When redecorating or putting in an addition, you are faced with many decisions, not the least of which is what type of flooring to buy. Should you buy hardwood or carpet? Vinyl or tile? There's many things that you should consider before making your final flooring decision.

Two important considerations when purchasing flooring are how durable the flooring will be and how stain resistant and easy to clean it is. Your criteria for each depends on the use the flooring will get.

If you are buying a floor for the childrens playroom, then you need a material that can withstand a beating! It needs to be durable enough to survive the pounding of feet and toys being dragged acroos it. A hardwood floor might not stand up to such abuse and you may want something a bit more cushiony as well. A durable carpet can work, but don't forget that you'll need something that resists stains from those spills and is easy to clean up.

If, on the other hand, your flooring purchase is for a formal living room that is rarely used, you can go with something a bit more beautiful and, perhaps, less functional. A beautiful wood patterned floor or even a plush white carpet can lend an elegant look to any formal room.

For rooms that get a lot of family use like kitchen and bathrooms, something in the middle might be good. Make sure that floors for these rooms are easy to clean and stay away from any textured vinyl where dirt might accumulate in the crevices and also, tiles with white grout. I have found that both tend to be very hard to keep clean over time.

No matter what room you are picking out flooring for, you should keep the overall look and décor of the room in mind. A country design can go great with a simple wood floor or plain carpet but won't look so good with a southwestern style tile. A retro kitchen might be perfect for black and white checked flooring. A romantic bedroom will be enhanced by a plush carpet. Always be sure to match your color and style and any flooring you pick is bound to look great!

Lee Dobbins is contributing writer at www.flooring-info-online.com where you can find out more about how to choose flooring for your home.