Nestled in a cozy corner with basement flooring options over concrete is a potted plant on a wooden stand. A round table holds a vase, wine bottle, two glasses, and a cut lime. The backdrop of whitewashed brick walls complements the light-colored wood floor beautifully.
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Basement Flooring Options Over Concrete

ByLisa
2 Comments

It’s week 6 of the One Room Challenge and while I am on time again this week, I am feeling the pressure and looking forward to a dip in my pool when this is all over! With just two more weeks to go, this week I finally tackled the flooring and now it is finally starting to feel like a room. But before we dive into what I chose and what options I considered, check out week one, week two,  week four, and week five to catch up on the plans and progress. Now let’s talk about the different basement flooring options to lay over concrete. 

A collage highlights light brown LVP flooring, ideal for basement flooring options over concrete. The room showcases a white brick accent wall, a plant in a black pot, and a round table with greenery, a wine bottle, and two glasses for an elegant touch.

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Basement Flooring Options Over Concrete

Last week my IKEA wine bar made it’s internet debut, but I had to pull it out so I could lay the flooring this week.

A small wine nook featuring an IKEA wine bar cabinet hack with a wooden rack filled with bottles, a decorative "Vino" sign, a plant, and an extra bottle on top. The space boasts white brick walls and a modern gold light fixture above.

Best Basement Flooring Ideas

If I am being honest, I have never finished a basement before so I had to do my research on the best choice of flooring. There are so many flooring choices, flooring materials, and different colors these days, I had my work cut out for me. All of these could be a great choice, depending on your situation and budget.

While I am currently working on the wine cellar, most of the basement space will ultimately be finished and serve as our home gym. So I wanted something durable that would hold up in high-traffic areas. I also needed something that could be laid over the concrete slab so right away I eliminated hardwood floors. While I love the look of hardwood flooring, it isn’t water resistant, it is one of the most expensive options, and it would need to be glued to the top of concrete.

Light wood flooring with visible grain patterns and small knots, laid in a parallel plank layout. Perfect as a basement flooring option over concrete, its neutral tone adds a natural and warm aesthetic to the surface.

Option two was ceramic tile or porcelain tile. Tile is a good choice for areas prone to moisture issues like a bathroom or a laundry room. But I was concerned about how uneven my concrete basement floor is and any settling might crack tiles over time. Colorado is prone to shifty soils after all. So tile flooring was probably not the best option.

Perfect for enhancing basement flooring options over concrete, this decorative tile pattern showcases a repeating symmetrical design. Each tile highlights a central star-like motif crafted from black leaf shapes, encircled by gray, looped geometric outlines on a white background.

Laminate flooring is definitely a popular choice of mine and I have used it in many areas from the family room, to the bunk room, to the upstairs hallway, and home office. Most of the new flooring is now waterproof as well eliminating the concerns over moisture problems, making it a good option for most applications. However, in my experience, the existing sub floor needs to be very level to achieve a professional installation with laminate floors. I put this in my second choice pile.

A close-up view of light wood flooring with a natural grain pattern, ideal for basement flooring options over concrete. The surface features a mix of smooth areas and knots, creating an organic and textured appearance.

Other options included carpet tiles and wall to wall carpeting, but I really hate carpet. While it is likely the cheapest type of flooring, it has no water resistance and is very difficult to keep in good condition.

Garrison Street Design Studio - Basement Flooring Options Over Concrete

I also came across epoxy flooring and concrete paint. Both of these could produce some very unique designs and patterns. Floor paint and a stencil or painters tape could easily be the least expensive option, but I was concerned it would take a long time. However, when and if I ever get to the garage and turn it into a high style storage space, I am going to revisit an epoxy coating.

In the end, I decided to use luxury vinyl plank flooring. Also known as LVP, it is a floating floor that can be laid on concrete surfaces. I felt this was the perfect choice for my basement because it is a waterproof floor that is low maintenance and has easy installation. I chose DuraLux in Paisley Cape which is a lighter wood tone with a natural feel very similar to unstained Oak with hints of gray.  

Close-up of basement flooring options over concrete, featuring a wooden floor with a light oak finish. The planks boast a natural grain pattern and subtle knots, adding texture and warmth to the surface.

Installing Luxury Vinyl Planks or LVP

First, I had to prep the floors. As I mentioned previously, the existing concrete flooring was not very level. Our house is old and the basement floor has cracked over time.

A partially finished room with exposed wooden beams and a concrete wall showcases the potential for creative basement flooring options over concrete. The floor, marked in spots, awaits transformation. Drywall panels on the side walls reveal a few visible patches, hinting at an exciting future makeover.

As you can see, it was far from level and that needed to be corrected before I could lay any flooring. 

A yellow spirit level rests on a concrete floor, perfectly leveling as the bubble centers itself. In the background, a partially constructed wall with exposed wood framing hints at basement flooring options over concrete yet to be explored.

I started off by vacuuming the floor with the shop vac, making sure it was free of debris.

An orange and black Ridgid wet/dry vacuum stands in the foreground of an unfinished under-stair storage area, highlighting essential tools for tackling basement flooring options over concrete. The space has drywall partially installed and exposed wooden framing.

Then I primed the concrete surface with a self leveling floor primer. I bought a cheap broom from the dollar store and used it to coat the primer on the floor and work it into the surface. I did three coats of primer.

A small, empty nook features a brick-patterned wall at the back and white walls on the sides. In one corner, amidst thoughts of basement flooring options over concrete, a mop and black bucket rest quietly on the concrete floor.

After the concrete was primed, I mixed some self leveling concrete and poured it over the floor. I’m not going to lie, this was an experiment. I had never done this before so it was a bit of a guessing game. You can check out the behind the scenes in my Insta stories to see what I mean. I learned the consistency should be like pancake batter and relatively runny. I did spread it a little with a trowel and ended up doing two coats.

A narrow hallway with a glossy beige floor and whitewashed brick wall at the end showcases one of the top basement flooring options over concrete. The white side walls and ceiling create a minimalist and clean space.

After two coats of self leveler, it was pretty darn level.

A yellow spirit level rests on a concrete surface, perhaps guiding the installation of basement flooring options over concrete, against a light-colored brick wall. The level is centered with its bubble visible, ensuring balance.

I then proceeded to lay out the moisture barrier. Even though the flooring is waterproof, this is still required.

Closet space under construction with white brick back wall, white side walls, and blue plastic-covered floor, hinting at future basement flooring options over concrete. A brass chandelier with multiple arms hangs from the ceiling, while wooden framing is visible at the edges.

I know this looks a bit odd, but I do not want any transition pieces so I will add on to the flooring when we get to the rest of the basement. So until then the vapor barrier is just going to hang outside the room here. Kind of like what happened in the bunk room.

Next, I laid out a few planks of the luxury vinyl flooring to determine if I needed to rip my first piece. It is always better to rip your first piece than to end up with a sliver that is impossible to install when you get to the end. Trust me, I have learned from my mistakes installing laminate.

A small, partially renovated closet with white painted brick walls, pristine side walls, a golden ceiling light fixture, blue painter's tape along the base, and a light wood floor offers basement flooring options over concrete.

This whole room only took a few hours to install. I used the jigsaw to cut out around the corners, my miter saw for the length cuts and a utility knife for the rip cuts. You can also use a flooring cutter or a table saw. I thought I was saving time with the utility knife, but it was actually harder than I thought. I will definitely use the table saw when I get to the rest of the basement flooring.

A narrow room features light wood flooring over concrete, offering versatile basement flooring options. The whitewashed brick accent wall adds texture, while the side walls and ceiling are painted a light color. A small light switch is visible on the right wall, blending seamlessly into the decor.

In less than a week I added a major component of any room. The floors. This is an easy DIY project anyone can tackle and update a room in just a weekend. I am so excited to add this easy to care for option to the entire basement. I think it will be perfect for the planned gym space. 

What do you think? Does it look like real wood? 

A small, minimalistic corner with light wooden flooring over concrete and a white brick wall. A potted plant stands on the left, and a small table on the right holds a plant, a wine bottle, two glasses, and a decorative object. Perfect for exploring basement flooring options with style.

Week 6 summary

  • leveled the concrete floor
  • installed the LVP flooring
  • painted the walls (jury is still out on the color) 

Next week I will finally be tackling the custom wine rack that will go on the left hand wall.  If you want to see all the behind the scenes and video content, make sure you follow me on Instagram!

In a modern, minimalist corner of the room, a potted plant with tall grass-like foliage stands elegantly. The whitewashed brick wall contrasts with the light wood flooring—a popular basement flooring option over concrete. A small table is partially visible on the right.

A small renovated alcove with a light wood floor—ideal for those considering basement flooring options over concrete—features whitewashed brick walls and a ceiling light fixture. A side table holds a glass and bottle, with a plant in the corner. An inset "before" image shows bare walls and no decor.

Wooden laminate flooring with a light oak finish covers the basement, offering an ideal option over concrete. It meets a whitewashed brick wall, where a planter and a table with a slender metal base add to the modern and minimalistic decor.

Join me again next week to see how the rest of the wine room is coming along! Fingers crossed I can knock out a lot this week, because I am still behind. This wine room may or may not have a door in week 8. To be continued….

A narrow hallway with light wood basement flooring options over concrete and a whitewashed brick accent wall. On the right, a small side table holds a plant, wine bottle, and glass, while a potted plant sits on the left. A ceiling light fixture is visible above.

If you enjoyed this post, Basement Flooring Options Over Concrete, please share it on Facebook or hover over an image and save to Pinterest! And if you don’t already follow me on Instagram, Pinterest, or Facebook, I would love for us to be friends! Want to see more renovation and design inspiration? Sign up here to get notifications delivered straight to your inbox so you never miss  out!

 

Don’t forget to stop by the One Room Challenge to check out all the other participants! There are so many talented designers with incredible ideas.  It’s basically like binge watching HGTV. You’re welcome 😉  

Garrison Street Design Studio - Basement Flooring Options Over Concrete

A narrow hallway features light wood flooring, perfect for basement flooring options over concrete. Whitewashed brick walls add charm, while a small round table with a plant and bottles sits on the right. A larger potted plant stands on the left, all under the text "Laying LVP flooring on concrete.

This post, Basement Flooring Options Over Concrete appeared first on Garrison Street Design Studio.

2 Comments

  1. LOVE your posts! We loved these floors as well. We just put them throughout our entire Florida home. I am curious, did you use any thresholds, stain or putty with them? If so, what color and brand did you use? We are having a terrible time figuring out what color or stain these are closest to.

    Reply

    1. Thank you so much Kathleen! I really appreciate that 🙂 I have only laid them in the wine room so far. The rest will be laid in our basement gym and I do not anticipate needing any thresholds and all of our baseboards are white. Your best best might be a custom stain or a stain/white wash combo. I will definitely post an update if we end up with the same issue though. Best of luck!

      Reply

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