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Choosing new flooring should be an exciting update for your home, but the sheer volume of choices can make it feel surprisingly overwhelming. Between different plank sizes, wear layers, and installation methods, it’s easy to feel like you need a background in interior design just to pick a floor that looks good and handles everyday life.
Wide-plank luxury vinyl plank (LVP), typically featuring board widths of 7 to 9 inches or wider, has become one of the most popular choices for modern homes. Wider boards mean fewer visible seams, creating a clean, expansive look that lets natural wood grain visuals shine.
However, extra-wide planks aren't a one-size-fits-all solution for every room. Let’s go over the rooms where extra-wide LVP looks great and rooms where you should consider standard sized planks.
Where Extra-Wide Luxury Vinyl Plank Works Best
Wide-plank LVP shines in rooms where its scale can visually expand the footprint and create a continuous, open feel.
Open-Concept Living Areas & Great Rooms
In large, open floor plans where living, dining, and kitchen spaces flow together, standard-width planks can sometimes create a busy, visual pattern with too many seam lines.
Extra-wide planks simplify the view, grounding the room and making expansive spaces feel unified, calm, and grounded.
Primary Suites & Main Bedrooms
Your primary bedroom is meant to be a quiet retreat.
The generous proportions of wide planks complement larger furniture pieces like king-size beds and heavy dressers without making the room feel crowded.
Long Hallways and Entryways
Wide planks running parallel down a hallway create long, uninterrupted lines that draw the eye forward, making entryways and corridors feel longer and wider than they actually are.
Where Standard-Width Luxury Vinyl Plank Is the Smarter Choice
While wide planks look fantastic in open spaces, smaller or tightly configured rooms often benefit from standard-width options (around 5 to 7 inches).
Small Powder Rooms & Compact Bathrooms
In a tight bathroom or laundry closet, an extra-wide plank might mean only seeing two or three full boards across the entire floor.
Standard-width planks provide better proportions, creating a balanced visual layout in smaller footprints.
Spaces with Complex Layouts or Multiple Angles
If a room has lots of nooks, built-in cabinetry, or angled walls, installing wide boards requires significantly more intricate cutting and material waste.
Standard-width planks allow for easier adaptation around obstacles, keeping installation straightforward and efficient.
3 Essential Tips for a Successful LVP Installation
No matter which plank size you choose, getting a long-lasting, smooth finish comes down to solid preparation:
- Subfloor Leveling Comes First: Wide LVP planks require a completely flat foundation. Dips or high spots in the subfloor can put stress on the locking mechanisms, so proper subfloor prep sanding high spots and filling dips is essential before installation.
- Leave Expansion Space: Floating LVP expands and contracts slightly with household temperature shifts. Leaving a subtle expansion gap around the perimeter ensures your floors lay flat without buckling over time.
- Leave the Heavy Lifting to the Professionals: While click-lock LVP looks simple on paper, achieving seamless transitions, precise cuts around door jambs, and proper subfloor leveling takes specialized tools and experienced hands. Working with trusted installation experts protects your investment and saves you time and stress.
- Don’t Forget Your Vapor Barrier: Vapor barrier is necessary for installation over all concrete.
Shop for High-Performance Vinyl Plank Flooring by Proximity Mills
At Proximity Mills, we created our flooring line because we were tired of how complicated the shopping process had become. As working parents and pet owners, we believe every household deserves high-performing, durable floors built to stand up to real life.
We do the legwork for you by offering curated, dependable flooring options sold exclusively through trusted local flooring professionals. That way, you get the right floor for your space without the complicated search.
Visit your local Proximity Mills flooring retailer for new luxury vinyl plank flooring!
