As recently as the 1970s, wall-to-wall carpeting was a standard selection for homeowners who were purchasing new homes or new flooring. Linoleum was popular in the kitchen, and bathrooms were often covered with inexpensive vinyl tiles. All of these are still available, of course. In fact, linoleum has been rediscovered in recent years as an attractive, low-maintenance option, and vinyl tiles have exploded in colors that, when creatively arranged, can add a light, whimsical touch to a room. But nowadays, hardwood flooring, and ceramic and stone tile, are more often the preferred flooring materials.

It also used to be that granite and marble surfaces were found only in office-building lobbies and banks. By the same token, rougher, more rustic stone materials were seen only in vacation cabins or backyard patios. Now, homeowners who like the formal appeal of marble, perhaps in an entryway or bathroom, can install the tiles themselves. And those who prefer a naturalistic decor can cover their floors with just about any material once reserved for outdoor spaces, including limestone. Often, strongly contrasting types of material are combined in the same house, perhaps even in the same room.

For decades, hardwood flooring meant strips of oak or maple installed in the traditional labor-intensive way, including the time-consuming process of sanding and applying multiple coats of protective finish. Now engineered-wood or laminate products (plastic that resembles wood) remove much of the hassle of installing a wood or wood-look floor. They come already stained and finished and are easy to maintain.

With so many choices, it can be hard to decide on a flooring product. Of course you want a floor that looks good and adds the right style for your home. But you also want to consider a material's durability, comfort, and ease of installation, as well as how simple it is to clean.

Take your time as you make your selection. Visit a home improvement center to review the available products and check out the manufacturers' recommendations for usage. How resistant is the material to stains and moisture? Is it durable enough for the level of traffic that the room will handle? You will want to make a decision that will allow you to enjoy your new flooring for years to come.

The flooring you select should be compatible with the style of your house, whether it is contemporary, country, Victorian, or eclectic. Hardwood floors are a suitable choice in an old-fashioned kitchen, for example, and laminate strip flooring will work well in a contemporary family room. Slate can be stunning in a modern foyer. If your home has a Southwestern look, you might consider choosing terra-cotta tiles. Or, if your home has elements of an Old World style, you might choose hand-painted Italian floor tiles as an accent in the dining room.

In general, large-scale flooring works best in big rooms, while small rooms call for more delicacy. For example, large tiles can overwhelm a small room, and mosaic tiles can be far too busy in a large room. It is wise to first buy a few samples of a material and then lay them in place to gauge their effect. Remember, too, that a lengthwise pattern adds depth to a room, while a pattern running the width of a room makes the space look shorter and wider.

Contrasting textures add interest to a room. In tile flooring, texture can be expressed through different glazes and finishes. Stone can be honed, tumbled, or polished for a variety of appealing looks. And carpets offer a world of textural choices: closed or cut loops and sheared or carved pile, for instance.

Each type of flooring material comes with its own set of design accoutrements. Borders, medallions, and inlays now come premade for wood, tile, and stone floors. Even the grout between tiles can be a design element. Grout joints can be narrow or wide, plain or colored, depending on the desired look. Accent pieces can be used to break up a large expanse, to highlight a focal point, or to define one area of a room. In a multipurpose room, a good design plan may use different types of flooring to define two or more areas.