What flooring is best for student accommodation? Expert advice for landlords

Decorating student accommodation is a balancing act. It’s important to create a comfortable home-from-home environment that stands up to heavy footfall, frequent turnovers, and the occasional spilled coffee or muddy boot, while also keeping within budget. Flooring plays a huge part in achieving this, both in terms of aesthetics and practicality. If you’re looking for affordable, low-maintenance flooring for student accommodation, there are plenty of cost-effective options that will look good for years to come.

In your own house, it’s all about your personal style and how you live day to day. But if you’re a landlord or landlady with student accommodation – especially flats or shared houses – you’ve got a lot more aspects to consider:

With multiple housemates and a frequent turnover of tenants, flooring needs to be robust and suitable for heavy use. Look out for long wear guarantees for peace of mind.

Students are more design-savvy than ever, and the look and feel of their accommodation can influence both tenant satisfaction and rental value. Choose neutral tones and classic designs that appeal to a wide range of tastes and will always be in style. Wood-effect floors in oak or grey tones are always a safe bet and can help give your property a modern, cohesive look.

In a student house or flat, it’s important to think about housemates and neighbours too. Look for flooring with good sound absorption so it’s quieter underfoot and less echoey. Day-to-day maintenance is key to prolonging the life of the flooring so choose something that’s very easy for your tenants to keep clean.

The cost of the flooring and your budget will ultimately determine which flooring you choose for your student rental property. Weigh up the initial outlay against the features and benefits of the flooring and how many years it’s guaranteed to last to find the right one.

It's no secret that student housing experiences a high level of wear and tear. Communal areas like hallways, kitchens, and living rooms see constant use, so you need flooring that can withstand the wear and tear of daily student life.

Smooth flooring such as laminate, luxury vinyl, and vinyl is available at a range of price points, each offering different features and benefits, so it's important to choose the type of flooring that aligns with both your budget and practical requirements.

Vinyl flooring is a great choice. It’s water-resistant, easy to clean, and comes in a range of stylish finishes that replicate the look of wood or stone – perfect if you want that modern, high-end aesthetic without the high-end price tag.

For even more durability, luxury vinyl tiles (LVT) offer a thicker wear layer, better impact resistance, waterproofing, and longevity that will last through multiple tenancies. This also comes in wood and stone-effect finishes but requires minimal maintenance compared to the real thing.

Laminate is another popular option for landlords. It’s budget-friendly, scratch-resistant, and has that desirable real-wood look. Many modern laminates are also moisture-resistant, making them suitable for kitchens and hallways.

For bedrooms, we always recommend carpet. It helps reduce noise (a big win in multi-occupancy homes), improves heat-loss, and makes a student’s room feel a little more like home. Opt for a darker shade carpet in a hard-wearing loop or twist pile to help mask stains and general wear, and always look for carpets with built-in stain resistance and easy clean properties.

Carpet and laminate flooring both require underlay to ensure comfort, insulation, and durability. High-quality underlay provides support and helps to prolong the life of the carpet, so it’s a wise investment.

When choosing the right flooring for your student rental property, it's important to consider the key product features and how long the wear guarantee is. Smooth flooring offers a 10-,15-or 20-year wear guarantee – and, for top-end flooring, a lifetime wear guarantee – which is ideal for landlords or landladies who want to invest in flooring that will stand the test of time.

There are plenty of flooring options for all budgets and all types of student housing. Visiting a flooring specialist like Tapi can help you find the right one for the right price.