Selecting Wood Floors: What You Need To Know

Hardwood floors bring character, warmth and comfort to a room. From species to finish, you have a lot of choices to mull over. And there’s more than just the look to consider. In fact, before you start to narrow down your style choices, you’ll want to consider these things:

What type of wood flooring?

When it comes to wood flooring, you have two primary choices: solid hardwood and engineered hardwood. The first is just what it sounds like. The second is a veneer layer sitting on a core of plywood. Before you decide which type of wood floor is best for you, however, you need to consider several of the following factors:

What will be underneath? 

Your sub-flooring is likely one of three things: concrete slab, plywood or particle board. This will help determine whether you use solid hardwood or engineered hardwood. For example, if you have a concrete slab, you’re going to want to focus on engineered hardwood. 

What level of your house are you flooring?

If you’re looking to put a wood floor in a finished basement, go with the engineered wood. It will hold up better with the moisture. Similarly, stick with the engineered wood floor if you’re planning on using it for a bathroom or other area of the house where moisture may be higher than normal. Otherwise, solid hardwood is a viable option. 

How hard are you on your floors?

High-traffic rooms and homes with kids and pets are better suited to harder wood species. Red Oak is considered the ‘hard’ hardwood floor of choice for its durability and cost. Among other popular wood species choices, hickory and maple are harder than oak, while walnut is softer. When selecting your flooring, do your research and understand how well your desired wood type will hold up to the wear and tear of your lifestyle.

What’s your style?

Now’s the time to look at the big picture. Consider the other elements in your room. What color are the trim, cabinets, and wood furniture? Will the room’s natural light be enough to balance dark wood floors? Is your preferred style more modern or traditional? Do you prefer exotic wood varieties? Is your eco-friendly side interested in exploring reclaimed wood or bamboo? Armed with the facts about your subfloor and room use, you’ll be able to pick the right look for your style and budget.

by Anjie Cho

Holistic Spaces Store

Wool Rug. Chenille Rug. Jute Rug. Oh my! Selecting the Right Material for Your Space

The right area rug can be your decorating lynchpin. Selecting the correct size is certainly an important part of finding a floor covering for your space. There’s more to decide before you dive into colors and patterns, however. Your rug material will also be an important factor in selecting the right rug.

First things first

Selecting the right type of rug isn’t just about esthetics. Before heading out to find your new rug, ask yourself these questions:

- Is this a high traffic area?

- Is this a space prone to spills and stains?

- Is the room casual or formal?

- Is this a place I’d prefer something soft and cozy beneath my feet?

Wool Rug

It’s no wonder wool rugs are popular. These highly durable, easy to clean, elegant rugs are ideal for high traffic areas and can repel stains. However, you don’t want to use a wool rug where humidity is high – like a bathroom or basement, as it will soak up moisture in consistently damp spaces. If you’re looking for a good insulator, on the other hand, this is a good choice. 

Chenille Rug

Chenille is a nice, affordable alternative for those who like the decadent softness of a silk rug without the higher price tag. This type of rug will provide a cozy floor cover for rooms where a little plush is preferred. It’s not the best for high traffic space, however. 

Jute and its cousins

Natural plant fiber rugs like jute, sisal and seagrass bring a breezy, casual feel to a room. There are differences in how each of these natural materials feels beneath your feet. Jute, for example, is more coarse, and seagrass is more pliable. Stains on natural plant fiber rugs are not necessarily easy to clean. They are also not well suited to humid environments.

Synthetics

There are several variants of the synthetic rug including nylon and polyester. These budget-friendly options are generally easy-to-clean, durable pieces that are well suited to high traffic areas or rooms more prone to tough use (like a child’s bedroom or playroom). The lower price point may also give you latitude to swap out rugs for a new seasonal color or to replace a rug that has seen better days. Although a synthetic rug is designed to mimic their natural fiber counterparts, they do not necessarily have the same feel.

by Anjie Cho

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If you’d like to learn more about feng shui, check out Mindful Design Feng Shui School at: www.mindfuldesignschool.com

Too Little. Too Big. Just Right: The Secret to Sizing a Rug for Your Room

Adding an area rug is a great way to introduce color and texture to a room. There’s more to the right rug than its style and hue, however. The size you select can impact the overall effect. Going too small can make the room look awkwardly chopped up. On the other hand, choosing a rug that is too large may actually make the room appear smaller and cramped. Try these tips to find a rug that’s just right.

Watch the legs

Defining a seating area? The rug you select should be large enough to fit under the furniture. Whether you opt to place all four legs of each sofa on a rug or just the front legs depends on the space you’re working with, the room layout, and your personal preference. 

Beneath your feet

In a bedroom, the rug should be large enough that you can feel it under your feet when you get out of bed in the morning. Look for a rug that will extend about 12-18 inches minimum around three sides of your bed. To achieve this in most rooms, the rug should be large enough to fit about 2/3 of the way under the bed with at least 12 inches extending beyond the foot and each side. If you’re working with a bed up against a wall, a rug placed along the open side of the bed will work well. 

All in 

Not only should your table fit on a dining room area rug, so should the chairs. The rug in this space should be large enough that all four legs of each dining room chair remain on the rug even when someone is sitting on them. To achieve this, look for a rug that is at least 2 feet larger on each side than your table. For example, if your table is 3’x5’, the smallest rug you should look for is one that is 7’x9’. 

Frame it

Unless you’re installing wall-to-wall carpet, the rug you place down should be small enough to expose some of your wood or tile flooring. Ideally there will be 18-24 inches of space around each edge of your rug if you’re centering it in the room. 

And yet, rules are made to be broken

The most important rule to finding the right size rug for your space is simply to go with what works. The aforementioned rules are guidelines. Using them – and your budget – as a starting point, select the rug that works best to convey the look and feel you’re going for.

by Anjie Cho

Holistic Spaces Store