Flooring Selection Basics

Function, Traffic, Safety and Decorating Style of Flooring

Jul 22, 2007 Kristin Abraham

Choosing the right flooring means having function, comfort, and style underfoot.

Whether you're thinking hardwood, carpeting, vinyl, ceramic tiles or something a bit more exotic, flooring is more than just something you walk on. Floors bring color to your home, they provide an anchor for your room, your floors can dictate the decorating style of your home, and they bring a huge textural element to your environment. Floors also need to be functional.

The whole process of selecting the perfect flooring can actually be daunting so your first considerations should be what flooring can you have in the home. Quarry tile is becoming increasingly popular, so are polished concrete floors but not all homes can handle these trendy decorating options. If you’re leaning toward something a bit untraditional that might be heavy make sure to check your floor’s load rating before proceeding.

Next you should think about the room’s function. Kitchens and bathrooms work best with something that can easily be cleaned or wiped. Hallways get a lot of traffic and need something a bit more heavy duty than bedrooms or offices typically do. Hallways also tend to have an echo, so you may want to consider carpeting, a rug or some other “quiet” option. Playrooms can be tricky as children often play on the floor but they’re prone to spilling treats and beverages and are also known to use floor and wall surfaces for art projects. If you have a room where you stand for a long time then you may want to go with carpeting, a nice thick knap rug, or a resilient floor.

Safety is another thing to consider when you’re selecting flooring. Ceramic tiles, slate and marble can be as slick as black ice on the highway. Since most home injuries occur in the bathroom you may not want to press your luck with one of these alternatives. Rugs can also become a hazard if they don’t have a nonstick pad. If your rug didn’t come with a rubberized backing you can purchase one and cut it to perfectly fit your rug.

Finally you need to consider your decorating plan. If you have a small home and want to make it look bigger you might want to carry the same flooring option throughout. If you are going for a very upscale look then spending a bit extra for a marble floor may be just the touch that room needs to exude luxury. Hardwood floors are more popular than ever and carry a variety of decorating styles well. Carpeting is also extremely versatile and the options are almost limitless.

Whatever flooring style you select, make sure that it doesn’t just complement your decorating style but that it’s also functional and safe.

The copyright of the article Flooring Selection Basics in Interior Decorating is owned by Kristin Abraham. Permission to republish Flooring Selection Basics in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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