Hardwood floors: an easy decorating decision
When building a new house, or changing an old one, there are tons of decisions to make. From the paint and wallpaper to light and plumbing fixtures — choices abound. But, unlike the colour of the living room walls or your master bath fixtures, your floor coverings aren't something you'll probably change as trends dictate.
Hardwood floors make changing the look and feel of a room an easier task. They are the perfect basis on which to build a room's mood, and you can change that mood anytime by changing out the furniture, accent pieces or rugs.
Things to consider
- Don't think that if you have hardwood floors in the dining room you must use that same hardwood in the foyer or kitchen. Mix and match to suit each room's personality.
- The same goes for furniture. A kitchen with cherry cabinets is complemented by lighter, golden floors.
- Think about high traffic areas, such as staircases and hallways. Hardwood will endure generations of foot traffic where other flooring choices would not.
- Afraid that the floors are going to be cold? Go for soft area rugs or think about installing radiant heat under your new floors. Several species work well with radiant heat.
- Baseboards — to paint or not to paint? It is perfectly acceptable to have painted baseboards and mouldings with hardwood floors, or you can have the mouldings stained to match.
- Area rugs warm up a room and can be placed in any high traffic area. Be sure to use a rug pad so rugs stay put and colours do not transfer to floors.
- Transitioning from wood floors to other surfaces is simple. Transition strips are available for connecting hardwood floors to linoleum or carpet.