When you're decorating your home, you don't want the same design everyone else has. That one-size-fits all, out-of-the-box look simply isn't intriguing, and emotionally, it doesn't feel as nice as personalized designs. Hi! My name is Sarah, and I love design. My home reflects not just what's in style, but rather, it reflects something about me, my life, experiences and preferences. In this blog, I want to help you create your ideal home. I plan to write about how to personalise interior design from a functional and aesthetic perspective, as well as tips on saving money, hiring designers and more. Take a look and enjoy.
Timber flooring is very popular for residential homes, as it's tough and durable while also being timeless and classic. Timber flooring also coordinates with any interior style and decor, from a rustic cottage look to upscale, elegant spaces. The only downside to timber flooring is that you have so many options for slat size, species and the like that it might be a bit overwhelming to choose the best material for your home! To make shopping easier, note a few tips on how to choose the perfect wood species and style for your home's new flooring.
Density of the species
Exotic wood species like teak are typically very dense, as they need to withstand the humidity and moisture that is common in their native tropical environments. This can make them a good choice for homes in tropical areas and for homes where the floors will suffer the most wear and tear, such as from children and large pets.
However, this density also makes it more difficult to sand and then refinish the top layer of timber. If you tend to change the look of your home's interior often and know that you'll want to repaint or add a fresh coat of stain over the timber flooring consistently, you might choose something less dense, such as oak.
Grain and knots
A timber species with lots of grains and knots is very affordable, as these marks are typically considered to be imperfections. You may assume that you can save money on your new flooring by choosing such a species and then just painting over the floor, but be cautious; those patterns may still show through paint or cause the paint to look uneven. Opt for a wood species that offers the overall appearance you want, and consider paint or stain as simply an enhancement of the wood, not as a complete cover-up for its surface.
Size of planks
Note the overall width and length of planks when choosing floorboards, and not just their thickness. Thin planks, often called strip flooring, can add length to a room and make it seem more spacious. Wider planks may offer a more rustic and cosy look and might also be good for very large rooms, where small planks often seem cluttered and busy. Wider planks may also allow more of the natural look of the wood to be appreciated, as that wider size will show off more of the varying wood tones and any grain pattern you want to keep exposed.
Share9 August 2017
