Shopping for new floors can be daunting, and it is certainly not an inexpensive renovation to make to your home. Making the decision to change your flooring is one that should be well-informed – buyer’s remorse with a pair of shoes is one thing, but with new floors…
No thanks.
Sure, you may not be the floor expert (that’s why we’re here, after all), but there are questions you should ask yourself – and ways to better prepare for the project – to make sure the end result is exactly what you have in mind. The feeling of where to begin is confusing in and of itself, but here are a few places that make an excellent starting point to guide you to the finish line.
Which rooms will be re-floored?
Are you re-doing only your kitchen or the entire main floor? Is the carpet in the basement being ripped up? Do you just need a change in the master bedroom?
Figuring out the scope of your project will not only help you get a better sense of the total costs but will also help you determine which flooring options might be best suited for certain parts of the house. For example, you don’t want carpet in high-traffic areas and your kitchen might be a great place to install waterproof flooring. If you have pets or young children, that could further shrink your options to a few excellent ones that better suit your lifestyle.
Determining what part(s) of the house will get new flooring will almost certainly result in a more cost-effective and attractive result overall.
How will the new floors impact your current home design?
If you’re ready to swap out your floors but not ditch the rest of your home’s aesthetic, things like floor colors and design are key things to think about when deciding which direction to go in. Neutral colors will always be a safer option that are more likely to match the widest range of décor. Statement pieces like bright or bold area rugs or quirky furniture can also be added or removed to enhance the feel of a room.
Additionally, the size of a room is crucial for deciding which floor colors to go with. Always remember that darker floors will make a large room feel more intimate while lighter floors will make a small room feel more expansive and less cramped
Are the new floors easy to maintain?
New floors are an investment for you and your home, and as such, proper upkeep is essential to them lasting a long time – as well as adding value to your home. Are you looking to install floors that are easy (and inexpensive!) to clean and maintain, or are you happy to spend a ton of time and budget for let’s say, hardwood floors? Are you older and perhaps don’t have the energy for the work that high-maintenance floors will demand? Do you have toddlers or pets and therefore messes are a part of your day-to-day life? Each of these questions can result in very different flooring outcomes, but it’s important to be honest about what you’re able to maintain and afford long-term.
Shopping for new floors can feel like an overwhelming task to take on, but if you start off on the right foot, it can – and should be – a fun experience that ultimately makes your home feel like new. These questions are a few places to begin as you prepare to meet with professionals and get the project off the ground. And if you’re ready to take the next step to replacing your flooring, trust Refloor to help guide you through the process. Contact us today.