How Do I Know What Flooring Is Right for Me?
Choosing flooring might feel overwhelming for some, but even the most design-challenged can easily determine the right fit for their home with a little bit of planning. So, exactly how do you figure out the best option for you? Grab a pad of paper and a pen (or make an excel spreadsheet) and work through the following questions to help you and your supplier determine the floor types that will best work for you:
What kind of home do you live in?
Some people are clear about what kind of home they live in. Others don’t have a clue. The style of home you live in will likely inform your choice, so it pays to know. For example, an old Victorian home might not lend itself well to wall-to-wall carpet. To stay true to the home, flooring like hardwood would be the best choice. However, if you have children and pets, another option, such as luxury vinyl plank or laminate selections, might give the same effect and provide more durability. Do a little research to determine the architectural style of your home.
Determine Square Footage of Your Project
Knowing the square footage of your project will help you a lot, especially when it comes to budgeting. Measure the square footage of every room where you intend to install flooring. There are many tools online to help you calculate your home’s square footage.
Know Your Budget
A realistic budget is the best way to get a realistic view of your flooring choices. Hardwoods and natural materials can be both costly and susceptible to damage, whereas engineered hardwood, luxury vinyl plank, or laminates are more durable, will cost less, and fit into just about any budget.
Determine the Function of Each Room
The function of a room will be vital in determining the type of flooring that is best for your lifestyle. High traffic areas will require more durable materials, while rooms that don’t get much use, such as a formal dining room, can lean more toward elegance. Homeowners with pets would be wise to install a highly durable or stain-hiding option. Making a list of each room and its function will help you determine what kind of materials will work best for you.
How Does the Floor Plan of Your Home Flow?
Determine whether or not you have an open or closed floor plan. Open floor plans generally work best with the same flooring throughout, whereas closed floor plans can often support different floor types in each room.
Know Your Foundation
Determine what kind of foundation your home has and if possible, bring the blueprint of your home with you when you decide to purchase your flooring. Many newer homes are built on concrete slabs, whereas some older homes will have a basement or other foundation. Slab foundations can support certain flooring materials and can’t support others. Slab foundations absorb moisture and therefore aren’t great candidates for wood, which can warp from humidity and moisture. However, waterproof flooring is ideal for slab floors.
Moisture and Heat
Many people with radiant floor heating have been gravely disappointed to find that they can’t install hardwood floors over radiant floors. Bathrooms and kitchens need flooring that will stand up to moisture. If you have radiant floors, areas near a fireplace or those that get a lot of sun, make sure to note it. The amount of moisture and heat a room receives will inform your flooring decision.
Think About Everyone Who Resides in the Home
It’s essential to think about who lives in the home and whether they have any special needs. Seniors will have different needs than kids. Someone who uses a wheelchair would need a smooth surface to get around. And homes with children and pets generally do better with high durability or stain-hiding flooring.
Design that Speaks to You
Interior designers often ask their clients to find pictures of looks they’d like to achieve and materials and other items that appeal to their sense of style to create a mood board. Gather up images and pictures from magazines to show examples of specific looks that appeal to your aesthetics.
We have plenty of great options available at Sloane’s. We are always happy to help you find the best fit for you and your project! And you can shop online anytime or make an appointment to chat with someone on our team.