The time has finally come when we’ve started paying the necessary attention to our floors. In the past, home decor magazines and articles focused mainly on the walls, furniture and decor pieces, but in the recent years, the attention focus shifted towards floors. Since the floor is the base of the entire room, it is only natural that it should be your starting point when decorating or redecorating. So, let’s discuss a few flooring trends that will always stay in style. Besides, let’s face it, you probably won’t be changing your flooring solutions whenever a new trend pops up.
Go green
First and foremost, as with everything else, you should focus on choosing the greenest possible solution, because green will never stop being the best option. The eco-friendly movement made its way in every single aspect of our lives, so choosing a green flooring solution has never been easier. Some innovative but definitely worthy mentions in this field are cork, concrete and wood. Let’s clarify.
Cork
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Cork has only recently been introduced as a flooring option, which is quite surprising if we look at its traits and the benefits it brings to the table, or in this case, floor. For starters, cork floors are extremely comfortable because cork is somewhat soft, so it “gives” when compressed. This will provide a comfortable, almost cushioning, underfoot surface that will be mild on your joints. Also, it is an excellent flooring option for those suffering from various allergies, because it’s very mold- and mildew-resistant. And finally, cork works as an excellent acoustic and thermal insulator, which makes the rooms with cork flooring warm and quiet. This is an excellent option for people living in apartment buildings.
Concrete
Although concrete is completely different from cork, it definitely has its own set of benefits. Apart from probably being the sturdiest flooring solution, it is also very flexible in terms of fitting into a room’s overall design. Let’s clarify a bit, shall we? First, as you probably already know, concrete is used in various high-traffic areas because it’s extremely durable. This means that no high heel, pet claw or furniture leg will damage its look. Second, being as awesome as it is, concrete is very easy to maintain. You can clean it with any neutral cleaning agent by simply mopping it every once in a while, and for additional protection, you can apply a coat of floor sealant or wax twice a year. Finally, when it comes to style, there are various decorative concrete options to choose from. They can be stained to match (or contrast) any color palette, or they can be made to resemble slate, tile or marble – the choice is entirely up to you. Also, keep in mind that concrete floors are much cheaper than tile, marble or natural stone floors (but can imitate them pretty well), which is definitely another huge plus.
Wood
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Wooden floors are another evergreen option you can choose to go for. Not as soft as cork, but not as hard as concrete, wooden floors are perfect for those who like traditional looks. Here, there are also some variations when it comes to sturdiness (e.g. laminate vs. hardwood) but they are not as drastic as the previous two. Laminate is a bit more sensitive than hardwood, but some consider it to be a somewhat greener solution, since very little actual wood is used in its production. On the other hand, hardwood floors can be made of reclaimed wood salvaged from old residential flooring, which makes them pretty green as well. Lastly, when it comes to looks and finishes, both options are so versatile, you’ll have no problem finding something that will perfectly match your taste.
As with everything in life, if you have a good and solid starting point, everything that comes after becomes much easier to tackle. So, when it comes to designing your living environment, start with a solid flooring solution that’s not only green, but that will stay in style for many years to come.
