You guys, floors. Between my own floor refinishing and starting the new flip, clearly I've had them on the mind lately. I'm hopping on my soapbox here, although I doubt you'll be shocked. The right flooring can make or break a space. I repeat- the RIGHT flooring can make or break a space. It's more important than the paint color and even the decor. The floor is your foundation both literally and visually.
image via GoHaus
As a designer, I know this, but its nice to be reminded. Refinishing my upstairs floors has been not only a reminder, but a full on smack in the face. Before we even closed on our house 4 1/2 years ago we knew the carpets had to go. I hated them so much I did my best to include as little as possible in any pics that I shared with you. Dingy carpet, plus cheap IKEA rug- I was embarrassed. So was Bear.
Then we dragged our feet for years. And now I'm wondering why in the world we waited so long! I'm so eager to start moving furniture back in today!!
Night and day! Don't get me wrong, wall-to-wall carpets have their place, they just felt like a poorly planned afterthought here and didn't fit with the character of the 115 year old home. Now with a fitting foundation, my mental design roadblocks have dissolved and all the pieces can fall into place. It's amazing what a good floor can do!
Flooring is also going to have a HUGE impact on my latest flip. Picking the right flooring for the right spaces will help the house feel cozy, warm, fresh, and welcoming. Yes, the floors will do that!
This house is a tiny on-slab ranch with layers of stained vinyl tile stuck directly to concrete. Is there anything about this floor that makes you want to live here? If you say yes you are either lying or need you head checked.
Now picture cozy plush carpeting in the bedrooms and engineered wood throughout the living space. This is where wall-to-wall carpeting makes sense- it will serve to warm up the small bedrooms. Breaking up the flooring for different spaces in this house will help to delineate the more 'public' living spaces from the cozy private spaces.
I'm almost always an advocate for real wood floors, but every material has an appropriate application and real wood on concrete slabs is a big no no. GoHaus has a great post detailing the pros and cons of real hardwood vs engineered hardwood. Engineered is 100% the right application for this space. By installing wood floors in the living area I'll be adding a classic feel with the warmth of wood and the versatility of being adaptable to any decor style. Perfect for resale!
image via GoHaus
I'll step off my soapbox now since I think I've driven my point home. Flooring is awesome.