Interior design goes beyond furniture and artwork. It starts with the foundation of your home - the floor. While often overlooked, the right floor can tie a room together and showcase your personal style. On the other hand, the wrong choice can be an eyesore. Your floor is both the literal and visual foundation of your space, so it's important to select the right one early in the design process.
Glass doors and light flooring
Consider how the size, texture, and design of your floor impact the overall look and feel of a room. Certain types of flooring can make a space appear larger or smaller. Additionally, the right flooring can enhance the style and ambiance you want to achieve. It's crucial to have a solid understanding of your personal style and choose a flooring option that complements it.
Finding Your Design Style
Your home decor likely aligns with a specific interior design style, whether intentional or not. Discovering your preferred design style can provide inspiration and make the decorating process easier. If you're unsure which style aligns with your preferences, consider the following tips:
- Think about the feeling you want to evoke: Consider the emotions you want to experience in the space you're designing. Look for design styles that capture those feelings.
- Turn to Google for visual inspiration: Use keywords associated with your desired feeling to find related visuals that can inspire your design.
- Take a look in your closet: Observe patterns, colors, and fabrics that repeat in your clothing. Incorporate these elements into your interior design for a cohesive look.
- Consider your favorite celebrities: Explore photos they've shared of their homes on social media for inspiration.
- Create an inspiration board: Collect images of different design styles you like and look for common trends among them.
- Reflect on your lifestyle: Consider how you use your space and what design elements are important to you.
- Experiment: If you're unsure, try out different styles and see which ones resonate with you the most.
Wood flooring with open floor plan design
Popular Interior Design Styles to Consider
Once you've discovered your preferred design style, you can explore interior design trends that align with it. Here are some popular design styles to consider:
- Scandinavian: Functional and clean with hints of nature. Utilizes natural materials, neutral colors, and sleek furniture.
- Japandi: A blend of Japanese and Scandinavian design. Emphasizes natural materials, darker colors, and feng shui principles.
- Boho: Eclectic and free-spirited. Focuses on natural materials, inviting fabrics, and bold patterns.
- Mediterranean: Warm, rustic, and welcoming. Combines light colors, earth tones, and materials like clay and linen.
- Country House: Vintage and cozy. Features wood beams, bricks, and natural colors.
- Midcentury: Retro and sleek. Known for organic shapes, textured fabrics, and bold colors.
- Industrial: Exposed brick walls and rough materials. Incorporates low-maintenance plants and vintage items.
- Bauhaus: Abstract and minimalist. Features neutral colors, simple patterns, and functional design.
- Minimalism: Clean and clutter-free. Focuses on neutral tones, simplicity, and large-scale geometric shapes.
- Maximalism: Bold and eclectic. Combines elements from various styles, emphasizing bright colors and patterns.
- Traditional: Classic and timeless. Utilizes neutral colors, solid wood furniture, and decorative details.
- Contemporary Bungalow: Simple and functional. Maximizes limited space and incorporates natural materials.
- French Provincial: Earthy and rustic. Draws inspiration from French countryside aesthetics.
- Coastal: Relaxing and soothing. Features light colors, natural materials, and a beachy vibe.
French style flooring and interior design
Selecting Flooring That Reflects Your Style
After determining your design style, it's time to choose flooring that complements it. Your floor is the largest and most prominent element in any room, so it deserves careful consideration. Here are some tips for selecting flooring that reflects your style:
- Consider color harmony: Ensure your floor color complements the walls and furniture in the room. Balance bold wall colors with more muted floor tones.
- Coordinate with furniture: Ensure your floor and furniture styles align. If using a mix of furniture styles, choose neutral flooring to tie the space together.
- Explore different materials: Mix materials to balance hardwood floors. Incorporate leather, fabrics, metals, concrete, or painted materials in furniture and decor.
- Create a color palette: Select colors from your floor's design and use them as inspiration for accent pieces and decor.
- Maintain continuity: If possible, use the same type of flooring throughout your home for a seamless flow. If you need to switch materials, choose a similar color palette to maintain cohesion.
Tile floor kitchen with bench seating
Flooring Trends for Inspiration
Your home's flooring doesn't have to be boring. Once you've determined your design style and selected the right flooring, consider these trends to add unique touches to your space:
- Concrete flooring: A minimalist's dream, offering a clean and polished look.
- Carpet: Chic and durable. Consider patterned options for a bold statement.
- Vinyl: Luxury vinyl plank (LVP) flooring is making a comeback with realistic wood patterns and improved durability.
- Brown tones: Medium to dark brown-colored wood floors add warmth and coziness to any space.
- Oversized planks: Fewer seams and a more visually appealing look. Can be used for contemporary or rustic styles.
- Nature-inspired tile motifs: Soften your space with organic shapes and botanical patterns.
- Oiled finishes: Natural and imperfect, offering a unique and aged look.
- White oak: Versatile and modern, allowing for a variety of colors and finishes.
- Ultra matte finishes: Provides a raw and rustic look with less light reflection.
- Satin finishes: A middle ground between matte and gloss, offering a subtle shine and hiding imperfections.
- Patterned flooring: Chevron or herringbone patterns add energy and luxury to a room. Explore both hardwood and carpet options.
- Oversized tiles: Modern and easy to clean, creating a contemporary look in any space.
- Restaining or repainting existing floors: Update your floor without the need for a full replacement.
- Bold, oversized rugs: Add a focal point with striking patterns and unique shapes.
- Gold tones: Bring luxury and warmth to your space.
- Mixing materials: Combine wood and stone for contrasting textures and visual interest.
Modern style brick living room
Making Your Floor a Focal Point
Once you've selected the perfect floor, it deserves to be showcased as a focal point of your room. Here are some tips for highlighting your floor in a subtle and tasteful way:
- Matching trim and baseboard: Complement the color of your floor with matching trim and baseboards for a cohesive look.
- Keep furniture simple: Opt for clean lines, modest sizes, traditional shapes, and neutral tones to let the floor shine.
- Work with different materials: Balance wood floors with other materials like leather, metals, and woven fabrics.
- Create a color palette: Use colors from your floor as inspiration for accent pieces and decor.
- Use one type of flooring throughout: For a seamless flow, stick to one type of flooring. If switching materials, choose a complementary color palette.
- Add a statement rug: Select a bold rug that complements your floor and draws attention to it.
- Incorporate a decorative border: Add flair with a decorative border featuring stones, keyline designs, or other creative elements.
- Mix materials: Combine different flooring materials within a room for a unique and visually striking look.
- Lay different patterns: Create visual interest by using different patterns for the center and border of your floor.
Using rugs for interior design
Don't overlook the importance of your floor in creating a cohesive and visually appealing space. Your floor sets the tone for your entire home, so it's worth investing time and effort in selecting the perfect flooring. Discover your design style, explore various flooring trends, and make your floor a focal point that reflects your personal style. Contact us at Martins Flooring for expert advice and a wide range of flooring options that will perfectly fit your design preferences.
