The Right Stuff: Picking Flooring for Your Home

Everyone dreams of living in a beautiful house. Once you have the house, choosing a decorating theme can be overwhelming. With all the options out there, the process can seem daunting. Be sure to start at the basics — good flooring forms the foundation of any decorating theme so it’s vital to get the flooring right. By selecting the right materials, your flooring project will be flawless. The various rooms in your house may need a different kind of flooring. You have to pick the flooring depending on the use for the room, your lifestyle and your finances. Before you get bombarded by the number of choices available in the market, it’s a good idea to know what you’re looking for.

Finding a Location

The location of your house is an important ingredient in your purchase decision. Do you live in a warm or cold climate? Do you have flooding or fires near your area? Studying these factors will help you make the right decision. For example, knowing that your house is situated in a moist area will give you a wide choice of flooring to choose from. It is ideal to pick material that will not rot away like stone, granite or marble. However, if you live in a colder climate, then you can use a carpet or plain linoleum for the kitchen.

Taste and Preferences

Your house should reflect your style and tastes. Do you like contemporary designs or a more traditional look? If your budget allows it, a hardwood flooring goes with almost any interior decorating idea. If you are looking for a more budget friendly option, bamboo floors or laminated floors are a solid choice. In addition, these floors are easy to maintain — you dont have to use oil or excessively scrub it.

Check the Foundation

A great tip is to check the foundation of the house before you buy the flooring. You will want your flooring to remain firm and stable and not cracked or chipped. First of all, fix the foundation and ensure there are no defects — only then will the new flooring look good. If there is going to be a lot of foot traffic, you will want to be sure that the flooring is resistant to wear and tear.

A Neglected Space: Garage Flooring

There is one room in the house that is often neglected when it comes to flooring: the garage. The right flooring can change a garage completely. If your concrete flooring is unprotected, you will end up doing repairs pretty often as it will crack. Moisture can be disastrous for your garage flooring. Well laid out flooring can be a pleasure to look at. Furthermore, you will want your garage to be safe and clean.

Keeping Your Budget in Mind

It’s always best to stay within your budget, but to look for quality material. If you’re looking for a good discount, go to a materials wholesaler — they usually sell in bulk so you get to save in the bargain. Remember, don’t count your pennies too closely, as compromising on quality can cost you later when you need to spend on repairs. Do your homework prior to going to a hardware store as you need to know what you’re looking for.

You can take your pick amongst various materials for your flooring. Let’s take a look at some popular flooring options:

• Hardwood floors – These types of floors are ideal for most homes, but these floors are sensitive to climatic conditions. Wood tends to contract and expand depending upon the weather. They are also prone to water damage and require maintenance.
• Marmoleum – This flooring is made from material that is organic. As an environmentally friendly option, they are also low maintaence. Not only is Marmoleum durable, but it is warm and comfortable to walk on.
• Bamboo flooring – Bamboo flooring is one of the most durable in the market today. It looks good and comes in different designs. Your rooms will look elegant and beautiful. Bamboo flooring can also be dyed to look like wood. This floor is environmentally friendly and is commonly found in nature.
• Rubber flooring – If you are into sports or if you have a toddler at home who is just learning to walk, then rubber flooring is ideal for you. This flooring reduces the pressure on your heels and knees, and you will not get hurt if you fall on rubber flooring. In addition, interlocking rubber tiles are easy to assemble on the floor.

Picking the right flooring is essential when it comes to interior design. As previously mentioned, you can use different kinds of flooring for different rooms. For example, a children’s room can have a rubber floor while you can pick wood for the main living room. By customizing the flooring, you get the right fit for your home. Any room requires a good floor to act as a foundation to the rest of the decor. So keep your interior design in mind, while selecting the right flooring —  the design should not clash with the floor. Keep your house beautiful and elegant, and most importantly: let your flooring reflect your unique style and personality.