How to Choose the Right Tile Size for Every Room

When you're deciding on new flooring, it’s easy to get caught between options. Hardwood has that timeless charm, tile is known for durability, and carpet feels cozy underfoot. But there’s one material that keeps coming up in conversations with our clients across Middle Tennessee and Southern Kentucky, and that’s luxury vinyl plank, also known as LVP. At Houston Grey, we work with homeowners, designers, and builders every day to create flooring plans that are both stylish and practical. LVP has earned its place on the list of top choices for many reasons, but it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution. If you’ve been wondering whether luxury vinyl is the right fit for your home, this post will walk through the key things you need to know. We won’t hype it up. Instead, we’ll talk through both sides of the coin so you can make an informed decision with confidence. What Makes Luxury Vinyl Stand Out Luxury vinyl plank flooring is designed to look like hardwood, but it’s made with multiple layers of synthetic materials that are pressed together for strength and flexibility. Some types are waterproof. Some are scratch-resistant. Others are designed for quick installs with click-lock systems. You’ll even find some with built-in underlayment to help reduce sound. What really draws people in is how realistic the designs have become. If you haven’t seen modern LVP in person, you might be surprised. The top layer features high-definition imaging that mimics real wood grain, stone, or concrete. We’ve had clients walk through our showroom and touch the planks just to believe they’re not real wood. Pros of Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring Let’s start with the upsides. These are the reasons many homeowners end up choosing LVP for at least one area of their home. Water resistance is one of the main selling points. That makes it a solid choice for kitchens, bathrooms, mudrooms, and basements. You don’t have to worry about warping or swelling from moisture, which is something hardwood simply can’t offer. It’s also incredibly low maintenance. A broom, mop, or vacuum is usually all you need. You won’t need to refinish it or apply special treatments. For busy households, that’s a major win. LVP holds up well under daily wear and tear. Got pets or kids? LVP is often more forgiving than hardwood when it comes to scratches and impact. It’s designed to withstand everyday life, which makes it ideal for high-traffic areas like entryways and hallways. There’s no shortage of styles. With luxury vinyl, you can find nearly any look you want. From light oak to dark walnut to patterned tile styles, there’s a design for every taste. If you’re going for a modern farmhouse, rustic, or transitional look, chances are there’s an LVP product that fits your vision. It’s also more comfortable underfoot. Compared to tile or concrete, LVP has a softer feel. Some versions include padding layers that help absorb sound and make it more comfortable to walk on. Lastly, luxury vinyl offers flexible installation options. It can often be installed over existing floors, which can simplify the process in remodels. Whether you’re working on one room or a full home, it gives you a bit more flexibility with timing and budget. When LVP Might Not Be the Best Fit Now let’s talk about the other side. While LVP works beautifully for many spaces, it’s not perfect for every home or homeowner. It’s not real hardwood. If your main goal is to boost home value through natural materials, hardwood may still be the better fit. While LVP looks great, it doesn’t have the same real-wood feel or character. You can’t refinish it. With hardwood, you can sand and refinish the surface if it gets scratched or worn. With LVP, once it’s damaged, it usually needs to be replaced. That said, individual planks can often be swapped out if needed. There’s also a wide range in quality. Not all luxury vinyl is created equal. Some products wear better than others. That’s why it’s important to work with a team like ours who knows which brands and collections perform well over time. In certain settings like sunrooms or areas with intense direct sunlight, lower-end LVP can sometimes expand or shift. We’ll walk you through your options if you have rooms like this and recommend the best type based on your specific conditions. Where LVP Makes the Most Sense We often recommend luxury vinyl plank for clients who want a wood look without the added maintenance or price tag. It’s a great option for open-concept kitchens and living areas, laundry and mudrooms, playrooms, rental properties, or lower levels of the home. It’s also ideal for households with pets. Between accidents, nails, and running paws, LVP handles it all better than many other flooring types. How Houston Grey Helps You Choose Our clients come to us for guidance, not just materials. We don’t just ask what style you like. We look at how you live, what your space needs, and how everything connects throughout your home. That includes light levels, foot traffic, pets, and how often you plan to clean. Once we understand that, we’ll walk you through different samples, explain how each option performs, and help you weigh the pros and cons based on your situation. We’ve installed LVP in everything from brand-new builds to historic farmhouses. We’ve seen what works and what doesn’t, and we use that experience to help our clients get results they’re proud of. More Than Just Looks While many people fall in love with LVP for its visuals, it’s the performance that wins them over long-term. It handles messy days, busy mornings, and unexpected spills without losing its charm. You don’t have to be precious with it. You can live your life without tiptoeing around the floors. For us, that’s the goal with any product we recommend. It should look good and work hard for your family. Luxury vinyl plank just happens to do both in a way that fits a lot of homes around here. Your Flooring Project Starts with a Conversation If you’re thinking about LVP or curious how it compares to tile or hardwood in your space, we’d love to talk. You can visit our showroom in Springfield or schedule a time to meet with our team. We’ll show you real samples, talk through your needs, and help you narrow down the best options for your home. No pressure. Just real advice from people who care about your project as much as you do. Houston Grey is proud to serve homeowners across Middle Tennessee and Southern Kentucky. When you're ready to start your flooring project, we’re here to help guide the way.

If you love the charm of a modern farmhouse and want your floors to match the rest of your home’s warm, lived-in aesthetic, you’re not alone. Whether you’re building new in Middle Tennessee or renovating a cozy home in Southern Kentucky, choosing the right flooring can make or break the overall design. At Houston Grey, we’ve helped hundreds of homeowners and builders create that perfect blend of rustic and refined using thoughtful flooring choices that hold up to everyday life while looking timeless. The modern farmhouse style blends classic country warmth with updated, streamlined elements. Think clean lines with soft textures, whites and neutrals mixed with natural materials, and a balance of old-world character with modern comfort. Your floors need to reflect that same design direction, offering durability and ease while complementing the look you’re going for. Let’s walk through some of the most popular flooring options we recommend for achieving that ideal modern farmhouse interior. Whether you're working on a full home or just one room, these materials and finishes can help pull the entire look together. Luxury Vinyl That Looks Like Reclaimed Wood One of the most common flooring materials we install in farmhouse-style homes is luxury vinyl plank, often referred to as LVP. Why? Because it gives you that authentic wood look with far less maintenance. The best part is how realistic the textures have become over the years. Many of our clients fall in love with LVP options that mimic reclaimed barnwood, distressed oak, or whitewashed pine. These planks bring that worn-in charm to the space but with added durability. You don’t have to worry about scratches from pets or moisture from the nearby kitchen or mudroom. It’s perfect for families who want their home to feel welcoming without stressing over every scuff or spill. At Houston Grey, we work with a wide range of high-end vinyl options that suit all types of farmhouse designs. From warm greige tones to deep espresso planks, we’ll help you choose a style that fits your space and your lifestyle. Wide Plank Hardwood with Character Nothing says farmhouse like wide plank hardwood. The wider boards create a sense of openness and continuity in the home. They also show off the grain and texture of the wood in a way that feels true to the style. We often recommend finishes with low sheen or matte effects to keep the look more organic and less polished. The beauty of hardwood in a modern farmhouse setting is that it can shift depending on your vision. Want a more refined look? Choose a smoother oak or maple in a cooler tone. Looking for something more rustic? Hand-scraped hickory or a weathered walnut will do the trick. When clients come into our showroom, we guide them through the benefits of each wood species and finish. Some prefer light tones that reflect natural light and make the space feel airy. Others lean toward deeper hues for contrast against white walls or shaker cabinetry. Either way, the right hardwood brings a richness and depth that never feels trendy or temporary. Textured Tile for Mudrooms and Bathrooms Modern farmhouse homes are practical. They often include spaces like mudrooms, laundry rooms, and utility baths that get a lot of use. In these rooms, tile is the ideal flooring material. It’s easy to clean and holds up to wet shoes, pet paws, and high traffic. What really ties it into the farmhouse look is choosing the right tile texture and color. Matte finishes, earthy tones, and concrete-style patterns are all great options. We’ve also installed patterned tile in laundry rooms that adds a subtle pop of personality without taking away from the farmhouse vibe. For bathrooms, we see a lot of clients mixing large stone-look tiles with classic white subway tile on the walls. That combination keeps things fresh but grounded. We help select grout colors and layout patterns that elevate the entire room without making it feel too busy. Neutral Tones That Tie it All Together One of the core traits of farmhouse style is the use of neutral tones. Flooring plays a key role in achieving that calm, layered palette. We typically recommend sticking with natural colors that won’t compete with your furniture, wall color, or cabinetry. Greige, soft brown, warm beige, and weathered gray are all go-to shades that work across different rooms. They’re flexible enough to evolve with your space over time. If you ever change the furniture or paint, your flooring won’t need to be replaced just to keep things cohesive. In our design consultations, we help homeowners visualize how these tones play out across the whole home. You might love a bold floor in one room, but we’ll show you how it connects to the hallways, kitchen, and other living spaces. That way, your floors feel intentional from room to room. Durability Without Compromising Style Every homeowner wants beautiful floors. But they also need something that stands up to real life. Whether you have pets, kids, or regular visitors, your floors need to handle it all. The good news is, you don’t have to sacrifice style to get durability. We source materials that balance both. Whether it’s waterproof LVP for the kitchen, slip-resistant tile for the mudroom, or solid hardwood for the living room, we help you make choices that will serve your home well for years to come. Our clients often tell us they didn’t know how many options existed until they visited our showroom. That’s because our team goes beyond samples. We talk through your home layout, your daily routines, and the type of feeling you want in each space. Then we match you with the right products and installation methods that make sense. What Makes Houston Grey Different We’re more than a flooring supplier. At Houston Grey, we handle everything from product selection to expert installation. We take time to understand your home’s needs and your vision for the space. Our design team collaborates with homeowners, builders, and designers across Middle Tennessee and Southern Kentucky. Every project starts with a conversation. You’ll never feel rushed or pressured. Instead, we focus on education and options. We want you to love your floors long after the project is complete. If you’re leaning into the modern farmhouse style, come talk with us about your flooring vision. We can help you bring it to life with materials that are timeless, durable, and made to complement the warmth and simplicity of farmhouse living. Ready to Start Your Project? We’d love to help you create that perfect balance of rustic and modern. Visit our showroom in Springfield or reach out to schedule a consultation. Whether you’re working on one room or an entire home, our team at Houston Grey is here to make the flooring process simple and enjoyable. Let us help you set the foundation for a space that feels just like home.