steve - I know one of the issues w/laminate is the noise issue, since it is a floating floor - Does the $1.60 include pricing for the underlayment? - The concrete slab will need to be leveled or you will have problems w/install and longevity of flooring To me the $3.50 for carpet installed sounds like a better deal - but that is me - I am a somewhat DIY - but I think by the time I got the proper tools and figured out how to do the floor it would be well over the $3.50 ft - Add to that the need for some type of area rug/s following installation - Tools/material/time/mistakes - per sq ft + $1.60 initial product - Even though the basement is "dry" - basements are more likely than any other room to have a moisture problem - I went w/carpet just tacked down so that if I do have any water problems its a relatively easy fix Good luck

If you have a flood risk in the basement, I'd say something waterproof like tile or terrazzo. For the playroom area, put down a big cheap area rug (like a section of basic carpet that's not nailed down). Then if it floods again or the kids make a gross mess or spill, you can haul the rug out and get it cleaned, and the floor underneath will be unaffected.

Umm, I need a bit more direction...which of these do you like the best? (my faves are #8 and #15 :-) Do you want to be able to easily re-do these cabs in the future? If yes, I would not collage them. Also, how old are the kids? Sorry! edit to add link: https://www.thespruce.com/best-ikea-ivar-storage-hacks-4119791

May want to decide if you want boldness or softness - see below. It looks like the counters are on the softer side so would start there before choosing the other accent color. If you search Pinterest for “blue and orange (or tangerine or yellow) paint“ you’ll see the combinations that feel bold or soft and are complementary. Many include the paint names. Have to allow that lighting in room will affect their results, but at least they will have the same vibrancy.