How To Get Your Flooring Basics Right

Font Size

Print

Feedback

Email

Discuss

: Floors form a large part of the surface area of any room in the house, so the way we treat it will affect the overall interior design. First principle of interior design is to invest in, not skimp on, a good looking floor. Colour and overall look are exciting aspects, but appropriateness for inten-ded use and practicality are important criteria. Different materials offer different results in terms of colour and texture and some have properties suitable to certain applications than others. A soft wool carpet feels luxurious underfoot, but will wear out quickly in high traffic areas, and is not suitable for dinning areas, whereas marble by contrast, is cold to the touch but wipes clean more easily. Glazed ceramic tile, marble, mosaic, granite, wood, carpet, vinyl, rubber, linoleum and coir are among the many high quality long-wearing flooring options available that can bring the integrity and beauty of natural materials to a room. If in doubt about which colour to choose, opt for a fairly neutral shade and it will not interfere with other elements, you can always add colour and interest using rugs and other furnishings. Geometric border is a classic decorative tool for giving some flair to a floor expanse. Tiles are great mood creators. The floor is always in view, a background for furniture and people.

It is important to think about the flooring material to be used at the design stage. You want it to last a long time, as reflooring is disruptive business. Base your decision on price, wear and tear, upkeep, comfort, the type of ambience you are looking for--if it is an exterior floor, then it will be exposed to brutal weather. Concrete, granite and flagstone are durable and wear well. If you are looking to integrate outdoors with indoors, stone and brick are ideal choices. Monochromatic flooring that runs seamlessly from room to room conveys space, unity and pedigree but do take into consideration the different functions of various rooms, such as the kitchen which requires a high level of activity and should be free from dust.