Four Things to Consider When Selecting Flooring in Your Home

When renovating and designing your home, many people put an emphasis on elements such as the wall colours, or décor options.

However, a room’s design truly isn’t complete without having flooring that is both practical yet stylish, and perfectly suits your needs.

One universal floor type is not universal for every family, let alone for every room of the same home. For example, some floorings may look nicer than others, but require far more upkeep than others.

Whether you’re working with the best real estate agent in Toronto to sell your home, or just looking to update your space, the fact remains that new flooring in a home can both transform a room and increase its value.

The following are some other factors one should consider when choosing flooring for their homes.

Durability

New flooring can be one of the most expensive investments a homeowner can make when renovating their spaces.  Thus, when choosing the material for the rooms of your home, it is important to choose a material that will stand the tests of time and be durable enough for your needs. 

For example, if you have pets and small children, you might consider choosing flooring material that doesn’t scratch as easily, such as vinyl or laminate.

In the kitchen and dining room, you’ll want to consider flooring that can handle heavy appliances, and furniture such as bar stools and dining chairs being moved frequently.

Many laminates and vinyl’s now come in styles that mimic the appearance of wood flooring as well, so you don’t have to sacrifice your desired aesthetic in your trade-off for durability.

Maintenance

Some floor materials require more maintenance than others. For example, some tiles may require Semi-regular grout cleaning to ensure their colour does not tarnish.   Other materials may require polishes, varnish, or other sealing methods to retain their polished and clean appearance. If you’re considering flooring in areas like a front hall or entranceway, consider materials that are easier to clean and maintain.

Family Lifestyle and Traffic-Flow

Somewhat pertaining to both durability and maintenance is considering the flow of your family in a home. Some rooms (and ergo, the floors) will receive a heavier flow of traffic than others, such as the kitchen, and main entrances or exits. 

Kitchens for example, should have a flooring with at least some form of water resistance, especially for those with children where spills are all too frequent. If you have pets that you frequently let in and out of the backyard, consider an easy to clean flooring option to combat for an influx of muddy paws. 

Room Size

Considering a room’s size is also important for choosing the flooring material of your home. For example, a small or dark room will benefit from a lighter floor, to help brighten up the space and make it feel more spacious.

On the contrary, rooms with lots of furniture such as a living room or bedroom that may have matching colour palettes may benefit from a floor that contrasts these elements and allows them to stand out as statement pieces.