Vertically will elongate a room and works great if pointing towards a window, as it will follow the natural light. Laying laminate flooring horizontally will can make a small room appear larger. Most people prefer to lay their boards parallel with the room's longest wall.
When installing laminate flooring, you have the option of choosing the direction of your laminate flooring. In general, you should run it longways. It will look better and you have less cuts and joints. If you enjoyed this video, please subscribe to our YouTube channel or visit our website at www.YourFlooringGuy.com.
Typically flooring is most visually comfortable when aligned with the longest wall. So, if the room is long from the door to the green wall, you set the floor vertically. If the room is wider, window to wall, you set the floor horizontally.
The straight lay pattern is the most common installation method. Here planks are laid parallel. This straightforward approach works well in various spaces. Simplicity: Easy to install and visually appealing.
Popular laminate flooring colors in 2025 are warm, earthy, or neutral colors. Natural wood, white oak, golden brown, and greige are some of the most trending. Dark wood flooring is also popular in homes reclaiming a bold aesthetic, with homeowners pairing the floor with block wall colors and vibrant furnishings.
Laying laminate flooring horizontally will can make a small room appear larger. Most people prefer to lay their boards parallel with the room's longest wall. If you're laying your flooring over a wooden subfloor, install them at a 90 degree angle to the existing wooden board. This provides extra stability.
Flooring Direction: Parallel
This classic direction is the traditional choice for most installations.
If your room is on the smaller or narrower side then we'd recommend laying your wood flooring horizontally as this will create the feeling of a bigger space, forcing your eye to travel width-wise and making the surface of the floor appear wider.
Diagonal = big
Most commonly at a 45-degree angle, this will make your room a feast for the eyes. At as little as 10 degrees, diagonal flooring also helps tie a wall visually to one in another room, creating a unifying effect: talk about opening up a room!
Staggering your laminate flooring will result in a more natural look. It also gives the flooring added stability. The seams should be staggered at least 12 inches from any adjacent seam.
"It's personal preference in which direction you choose to lay your laminate," says Inga Morris-Blincoe, general manager at Lifestyle Floors. "Generally it is laid parallel to the longest wall of the room — unless it needs to match up with flooring in an adjacent room."
Although laminate flooring is great for use in all kinds of areas of your home, its one flaw is that it's not great when it comes to moisture. To avoid warping, discoloration, and bubbling, avoid installing laminate flooring in rooms that regularly see a lot of moisture such as bathrooms, kitchens, or utility rooms.
The importance of leveling your subfloor
Unevenness can cause planks to flex or gap, leading to an unstable surface that's prone to squeaking and damage. It can also compromise the locking mechanism of laminate planks, causing them to come apart over time.
Underlay protects your laminate against moisture damage
For cold subfloors like concrete, you need to consider a damp proof membrane. Cold ground floor subfloors are often prone to damp, which can damage your laminate. An underlay with a vapour barrier helps prevent this.
Description: The straight lay is the most common and straightforward layout for laminate flooring. In this pattern, planks are laid side by side, parallel to the walls, creating a clean and simple look.
wait for the floor to cure
Before you use your new floor or move into the room, make sure the floor is completely cured. Do not walk on the floor for 24 hours after installation. If you do, it will damage the installation, resulting in an uneven floor.
It's best to lay the planks in the direction of the incoming light to create a uniform appearance and enhance the aesthetic of the space. Room Shape: The shape of the room also plays a role in determining the direction of your laminate floor installation.
A 1000-square-foot space will take around two to three days with a couple of people working on it.
For laminate flooring, opting for underlayment is typically encouraged. After all, you really do get several benefits from using the specialized padding.
Buckling or Warping – Laminate flooring is not waterproof. If you fit laminate in wet or moisture-rich areas, the floor can become damaged, often beyond repair.
Warm Oak Tones Replace Grey Floors
The preference for grey, with its understated and neutral character, has gradually waned with time, making way for the resurgence of warm oak tones. This shift reflects a broader desire for a cozier and more inviting atmosphere within living spaces.