Is your home in need of a makeover to go from boring to brilliant? What better time than now to update your home's tired, worn interior. You need look no further than right under your feet - to the floor below - for a simple, budget-minded way to freshen your decor and add to your home's value. Give any room of the house an updated look with flooring that mimics natural stone or ceramic tile, but without the upkeep or high cost.

Installing new flooring can quickly and dramatically change a room's appearance without breaking your budget, thanks to stylish, durable and affordable new flooring options like luxury vinyl tile (LVT) - the fastest growing segment in the U.S. resilient flooring market. Whether you're looking to update a bathroom, kitchen, living room or virtually any other room in your house, LVT flooring, such as Tarkett NAFCO Luxury Floors PermaStone Collection, can help you make a spectacular transformation that offers everyday practical performance and stunning looks.

"Luxury vinyl tile provides homeowners with the option to have flooring in any room that deftly echoes the style of popular natural, hard-surface flooring options, such as Travertine marble, limestone, concrete and slate," says Erica Hubbard, Tarkett NAFCO director of marketing. "These designs pop with depth and realism and combine both classic and contemporary elements, providing a wide range of style options. You can even create custom designs by intermixing textures and borders throughout a room."

Nothing like the sheet vinyl of earlier years, today's LVT offers a design-forward, durable alternative to natural flooring, which can be expensive to install, maintain and repair. LVT, or resilient flooring, delivers all of the luxury of natural flooring without the hassle and fuss.

Like natural flooring tiles, some LVT products offer various installation options. PermaStone, for example, lets you choose from the following:
* GroutFit -- produces a realistic grout effect with tiles that have two beveled sides that are embossed to mimic the real thing and create "grout lines" when installed together
* GroutFil -- features 14, pre-mixed, stain-resistant, acrylic-based grout colors to create an endless number of patterns and grout possibilities, heightening the mimicry of real stone
* GroutLess -- offers randomly cut tiles that quickly install edge to edge without grout or seam sealer for a uniquely modern look

"Grout options in LVT give you the ability to get creative with your design and truly reflect your personal style," Hubbard says. "What's more, grouted LVT floors are more cost efficient and much easier to install than traditional ceramic tiles."

Warm, soft and quiet underfoot, wear-resistant LVT holds up to the rigors of daily household traffic much better than stone, hardwood or ceramic. This is due in part to LVT's durable construction. This resilient flooring option features a protective wear layer that resists scuffs, scratches, tears and gouges.

Because LVT isn't nearly as hard as real stone or ceramic tiles, it also isn't as slippery when wet. Glass or china is less likely to shatter if accidentally dropped, and your little ones won't scrape their knees or elbows if they fall.

Maintenance for LVT floors, including grouted ones, also is minimal. Forget the sealing, polishing and special cleaners required for floors made from natural materials. While LVT floors look similar to the real thing, they feature a major benefit - the easy-care vinyl requires only the use of a neutral floor cleaner and water to maintain a beautiful floor. No harsh chemicals are needed.

Another benefit is easy repair. If a few tiles get damaged, they can be removed and replaced within minutes without the need to tear up a large section of the floor or have a flooring specialist come to your home.

"LVT combines great looks and practicality into an affordable flooring option that withstands every day wear and tear," Hubbard says. "With its quick and easy installation, you can do an amazing DIY spring decorating spruce-up in just a weekend or even less."