Top 5 Budget Basement Flooring Ideas

By Julia Nass Created: December, 2017 - Modified: January, 2024

Basement floor tiles and mats have the power to instantly turn a basement into a playroom, home gym, entertainment room, or any other living space.

Such a project may seem like a huge financial investment, but it doesn't have to be. Greatmats offers all of their basement floors at a competitive price, but the following five picks are the cheapest in their respective classes and offer a nice variety of looks and options for uses in basement settings.

Read on to learn more about each of these products.

1. Foam Kids and Gym Mats Premium 5/8 Inch x 2x2 Ft.

cheap foam basement flooring
Soften and liven up any hard basement floor with Foam Kids and Gym Mats Premium. Play mats are an ideal basement flooring option for a play room, kids space, or exercise room on a budget. These basement floor tiles are made of scuff-resistant EVA foam that provides 5/8 inch of cushion and comfort underfoot. Foam Puzzle basement floor tiles come in 14 differently-colored mats. Tiles connect via a universal connecting system that makes them simple to install. At less than $2.00 per square foot, you get a real bang for your buck with Foam Mats Premium.

Take it from Dawn from Ohio, who reviewed the product: ''We ordered and received about 400 sq. ft. of play mats to cover our hard tile floor. The play area is comfortable and warmer. They look great, and were an awesome value. Our kids love playing in the area too.''

If the color or thickness of these soft tiles doesn't fit your needs, Greatmats offers a large variety of other EVA foam basement flooring options.

2. Rolled Rubber 1/4 Inch Black Pacific

cheap rubber basement flooring
1/4 Inch Black Pacific Rubber Rolls are yet another economical option for a basement floor. These particular rubber rolls are less than $2.00 per square foot and are especially awesome for home gyms, light weight lifting areas, and areas of high foot traffic. Rubber is an extremely durable material, and these rolls will last despite serious use. Rolls are easy to clean by sweeping, vacuuming, or damp mopping with a pH neutral cleaner. This tough rubber basement flooring is made in the USA from recycled rubber.

3. Style Smart 18 x 18 Inch Carpet Tile

cheap carpet basement flooring
Carpet is a classic and inviting choice for basement entertainment rooms, offices, and bedrooms. At only around $1 per square foot, Style Smart Carpet Tiles are the most affordable way to achieve the look. Style Smart Carpet basement flooring not only makes carpet cheap but easy too. Each carpet tile has a peel-and-stick underside, which makes installation a breeze. Tiles adhere to any dry, clean, hard surface without budging. Carpet fibers are soft and eco-friendly, as they are made from 100% purified, recycled plastic bottles.

4. Foam Tiles Wood Grain

cheap wood look basement flooring
Foam Tiles Wood Grain are a classy alternative to other foam flooring. These tiles present the sleek look of dark wood and light wood. Yet, they have a soft and cushiony feel that can only be achieved with half an inch of EVA foam material. These basement flooring tiles are great for basement areas where aesthetics are just as important as feel. In addition, many basements are susceptible to moisture buildup, so it helps to utilize flooring that can be easily dried out if need be. With foam tiles, picking up and transporting tiles is just as simple as installing them.

Check out what Leah from Michigan has to say about Foam Tiles Wood Grain: ''I'm installing Greatmats foam floor tiles in my basement guest bedroom. The difference in the warmth is incredible. The concrete is cold, but as soon as you step on the Greatmats you feel an immediate difference in temperature. We have had water problems in the past in our basement. We wanted to go with Greatmats for the fact that its easy to install and easy to take back up if we do encounter water problems again.''

5. TurboTile Diamond Garage Floor

cheap garage floor tiles
The TurboTile Diamond Garage Floor product is another option that is an excellent choice for budget basement flooring especially if you have a basement prone to dampness or floods. They feature a raised base which allows air to flow underneath and they will not be damaged by water. These tiles have the familiar perks of other Greatmats products: they are extremely durable, long lasting and easy to install. This is an excellent choice for a basement game room, storage room, utility area, or man cave.

Rae from California had a five-star experience with TurboTile Diamond Garage Floor. He wrote, ''Amazing products. Ridiculously easy to install. And top notch customer service when I had a question. Prices are so low I don’t see how they make any money. I’m a customer for life.''