Best Flooring for Apartments: Quiet, Stylish and Strata-Friendly

Apartment living brings its own flooring rules. Noise travels, strata by-laws apply and space is precious. So what is the best flooring for apartments? Here are the options that keep things quiet, practical and stylish.

What to consider in an apartment

• Noise. Hard floors can transfer footsteps to neighbours below.
• Strata by-laws. Many buildings set acoustic requirements for hard flooring. Check yours before you buy.
• Underlay. The right acoustic underlay or backing makes a big difference.
• Access. Lift bookings and work hours may need to be arranged.

Best flooring for apartments compared

Our top picks for apartments

Royal 6.5mm Premium – a 100% waterproof core with a 6 Star acoustic rating, made with apartments in mind.

Karndean Korlok – a rigid-core hybrid with built-in acoustic backing to help reduce noise.

Royal 3mm Vinyl Plank – a glue-down vinyl with a commercial-grade 0.55mm wear layer, for a firm, quiet finish.

Carramar 4M – a 100% wool level loop carpet for bedrooms, rated Extra Heavy Duty.

Tips for apartment floors

• Ask your strata manager for any acoustic requirements in writing.
• Use rugs and felt pads to soften sound further.
• Choose lighter tones to make smaller spaces feel open.
• Keep one floor through living areas for a seamless look.

Living on Sydney’s Upper North Shore? Our Hornsby showroom helps apartment owners across the area. We also handle strata and body corporate flooring projects.

See apartment-friendly floors in person

Bring your strata requirements and we will help you find a floor that fits. Visit Royal Floors in Penrith, Campbelltown, Hornsby or Logan, or book a free measure and quote and we will bring the samples to you.

A few of our favourite shades

Frequently asked questions

What is the best flooring for apartments?

Carpet is the quietest option, while vinyl and hybrid with acoustic backing are popular hard floors. Always check your strata acoustic requirements first.

Can I install hybrid flooring in an apartment?

Usually yes, as long as the product and underlay meet your building’s acoustic requirements.

What is a 6 Star acoustic rating?

It is an acoustic rating used to describe how well a floor reduces impact noise. Check your strata by-laws to see what rating your building requires.

Explore our flooring range and find a quiet, stylish floor for your apartment.