HOME STYLE FLOOR COUTURE
FANCY some new flooring? When it comes to picking what’s best underfoot, the choice seems endless. And each choice brings its own pros and cons. Take carpet for example. The allure of carpet is easy to understand. It’s comfortable underfoot; it feels warm – especially during dark winter months and, if fitted correctly, can unify an entire home.
But in the style stakes carpet can often fall a little wide of the mark and run the danger of spoiling your home’s overall look.
Here’s my guide to the most stylish carpet alternatives.
POP OF PATTERN
IF YOU love the comfort of carpet but want a break from its monotony, a statement rug will add colour and contrast and help protect your carpet from everyday wear, tear and spillages.
But choosing the right rug is paramount. A small rug runs the danger of defining the room and making the space seem smaller.
In the living area, I always advise my clients to pick a large rug that will tuck under the feet of the sofa and spread comfortably throughout the rest of the room.
By hiding the edge of the rug you are creating an illusion of endless floor space instead of highlighting one small section of it.
To add another layer in the bedroom, use a rug to frame the area around the bed. Again, go for a large rug to add a two-foot border around each side of the bed.
And if you’re worried about your rug moving on the carpet invest in some carpet pads. There are plenty on the market to ensure your rug stays firmly in place.
WOOD YOU BELIEVE IT?
IF YOU fancy forgoing carpet, wooden flooring could be the way forward.
For those on a tighter budget laminate is a safe option. Laminate flooring has come a long way in the last decade and a good-quality laminate will look extremely similar to authentic wooden floors.
In addition, laminate flooring is extremely hard-wearing and easy to lay with planks that lock together – saving money on professional installation. That being said, no matter how good the laminate looks, there’s no getting away from the fact it’s not the real thing.
Solid wood flooring is exactly that – flooring planks made from a single piece of wood. And while it can be pretty pricy in comparison to its laminate counterpart, solid wood floors look fantastic especially in high traffic areas like hallways. Plus, the money spent could prove to be a savvy investment as solid wood flooring is extremely appealing to house buyers.
TILE STYLE
TILES are fantastically versatile and no matter what look you are going for you can find a tile range to suit.
From retro-inspired collections paying homage to decades past, to ultra-modern designs that boldly break barriers, the wealth of choice is endless.
What’s more, ceramic and porcelain tiles are some of the most durable flooring options available. Not only are they extremely hardwearing they are also pretty stain resistant with most marks can easily be removed with a little bit of elbow grease.
And in the very unlikely event of a single tile cracking or breaking, the individual tile can be replaced relatively cheaply.
CARPET is a great way to warm up your home
CONSIDER budget. Flooring varies greatly in price so get the best you can comfortably afford
ONE size does not fit all – double check your measurements before you order any materials
UNLESS you’re a DIY expert get a professional to fit your flooring
RUGS, runners and regular cleans will all help your flooring last longer