From the Floors Up

Expert Tips for Choosing Your New Floors

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The time has come and you are ready to replace the floors in your home.  After a lot of thought, you are prepared to transform your home. Before you begin, we recommend giving serious consideration to the rooms that you are going to be updated. Below, we have shared a few tips to help you get started. Let’s take a look!

Inspiration

Determine what style you love the most. Do you lean towards traditional, contemporary, transitional, industrial, eclectic, or maybe another design theme? If you are unsure, you can read design magazines, browse Pinterest, scroll through online boards and blogs, and attend home shows for inspiration. Also, consider visiting new home models that are open to the public. This is a great way to see everything new and current in today’s market.

Lifestyle and Function

Lifestyle and function are considerations that are most often overlooked! There are many factors to consider after…is it pretty? Are there children and pets in the home? Do you spend a lot of time outside? Do you have a pool? Is your yard grass, natural, sand, rock, or mulched areas? Think about the outside debris that is tracked inside of your home. Are you a clean freak or a hit and miss housekeeper? Does anyone in the home suffer from allergies or asthma? Once you gathered answers to these lifestyle questions, make sure you choose a floor that will withstand and last according to your household. If you are unfamiliar with the choices that match each type of lifestyle, no need to worry! We have an expert sales staff ready to answer any and all of your design questions.

Lighting 

Lighting, natural and artificial, affects everything in the home from flooring to paint to fabric and even furnishings! The best advice for choosing your flooring regarding lighting is to take samples home and lay them out on your floors. Take a look at how the sample looks in daylight and in the evening with interior lights. This will help with not only color, but with surface finish, and the texture of the floor. You will be surprised how much lighting can affect the overall look of your home!

We hope these tips help you make a more informed decision when it comes to your next flooring project. Remember to lean on the pros. Share information about your style and how you live. Then, shop and buy with confidence that you will have floors you will love for years to come.

Carpet Shopping Tips

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In the market for new carpet? Purchasing the right carpet involves so much more than just finding a style and color that you’re in love with. There are a number of important factors to consider.

It’s best to think through and do a little research on the options available to you before you head to your local flooring store. This will ensure that you feel confident with your choice.

When shopping for a carpet you must first think of function. Ask yourself the following questions:

  1. In what room(s) will this carpet be installed?
  2. Does the room have heavy or light traffic?
  3. What types of messes, stains, spills will happen? Will I be able to keep up with the required maintenance?
  4. Will the carpet be installed near other types of flooring?
  5. Do vacuum marks make me feel like the room is clean or will it drive me crazy?

The answers to these questions are essential because it helps you determine how to move forward with your carpet selection.


There are literally hundreds of thousands of carpets featuring different colors, patterns, and styles that make the carpet selection process overwhelming. If you’re having trouble settling on a carpet, lean on the experts! Asking a qualified and experienced flooring retailer like us about all of the features and benefits of carpet that match up with your lifestyle!

Talk to your salesperson about how the room will be used, what types of activities will happen in the room and your budget. When you lean on the experts for help you get to focus on the fun part which is how the product feels and what color you like.

If the idea of choosing the right color is something you struggle with, bring in pillows, fabric or a photo of the area and choose a salesperson that you feel comfortable with them helping you choose the right color and style for your home.

Remember when you are looking at carpet, place the carpet on the floor where it will be. People tend to look at carpet up high on a table that’s close to their faces. Unless you plan to lay on the floor most of the time, this isn’t how you will see the carpet. Looking at carpet close to your face is about as useful as sitting on the edge of the mattress to get a feel of what it will be like to sleep on it lying down.

When looking at patterned carpet, walk back a few feet from the sample to get an idea of what the pattern will really look like. Ask about visualization software so you can see what the product will look like in a room scene.

When it comes to budgeting for carpet, a common thought is to get the cheapest thing you can and plan to change it out later.  If this is your thought process, we urge you to take a look at the reality of this actually happening. Then factor in the cost and the reality of moving all of the furniture out of your house, paying for all new carpet and labor and moving all of the furniture back in. If your budget allows for it, choose a higher quality carpet in the beginning, pay for installation once and don’t pay for moving furniture multiple times!


Ask questions! You should be well informed of the maintenance a carpet will require before you make the decision to buy it. Taking care of your carpet will help it last longer and stay beautiful.

We hope this advice helps you feel more comfortable and confident in your carpet shopping experience!

Five Advantages to Laminate Flooring

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So you are finally ready to update the flooring in your home. While new flooring can transform spaces, comparing flooring to determine what is best suited for your home can be a chore! If you’re interested in flooring that’s attractive yet affordable; laminate flooring may be a great option for you. Here are five reasons why.

  1. Super Durable

Perhaps the greatest feature of laminate flooring is its durability. Laminate has a tough exterior, with a special coating making it resistant to scratches and heavy impact. When compared to vinyl, hardwood and other types of flooring, quality laminate products can last much longer. The surface makes it ideal for homes that experience a lot of traffic like households with children and pets.

2. Style and Versatility

Laminate flooring can simulate the look of your favorite types of flooring including hardwood, stone and tile. Laminate is available in many different colors, styles and thickness giving you the opportunity to find a style that works for the style of your home. The variety of hues and patterns allow you to get a product that may be more durable than the product it is simulating, like a hardwood that is too soft for your household traffic.

Laminate floor products can be easy to install for experienced DIY-ers. They can be installed over pre-existing subfloors as well uninstalled when it’s time for an update. When doing it yourself, the simple installation process can save both time and money.

3. Affordable Pricing

Laminate floors are inexpensive when compared to some hardwood or tile and stone flooring products. There is laminate flooring available for every price range. You can choose a laminate floor that looks like a wood, tile or stone floor that would be outside of your budget if you bought the real thing. When shopping for laminate flooring, take note or ask questions about the different levels of quality in relation to pricing. When you take into consideration the longevity of laminate floor it is a great economical choice.

4. Easy Maintenance

Forget about the labor intensive cleaning methods with laminate floors! Laminate floors are easy to maintain. They can be cleaned with a daily sweeping, a damp cloth or simple cleaning solution and standard cleaning products as directed by the manufacturer.

5. Environmentally Friendly

Since laminate floors are derived from wood by wood products, that means that it doesn’t use harvested or endangered tree species. Because it is made from wood products, it is an ecologically low impact product. Unlike other types of flooring, laminate does not trap dust particles and other allergens.

We hope you’ve enjoyed learning about laminate flooring!

Hardwood Maintenance

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Do you love hardwood floors, but hesitant to buy because of the potential maintenance? We encourage you to keep reading and exploring the easy tasks you can do daily to ensure a long life for your wood floor. Major maintenance considerations are always important, however, they aren’t practical for guarding against normal life routines. The following tips are simple enough for even the busiest person and can be performed on a regular basis. We will cover how to protect your floors from outside influences and simple cleanup as well as the proper way to set things on top of your floor and how/when to move them around.

Threats from the outside

  • Window treatments are the first line of defense against the UV rays from the sun.  Make sure to keep this in mind when purchasing your window coverings.  Wood floors are expected to naturally change shades and colors over time due to sun exposure; however, with the right protection, this can be controlled well.
  • Mats and small rugs are the trusted guards who protect your floor. These ever vigilant protectors can grab ahold of a large amount of dirt and grime before it ever makes its way into your home.  Most of the sand, dirt and gravel that gets tracked in comes in on the bottom of shoes.  These are a very real enemy of your floors. These highly abrasive particles will do slow but steady damage to the floor. Mats can be placed at every entrance to your home, outside or inside.  Be sure to buy a mat with pad specifically made for wood floors so that the backing doesn’t do any damage.
  • The climate where you live can also make a big difference. Wood floors respond best to consistent humidity levels. This helps avoid contraction and expansion of the wood. All air regulation systems can help: humidifier, air conditioner, dehumidifier, or heater. 

Gentle Clean-up.  Quick!

  • A cheap broom won’t save you money in the long run.  Buy a high-quality broom. Dust and sweep your floors as often as possible.
  • Liquid messes cannot be cleaned up later.  Paying attention to small messes can save you heartache down the road.  Take the necessary time to quickly blot the mess with a clean, soft cloth.
  • Be careful about using a vacuum on your wood floor. Using one without a beater bar is a great option, or your vacuum may have come with a hardwood floor attachment.  This is incredibly helpful in removing dirt from crevices where a broom will not reach.
  • For candle wax or chewing gum, try using a credit card to remove the excess. 

On The Top

  • Look out for high heels! While they look great on your feet, they can do serious damage to your wood floors.  The heel tips can cause small indentions and divots.  Some can be repaired, but not all!  Scars can be avoided by either removing shoes when walking on hardwood floors for extended periods of time or by buying heel protectors that slip over the heel tip.
  • Does your dog spend time inside?  Make sure your pet has his nails trimmed often. Indoor pets can damage wood floors if their nails are too long.
  • Protect your wood floors from furniture!  All furniture that sits on top of your wood floors needs to have a barrier between itself and the floor.  There are several options to choose from so check with the manufacturer’s recommendations for best protection for your floors. Be sure to put protection on the bottom of all furniture with feet.
  • Keep your floors dry!  Use mats in spaces where water is going to splash like the bathroom or kitchen.

Moving Around

  • Your furniture can seriously scuff or scratch your floors if pushed around without proper precautions.  Once again, there are multiple products on the market specifically for helping with this.  However, be sure to check with the manufacturer to find the best product to use with your floor.
  • Keeping the previous point in mind, you should move your furniture around occasionally to ensure even wearing.  Just make sure you move it safely!
  • A furniture dolly can help with moving larger furniture, but make sure to plan for the weight and wheels! 

Your wood floor maintenance doesn’t need to be overwhelming.  It’s easy to take care of your beautiful wood floors!  Flooring trends may change, as might your taste and style, but your floor is meant to be there for you through thick and thin. With a little care and time, your wood floor will thank you with years of use.  Treat them well!

https://creatingyourspace.com/

Backsplash Trends That You Will Love

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With a new year, new trends are on the horizon. Some traditional styles still have continued to thrive, but new backsplash trends are emerging. If you are looking to add a backsplash in your home, it is key to know the latest styles and trends! Let’s explore some of the new trends on the market to help you decide which styles you may want in your own home. Let’s get started!

Subway Tiles

Subway tiles had their day, but also at one time became outdated. They are back and here to stay. The simplicity of the pattern makes them timeless and classic. Look for updated subway tiles that have texture, crackle or dimension to get the best this shape has to offer!

Bold Patterns

Geometrical shapes and bold patterns are also back and HOT! You can see this with encaustic tiles and other bold-patterned tile patterns. These geometrical patterns can become the focal point of any room. Be sure to choose a pattern in which you can complement other areas of your design.

Solid Slab

Solid slab backsplashes are another largely trending aesthetic look. These backsplashes eliminate any grout line or separation and are installed as one large piece. This style can create a very sleek and cleaned line look in your home.

Color!

Colored tiles are back on the rise. Earthy jewel tones, pastels and color trends from the past like greens, tans, beiges and Santorini blues are making a strong comeback. If colored tiles are too much of a commitment for you, don’t worry. Crisp and clean tiles are also trending.

Marble

If you are looking to add some character to the room, consider marble. The Baroque tile trend is bringing back dramatic looks with heavy veining. Marble has a ton of character throughout the intricate veining patterns in each piece. Each marble tile will offer its own aesthetic and unique look to the room. This style can quickly spruce up a dull area and make a stunning backsplash.

To the Ceiling

Backsplashes are also beginning to lose their limitations on height. Traditionally, backsplashes were just high enough for splashes or spills. However, we are now seeing homeowners backsplash the whole wall – all the way up to the ceiling. If you use this look, keep in mind the size of your tiles if you are looking to do this in hard-to-install areas. If you really want to be in the design know and trending – ask your local flooring retailer about murals made from tile. You’ll be the envy of the whole neighborhood!

Trends are significant to keep in touch within the interior design industry. Are you surprised by any of these backsplash trends?

http://creatingyourspace.com/

From the Floors Up

From the Floors Up blog was created with the goal of providing a destination for consumers, designers and those interested in the flooring, design, and kitchen and bath industries. Here you’ll find, current, accurate and informative information that is always just a click away!

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