Start from the Floor Up
When you are planning a new build or renovation it is best to start the interiors by choosing the flooring. The floor space is quite a large amount of square metres & can be quite costly.
As floors deal with a tonne of foot traffic, heavy furniture & years of punishment, flooring finishes need to be tough & durable. This also raises the price. Think about the use of the room before choosing the flooring type.
Most heavy traffic areas such as Kitchens need a washable, durable finish like timber, tiles, concrete, cork or vinyl. The decision then comes down to the specifics of your home like underfloor heating, a softer underfoot feeling or the best way to clean it.
Bathrooms
Bathrooms are 90% tiled for floors. This is due to the amount of water in the space & they are durable. These tiles are then slightly angled to allow the water to flow towards the drain. However with water, no tile is non-slip. Some have more texture to help with grit but typically the glossier the tile the more likely for slips to occur.
Bedrooms
Most people enjoy carpet in bedrooms. This gives a soft feeling underfoot when getting out of bed in the cold of winter. However, due to allergies some people are opting for vinyl boards or timber in bedrooms. The range of carpets is vast from ultra plush for that softness underfoot to tightly looped for durability.
Rugs are a great way to add a softness while still having an easy to clean flooring underneath. They are also ideal for separating spaces or adding colour or texture to a room.
Colour Choice
Colour wise, mid-ranged colours are best to hide the most marks & dirt. Darker colours show light dust & threads, while light colours are easily stained. Multi-coloured, patterned, textured or speckled flooring also helps to hide issues longer term.
Timber is a great flooring option as it works with most homes & brings in that natural warmth. But best to think about what colour to fit with your style. Timber tones can date to eras, so think if you wanted warm or cool, heavily knotted or grained timbers or a sleeker look. Also the top finish can be from high gloss shiny to matt flat, with matt hiding more dust & gloss being more durable long term.
Tiles are another great & very durable option. Again, consider the shiny nature of the tiles as high gloss can look great like a showroom but can be slippery & shows mop marks. Having a tile with a natural pattern through it, like a marble vein or speckled texture also helps to hide dust & marks long term. The grout is also an option to add colour, or keep it the same colour as the tiles for the seamless look.
If you are still unsure of which finishes are best for your home, click here to talk to your own Interior Designer.
You can also find me on my socials for the latest projects –https://www.facebook.com/MystereeDesigns https://www.instagram.com/mysteree_designs/
