We opted for slate tiles in our last remodel, and honestly, they do feel noticeably cooler, especially in winter. Area rugs helped a bit, but definitely consider slippers if your feet get chilly easily... Did you look into cork flooring at all?
Totally agree about slate tiles feeling chilly underfoot—I visited a friend's place recently, and even with rugs, it was pretty noticeable. Cork flooring is actually a great suggestion; we went with cork in our kitchen and it's surprisingly warm and comfy to walk on barefoot. Plus, it's eco-friendly and naturally resistant to mold and mildew, which is a nice bonus if you're aiming for greener choices. Definitely worth considering if you haven't already looked into it...
Cork definitely has its perks, but one thing to keep in mind is durability. We put cork flooring in our mudroom a few years back, and while it's comfy and warm, it hasn't held up as well as I'd hoped—especially with kids and pets tracking stuff in. It dents pretty easily, and heavy furniture leaves noticeable marks. If you're looking for something warm but tougher, engineered hardwood or bamboo might be worth a look too...
We went with bamboo in our kitchen for similar reasons—wanted something eco-friendly but durable enough for daily chaos. It's held up surprisingly well, even with our dog skidding around corners. Cork looks great, but yeah... durability matters when life gets messy.
"It's held up surprisingly well, even with our dog skidding around corners."
Haha, I can totally picture that! We went with cork in our home office thinking it'd be comfy underfoot and eco-friendly. It definitely feels great, but honestly, it's taken a beating from our rolling chairs and my kids' art projects (paint splatters, anyone?). Bamboo sounds like it might've been the smarter choice for durability, especially in high-traffic areas. Lesson learned, I guess...
