Like other aspects of interior design, different types of flooring come and go. Sometimes, trends coincide with the moment a newly developed material becomes mass-produced and affordable and widely available, such as linoleum in the early 20th century, or synthetic fiber carpet in the 1950s. Other times, a popular color or palette can define what is considered fashionable for flooring, such as the gray vinyl flooring that was installed when design shows made the color ubiquitous in the 2000s and 2010s.

But the most popular flooring at any given time isn’t always the most practical choice for every room in a home. (Two words: carpeted bathrooms.) Instead, consider how the room will be used and find a floor that meets those needs. To make that process easier, I asked three flooring experts to identify the best types of flooring for every room and space in a home. Here are their top picks.

Before we begin, a word of caution: The flooring experts’ recommendations are based on how the rooms will be used, not on budget or style. They also assume you’re installing new flooring, not what you already have.

Ceramic or porcelain tiles