FANTASTIC FLOOR
LESLEY TAYLOR asks, does your floor need a makeover of superhero proportions?
THE floor can be one of the home’s most neglected features. After all, making changes to the flooring is neither as simple or cheap as painting a bold feature wall or adding some new eye-catching accessories. And when you think about it, the flooring is one of the home’s hardest working areas. It’s not something you can easily disguise or turn a blind eye to. It’s always there.
So, if yours has seen better days, perhaps it’s time you showed it a little TLC.
REPAIR OR REPLACE?
FIRST things first, you need to assess what level of love your flooring needs. Can you live with it or does it need to go?
Of course, a huge factor when it comes to making this decision will be budget. Flooring isn’t cheap, especially if you’re replacing a considerable amount, so if you can get away with improving what is already in place, do it.
If you are going to go down the replace route, don’t rush your decision.
Consider what you want from your flooring – if you have young children for example, you may wish to invest in tiles or wooden flooring, something that doesn’t stain easily.
If you want to create a cosy home, carpet might be your best bet.
Go for a neutral colour that will work throughout the home and you’ll find it will unite all the spaces beautifully.
If you are going to stick with what you already have, what it is about your current flooring you don’t like?
If for example, your carpet is looking dull, invest in a carpet treatment to bring it back to life. You can hire carpet cleaning machines, however, if budget allows, bring in a professional to do the job for you.
They will have the knowledge to bring out the very best in your carpet.
Another quick fix – if you have the space – is to play around with your
furniture layout. Carpet that is protected from footfall by beds, sofas and large chairs will often have that just-laid feel to it.
If your flooring of choice is tiles, how long has it been since you re-grouted them? Giving your tiles a thorough clean and re-grout can transform their appearance, especially if you use a different coloured grout.
Handy with a paint brush? Wooden floors can be re-painted or re-stained.
It’s a fairly simple job providing you prep thoroughly and use a dedicated floor paint. The impact can be amazing.
If, traditionally, you have always opted for lighter colours, using a dark paint will inject some drama into your interiors.
FINISHING TOUCHES
ONCE you have invested your time (and money) in revamping your flooring, don’t let it down by ignoring the finishing touches.
Make sure your skirting boards are all in fine fettle; if they need it give them a lick of paint or re-varnish.
Something as simple as revamping your skirting can take your flooring to the next level.
If you are considering changing your flooring, you may also want to do your skirting at the same time.
Alternatively, just changing your skirting boards may be the lift your flooring needs.
Replace entrance mats that may have seen better days and consider investing in a rug or a runner to protect your flooring. Go for one that highlights everything you love about your new flooring instead of one that simply hides what’s underneath.
Finally, keep flooring clutter free where possible. The floor is a perfect dumping ground for bags, shoes and other everyday items, but these all carry potential damage risks to your floors – a bag buckle could scratch a freshly painted floor while mud from your shoes could stain a carpet.
Invest in some open shelving in the hallway to ensure the rest of the home stays clutter free.
■ Lesley Taylor BIID (British Institute of Interior Design) is lead designer at EDIT Home and Design (edithomeand design.co.uk)