"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."
As a general rule, make sure to lay your floor in the same direction as the main light source in a room and in the same line as the most frequently used entrance. If there are several doors and windows, then opt for the direction that's the easiest to install.
As a general rule, it's recommended to run laminate flooring in the direction of the longest side of the bedroom, which will mean that less cuts are required - especially in longer, more narrow rooms.
Yes, you can install different types of laminate flooring in your bedrooms. However, it is important to make sure that the flooring you choose is suitable for bedrooms and can withstand the demands of the space. You should also consider the quality of the installation, as this can affect the longevity of the flooring.
Matching flooring is often recommended because it creates a seamless finish and better flow throughout your home. However, when it comes to interior design rules for flooring, there are no hard and fast rules — if you like mixing flooring or think your interior design could benefit from it, go for it.
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.
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.
Laying laminate flooring backwards is not recommended. Laminate flooring typically has a tongue-and-groove locking system that is designed to fit together in a specific way, ensuring stability and durability.
It is a really good idea to take windows and natural light into account in general when it comes to laying laminate flooring, no matter what shape your room is. Aim to align your laminate boards so that they run parallel to main light source or window.
If the flooring in the adjoining room is carpet, it doesn't matter which direction you lay the vinyl flooring in, so other factors can help you decide. If the flooring in the room is another type of hard flooring and you want distinct transitions between the rooms, have the vinyl flooring put in the opposite direction.
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.
Yes, changing the direction of hardwood floors between rooms is a common design choice. However, using transition strips or T-molding is recommended to create a seamless look where the planks change direction. You can also change direction using splines.
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.
Absolutely not necessarily. Structurally if it's attached to the subfloor going across the floor joists is the norm. But still your preference still should matter. That being said, there are many homes whose brand new floor system has changed in direction and still everything goes one direction.
Treat your whole as a single room and just begin. Start from one corner of the house, and go from there. A bonus tip is to undercut the doorjambs so that the flooring can fit underneath the door easily.
Laminate or wooden flooring looks the best when it is placed in the same direction as the long walls in the hallway. The sightlines of the laminate run parallel with the walls, which makes the hallway appear longer and spacious.
A 1000-square-foot space will take around two to three days with a couple of people working on it.
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.
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.
Consistency Across Open Spaces
In open floor plans, it's generally best to use a single type of flooring across the entire space to create a seamless and unified look. This approach helps in maintaining a visual flow and makes the area feel larger and more cohesive.
Laminate and its installation requirements
You will find that the best appearance and performance come from installing these floors parallel to the longest side of the room. However, perpendicular placement to an incoming light source through a window is also beneficial for the best appearance options.
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.