A residential flooring installation is a significant investment in your home’s value — and in your enjoyment of it. Getting it right means years of quality and beauty. Getting it wrong… well, that’s a whole different story! So let’s make sure you don’t end up regretting your installation. Here are X flooring mistakes to avoid.
1. Not Enough Time for the Job
Sometimes a homeowner wants a job done now. It’s understandable, and certainly, we can rush needed jobs – not by cutting corners, but by putting extra resources into it. Even so, residential flooring installation takes time and cannot be done overnight. Estimates given are realistic. Especially for surfaces like tile or hardwood flooring, you can’t skip steps in the installation process. Ask a flooring contractor for the quickest they can do, and that’s a realistic assessment of what the job will really take.
Alternately, you may allow enough time for the installation process, but not enough time before moving furniture in. Flooring for an average residence may take 4 or 5 days, but you can’t move in immediately after this. You still need another few days for most flooring to set before moving furniture into the home. Ignoring this step can seriously damage your flooring.
2. Biting on a Trend
Many people want to be trendy. Great! But many trends don’t last – just look at a shag carpet or ask friends who invested heavily in Beanie Babies. Trends in flooring have to be balanced against proven techniques and artistic sense. Floors last for years, so the trend you choose should still be relevant years down the road as well. Otherwise, it will date the home.
Luckily, trends in flooring blend well when they lean on proven materials – such as the timelessness of hardwood flooring or even parquet flooring, which is enjoying a resurgence in popularity. This just goes to show that trends come and go; quality and elegance last.
3. Being Too Conservative
On the other side, if you want to look fresh and modern, you don’t want to lean on the looks of past decades. There are timeless looks like hardwood, and then there are conservative looks from the past like beige living rooms and (ugh!) carpeted bathrooms. Don’t be so afraid of modern looks that you stay stuck in the past.
These last two points mean finding a balance between past and present. Each home has a personality that flooring can define. Find that and you’ll have found the right balance.
4. Choosing a Floor to Coordinate with Your Decor
What’s wrong with this? Well, nothing — if you want to stick with the same decor for the next 10+ years. The floor should be one of the first elements you select, if not the first. Then you can build your look from there. On the other hand, if you start with trendy gold and peacock blue decor and choose your floor accordingly, you’re going to be in trouble if you want to re-paint, re-wallpaper, and redecorate. Choose a floor that stands on its own, and that can also complement a wide variety of looks.
5. Failing to Consider the Size of a Space
Flooring has a big impact on the look and feel of a room. For example, you can choose a beautiful tone of hardwood flooring for a space, but not consider a space’s size. A basement that doesn’t get much light, or a smaller room, won’t be served well by darker tones. These will only make the space feel tighter and more constricting. It may seem interesting the first few days, but will grow claustrophobic after that. Darker tones – especially in hardwood flooring – are well suited to more open spaces.
For tighter spaces, consider lighter tones. These help reflect more light and make the space feel more open and breathable.
6. Repeating One Floor Throughout the Home
Many just fall in love with one floor, and repeat it throughout the entire home. Houses need some variation to help you feel as if different rooms carry distinct personalities. Making the entire house feature one floor will wear on you down the road. You’ll feel it’s too “samey” and become upset at your choices.
Not every room needs a different floor, but figure out which rooms will be suited well with a change-up. Then figure out what that change-up is, and what the transition should look like. It will psychologically help you feel like the house features more change and less repetition.
7. Not Consulting with a Residential Flooring Contractor
DIY is a wonderful way to save money and increase the pride you take in your home. But when it comes to a complex job like flooring, ask for advice and guidance so you can avoid these mistakes — and install the flooring that is right for you.