Tiles as I mentioned can be a problem when things drop. Also if you fall as I found out some time back. If they get wet they can become very slippery. Another disadvantage is tiles can also make the place feel colder in winter unless you have large rugs over top of the tiles. However, the opposite is also true. Tiles make the house cooler in summer.
Another advantage is they are very easy to keep clean. A sweep and wash over with the mop and warm soapy water and they come up sparkling.
Color is another important choice. In our home we have white tiles with the occasional colored patterned tile in the entry hall and kitchen. The white flooring gives a spacious look and feel to the house. However it needs more frequent sweeping and washing than a darker color would or than a patterned vinyl would. If I had young children I doubt I would ever opt for white tiles but with only adults in the house it is not a problem and they always look fresh and clean when swept and mopped.
When our family was young we had vinyl flooring. Partly because it was all we could afford and also because spills or dust do not show up as easily on a patterned floor especially if it is beige and brown tones.
Another type of flooring we had in our living areas when we were first married was sea grass matting, which we laid ourselves. The biggest advantage was it was cheap. It was also a neutral color and went with any decor. However it is not good if you have children with allergies as it harbors dust. But then so does carpet. The difference is sea grass matting is far cheaper than carpet. And sometimes the choice comes down to whatever you can afford at the time.
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