We put down 18" tile throughout our family room, kitchen/utility, all the hallways and bathrooms. Excellent for clean up. Like it in the winter, too, as its a quick mop clean up, and we wear slippers in the house anyway. I wouldn't do laminate in the kitchen -- you will regret it the first time you spill water, and it doesn't wear well there. We put a high end laminate flooring that looks like aged wood in our bedrooms, living room and dining room, and love it there. The plus is we put down area rugs under sofa's, a runner down the hallway and throw rugs in the bathrooms (those wash easily!). It cushions, adds color and those are easily cleaned, too. We won't ever do carpeting again -- pulled up carpet that was 38 years old from this house when we bought it, and it cured us from ever wanting wall to wall carpet again!