How To Pick The Perfect Flooring For Your New Home

Published on: 03 December 2019 Last Updated on: 30 November 2024

Do you know what the difference is between solid wood flooring and engineered wood flooring?Are you aware of the price differences between marble flooring, wood flooring, tiles, and laminates?
Do you have young kids, pets, or elderly adults at your home?
What kind of weather conditions are you living in?

Very few people realize that choosing the flooring for their new homes is a far more complicated task than picking out curtains! However, in spite of it being so important, many are completely unaware of how to go about it.

The basic considerations for choosing a specific type of flooring depends on many factors-

The function of the flooring
Budget
Weather and climatic conditions
The durability of the flooring
Habitants in the house

This is the basic starting point, which many consider. However, when it comes to deciding what is best, we get confused and seek help from family and friends.

While their help might be helpful, it might not always be the best. In such instances, it is best to listen to the advice and suggestions offered by experts and professionals.

Important Things To Consider when Choosing Flooring For your Home:

We have spoken about some basic things to consider when choosing the floor in the introductory section. In this section, we will look at some of the more important things which people often overlook.

1. Does the Flooring match the aesthetic appeal of the home?

Every home has a definite personality. To complement the personality, different aspects of the home are chosen carefully. From the wall paint to the furniture, everything has a certain aesthetic attached to it.

It is important that whatever flooring you choose blends with the aesthetic décor and appeal of the home. Most people consider flooring to be an afterthought. However, being such an important part of the home, it should be a top priority.

2. Does the flooring require regular maintenance?

Let us get one thing out of the way- maintenance work related to the flooring is expensive! If you have to do it annually, you will incur heavy costs. This means that you will have to pick flooring, which is good enough and durable and requires little or no maintenance.

Doing the flooring all over again is going to create a mini storm in your life. From rearranging furniture to in-access rooms in the house, it is slowly going to turn into a nightmare. It is best that you consider maintenance options before deciding on one.

3. Do you have to install different flooring in different parts of the house?

Even though this is something which is basic and quite generic, many people do not pay attention to it. You cannot install solid wood flooring in your bathroom! Neither can you install marble flooring on your front porch?

This has a lot to do with form and function. Wooden flooring should not be installed in places where you are going to have a water presence. This is why there are ruts and mosses, which start building on damp and mushy places like basements.

Different Types Of Flooring For New Homeowners:

In the previous sections, we spoke about why it is important to be careful when choosing the right flooring for your new house.

In this section, we will help new homeowners with some examples of the various types of flooring options, which they can consider.

1. Solid Wood Flooring

If you go to some of the best and most luxurious homes, hotels or resorts, you will always find solid wood flooring. This is because there is still no other material which can match the beauty, aesthetic appeal, and durability or a well-maintained solid wood flooring.

It is important to note that solid wood flooring can be a bit expensive. However, you will always end up saving money on them because of their timeless appeal. They are very durable and never go out of fashion!

2. Engineered Wood Flooring

Let us begin with a small quiz- What looks like wood; feels like wood, but is not wood? Engineered Wood is slowly becoming popular amongst people who want to enjoy the look and feel of solid wood flooring in an inexpensive fashion.

It should be noted that as there is plywood, there is a tendency for this to warp and mold. This can shoot up your maintenance budgets remarkably. Other than that, this can be used as flooring in any part of your home except the bathroom.

3. Tile Flooring

In recent years, people who want to experience something new are going for porcelain and ceramic tile options for their flooring. The attraction of tile flooring lies in the number of options that you have.

You can choose from different shapes, looks, and feelings. You can also get a faux wood kind of ceramic tile for your house. However, you should consider the weather options when it comes to tile flooring if you are living in particularly cold climatic regions.

4. Carpeting

Carpeting continues to remain the most popular choice for homeowners when it comes to flooring. They come in different price points, colors, textures, and maintenance schedules. It is easy to see why they are such an attractive proposition.

However, they are also prone to attracting dust, hairs, fur, and other non-healthy airborne particles. People who are becoming slowly conscious when it comes to health issues are avoiding them.

It is proven that they pose health issues and are not good for homes that have people who have breathing-related or asthma problems.

5. Laminate Flooring

Like engineered wood flooring, laminate flooring is also highly in demand because of a number of reasons.

The best laminates might fool you into believing that you are looking and standing on a solid wood floor! The advancement in this technology has made this proposition affordable, attractive, and maintenance friendly.

However, the drawback of this is that this form of flooring has become very common. You are going to see this in every home, apartment, and restaurant, and even in shops. If you want your home to stand out as a special place, laminate flooring is not for you.

Budget Friendly Flooring Options (…For Rented Place)

A home is a home, even if it is rented!

Just because you’re renting doesn’t mean you can’t have a cozy, stylish home. The good news is there are lots of budget-friendly flooring options that can spruce up your space and keep your landlord happy. Check out these smart ideas for every type of flooring.

Peel & Stick Vinyl

Suppose you want something quick, cheap, and temporary. Peel-and-stick vinyl tiles are the way to go. They come in all sorts of styles (I found one that looks like wood planks!) and couldn’t be easier to install.

Within a couple of hours, your gross floor will be transformed into something sleek and modern. And when is the time to move out? Just peel them up off the ground.

For those of us on a rental budget who still want to flex our creative muscles without permanently changing anything. These floor tiles are perfect for you. Did I mention they’re also water-resistant?

Area Rugs And Carpets

You can also consider area rugs. Area rugs are cost-effective, and they add beauty in addition to warmth, comfort, and style to any room.

In fact, area rugs of all shapes, sizes, and designs are available so you’ll definitely find one that works with your interior design tastes.

Area rugs can also cover up old or unattractive flooring that you don’t really want to see all the time.

Easy to clean and take with you when you move. Pro tip: Layering rugs on top of existing carpets can really help transform a blah space.

Laminate Flooring

If you’d like something a bit more permanent (but still affordable), I recommend looking into laminate flooring. It looks just like hardwood but costs considerably less. It’s also really durable and easy to maintain.

Most laminate floors use a click-and-lock installation method that doesn’t require any adhesive or nails and simply floats over the subfloor.

It can be a great weekend DIY project!

Plus, it’s perfect if you’re not up for too much commitment or live in a rental; it removes easily since floors are not technically “glued down.”

Laminate is also great if you have little ones running around on softer soled shoes or paws. Since it doesn’t scratch as easily as some harder surfaces, it’s your worry-free ticket to compulsively clean.

For something super plush, consider foam tiles. Great for bedrooms, playrooms, or workout rooms, foam tiles are soft on the feet and come in various colors.

Choosing The Right Flooring!

By picking the right flooring option for your new home, you can give a defined personality to it. You can also be careful enough to see budgets, maintenance requirements, and other considerations.

We have tried to give the readers an idea of the different flooring options they can consider for their new homes.

From solid wood flooring options to laminates, the new homeowner is surely spoiled for choice!

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5 Tips on effectively picking a tile floor cleaning machine

Trying to keep the tile floor clean is like a never-ending chore. It becomes more of a serious headache when you have to use regular household cleaning tools. That's why I have concluded that I need to upgrade my whole procedure After getting major injuries in my knees and elbows. But what can I do to reduce the stress? First thing I did was Replacing the old ineffective brush by an advanced floor cleaning machine. The decision has changed the cleaning routine forever. So if you are like me and looking for buying the best steam cleaner for tile and grout, here are some tips to effectively compare tile floor cleaning machines when purchasing. 1. Adjustable temperature levels: The importance of having an adjustable temperature level cannot be stressed enough. Using a steam cleaner is excellent for sterilizing and deodorizing the floor. The kitchen floor mostly has stains, dirt, and odor. If you clean the tiles with a machine that can boil water up to 356 degrees then the floor will become sparkly clean. But what if you cannot afford that? Well then go for the 310-degree machine. Machines with a higher level of temperature are costly. Sometimes we tend to clean the floor with using too much steam. You can clean faster with more steam, but it leaves a nasty watermark on the tile. So do not go overboard with steam. 2. Pick a machine with a stainless steel boiler: We all learn from the mistake. I learned the hard way. Cleaning machine that has plastic boilers will distort immediately after the second or third use. The cleaning machine may be cheap but if it deteriorates quickly the whole money is wasted. So looking for a machine that has a stainless steel boiler is going to be a wiser decision. Floor cleaning machine that has steel boiler is usually the best steam cleaner for floor tile and grout. Plastic boiler machines are cheapies that are not worth any penny. Also, go for boilers that can take 3 to 4 ounces of water. Steam cleaners use little water to produce the steam that you use. 3. Look for a portable cleaning machine: If you have a big house then cleaning is already a quite burden. If you are getting a cleaning machine to ease your job, sadly it will not help if it's too heavy. A versatile and portable cleaning machine is all you need. If the machine is easy to maneuver, it will make your task easier to clean tiles of the bathroom and kitchen. 4. Vacuum extraction: Our kitchen has spills, bits and pieces of food and what not. Steam cleaners do clean the house, but it does not suck up the dirt. They are good at cleaning the surface, removing tough stains but not good at all for sucking out dirt. Some particular brands have vacuum extraction option with them. It will ease your cleaning job and cut the time into half. For cleaning with it, first, vacuum the whole area and then go for your steam cleaning machine. 5. Durability: Expecting a couple of years’ service is not too much to ask when you are spending that much money. So look for machines that metal wand and plastic body that are sturdy. There are some things to follow to take care of the machine like using distilled water for steaming and avoid putting pressure on some little parts. Also, keep in mind that cleaning machines are not like your regular traditional cleaning tool. It has a mechanism behind it and costs a lot of money. So make sure it last enough from checking some Best Vacuum for Tile Floors reviews as well. Read More: Benefits Of Having A Cordless Vacuum Cleaner At Home Five Easy Steps When Cleaning Your Mattress Ways To Get Dry Cleaning Services At A Low Price

7 Tips for Preparing for your Home Study

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The Impact Of Vanity Size On Bathroom Design And Functionality

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They make us feel skinnier, but take up a lot of space! Factors To Consider When Choosing Vanity Size The main thing you should consider when choosing your vanity is the size of your bathroom which is a major factor in changing the look and feel of your bathroom. So, carefully review common bathroom vanity sizes and measurements before selecting. Look at the data below that shows the common vanity width that fits the bathroom sizes: Data Source: Forbes 1. Consider Floor Space Will counters, cabinets, and toilets still squeeze in if you supersize your bathroom? Make sure giant fixtures don't crowd out other necessary stuff! 2. Watch Door Openings Too That cool two-person tub won't do you any good if it gets stuck trying to fit through the bathroom doorway! Double-check entrances. 3. Check Plumbing Locations Expanding your bathroom means dealing with pipes inside walls too. Make sure water lines still reach sinks or toilets when they move. 4. 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Visiting Guest Comfort Even if space permits, older relatives may feel uneasy navigating a huge bathroom with their walkers or canes. Consider all who will use it. 10. Separate Private Toilet Room Rather than one giant open space, smaller vanity bathrooms with a separate water closet for the toilet allow privacy. Choosing The Right Vanity Size For Your Bathroom’s Look The dimensions of your bathroom vanity change how open, crowded, or balanced your space appears. An overgrown vanity makes small rooms feel stuffed. But one too tiny turns your bathroom into a messy pile-up of products without enough organizer drawers or counter area. Here’s how to get vanity sizing just right for your ideal bathroom design style: In Itsy Bitsy Bathrooms When dealing with snug powder rooms or half baths, keep your vanity narrow in the 24 to 30-inch range so it doesn’t hog up the entire floor. Any wider starts making moving around impossible! Select wall-mounted styles instead of boxy cabinets to save precious inches. Or opt for floating vanities that have air rather than chunky boxes below to give the illusion you have more breathing room. Another decorating trick for a petite bathroom is going big with mirrors or using reflective tiles and chrome finishes. When tiny rooms sparkle and shine, they seem to double in size instantly! Just avoid dark paint shades, clutter, and heavy fabrics that make small salons feel even more closed in. For Middle-of-the-Road Bathroom Sizes If your washroom dimensions fall somewhere in that just-right not-too-big, not-too-small middle zone, standard vanity widths from 30 to 48 inches tend to fit nicely without limiting movement. This gives your average family plenty of surface space to spread out self-care must-haves each morning and store all those lotions and potions in handy drawers below. When organizing your cabinet and counter goods, be sure to keep at least 9 to 12 inches of space around the vanity perimeter. You’ll still need elbow room to get in there for clean-ups without bonking walls, doorway frames, or light switches! Beyond functional inches, defining your vanity area with cool lighting designs or eye-catching tile shapes helps contain the space in a neat square for a balanced, soothing aesthetic. When You’ve Got Room to Spare Lucky enough to be working with a big old bathroom complete with soaring ceilings and a giant footprint? Then you’ve got options to install his and her double-wide vanities ranging from 60 to a whopping 72 inches. This creates the dramatic appearance of dual stations without the need for significant construction to physically divide your spacious room into two separate spaces. FAQs:- Q1. What is the standard width of a bathroom vanity? Ans: The standard width for a single-sink bathroom vanity is 24 to 48 inches. For a double sink vanity, it’s 60 to 72 inches. Q2. How do I choose the right vanity size for my bathroom? Ans: Consider your existing bathroom size, number of users, and required storage space when selecting the ideal vanity. Allow proper clearance between the vanity and walls. 3. What are some common mistakes to avoid when choosing a bathroom vanity size? Ans: Avoid sizing too small and creating limited functionality or choosing an oversized vanity that makes the bathroom feel confined. Failing to measure properly and allowing adequate wall clearance are also common mistakes. Conclusion Vanity dimensions significantly influence the visual enhancement and practical use of any bathroom. By factoring in room size, user needs, and required storage, you can achieve an optimally designed and functional space that suits your lifestyle beautifully. By paying attention to critical measurements and clearances, you can avoid common mistakes. With some planning and foresight, you’ll love your new bathroom for years to come. Additional Reading: 3 Best Indoor Plants For The Dining Room Stunning Bathroom Vanities For An Instant Makeover Storage Units Your Ultimate Guide To Organized Living

How To Pick The Perfect Flooring For Your New Home

Important Things To Consider when Choosing Flooring For your Home:

1. Does the Flooring match the aesthetic appeal of the home?

2. Does the flooring require regular maintenance?

3. Do you have to install different flooring in different parts of the house?