Deciding on the perfect flooring for your home can be intimidating and expensive.The options are seemingly endless and the stakes are so high because flooring is the bedrock of your home. It grounds the decor, sets the tone and it is a big commitment.Fear not, fellow homeowner. With just these few simple tips you will be able to make the perfect choice for your home and your lifestyle.
Let’s get started!
1. Durability: Before you buy, think through how the floor will handle the people and pets that will be walking on it. Different types of flooring can withstand different levels of abuse, and the more durable options will also cost you more. But, if you have kids, pets, or expect a lot of foot-traffic in your home, it may be worth that extra expense.
2. Maintenance: Different floors require different levels of maintenance—some types of flooring need to be sealed, others are more water resistant, some need to be regularly buffed, and so on. Think through if you’re going to have the time, energy, and resources for a floor that requires extensive maintenance, or if you’d rather a lower-maintenance option that may require up-front expenses.
3. Aesthetics: Now comes the fun part! Flooring can change the look and feel of any space, so think through how the room(s) you’ll be flooring are currently used and what kind of atmosphere you want to create. Based on this vision, select a flooring option that will best complement and enhance the current design elements of the room.
4. Price: Prices can range in cost from a few dollars per square foot up to hundreds of dollars per square foot. Think through how much you are willing to spend and how the price might affect the other factors.
5. Comfort: Believe it or not, how comfortable a floor feels really matters for home decor. The wrong type of flooring can leave you and anyone laying down on it really uncomfortable. If you plan to use any room for activities that involve a lot of standing or sitting on the floor, make sure to select an option that has plenty of cushioning.
6. Color: Flooring can be more than a decorative element. It can be used as an accent, or even divided up to create different spaces in a room. Get creative and choose a color pattern that will help create the exact mood and feel that you want!
7. Environment: If the environment is something important to you, there are good options that won’t hurt its health. Invest in materials like cork, bamboo, and reclaimed wood for flooring that’s both beautiful and eco-friendly too.
After honing in on these 7 must-know tips, you’re one step closer to choosing the perfect flooring for your home. With careful consideration of your options, you can make the right flooring choice for you and your home. Keep in mind to look for flooring made from materials that improve your home’s beauty, provides comfort, and enhances the atmosphere of your living space.
Try hardwood flooring with a grainy finish, marble tiles to add a luxurious and vintage flair, or trending laminate flooring to bring a modern feel to the rooms. Choose the right materials and colors to create a cohesive and inviting space. Hardwood flooring, depending on the finish, can be restored with simple sanding and refinishing every few years or when necessary.
When choosing flooring for wet areas, like bathrooms, go without hesitation for tiles. Not only tiles protect your floors from moisture, they are also very versatile and cost-effective in terms of design and maintenance. Create your own unique design possibilities with endless combinations of materials, colors, and textures.
For areas with extreme changes in temperature or high foot-traffic, linoleum is a much better choice than carpets. Linoleum is warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer compared to other floor coverings, and it doesn’t pick up dirt and dust like a carpet does. Plus, you can find linoleum tiles with various designs, and it’s a great material for kitchens, hallways and living rooms
Vinyl flooring is another cost-effective and practical choice. It comes with a unique photographic layer that mimics the look of real tiles or wood, and it is very easy to care for, as it is waterproof, resilient and very durable – perfect for wet areas like bathrooms, and entry hallways.
Adding a pop of color can be an excellent way to break up the monotony and draw the eye in a certain direction. Whether you go with carpet tiles, area rugs, or a full-on carpet, depending on the level of traffic, they can add a unique vibrancy and visual depth to the room. Multi-colored carpet tiles can be used to create intriguing art-inspired patterns thatersonalize your current decor.
Cork flooring is a great option for ‘eco-friendly do-it-yourselfers’ who want to make their home greener. Cork is extremely durable and resilient, and it absorbs sound and offers great insulation properties. Choosing the right combination of colors and shapes can provide a happy, harmonius feeling in any room of your home.
When picking a flooring for a home office, hardwood, laminate, and vinyl are great choices. Picking a flooring that is both easy to clean and stylish is important for any business settings. Hardwood and laminate flooring are perfect examples for this type of the project. Choose a unique colored pattern for a vintage industrial environment, or select a more modern color palette to fit your current business and interior style.
No matter what style, color, and material you choose, always select flooring that is unique and in line with your desires. The options listed are some of the classics, but the flooring world evolves constantly, so keep an eye out for the latest trends and colors. Flooring can be a great creative way to personalize your home and make it stand out.