Is Your Living Room Ready for an Upgrade? 3 Flooring Stores to Check out Now
Your flooring has a huge impact on the look, feel and functionality of your living room. It acts as the foundation of your entire design scheme, providing a backdrop for your furnishings and decor. Replacing it can completely transform the space, but it can be a massive project. Fortunately, you can find everything you need — from diverse flooring options to design and installation solutions — in the best flooring store in your area.
1. Best in Reading, PA: Carpet & Tile Mart
Carpet & Tile Mart is known for its commitment to value and service. It has a vast selection of flooring from trusted brands like Mohawk and Shaw, passing significant savings to customers by purchasing overstock products, leftovers and remnants.
Choose from an extensive range of classic hardwoods, affordable laminates, waterproof ceramic tiles and LVT. You can also find carpets and area rugs in various styles and textures to finish your living room’s new look. Visit Carpet & Tile Mart’s showroom to see, touch and experience the quality of its products.
The best flooring store in Reading offers fast, professional and warranty-backed installation, made possible by close relationships with local contractors. In-house measuring is also available.
2. Best in St. Louis, MO: Ambassador Mid-West Floor
Ambassador Mid-West Floor serves customers in both Missouri and Illinois. As a member of the National Flooring Alliance, it combines national buying power with dedicated local service across its multiple showrooms. This model allows them to offer competitive pricing on a massive selection of products from top-tier brands.
The process is all about customer choice. You can visit one of the expansive showrooms to browse thousands of flooring samples in person, or you can schedule a “Shop at Home” appointment to have a flooring professional bring samples directly to you. This allows you to perfectly match materials to your home’s lighting and decor.
From the initial in-home measurement to the final installation by their seasoned experts, Ambassador focuses on a full-service experience. It provides detailed quotes and offers financing options, ensuring a smooth project for any budget. Its focus on combining a huge in-store selection with at-home convenience makes it a top choice in the region.
3. Best in San Diego, CA: West Coast Flooring
West Coast Flooring is a premier flooring destination with multiple showroom locations, including in Vista and Solana Beach. As an authorized distributor for a vast number of top brands, it offers one of the most extensive selections of flooring materials on the West Coast, from tile and hardwood to luxury vinyl and carpet.
West Coast Flooring provides customers with two convenient ways to shop. You can visit one of the expansive showrooms to receive unparalleled design advice and explore thousands of samples in person. Alternatively, you can schedule a visit from their “Mobile Office,” a shop-at-home service that brings flooring samples and expert consultation directly to your door, so you can see how the materials look in your own space.
With a focus on offering a wide selection and expert guidance, West Coast Flooring is an excellent choice for homeowners who want to compare a variety of brands. Its large showrooms and convenient mobile service make the design and selection process seamless.
The Best Flooring Stores at a Glance
Here’s a look at the key features of these top flooring stores across the country for quick comparisons.
| Flooring Store | Primary Service Areas | Has Stores in Other Areas | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carpet & Tile Mart | Reading, PA | Yes, it’s a regional company. | Large in-person selection and great value |
| Ambassador Mid-West Floor | St. Louis, MO, and Illinois | Yes, it’s a multi-state regional company. | In-store selection and at-home convenience |
| Lowe’s | San Diego, CA | Yes, it’s a regional company. | Expert guidance and mobile showroom service |
How to Find the Best Flooring Store for Your Project
A city-specific online search like “What is the best flooring store in Reading, PA?” can give you numerous options. To find the best store that fits your needs, evaluate your options with these tips.
Create a Lifestyle-Based Checklist Before Shopping
Determine how much foot traffic your living room gets and whether it will be used by adults, kids prone to spills or pets with claws. Double-check if anyone in your household has allergies. If so, avoid carpet flooring, as it can trap allergens. Also, some materials can fade under constant UV exposure, so it’s a good idea to check how much direct sunlight the room gets.
Assess the Flooring Selection and Inventory
Look for stores with a wide variety of materials and large in-stock options. Take samples home and view them at different times of the day to see how their color changes. You can also place them next to baseboards, cabinets and furniture to determine if they’ll complement your furnishings.
Inquire About Installation Services
Dig deeper than the warranty. Ask these questions during consultations to get crucial details about the store’s processes:
- What is the estimated timeline from measurement to final installation?
- Are your installers in-house employees or third-party subcontractors?
- Is subfloor preparation included in the quote, or would that be an extra charge?
- Does the quote include new baseboards or shoe molding, or will you be reinstalling the old ones?
Look for reviews on Google and other platforms that specifically mention the installation process and crew, not just the in-store sales experience.
Visit the Showroom
Helpful staff who actively listen to your needs make the process much easier — bonus points for those who ask about your lifestyle before providing recommendations.
Reputable stores also have large, multi-plank samples of hardwood or large sections of carpet that show their true patterns and textures. Bring photos of your living room and paint swatches of your walls, then compare them to the flooring options you’re considering to see if they’ll complement each other.
A Quick Guide to Popular Flooring Types
Here are the most common flooring options for living rooms and their key features.
- Hardwood: A timeless choice that adds significant value to homes
- Luxury vinyl tile: Durable, water-resistant, and can mimic stone and wood flooring without the same upkeep requirements
- Carpet: Provides warmth, comfort underfoot and sound absorption
- Laminate: A budget-friendly alternative to hardwood that’s durable and easy to maintain
- Sheet vinyl: Another budget-friendly option that’s available in large rolls and can be installed with few or no seams
- Bamboo: An eco-friendly flooring made from rapidly renewable grass that offers a clean, modern aesthetic
Find the Perfect Floor for Your Home
The goal is not just to buy flooring but to invest in a long-lasting solution that enhances your home. The right flooring store is key to achieving this. Start by measuring your living room and browsing inspiration galleries to pin down the aesthetic you want. Then, visit the best flooring stores in your area or schedule consultations. Remember, a new floor is more than a home improvement project — it’s an upgrade to your daily life.
- by Matt Watts
