Choosing new flooring for your home can seem like a daunting task with all the options available today. From carpets to wood to vinyl and more, how do you decide what’s best for your lifestyle and space? Getting the right flooring to suit your needs and style is key to creating a home you’ll love. Follow our expert tips to navigate the process with confidence. We’ll walk you through considerations from size and traffic patterns to maintenance and aesthetic appeal. With the right information and preparation, you’re sure to find flooring that’s perfect for your home. Let’s get started!
1. Size Matters
One of the first things to think about is the size of the space you want to floor. Large open-concept spaces may call for continuous flooring to promote flow, while smaller rooms can handle more variety. If you go for wood, wider planks can make small rooms appear larger, while narrow planks bring more intricate visual interest to larger expanses. For dining and entertaining areas like kitchens, dramatic wide plank oak or Dinesen flooring adds stylish warmth. Just ensure to account for extra movement with floating installation methods. Carefully measure to allow for cuts and layout planning. An expert installer can help maximise pattern and plank size options.
2. Traffic & Usage Patterns
Consider the room’s traffic, furniture, and usage before deciding. Entryways and hallways should focus on durable, moisture-resistant materials that can handle high traffic and weather exposure from outside. For living areas like family rooms, smooth fabrics and soft woods add comfort underfoot but require more vigilant cleaning. Formal spaces call for refined surfaces like polished concrete. Kitchens and dining spaces need hard-wearing choices able to take impact, spills, and chair movement. High gloss finishes make for easy cleaning, while textured surfaces hide dirt and scuffs. Identify trouble areas ahead of time to inform your selection.
3. Maintenance & Care
When weighing up different flooring types, don’t underestimate the importance of cleaning, care, and maintenance over your floor’s lifetime. Carpets need frequent and thorough vacuuming, plus periodic steam cleaning. Meanwhile, hardwoods require sweeping, mopping, and re-oiling overtime to maintain their finish. Pay attention to manufacturer’s care guidelines, as failing to properly care for floors voids warranties. Some plank wood floorings even allow sanding and refinishing for longevity. Remember, what looks great when it is first installed won’t stay that way without proper upkeep.
4. Design & Style
Narrow down practical options by considering your overall interior design scheme and style preferences next. Rustic farmhouse ambience pairs perfectly with reclaimed beams or wide oak planks. For sleek modern interiors, large format polished porcelain or concrete can reinforce the contemporary visual impact. Colour also factors, from light, airy, whitewashed Scandi looks to bold walnut and mahogany for dramatic effect. Distressed, hand-scraped finishes add old-world charm. Samples shown onsite in your home help envision the final look. An interior designer can provide style direction if overwhelmed with choice. Remember to view floors as an integral part of your décor, not just a utilitarian surface.
We hope these tips give you greater confidence in finding your perfect floor. Start by setting realistic budgets, measuring spaces accurately, and identifying usage needs. Inventory existing furnishings, colours, and styles to determine aesthetic goals before browsing options.
