bottle chandelier for a cozy, cabin-like feel. — Source: @travelwritingpro via Instagram

If you’re not ready for the commitment of tile, you can try luxury vinyl tile or even rubber tiles. Rubber options are great if you have children. These tiles have some cushion and bounce to them, which is why you find them used as playground flooring.

5. Vinyl Flooring

Vinyl is one of the most popular flooring materials on the market. This is the old-school sheet vinyl that you see in low-end housing. Modern vinyl flooring can look exactly like real hardwood flooring. Per square foot, you can enjoy a finished basement at an affordable price. There are also countless options, giving you the ability to create any aesthetic you want.

Modern basement with glossy gray wood-look flooring, blue and white cabinetry, and geometric tile accents for a playful, stylish vibe. — Source: @gacarpentrycanada via Instagram

Spacious finished basement with light wood-look vinyl flooring, recessed lighting, and neutral walls for a clean, versatile layout. — Source: @integrimark via Instagram

Finished basement with light wood-look vinyl plank flooring, soft blue walls, white trim, and a mounted TV for a relaxed media space. — Source: @kps.llc via Instagram

Stylish basement with dark wood-look flooring, mounted TV, zebra-print lounger, and open kitchenette in a neutral modern palette. — Source: @homechanneltv via Instagram

Charming basement with wood-look tile flooring, white barn door, cozy reading nook, and a compact kitchenette under the stairs. — Source: @lizzydesigns_ via Instagram

Minimalist basement with light wood-look flooring, open metal floating staircase, and bright white walls for a sleek, modern finish. — Source: @mosaicflooringny via Instagram

Basement kitchenette with rustic wood cabinets, granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, and gray wood-look vinyl flooring. — Source: @m.a.b.builders via Instagram

Because it’s going in the basement, consider choosing a vinyl plank that’s meant for the kitchen or bathroom. These have more waterproofing qualities, making them more durable for your basement.

6. Wooden Basement Flooring

Hardwood flooring is stunning and expensive. Why make this investment in the basement where the majority of visitors to your home will never see it.

Instead of real wood flooring, you can use engineered wood flooring. The engineered hardwood mimics the look of real hardwood flooring at a fraction of the price.

Simple finished basement with warm beige walls, recessed lighting, and wood-look vinyl plank flooring for a clean, functional space. — Source: @moscatohomeimprovements via Instagram

Compact basement bar area with wood-look vinyl flooring, granite countertop, floating shelves, and built-in beverage fridge. — Source: @rcibuildersadel via Instagram

Cozy basement media room with warm wood-look flooring, blue accent walls, a large sectional sofa, and a wall-mounted TV setup. — Source: @kps.llc via Instagram

Open basement with gray wood-look flooring, neutral walls, minimal furniture, and a cat walking across the space for a cozy lived-in feel. — Source: @beautybykelli1 via Instagram

Modern basement with light wood floors, black accent wall, leather sectional, wall-mounted TV, and cozy lighting for a stylish lounge vibe. — Source: @continentalbros via Instagram

Basement game room with rustic wood-look tile flooring, pool table under a black pendant light, and simple white walls. — Source: @nickelcityhardwood via Instagram

Modern basement stairway with light oak-style vinyl flooring, sleek black railing, and built-in white storage cabinets under the stairs. — Source: @_the_woodworkers_wife via Instagram

To install, the planks hook together and lay on top of the concrete. It’s actually a floating floor because you don’t adhere it in place. It’s much easier to take the planks apart and pick up the floor than it would be with a real wood floor.

6 Basement Floor Ideas and Designs