Whether you’re choosing new flooring for just one room or for your whole house, selecting the right one is crucial. It’s not just about choosing the right material; it’s also about choosing the perfect color and texture for your tastes and lifestyle. Your new flooring can make a huge difference in your room’s atmosphere. Here are some important things you may wish to consider before you buy new flooring:
Choose a Floor Color First
Image by Hal Gatewood is licensed with Unsplash License
If you’re remodeling an entire room, it’s a good idea to start by choosing a floor color before you do anything else. The color you choose will serve as an anchor for the rest of the room, and its color and texture will set the tone for everything else. When you select the flooring color first, it’s much easier to build a cohesive color palette and mood for the rest of the room.
So, now you know that the floor will set the tone for the room. For example, if you use brown hand-scraped wood floors, the space will look a bit weathered and rustic. This can help you create a specific aesthetic for the room. You can also use white floors for a trendier, farmhouse-style look. If you have a room with a lot of sunlight, a white floor can create a modern and airy atmosphere.
Rethink Your Perspective on Neutral Tones
When people think about neutral flooring, many think of white, tan, or brown colors. The truth is that gray is also a true neutral for your home. You can use gray flooring to coordinate easily with furniture pieces, wall colors, and more. It’s also a great color if you don’t want to commit to one decorating scheme in the home. There are plenty of textures in gray that you can choose from.
Consider the Size of the Room
The size of the room you’re redecorating will make a big difference in your flooring choices. If you’re decorating a smaller room, you might want to choose a lighter and more reflective color. For instance, if you have a small space to work with, you might choose a glazed tile that makes your room feel more open and spacious. You can also make a room appear bigger with natural-toned flooring.
You might find yourself in a situation where you want to make a large room feel slightly smaller. For example, you may have a large area that you want to feel cozier, or perhaps you want to draw attention to your large windows. In these cases, darker tiles or a patterned floor can create a dramatic atmosphere. Darker floors can also add depth to the room, making the ceiling feel higher than it is.
Work With the Room’s Natural Light
A good indicator that can help narrow down which flooring to choose is the amount of natural light that comes into the room. For example, if you have a room with plenty of natural light, you have more freedom to choose a dark floor without feeling like the room will feel small and crowded. On the other hand, a room without much natural light may need a lighter floor color and less texture to feel bright and open.
Balance Out a Room
When it comes to creating balance in a room, you need to think about each component involved. Loving a particular color of flooring doesn’t necessarily make it the best choice for the room. You might need to choose something that will help you avoid having a space that feels too intense. For example, a room with bold walls would require a more neutral floor to create harmony and balance. You’ll be able to do this by choosing a color palette with several tones that complement each other.
Think About the Room’s Furniture
If you already have all your furniture ready for the room, be sure to consider the color, finish, and texture of each piece. For example, wooden furniture pieces can make choosing a textured wooden floor more difficult. The floor shouldn’t detract from the furniture, and the furniture shouldn’t detract from the floor. Each should stand on its own.
If you have plain furniture, such as a solid white or blue couch, you may want to use a busier floor pattern. You can do something more dramatic with flooring when you have solid-colored furniture pieces to work with. For example, you can use dark wood floors to match a royal blue living room set.
Consider Your Lifestyle and Family
Finally, it’s a good idea to consider the type of lifestyle you have. For example, will there be lots of foot traffic in the room? Will dirt be tracked in on the floor? Do you want something that looks clean all the time?
Next, think about who will spend the most time in the room. For example, if you’d like to let your pets use the room, think about which colors will help disguise pet hair. In most cases, a lighter floor color is a better option for pets.
If you have a baby or child who will spend a lot of time in the room, a lighter color may also work best. Children’s rooms may benefit from light gray or light brown flooring to help disguise the most common dirt and debris. The same principle applies to bathrooms, laundry rooms, and workshops.
Choose a Floor Style You Love
Ultimately, the key to choosing a floor you love is to think about what makes you feel comfortable and happy in your home. We at Steiner Homes know that flooring can make a major difference in the way you feel every time you enter your home. What’s just as important as choosing a floor you love is choosing a home you love. Contact our team or drop in to see us today to learn more about what we can do to help you realize your dream of the perfect home for you and your family. We’re confident that our team can help you find a home you can be happy with, from the floor to the ceiling.
