Interior designing often goes hand in hand with decorating. From the furniture you choose to the flooring you pick, the color of the walls and the art you place – all of these contribute to formulating a unique feel for each room in your home. Flooring is definitely one of the foremost considerations for creating a comfortable and stylish home; however, when it comes to selecting the right flooring for your home design, it can be a little overwhelming. Here are 5 ideas to effectively incorporate flooring in your home design:
First and foremost, don’t be fooled by trendiness. It’s hard to resist the urge of staying on trend, but opting for classic and neutral flooring options will save you from frustration down the line. With the changing trends, you could end up investing in flooring that looks dated and outdated in a short period of time. When looking for flooring options, consider timeless materials like hardwood, stone, marble or ceramic.
Second, think of flooring options for each space. With bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, bathrooms, or even outdoor spaces, think of the right material for each area of your home. Flooring in bathrooms needs to be waterproof and it should also be a material that does not remain slippery after a bath or a shower. For the bedrooms, hardwood flooring can effortlessly set the tone. In the living spaces, selecting a flooring option that warms up the atmosphere is essential. Think of the décor items you plan to place and that will narrow down the flooring options from hardwood to laminate, stone or ceramic.
Thirdly, use functions to guide your selection process. Consider the amount of foot traffic, pets and temperature in the room before finalizing the choice. Laminated wood floorings are a better bet in high-traffic areas due to their easy maintainability. In colder climates, a heated flooring can make the area a lot cozier and it will save you a lot of money on energy bills.
Fourth, budget. Before going on a shopping spree, set a budget. With different flooring types available, prices can range from low to high. Certain flooring materials can be a significant investment but this could be a one-time cost that will last for a long time.
Fifth and lastly, don’t forget about the aesthetic factor. How does the flooring appear? Do the colors bring out the tone of the room or are they clashing? It’s worth taking some time to come up with a color pallet that resonates well with the room’s design details – like the tiles for the backsplash, artwork and furniture.
When it comes to hard floorings, adhesives and sealants are essential for waterproofing and making them last longer. If you are looking for an area-rug to add softness and color to the room, make sure to pick a high-pile fabric such as a polypropylene, nylon, olefin or polyester. Depending on the material, it could be the ideal choice for pet owners and high-traffic scenarios.
With walls and other surfaces, we often talk about the accent details and colors too; however, the flooring can also provide a level of contrast that can make the place more inviting. For example, having an area rug that stands out from the rest of the flooring while still working with the color scheme of the room can be an excellent choice.
The flooring can also be a catalyst to tie up various textures in a room. Incorporating a patterned tile into a room with both wood and a tile flooring (for example in a kitchen) will make the whole space look more unified and more complete, no matter what colors you choose to combine together. Another great way to tie up the textures in the room is to opt for the same material for floorings and walls, then add a patterned area rug to break up the monotony.
Lastly, decorative flooring neutrality. Using neutral options such as a white tile, white wood or grey stone may seem dull at first but it will open the area to endless decorative possibilities. With neutral underlying tones, you can easily add pops of color in the form of artwork, textiles or accent elements that can bring the room up to date without having to revamp the entire floor.
In summary, there are multiple options and tips to effectively incorporate flooring in your home design. Research your options and experiment with various textures, colors and materials that could complement the tone and atmosphere of the room. There may be more to consider, but these five tips are a good starting point.