Summer is just around the corner. People are shedding their winter coats and reaching for cut-offs. With summer comes socializing. We have friends and family over for cookouts and patio parties. Just as we spruce ourselves up for the sunny skies, we take a good look at our homes to see if they are summer ready.
We naturally want to let sunlight in through the windows. Maybe you spent the winter months with flowing drapes, colorful wool throws, and a fire in the fireplace. Of course, you are going to pack away the blankets and clean out the fireplace. But, while you are doing that, take down those drapes.
The windows in our homes are very important. We use a great deal of time and a great deal of money to have efficient and beautiful windows. Then we drive to the closest department stores and buy curtains. Here is a tip. If you just must buy drapes, have them custom made to fit your windows. They will look better and last a lot longer. But, you may consider buying custom blinds instead.
Why would custom blinds work so well? Because the trend today (and for many years to come) is to place hardwood floors instead of carpet. Buy custom blinds to match your hardwood floors and your home looks like a model home. Everything fits perfectly.
As for the fireplace, you can buy a pretty decorative screen to block off the fireplace. But, if you want to be a bit more creative, place some iron candle holders in the fireplace. Stagger them in different heights and sizes. Large candles draw attention to the eye when they are unlit. Lighting them gives your room a romantic glow with the flames flickering in the dark area.
photo credit: Aleksandr Slobodianyk
Wall Galleries
In the 1970s people decorated their walls with framed photos of their family. Then the world went “arts and crafts” nuts and our memories were being replaced with cross-stitched pictures, sun hats with flowers and lace hot glued to them and roosters. We don’t know how roosters became a home decor fashion statement, but they did.
Now, family photos have made their way to the halls once again. They may be hung with “word art” but they are being hung. Here is a really cool twist to this idea. The days of average people going to an artist to sit for a painting are no more. But, now you can select your favorite photograph of your family, a loving grandparent who has passed away or even a little baby. You send it to the artists. They upload the photo and paint you a beautiful oil painting on canvas. You can make this portrait the focal point of the room. Other options include watercolors, pencil, and chalk. Click here for more information, just give it a try.
Floors
It is perfectly fine to put down an area rug to protect your hardwood floors, but if you want to keep up with the trend, hardwood flooring is a must.
Kitchen
The days of all white kitchens have finally slipped away. If you just changed your kitchen to that look, you can rescue yourself with black accessories. Black and white are holding for a while. Shaker cabinets have been the top of the line cabinetry for decades. They were designed to be high quality with no maintenance and understated beauty. They were created in the 1800s by a group of religious members of the same name.
You can order your RTA cabinets with open fronts or some with glass doors. There is no wrong way to use Shaker cabinets.
Get away from the white walls. Pastels are trending this year in colors like yellow, baby blue, and green. You will not see shiny paint this year. Matte is where it’s at. Matte finishes on cabinets and countertops. As for countertops, the going thing is concrete. The colors are up to you. Gray, black, steel blue or green looks good as long as they are (you guessed it) painted with a matte finish.
Trends for kitchens and bathrooms include the vessel sink with chrome faucets. When you have a pretty vessel sink, it quickly becomes the focal point of the room.
Plants
There is always a need for plants in the house. But, 2019 will push away from the rainforest in the kitchen and bath. A few plants (hanging) is great. A small herb garden in the kitchen? Awesome. Other than that, place your vegetation on the patio.
Bedroom
Buy a summer duvet cover. Place a matching rug on the floor. Use what you have learned about window treatments and add wall mirrors.
photo credit: Marianne
Patio
Place an indoor/outdoor rug on your patio. Use the extra space to plant a few of your favorite veggies or berries.
As you can see, there are many ways to update your home for warmer months. Get started now, and you will be ready in plenty of time. Your home will have the wow factor that you dream of.
Designing a meditation room in your home is a great way to gain peace of mind. You can create a designated space to relax in and get your zen on! Meditating is no longer only reserved for traditional monks and those who have a passion for the new age lifestyle. Meditation has proven mental and physical benefits and now is popular in cultures around the world. With the right meditation room decor ideas, bring the ambiance you truly desire while relaxing and unwinding to life.
#1: Choose Your Meditation Room Colors Wisely
Selecting the colors for your meditation room is one of the first steps to take when you are designing a space that is genuinely welcoming, calming, and inviting. When you are looking to create an area in your home that you consider to be your retreat, avoid flashy and bright colors or distracting patterns that make it difficult to concentrate and zone out.
Some of the most popular earth-tone colors to go with when designing a meditation space include:
Neutrals: Beige, Eggshell, Light Brown, Dark Browns
Grey: A variety of grey shades work with a wide range of accent colors
If you are interested in using a bright color scheme, consider these before making your selection:
Berry/Hot Pink with Grey/Dark Brown/Burgandy
Grey with: Rust Orange, Teal, Purple, Pink, Deep Red
Teal with: White, Eggshell, Grey
Yellow: Dark brown, Dark grey
Purple: Deep orange, Earthy browns
Orange: Eggshell, Dark Grey, Dark Brown, Medium Brown
Browse online communities such as Pinterest to brainstorm color schemes for your meditation room based on your personality and the type of decor you enjoy implementing throughout your home. Search for keywords such as “bohemian,” “boho,” “meditation ideas,” “Indian decor,” and other relevant phrases that are most appealing to you for the best results.
#2: Eliminate Distractions
Eliminate all distractions from your meditation room including televisions, tablets, and other electronic devices. Distractions keep us from focusing, especially when trying to relax. Minimize the amount of clutter you have in your meditation room to prevent yourself from feeling bogged down and overwhelmed each time you enter the space. Clear the floor and walls of excess clutter or belongings that are just not fitting for the atmosphere you want to create.
Create as much open space as possible with your meditation room. Clean or remove cluttered bookshelves and instead, opt for window plants or decor that is peaceful and meshes well with the color scheme you have chosen. Avoid clutter that is loud or distracting while you concentrate.
#3: Consider Hardwood Floors
If you have the option to select the flooring throughout your meditation room, consider opting for hardwood floors. Hardwood floors provide an earthy, yet natural aesthetic appeal to spaces designated to meditation and unwinding. Choose a dark, grounding, calming wooden floor if you are looking for an aesthetic that is peaceful and optimal for nurturing transcendental experiences. Hardwood floors are also ideal if you are interested in utilizing seat cushions and meditation mats that require a flat and level surface for desired results.
#4: The Importance of Versatile Lighting
Lighting is essential for a meditation space, regardless of the size of your room or the number of windows you have available. Use blackout curtains or drapes that can be easily opened or closed depending on the type of lighting you prefer during your meditation each morning or evening. Choose lights on a dimmer that allow more versatility when creating an atmosphere based on your mood each time you meditate. Avoid using stark white lights or fluorescent lighting in your meditation room if you want to maintain a calm and inviting ambiance at all times.
#5: Incense, Candles, and Popular Decor for Meditation Spaces
Spend time comparing incense and candle scents that are most appealing and calming to you. Choose scents that are not overly distracting but provide a sense of peace, especially during a meditation session. Search for aromatherapy scents for additional relaxation, optimal during a deep or guided meditation. Tapestries, rugs, and throw pillows all create a comfortable and welcoming atmosphere when designing your personal meditation room. Consider the type of cushions or the seating arrangement that works best for the space you intend to use.
Taking the time to plan for your meditation room decor with the right color scheme, decor, and overall aesthetic is a way to remain encouraged and motivated to incorporate meditation each day in your daily routine. With the right look and feel in your meditation room, unwind and gain peace of mind whenever you need to let go of your troubles.
Living room with a natural Red Oak hardwood floor.
This is a guest post contributed by Zac Ferry, an experienced writer, blogger, and social media promoter. He provides valuable information which helps readers to get more ideas. Follow him on Google+ and Twitter to see what he shares next.
Solid oak flooring is insanely popular because of its durability. It is suitable for all types of properties, such as residential as well as commercial premises, offices, hotels, etc. One of the main advantages of using this type of flooring is that it lasts a long time without losing its appealing. Solid oak floors, derived from natural wood planks, bring timeless beauty and a distinctive appearance to any room.
So, when it comes to choosing the hardwood floor for your home or office, oak is the best choice. Overall, oak is the most preferred hardwood flooring materials compared to others available out there. Since this material comes in different colors, such as white, black, red, etc., it compliments with any interior design thereby providing a uniform look throughout the building.
Benefits of Choosing High-Quality Oak for Your Floors:
The only concern of every homeowner, while undergoing flooring installation, is whether it will get ruined in a matter of months or not. No one would want to go through the entire installation process to have to do it again. Having the best oak flooring installed is the best solution. Also, it has many advantages over other types of floors. Here are some of those benefits.
Benefit #1: High-Quality Oak Flooring is Hard-Wearing
Oak is a hardwood flooring material with exceptional resistance to wearing. The fact that most homeowners prefer buying old oak furniture is due to the trust factor it offers. Also, floors made of such material improve with time and shines with a flair for years to come.
The ease of use makes this flooring the best in the business without any alternative. It is so strong that it does not break down when any heavy machine is used, or screws are pinned on it. Hence, one does not need to take extra care while installing oak hardwood flooring in a house or any other building.
Benefit #2: Oak Planks Have Amazing Natural Designs
Another great feature of oak flooring is its designs, crafted with the utmost care. The look it creates in a space is unmatched. Since oak flooring is made of natural wood, the patterns and styles it possesses have unfounded elegance. In addition to this, wood is customizable catering to the needs of every individual and is also available in different sizes making oak wood advantageous.
Benefit #3: Oak, as a Rule, is Highly Durable
Most of the house or other property owners prefer oak hardwood floors because they are highly durable and give a kind of distinction from others. Moreover, the hardness of the oak wood makes it the best option, when it comes to flooring.
Benefit #4: The Color-Absorption Capacity of Oak is Outstanding
Oak hardwood has high color absorption capacity and thereby it makes sure the color of wood stays for long. Due to this feature, many people opt for this flooring option to improve the aesthetic appearance of any room.
Benefit #5: If Finished Properly, these Floors will be Low-Maintenance
Due to high resistance, the best oak flooring can easily withstand fungal and insect attacks compared to other types. Due to this, there would be no need to spend extra bucks on maintenance, repairs, and damages. It is also not affected by moisture thereby making it durable.
These are some of the advantages of using oak hardwood flooring in a house or any other building. Also, getting the best oak flooring installed in a premise makes it complete without having to think about renovating for many years to come. The texture and timeless beauty provided by this type of wood are what that can make one feel like walking in the most comfortable and aesthetic place on Earth.
Rustic decor is a no-brainer for Denver residents, and hardwood flooring is a perfect complement. Mountains are synonymous with Denver because of their splendid proximity. Exploration of the Front Range is an ordinary weekend and vacation destination for many residents. The air is fresh and crisp. The local fauna observes from safe distances while going about their business.
Sitting at the river bank, watching the rapids flowing over the rocks gives you a feeling of serenity–a feeling sorely missed once the normal rumpus of life is resumed. This is how your home can seamlessly integrate with the local way of life and provide you with the retreat you need.
Integrate Natural Elements into Your Room
Not surprisingly, the interiors of homes in the neighboring areas frequently feature a rustic outdoors theme. They feature stone walls and fireplaces, they contain furnishings made from natural wood, and they include copper and bronze artwork in the shape of elk and moose. Elk antler chandeliers and other decorative items are a great addition to a rustic room. Preserved logs, tree trunks, and branches morph into beautiful wooden lamps, furniture, and artwork.
This is the Importance of Color and Texture
The combination of earth tones makes these homes feel warm and inviting. Most rustic room floors are solid hardwood covered with textured rugs. The color schemes revolve around brick reds, burnt oranges, rich dark browns, cool greys and black. Dark solids in heavier weights dominate the fabrics, to emphasize a feeling of warmth. If you use patterned fabrics, they are muted without any significant contrasts.
To provide contrast to a natural wood or stone wall treatment, a solid hardwood floor with a soft, consistent color can be used. With the right selection of sleek-lined contemporary furniture, the contrasting textures can create an elegant environment that calms and soothes.
Flooring Options for Rustic Decor
The current selection of solid hardwood flooring varieties far exceeds its predecessors. In addition to wider planks, which give the room a more spacious look, there are many colors as well. For example, a grey tone that resembles wood aged from natural weathering is a popular choice. Also, many kinds of woods feature a high-contrast striped effect that complements the rustic theme excellently.
For a truly rugged look, hardwoods that contain naturally-occurring knots and markings are available. “Distressing” techniques such as wire-brushing and scraping add a further dimension to the finished look.
Make Smart Decor Decisions
Whether you choose to have a rustic interior that has a strong connection to nature, or more modern, shabby chic look, planning your decor is imperative to achieving an uninterrupted flow of matching personality throughout your home. Because there are so many choices available, you might appreciate some assistance from a professional.
Experience can help you narrow down your choices based on how you plan to use the room and what colors, textiles and furnishings are selected. MacDonald Hardwoods consultants will collaborate with you to create a natural, outdoor atmosphere within your home.
Final Thoughts
No matter which theme you or your designers choose for your home, the experienced staff at MacDonald Hardwoods is available to walk you through the process of choosing your flooring. They will come out to your home and measure the room; help you select flooring that fits your needs and budget; show you how to care for your floor; and, if you like, teach you how to install the prefinished solid hardwood flooring yourself.
So, you’re thinking about retiring your old floors, or you’re moving into a new space, and you’re interested in a natural, easy-to-maintain flooring choice. Of course, hardwood is an excellent pick for many people — it’s easier to clean than carpets and is known to stand the test of time. But, there are so many available options that finding the best hardwood flooring can be overwhelming.
How to determine the best hardwood flooring for your home:
First, understand the pros and cons of hardwood floors.
Next, examine your lifestyle.
Then, set a realistic budget.
After that, explore various hardwood types and species.
Once you know the rest, research your finish options.
Finally, consult with an expert.
Each of the above items has its own set of intricacies. In this article, we take some of the guesswork out of it for you. Here’s everything you need to know to choose the right hardwood flooring options.
First, the Pros and Cons of Harwood Flooring:
Hardwood is a natural, long-lasting choice for home flooring. Still, it comes with maintenance responsibilities. Before you do anything else, it’s crucial to consider the pros and cons of installing wood floors in your home.
Hardwood is durable… as long as you don’t overexpose it to water.
While hardwood floors are durable and can withstand spills and stains with proper treatment, they are especially prone to water damage (kind of like the wicked witch of the west); this makes them a risky candidate for areas like your bathroom, kitchen, and entryways. Installing hardwood in rooms where they are exposed to liquid will lead to damage.
It is easy to refinish, but not so easy to install.
Most people will tell you it is easy to refinish hardwood floors, as long as you can stay off of them for a few days. Even so, it is difficult to install them, even for experienced DIYers. So, in the beginning, be prepared to hire a professional for the installation. At the very least, consider hardwood flooring installation classes
It is considered a wise investment.
The homeowners’ paradigm is that hardwood flooring will increase the value of your property. Most homebuyer’s jump at the idea of purchasing a home with hardwood floors — in many cases, even when carpet covers the original wood flooring. So, in the long run, the initial investment is probably worthwhile.
Hardwood flooring isn’t likely to go out of style.
Hardwood floors are timeless in the decor world; it was considered a luxury interior decoration asset as early as the 1600s and is popular still today. If you choose hardwood, your floors are likely to stay in style as long as your home stands. According to GentlemanZone Magazine, hardwood stands for luxury and fine taste. It is the warm and shiny glaze of wood that noblemen love to this very day.
It isn’t the coziest flooring to walk on.
One of the downsides to hardwood flooring is that it can be hard and cold on your feet compared to carpeting. Because it is so hard, it doesn’t absorb sound; this can lead to more noise when walking around with shoes. Some people might not like this idea, for a number of reasons, and will opt for carpeting instead. But, if you’re still undecided, there are ways to reduce sound with hardwood floors.
It is an allergy-friendly, eco-friendly, low maintenance flooring option.
People with pets will tell you that carpets need to be vacuumed daily to keep a hair and dander-free home. If you have allergies to pets or pollens, you can be sure hardwood floors will be much easier to maintain, and you’ll experience fewer attacks. Also, most of the wood used for flooring materials are sustainably sourced and use non-toxic adhesives and finishes.
Next, What You Need to Consider About Your Lifestyle:
Your lifestyle dictates the best hardwood flooring option for your home — foot traffic, kids, pets, and maintenance crucial considerations. Are your floors prepared for wear and tear, or will choose luxury options for their aesthetic appeal? Consider the following.
While you probably won’t be bowling on your floors, you may live in a home with a lot of guest foot traffic, kids playing, or pets running around. In this case, you are going to expose your floors to scratches; this requires a “harder” floor and finish (or a ridiculously laid-back attitude).
On the contrary, if you have a lifestyle with more solitude, you might be able to afford to go with softer wood and a natural oil finish. If you require people to take their shoes off at the door, take precautions when moving furniture, your home isn’t prone to messes, and you expect things to stay this way, there’s no reason to worry yourself too much over potential scratching and stains.
Recommended reading for the best hardwood flooring care:
Then, get Clear About Your Flooring Installation Budget:
While some homeowners consider hardwood flooring installation to be a DIY job, more often than not, they require professional installation. Whether you install the flooring yourself or hire someone to do that for you, be realistic about your budget. It’s always a possibility that you will end up spending more than you anticipate by the time everything is complete.
What to consider when you set your hardwood flooring budget:
Cost per square foot of flooring
Size of the project area
Subfloor, joists, and other structural materials
Floor finish
Molding replacement
Professional labor costs
Future flooring repair & replacement costs
In addition to the installation (all materials and labor), you must consider the cost of repair and replacement for your hardwood floors. So, while you may have the initial budget for an exotic species like Padauk, think about whether you will have the funds to repair or replace a more expensive floor in the future, should you have to. If you have to refinance your home to pay for new floors, it may be best to choose an option that is on the conservative side of the price scale.
Recommended reading to set your hardwood flooring budget:
After that, Consider Solid, Prefinished, Engineered, and Laminate Flooring Options:
There are three main hardwood flooring options: solid, engineered, laminate, and prefinished. Here are the similarities and differences.
Solid Hardwood Flooring
Solid hardwood is the term used for planks of wood, cut directly from the tree — it is precisely what you think it would be; this is the flooring that has been around for ages. It is the most natural and customizable type of hardwood flooring. If you choose this option, you can have any wood species, stain and flooring finish you like. The only downside is that, in general, it can be slightly more prone to damage than your other options and typically more expensive. It would be the obvious choice for any luxury home and is the only type of wood flooring that can be refinished.
Prefinished Hardwood Flooring
A convenient option for homeowners is to choose prefinished flooring. Again, this is precisely what you might think it is: hardwood flooring planks that are finished prior to installation. Both engineered and solid hardwood, exotic and common species come in pre-finished options. The upsides are that installation takes less time, you will be able to walk on your floors sooner, and you will not have to inhale sometimes toxic VOCs of polyurethane finishes. It can be more expensive than unfinished planks, but that is usually made up for by negating the final step of installation. It might be difficult to find high-end species, yet many people still consider this the best hardwood flooring option.
Engineered Hardwood Flooring
Not to be confused with laminate flooring, engineered hardwood flooring is a semi man-made product. However, it is made from several layers of real wood. The top layer is a piece of solid wood lamella, and it is most often prefinished. So, if you choose this option, colors and grains are preserved. At a glance, you won’t be able to tell the difference between solid and engineered hardwood, as you are basically left with the same color and appearance of natural wood flooring.
Laminate Flooring
Laminate flooring is another choice that many modern homeowners go with, especially in rentals or homes with small children. Homeowners with laminate flooring claim that it is extremely easy to keep clean. With laminate flooring, you don’t have the high risk of water damage. It is also less prone to sun damage and staining. But, there is a downside: it is obviously not wood. This option doesn’t leave you with the same unique grain variants and color evolution as many hardwood options.
And, Explore Common and Exotic Hardwood Species:
If you like the idea of solid wood flooring, it’s best to look at several different species. There are common American species like Oak, Maple, and Hickory, that you’ve probably already thought about. You should also look at exotic species like Australian Cypress, Merbau, or Burmese Teak. Here’s a brief breakdown of some of the most popular species that we work with to inform your journey to the best hardwood flooring.
Black Cherry:
The heartwood of Black Cherry is a stunning red-brown color and the sapwood ranges from pale to light brown with an almost pink tint. Rather than using this type of wood for an entire floor, it is usually used for accents and borders, creating a luxury decor feel. This species is more stable and softer than oak with a moderate hardness.
Birch:
Birch grain is generally wavy or curly but maintains an even, medium texture. The heartwood of Yellow Birch is usually red-brown while the sapwood is white or yellow. The heartwood of Sweet birch is generally dark brown with reddish tones and the sapwood is typically lighter. It is more stable than red oak and is known for absorbing shock.
Oak:
Oak grain is coarse with a flame or curvy pattern. White oak varies from light brown to off-white with hints of pink or gray and is naturally protected from many insects and fungi. Red oak has a strong, reddish tint and is slightly less durable than white oak, but is more likely to absorb shock. These are two of the most common species used in flooring.
Pine:
Southern Yellow Pine and Heart Pine (aka “Blue Pine”) are the two most common Pine species used in flooring. Heart Pine is yellow but contains occasional bluish-black sap stains. Southern Yellow Pine ranges in color from orange and light yellow to yellow and brown. It is known for its knotty grains and is much softer than its rival Oak flooring options.
Maple:
Sugar Maple is available in a myriad of colors. The sapwood can range from a creamy or pale white while the heartwood can be creamy white to reddish-brown. It has a closed fine, light grain and subtle appearance overall. Occasionally, on the higher end of the price scale, Maple grain presents quilted, “fiddleback,” or bird’s eye patterns.
Walnut:
Black Walnut, another common American hardwood species, contains a myriad of heartwood tones ranging from beautiful medium browns to almost purple hues. The straight, open grains can occasionally burl or curl, but for the most part, maintain a long brushstroke look. It is softer but more stable than typical American Red Oak hardwood.
African Padauk:
African Padauk is a popular exotic hardwood flooring option, mostly because of the way it changes color over time. In the beginning, Padauk floors might be reddish-orange, but will darken to red and can eventually become purplish-brown to black with age. Padauk is significantly harder and more stable than oak, making this one of the most durable available flooring options.
Merbau:
Merbau has medium to high color variants on each board. It is especially lustrous, with golden yellow streaks throughout. Like Padauk, it changes color with age, typically starting out reddish-orange and eventually turning dark reddish-brown. The sapwood is, however, much lighter than the heartwood. Merbau grain is coarse and either straight, interlocked, or wavy.
Australian Cypress:
Australian Cypress is much more stable and slightly harder than Oak. The heartwood ranges from honey-gold to brown, and the sapwood is generally cream-colored. Cypress grain is generally closed, yet it can often resemble the knotty texture of Pine. While the stability is high, some movement can happen with Cypress after installation.
Thai/ Burmese Teak:
Thai/ Burmese Teak sapwood is usually a light cream color. The heartwood ranges from dark, golden-brown to yellow-brown. Teak becomes richer in color when exposed to the sun, which is not typical of other hardwoods that often experience sun bleaching over time. It is more stable yet softer than Oak and has a straight, coarse grain with inconsistent texture.
Take a Closer Look at Wood Grains
Each floorboard will have a unique pattern in the wood grain, but there are some basic identifiers in the most common species used in hardwood flooring; one may be more appealing to you than others.
Maple, for example, has a fine, light pattern. Oak tends to have a classically beautiful grain pattern that resembles flames. Hickory grains generally have an interesting, jagged, peaked structure that resembles watercolor paintings. Cherry and mahogany, though unique in many other ways, usually have similar grain patterns in that they are non-directional and subtle. Walnut looks like someone painted long, straight brush strokes with various shades of brown on a flat surface. Each is gorgeous in their own way.
While this section is informative about hardwood species and their looks and qualities, this is not inclusive of everything you may want to know. Once you have an idea what you want, it is a good idea to further research species including Janka rating and how to protect hardwood floors from sun bleaching to learn more and make the best hardwood flooring decision.
Finally, Understand Your Options for Hardwood Finishes:
While the grain examples above showcase various shades of brown, red, and yellow, the final color and luster of your floor will be dictated by the finish that you choose. If you aren’t set on prefinished or laminate floors, you should explore at least a few different finish options.
One of the first questions you might ask is, ‘Do I actually need to finish my floors?’ — wood is lovely on its own after all. The answer is ‘yes.’ If you install hardwood floors, you don’t necessarily have to stain them, but you do need to finish them. Otherwise, you risk exposure to damage and early aging.
Each above item has pros and cons. Use this list to choose the best hardwood flooring finish based on your needs and wants.
Closing Self-Examination Questions to Choose the Best Hardwood Flooring:
As long as you remember that you should not install hardwood flooring in rooms where they will be exposed to water, you understand all of your options, and you are clear on your budget and preferences, you’re ready for the final self-exam. Here’s what you need to ask to make the best hardwood flooring decision:
In which rooms will you install hardwood flooring?
What will the foot traffic be like in these rooms?
Will you choose solid, engineered, laminate, or prefinished hardwood?
In which species are you most interested?
What type of hardwood finish do you want?
Does your budget match the hardwood flooring options you prefer?
And, when you know the answers to all of these questions, if you still don’t have your mind made up, consult an expert to help you make a final hardwood flooring decision. Or, check out bamboo flooring as an option. Our Denver flooring company, serving the community since 1986, provides the finest quality hardwood floors, service, and installation.
Whether you choose granite, quartz, or marble — your kitchen countertop will have a significant impact on the style and functionality of your home. So, before deciding which material you want, go through these points; ask yourself, what is the final look I want?
Do you want a smooth, luxurious look or do you want something more casual? How much effort do you want to put in cleaning? Do you often host parties at home or do you rarely cook? These questions will help you decide if your countertop for your should be more luxurious or functional.
Home decor is about the mix of the latest trends with classic choices that can frequently be changed, but it is rare that people change or upgrade their kitchenthat often. Your countertop is a long run investment, and therefore it has to be compatible with the many coming years.
Countertops are exposed to all kinds of substances, both organic and artificial, like water, salt, and detergents; this makes it crucial for them to be durable and enduring. Most common choices that people make are granite, quartz, and marble. Before making a decision, it is good to know the qualities of them all.
Choice #1: Granite Kitchen Countertops
The most preferred choice for countertops, granite is available in many colors like pink, brown, black, grey and even red. The material is most suited for people who want to opt only natural materials. This natural rock is found around the world and is known for its unique character and beauty. Granite has excellent resistance to heat and cold and is lightly porous to absorb some liquid.
However, this might result in getting stains easily on the light granites, but dark granite would be safe from that. Granite countertopsare hard and do not break easily, which makes them an excellent long-term choice.
Choice #2: Quartz Kitchen Countertops
Although not a natural material, quartz is the closest humanmade material to them. Quartz gets its color from a resin binder combined with colorants. Quartz is quite similar to granite. One advantage that it has over granite is that it is a human-made material and offers a higher range of color choices; this gives you extensive choices even to combine and match with many other elements. The best property of this material is that it is non- porous and does not absorb any liquid, which makes quartz countertops look clean and new for a more extended period.
Choice #3: Marble Kitchen Countertops
If you want to go out of the way with style and opt for exceptional color choices like greens and grey, then marble is your ideal choice. A marble worktop gives a more furnished look, but at the same time, it requires great caution. It is soft and easily breakable. Marbles are also more porous, which can result in difficult-to-remove stains. Hence, marble countertops are often a decent choice for people who rarely indulge in cooking.
It can be concluded that the choice for your kitchen countertop depends primarily on your lifestyle. Yes, the look matters but it is mostly the functionality and the physical properties of the material that we should consider before making a potentially lifelong decision — Much like choosing the right hardwood floors.
Recent technology has made manufacturing more accessible and affordable than ever before. While there are many advancements, 3D printing is the most noticeable and the most powerful. Furniture designers and manufacturers can both benefit from 3D printing technology. These changes are meaning not only more customization options for consumers but also more design freedom for manufacturers.
As demand for more affordable furniture grows, so does the need to find better solutions to produce quality products quickly. Like all industries, the furniture industry will likely see many changes as the world continues to adapt to new technology. How exactly is 3D printing changing the furniture industry? This guide will share the top 5 reasons for utilizing 3D printing in the world of furniture today.
Reason #1: Increase Customization
Consumers of today want things to be specific. With the rise of social media and other digital platforms, people have access to higher levels of content than ever before. They’re able to research new things and discover new sources of inspiration. That leads to a more significant demand for customizable products.
Being able to design unique furniture for customers leads to higher levels of satisfaction. With 3D printing, it’s easy to add customizable features to your designs. Thanks to rapid printing technology, it’s easy to make these designs quickly when needed to keep customers happy.
Reason #2: Reduce Waste
Much of the furniture produced in big production lines go to waste. Like everything of today, there’s a need to reduce overproduction to avoid wasting both finished products and materials. Thanks to 3D printing, you no longer have to produce large quantities of designs before receiving the demand. Because it’s fast and efficient to create on demand, you can avoid losing time, money, and materials.
Reason #3: Lightweight Materials
3D printing makes it easy to stay up to date with the latest trends. Recently, there has been a push towards lightweight materials in furniture production. Gone are the days of bulky, heavy furniture that is difficult to move. Because people of today are more mobile than ever before and like to move around, lightweight furniture is having a moment in the spotlight.
Thanks to CNC machining with 3D printing, it’s easy to combine materials in a way that produces lightweight furniture that lasts. How can something like a sofa be both light and durable? Because 3D printing can reduce mass, the furniture can maintain its structure while also losing much-needed weight. Learn more here about the power of CNC machining.
Reason #4: Create Prototypes of New Designs
Furniture design involves a lot of trial and error. For new models, it’s best to create prototypes to work out experimental features and flaws before production. With 3D printing, it’s easy to make both full-sized and miniature prototypes. These are useful not only for mass-produced furniture designs but also for creating sample pieces for customers. It’s much easier to market something that people can see for themselves than to market an idea or 2D design.
Interestingly, one of the areas seeing the most growth — thanks to prototype design — is flooring. 3D printing allows consumers to have greater flexibility not only with their flooring but also more potential benefits. 3D printers of today can produce flooring that is fireproof, UV resistant, and durable. By offering prototypes of these new floor designs, customers can see the product in action.
Reason #5: Save Money
3D printing is a win/win situation for both consumers and designers. Not only is it more affordable to create new furniture designs, but it’s more affordable to buy furniture designs. Because 3D printing allows for less waste and more precision, manufacturers can market their products to customers who might not have been able to afford such things in the past.
Now, because of the lower cost of entry, more designers and manufacturers can offer a range of products to consumers. Today, furniture designers can benefit from using 3D printing to creates pieces that are as stylish as they are affordable. Interior design is quickly becoming more accessible to people of all price ranges and styles.
The Future of 3D Printing in Furniture Design
3D printing is snowballing. Every year, the market demand increases for 3D printing, and it’s no wonder it’s becoming another common practice in the furniture industry. There are a lot of benefits to designers utilizing 3D printing for their creations. As an industry, it’s important to focus on a reduction of waste, efficient production, and changing trends.
Are you interest in converting your floors to quarter-sawn oak? Though quarter-sawn oak flooring costs are usually higher than plain sawn oak, the benefits are worth it. To begin, quarter sawn is less likely to swell. It is more stable and will not absorb moisture the way plain sawn does. The design of quarter sawn is also favorable because of the unique patterns that adorn each plank — the rays on quarter-sawn wood are flagrant flecks that create a lovely decorative feature for your home. But how do you calculate just how much quarter sawn oak flooring costs?
Measuring Quarter-Sawn Oak
The first thing you will want to know is how much wood you will need for the project. You’ll want to measure the dimensions of each room you’d like to convert to hardwood flooring; this is a simple task that you can do at home with a tape measure. Begin by measuring the length and width. Now multiply these numbers together to obtain the square footage of each room.
Quarter-Sawn Planks
Once you’ve configured the measurements of your flooring, you’ll need to choose which planks of quarter sawn you want to install; this is determined primarily by the width, thickness, and figure of your lumber. For low/medium fleck quarter sawn you can expect to pay between $4.08 to $24.20 per board foot based on 8” to 16” widths. For higher fleck quarter sawn it is approximately $4.58 to $27.20 based on the same widths. Use your square footage measurements to calculate how much the planks will cost you in total.
Installing Quarter-Sawn Flooring
Installation prices vary by location, square footage, and the difficulty of your project. Furniture removal, replacement of subflooring, and removal of original flooring may be hurdles in your process. The best method to access the cost you’ll be considering is to use an online price comparison tool for your area. Clearing old furniture and removing original flooring can help to lower your estimates.
Try to get a few estimates before deciding, as some companies charge less than others. Fall and early winter tend to be down times for flooring installers. Choosing to install during these off seasons can also save you money, decreasing your quarter-sawn oak flooring costs overall.
Final Quarter-Sawn Oak Flooring Costs
After installation, you’ll want to choose your finish. Oiled oak flooring is excellent for a natural look. Natural finish oak floors cost about $1.50 to $4.00 per square footage. Once you’ve decided and calculated the above factors, you’ll total them for your quarter-sawn oak flooring costs.
Maintenance is also necessary when keeping your floor looking it’s best. Over time, the everyday tread will wear on your original oiled oak floor, meaning that you’ll eventually pay more for your floor.
Note: To keep your natural finish oak floors looking their best you’ll need to refinish every ten years or so.
With property values skyrocketing across the country, homeowners are looking to get the absolute maximum value out of their homes. Many are upgrading their garage flooring to add additional usable space to their homes. Garages can be transformed from merely a place to store your car to game rooms and entertainment spaces or even home offices.
Something to keep in mind about garage remodels is that not all changes will add value to your home and some may even diminish it. If you live in an area where there is plenty of on-street parking or you have another structure available to house a car, then a garage remodel is likely to add value. If parking is prime, however, the lack of a useable garage space may decrease your home’s value. For this reason, it is wise to cover the floor of your garage in such a way that it can still be used as a garage by future residents, but can also be used as additional square footage for entertainment or business use if that’s what you want to do with it.
For this reason, hardwood flooring is not generally a good option for a garage. Not only will the higher moisture levels in most garages ruin the wood and the finish, but it also makes a terrible surface for inevitable fluid leaks and spills that come from most cars. To get the most bang for your buck in a garage to remodel, here are some other great flooring options to choose from.
1. Epoxy Coatings for Garage Floors
Epoxies and other coatings give your garage floor a hard, durable, stain resistant surface that is still attractive and even beautiful. An epoxy-coated floor will allow you to use your garage as an entertainment, storage or office space and turn it back into a parking space when you are ready to sell. Because epoxies allow you to quickly and easily clean up any fluids or spills from a vehicle, applying a coat will enable you to use your garage as a place to store your car most of the time and quickly turn it into entertainment or extra living space when that’s what you want.
Floor coatings also come in a wide variety of colors and styles, which means you can make your garage floor look like whatever you want it to. From high gloss, solid color coatings to coatings that are nearly indistinguishable from marble, granite, quartz or other natural flooring options, your garage no longer needs to be a bland, utilitarian space no matter what. There are a number of DIY coating kits you can purchase, but for the best results, coatings are really best left to garage flooring professionals.
2. Garage Flooring Tiles
Floor tiles are most definitely an easy DIY project and offer some of the same benefits of a coating. You can lay tiles to either protect the surface in your garage or to create a beautiful space for an office, game room, or entertainment space. Garage floor tiles can be made from two different types of material: Rigid tiles are hard, interlocking plastic that offer excellent stain resistance, while flexible tiles are constructed of PVC and provide a more smooth, seamless appearance.
Floor tiles can also be used in conjunction with coatings to give a garage floor a more decorative appearance, while still offering the same protection and durability as a coated floor. Like coatings, floor tiles come in a wide variety of colors and styles, but unlike coatings, they can be quickly and easily removed to turn your garage back into an everyday vehicle storage space.
Floor tiles also make it easy to create an appealing checkerboard design in your garage, giving it a striking, stylish appearance. Remember that, when choosing flooring materials, you want to create an overall look and style in your garage. Make sure that you plan storage and paint colors and methods at the same time you are planning your flooring to make sure your garage has a polished, uniform appearance.
3. Garage Flooring Mats
Garage mats are probably the quickest and easiest DIY garage flooring on the market. Garage mats come in large rolls that can be rolled out and cut to the exact dimensions of your garage. Like coatings and tiles, they provide a smooth, stain resistant surface, but are not generally as decorative as coatings or tiles. Mats are a fabulous choice when you want to install a protective cover in your garage but aren’t as concerned with appearance. If you merely want to protect the floor, use a mat. If you’re going to turn your garage into a usable or functional living space, you are far better off going with a coating or tiles.
Another type of mat you can use in your garage is called a containment mat, which also pairs well with a coated floor. A containment mat fits under your car and protects your garage floor from moisture, snow, mud and fluid leaks. If you want to use your garage on occasion as something other than a parking space, placing a containment mat under your car when stored in your garage will help you quickly and easily convert it for use for something else when the need arises.
More Easy Garage Upgrades to Try
Doing a large-scale garage remodel starts with the floor of course, but certainly doesn’t stop there. In addition to housing and protecting your car, most garages are also necessary for critical storage space for a wide range of items like tools, household supplies, and sporting gear. Custom cabinetry will give you a place to store all the necessary equipment you will undoubtedly need, while still providing you with a vast expanse of clean, open space.
If you have a smaller garage that doesn’t have an area for a giant bank of custom cabinets, garage storage ideas like overhead compartments are another great option for making your parking area into a double-duty space. Overhead compartments are great for single-car garages that need to house both a car and a wide variety of other items.
If you don’t have the space or the money for custom cabinets, shelving is also available to help organize all the supplies you need to keep in your garage while still supplying open floor space. While shelving may not keep your garage looking quite as beautiful as custom cabinetry, it will furnish functionality in your while keeping everything neat and tidy.
Final Thoughts
Even if you don’t want to use your garage as anything other than a place to store your car, you can prevent it from being a nightmare with the right flooring and storage options. While new home buyers may not be willing to pay a premium price for a high-end, tricked out carport in a middle-income neighborhood, they will most definitely be attracted to a clean, well-maintained space with plenty of great storage options already installed.
Many older homes have existing hardwood floors. These types of floors can sometimes be difficult to match to the more modern variety. Bamboo flooring is becoming popular due to its many natural attributes. Here are some tips on matching hardwood to bamboo.
Matching Hardwood to Bamboo Plank Width
For a more seamless transition, you need to take into consideration the width of the plank. Having drastically different plank sizes will make your floor appear mismatched. More massive planks are very popular because it can make the room seem bigger. Older homes tended to use smaller plank sizes due to the manufacturing limitations at the time. When it is possible, make sure to run the wood in the same direction; this can give your floor a more continuous look.
Leveling the Finished Heights
The second part of the equation is the finished height of the floor. The contrast will be undeniable if the two flooring types meet at different heights. There are a couple of ways that you can ensure this match. You can purchase flooring that is the same depth, or you can change the height of the subfloor to accommodate the differences in the height of the flooring. Make sure to use the correct subfloor material to have a stable base for your floors.
Using Flooring With Similar Wood Grains
Since bamboo is an engineered wood product, it can be difficult to match the wood grain precisely to other types of hardwood. Bamboo is characterized by having even horizontal lines across the surface. Each plank is very uniform due to the process; this differs from standard hardwood floors. A higher quality hardwood will have grains that are more even to get a closer match to bamboo. You can also select an engineered hardwood to achieve a closer match for your bamboo flooring.
Coordinating Complementary Tones and Hues
The coloring of the wood can make the transition appear more natural. You have two options when it comes to matching the tones of hardwood and bamboo. You can refinish your floors and stain them to match, or you can purchase products that already have similar tones. On often overlooked caution to take when buying darker-colored bamboo flooring is that the grading is different, and the planks will not appear as homogenous as a lighter color. This can be a good thing if you are trying to match it with your hardwood flooring.
What to do With Transition Pieces
When all else fails, you can use transition pieces in between your different types of flooring materials. These transitions are sometimes referred to as T-molding. There are ones that are flush as well as ones that can accommodate different flooring heights. In many older homes, this transition is achieved by changing the orientation of the wood flooring. This way it became more of a decorative feature than an apparent transition. This technique can change the style of your home.
Final Thoughts
There are many details to consider when matching hardwood to bamboo flooring. Width, height, grain, species, color, and transitioning materials are the most crucial of your flooring aspects to follow. Good luck with your project. If you need the help of a flooring expert, call Macdonald Hardwood Flooring today.
