Laminate is one of the most DIY-friendly floors because the planks click together and float over the subfloor without glue or nails. A careful job looks great and goes quickly once you understand the key rules.
Acclimate and prep
Let the boxes sit in the room a couple of days so the planks adjust to the home's humidity, which prevents buckling or gapping later. The subfloor must be clean, dry, and flat — sand high spots and fill low ones.
Underlayment and expansion gap
Roll out underlayment for cushioning and sound, then leave a small expansion gap (about a quarter inch) around the entire perimeter — laminate expands and contracts with humidity. Spacers along the walls hold the gap while you work.
Stagger and click
Lay planks with staggered end joints so seams don't line up, which looks better and is stronger. Click each plank into the previous row at an angle and tap snug. Cut the last plank in each row to fit, saving offcuts to start the next row.
Finish the edges
Remove the spacers and cover the expansion gap with baseboard or quarter-round trim — fastened to the wall, not the floor, so the floor can still move.