Use these flooring ideas to add warmth and character to your home

Add beauty and value to your home through wise choices of flooring

When considering flooring ideas remember that floors cover a vast amount of area. Because they are so noticeable, floors often have the power to make or break the overall design of your room.

Think of floors as you would the perfect pair of shoes that complement an outfit. That marvelous dress you chose for a special occasion would be ruined if worn with a pair of scuffed, run down at the heels shoes. However, paired with a perfect colored, delicate strapped heel, you feel like a million dollars and walk into a room with confidence.

Once you have that mind picture, you have an idea of what flooring adds to a room. Never underestimate the power of flooring to help you create the perfect room.

First fill out the Floor Analysis Worksheet

Print off and fill out the Flooring Analysis worksheet here Once this is finished, you will have narrowed down your choices and can move on from there.

Consider Use and Traffic Pattern

When thinking about flooring ideas, as with every other step in home decorating, consider how the room will be used and how traffic will be flowing through it. It won't take long for a wall to wall carpet to look dull and dingy if everyone follows the same path along it several times a day. Along the same idea, if you get out of bed every morning and hit a cold tile floor immediately, you won't have to worry about getting that first cup of coffee.

What are your options?

Once you've considered use and traffic, you can now make a decision between hard or soft flooring. Perhaps it is a room where you may even want a combination of both. Remember, a floor doesn't always have to be constructed of one material only.

Consider using accent tiles to create borders that visually separate areas of the rooms. In the kitchen, the food prep area can be designed in different but co-ordinating tiles to divide it from the dining area.



In the dining room it is not necessary to use a rug under the table that needs constant maintenance. Consider designing an "area rug" with a wood center and a ceramic tile border that will require nothing but damp mopping or a quick vacuuming to keep it looking good. If you are considering this flooring idea, be sure to make the "rug" large enough so that the table is still on it when it is expanded to it's full size.

The next step is comparison shopping

Thanks to modern technology and manufacturing methods, the array of flooring is endless and mind boggling.

Take the time to shop at home improvement and flooring stores. Ask questions, take pictures, get measurements.

Floors last a lifetime

Take the time to carefully consider your choice of flooring ideas. Your floors may last the lifetime of your house. Give some consideration to changes in decor you may be contemplating.

Floors don't have to be dull and anonymous, but deciding on some funky colored tiles or way out carpet squares may cause you to wonder what you were thinking as you move into future design changes.

Classic wood and tile designs are versatile and easily blended into different styles. Give your choices careful thought, and you will never be in the spot of buying in haste and regretting at leisure.

For more information before you shop, check out these pages listed below:

Create Warmth and Charm with Wood Floors
Carpet Selection and Buying Guide
Ceramic Tiles Add Design Impact to Flooring
Consider the Beauty and Durability of Stone Floors
Use Vinyl Floors for Durability and Easy Maintenance
Tips for Choosing and Decorating With Area Rugs