Hi, my name is Rosie and I live in Valencia. I have noticed your column over the last few months and have enjoyed watching you help numerous homeowners in similar situations like mine overcome their design dilemmas. I write to you today because I have my very own dilemma. I want to put new flooring in my home and I don’t know where to start. I have a two-story, approximately 1,900-square-foot home and I know I want to put carpet upstairs but want the downstairs to have either stone, wood or tile. Is one material better than another? Should I stick with one type of material or is it ok to use different materials in different areas? Will flooring make the home feel cold? I have waited 15 years to redo my floors and I don’t want to make a mistake. I can really use your help and appreciate any feedback. Looking forward to your advic e – Rosie H.
Hi Rosie, I’m happy to hear that you enjoy reading my column every month. Congratulations on your new project, how exciting for you. Your new floors will make a huge difference in your home.
Now, it sounds like your home is not that big, so you’re going to want to stick to pretty much one type of material for a constant flow which will make your home feel larger. The rooms feel larger especially in an area that flows into another, like a living room or dining room. Using lighter colors also make the rooms feel larger. If you decide to go with stone or tile, you should use large pieces, like 12×12 or 16×16, but don’t go too large because, for example, if you go 24×24 in a small area, you will loose the lines that make up the design. If you decide to use wood, avoid using it in the bathrooms because if ever a toilet overflows it can really damage the flooring. It’s easier to mix different materials in larger areas. On the other hand, if the room is separated, then it’s ok to switch to a different type of flooring.
Flooring does make the home cooler and welcoming in the summer and icy in the winter. Slippers are a must in the winter. Visually it can look cold if not accentuated with area rugs. Stone and tile are colder than wood. Heated floors are always an option and are not that expensive. I always prefer real stone versus tile and the same with wood and laminates or pergo. You can’t beat the great look of a natural material.
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