What is underfoot shouldn’t be overlooked in design, even though it’s easy to forget. The world of flooring is vast, often misunderstood, and critical to the overall feel of an interior space. The range of materials available today goes far beyond tile, hardwood and carpet. Each of these categories has nuanced variations, each with aesthetic and performance distinctions.
To approach flooring, the key is to take a big-picture view, what is your style of home? Lifestyle needs? From here, you can curate and find the perfect products. Here are some of my top tips to consider when selecting your flooring:
- First, consider what the right material is. In a high-traffic area, you want something easy to clean and maintain; consider your lifestyle (children, pets and traffic). In living spaces, hard surfaces such as wood or vinyl are often best, with area rugs added strategically for warmth. Basements and bedrooms are often where we want a cosy carpet underfoot. Bathrooms or entryways are frequently great locations for tile to add beautiful material interest that is both highly durable and holds up to moisture.
- Once you have determined the right material, select the hue or colour. You want the undertone of your flooring to match the undertone of your house; this is where we talk about warm versus cool colours. If you have a warm cream on your walls and a cool grey-wash floor, the two are going to feel disharmonious. The tones most popular lately have been on the cool side, and I see this trend continuing through 2022.
- Next, it’s time to determine the pattern. Tile and wood flooring have many pattern options. Herringbone pattern has been trending in all kinds of flooring applications and can make the space seem larger and offer a vintage flair. For modern interiors this might not be the best option if you want a cleaner, streamlined effect. Continuing in popularity are brick patterns which can feel classic, industrial, and/or farmhouse, but will pull a space away from feeling more modern. Each pattern has its own specific applications, so consider the overall style and feel you want.
- Don’t forget the details, especially with tile. Grout and (edging) make a huge difference in the finished effect, so select them at the same time as you select your tile to ensure a polished final project.
- Be careful not to choose too many materials in one house, to avoid a disjointed feeling when moving from room to room. Find a few materials you love and then use them in several spaces to give a synergy to your home.
When it comes to flooring, the possibilities are endless. Don’t get lost in the vast world of choices. Follow a methodical approach to your selections, get samples and guidance from a design professional to help navigate what options are best that will suit your lifestyle as well as your style underfoot.
Award-winning Calgary designer Louis Duncan-He, principal of Louis Duncan-He Designs. With his signature West Coast perspective, he creates rich spaces that are relaxed, refined and restorative to the soul. louisdhe.com @louis.dhe