4 min read

Think with your feet

Posted in: Ideas and Advice
5 October 2022

We move into a house, we have plans to change the look, feel and use of a room. We redecorate, we reorganise our furniture and buy new curtains. Unless we’re inheriting a worn patterned carpet from the 1970s, our floors often remain the same – for years. One of the simplest fixes to refresh a room is to reconsider your flooring. It’s also one of the easiest items to install and can often be achieved in a day. Here are some top tips on what to choose.

What’s the Difference between Vinyl and Laminate flooring?

Various floors can usually be installed anywhere and it’s good to think outside of the box when deciding what works for you and your home. There is one rule of thumb that may help you make a decision. Vinyl tends to be used in wet areas, such as bathrooms, as it is entirely synthetic and does not include any wood or natural products. Laminate can include a core of wood bonded with resins so not always best for very wet areas. Laminate can take water splashes in a kitchen but in bathrooms, where pooled areas may sit for some time, vinyl may be best.

In the past, vinyl had a reputation as a less desirable surface, but today the vinyl floors are of exceptional quality and can barely be differentiated from some of the laminates. Good vinyls, used with quality underlay, have depth so the etching and naturalising can be successfully achieved. The choice is ultimately your own and is all about what suits you and your lifestyle.

Should I Choose Solid Wood or Engineered?

Engineered wood has come into its own in the 21st century. Some of us may prefer a solid wood floor - it’s definitely a beautiful look and good for small and larger areas. It’s the epitome of luxury, sustainably sourced, and surprisingly good value. Engineered wood is also a superb option. Again, only you may know that your wood floor is engineered but the range of woods, shades, and formats is fantastic. Test your visitors to see if they can tell the difference?

Work Your Pattern

The current trend is for herringbone. We love the Scandi look, and it works well on ground floors and upstairs. Whether you go for a single shade and grain, or alternate, herringbone is a beautiful floor and easy to install. The direction of your herringbone can make a real difference in giving the impression of extending space. Chevrons pointing out to a garden view through French Doors or a window can lead the eye to the view, set across a room from side to side, the herringbone design can be seen as widening the room. The same applies to panels, or board-effect floors. Narrower panels tend to work best in smaller spaces, with wider panels perfect for large airy spaces. If your room is rectangular and narrow, then consider laying horizontally to give the impression of width. If the room is wider and shorter, then lay length ways to draw the eye beyond.

Square room? Go with your gut! Think about the direction carefully, and lay out some flooring to check what works best for you and your space. Think about what pieces of furniture will go where as this too can lead the eye. A rug doesn’t hide a new floor. It can showcase what’s underneath, and strategically placed rugs can bring out the grain of your floor. We love the look of colourful rugs on wood effect floors – the Danish ‘hygge’ – or Scandi cosy look will come into its own this Christmas! Lastly, don’t forget your trim, as this gives the room a complete and quality finish, and relax. Your choice is always right!

For all our flooring options, check out our website here and think outside of the box on your floors.

 

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