The Beauty of Solid Walnut Flooring

Solid Walnut flooring will give you a rich and luxurious feel to your home.  The deep dark brown colours can really help to transform any shape or style of room.  The elegance of Walnut flooring speaks for itself.  It really is a timeless and charismatic flooring that will last a lifetime if looked after and cared for. Read More

Here in Colorado, basements aren’t just an afterthought. Most of us consider our basement to be crucial living space, especially now as more of us are staying at home.

Your basement may be the perfect place to:

• Add another home office. With several of you working from home full time, the dining room table may be looking a little hectic. Why not divide up the space and give each family member a bit more breathing room?

https://pro-flooring.com/choose-the-right-flooring-for-your-home-office/

• Add school room. While attending school at home won’t last forever, there’s always a need to have high quality workspace for homework and other activities. The basement may be the perfect place to find that much-needed space.

• Add hobby space. Basements provide flexibility, and that can be a good thing as you’re building out your space. It might be perfect for an office today, and easily converted to an arts and crafts room in a few months.

• Add family space. Whether you’re looking for more space to have family game night, want to set up a pool table for weekend play, or just need a place for a table to put together a puzzle, you’ll find lots of room waiting for you in the basement of your home.

Yet basement space can be problematic when it comes time to decorate. As much as you love your hardwood on the main floor, hardwood won’t work below grade.

Increasingly, homeowners are looking at carpet tile as a viable solution. Why? Because they’re easy to install, affordable, rugged, and even simpler to replace.

Want a few advantages as to why we think carpet tiles may be the perfect solution for your needs? Read on.

Carpet tiles provide easy installation

Carpet tiles are so easy to install, they top the list of DIY projects for homeowners. Because they are boxed in smaller sizes, they are easy to lift and carry anywhere you desire. It also makes it easy to store – pick up a couple extra boxes to have replacement tiles for when you spill. It’s a great way to add longevity to your flooring.

When you’re ready to install, it’s as simple as peel-and-stick technology. If you make a mistake, you don’t have to worry about pulling up the entire flooring, just reposition the one tile you’re working with. You can even get carpet tiles in different sizes. That makes it easy to use no matter what size room you’re adding your flooring to. Because you buy only what you need, it can save money in the amount of carpet you purchase. Plus, there’s less waste as you are able to fit the carpet directly to your space, no matter what size room you have.

Carpet tiles are easy to maintain

Whether you select broadloom or modular carpet tiles, they both have similar cleaning requirements. Be prepared to vacuum them regularly to keep dust and other debris away from the fibers, followed by a deep cleaning periodically throughout its lifetime.

Yet carpet tiles offer something broadloom will never have: easy spot cleaning.

Have you ever spilled red wine on a beige carpet? Nothing can bring fear to a homeowner’s heart more than that. With a spill like this, homeowners instantly jump into action. But with carpet tiles, it’s not as big of a deal. If you can’t remove the stain, just replace the tile. You can do that no matter what damage is sustained by the tile. You won’t notice the difference like you would with broadloom because the flooring is already laid into place based on the squares. It’s perfect for active living spaces.

Carpet tiles are extremely durable

These aren’t the cheap, commercial-grade carpet tiles you might remember from your youth. Today’s carpet tiles are built with homes in mind. You’ll find carpet tile in all sorts of colors, patterns, thicknesses, and plushness.

Focus on the backing of the carpet tiles as much as you do the front. Some carpet tiles have added cushion, which can help absorb the impact of foot traffic as well as give you added protection of the carpet fibers from daily wear and tear. This means your carpet will last longer without the appearance of degradation.

Avoid hardback carpet tiles when looking for a basement flooring product. Your basement should be plush, comfy, and cozy. Remember, you can replace tiles individually, so investing in something that will add warmth and comfort will ensure you’re happy with the results for years to come.

Carpet tiles offer some water resistance

Carpet tiles are designed with a tight weave and strong backing. They’re made for high traffic areas, which means they’re created with durability in mind. While they aren’t completely waterproof, they do offer water resistance. They’re great for areas prone to moisture where they can withstand stains and spills.

Because basements are notoriously damp and cool, carpet adds a warmth that you could never achieve with tile or vinyl. That makes them perfect for places you’ll cozy up with the family, such as a home theater or game room. And if the unthinkable happens and you do have a water mess to deal with, you won’t have to replace the entire floor. Just the tiles impacted by the spill, the rest will stay firmly in place.

Economical, good looking, and sensible too!

Carpet tiles offer design flexibility

Let your imagination run wild with carpet tiles. They offer some of the greatest design flexibility on the market today.

That’s because you aren’t limited to selecting one product as you would with standard broadloom carpet. You can mix and match carpet tiles to create a unique look built just for you. In fact, it makes it even better for wear and longevity – you won’t be worried about matching dye lofts and print as you replace carpet tiles in the future.

Take a look at home design sites for ideas. Google things like “carpet tile designs” to come up with ideas. Then pin your favorites to your Pinterest board to help you when it comes time to stick your carpet tiles into place.

And when you need help, we’re here for you too. We can offer you ideas as well. Stop by our showroom and share your goals. We’ll give you a variety of options to choose from, and tools to help your selection process be even easier.

Our goal is to help you find the right carpet tiles for your basement project.

How can we help you?

The post Why Carpet Tiles May Be Perfect For Your Basement first appeared on PRO! Flooring.

This post appeared first on https://pro-flooring.com

Pantones color of the year for 2021 is a beautiful, sporty, shade of teal called Al Aqua. This color is fashion-forward on all aspects from active to fashion. Likewise, it’s a versatile color that can be both harmonious and electric to paint any room color.

Firstly, when designing a room with this color you can be bold and choose to paint an entire room, choose an accent wall, or even choose only accent pieces such as pillows, blankets, or chairs. For instance, choosing a remarkable piece that stands out in the room will go further. Choose a piece that draws individuals to the room.

After a year-long of researching, exploring, and studying, and discovering they have come up with this particular color. The cultural, art, fashion, and design influence from around the world helps create a color palette and trend for the next year to come! In the center of the color palette rests the color of the year.

Why Use Al Aqua for Paint?

Al aqua is a positive color with a futuristic feel. It is a bright color that triggers feelings of peace and clarity. This is an effervescent tone that can be used across genders.

If you are designing a room solely base on this years color trend and are questioning flooring options there are a few options for you. You have the option of using monochromatic tiles with the blue shades. This could be used as the accent in the room of your choice. Or you could use vinyl, or hardwood flooring in lighter shades. Lighter shades tend to bring more of the color out in the room for greater aesthetic pleasure.

No matter what route you choose, this color is bold and stands out amongst the rest. It will bring the most out of any room. It is time to get creative!

Let’s Start Your Room Renovation

Partner up with The Carpet Guys and our friends at 1-800-Painters to turn any room from drab to fab!

To find the perfect floors for the colors in your house be wise and call The Carpet Guys today at 855-4-MY-GUYS or schedule your FREE in-home consultation online now.

The post Paint Colors for 2021. Meet Color of the Year: AL AQUA appeared first on The Carpet Guys.

Have you got children? Or even if you don’t, you’ve definitely seen this pesky sprite everywhere. The Elf on the Shelf; back each Christmas by popular demand. And with this demand requires parents around the globe to exercise their imagination and come up with scenes of mischievous antics this cheeky chap has gotten up to in their house overnight. Even if it means compromising beloved household feature like their stunning wood flooring.

Now we know what you’re thinking; ‘What is a flooring store doing talking about a Christmas Elf?’. 

 

Well, over the years we’ve noticed the amount of funny Elf on the Shelf ideas that incorporate liquids, sprinkles, toys, chocolate and more, and we can’t help but consider the clean up and protection of your flooring amongst all this fun. 

 

In this blog we’ll go through some of our favourite and funny Elf on the Shelf ideas for you to try out. And not only that, we’ll give you some elf-confidence in temporarily protecting your floor in the process. Now let the fun commence…

 

Why is Elf on the Shelf Bad?

 

First things first, so you know what you’re letting yourself into with one of Santa’s so-called helpers, you should know what makes him so naughty!

 

Buddy’s job is to arrive on December 1st and watch over your children’s behaviour on behalf of Santa Claus. Only Buddy has some behavioural quirks himself, and likes to get up to shenanigans whilst the children are fast asleep. 

 

Shenanigans you have to set up, and eventually clean up. And we’re here to help you with all of this.

 

If you’re feeling extra creative, and definitely extra brave, recent years have seen the introduction of a girl Elf on the Shelf. Buddy’s trusty side-kick, Sparkles. Twice the mess and twice the trouble. You’ll definitely have your hands full.

 

Flooring Funny Business 

 

Now there’s no use crying over spilt milk. But there is if you’re 7 and that spilt milk resembles the shell of a snowman, now melted on your floor by no other than Buddy the Elf.

 

And if you’re a parent, making sure you have the right type of flooring to proceed with this idea without damaging it, is key to making sure you’re not crying over spilt milk either. So let’s take a look at how you can execute this one whilst considering the protection of your floor.

 

This fun scene sees Buddy bringing the heat, and is an easy one to replicate with household items. 

 

All you need for this set up is: 

 

• Hair dryer
• Milk 
• Cereal 
• Orange fabric

 

First, spill a little milk onto the floor. Then using the cereal and orange fabric, create the facial features and buttons of the melted snowman. Sit Buddy nearby aiming a hair dryer toward the puddle. And you’ve got your melted snowman scene. 

 

Whilst this cheeky chap gets up to no good, he’s certainly not considering your stunning wood flooring underneath! So here’s a few tips for protecting your floor to keep in mind when setting up these tricks. 

 

When using liquids, try to set your scene up just before the kids will see it. 

 

If you have a solid wood floor, this is not resistant to water or other liquids, and may cause damage when left for long periods of time. When it comes to protecting your laminate, engineered wood, or EvoCore Flooring, whilst these have a better tolerance to water, spillages should still be cleaned up as soon as possible. 

 

Hopefully, you’ll get a helping hand from one of the kids, because Buddy certainly won’t stick around for this clean up!

Elf on the Shelf – Chocolate Chaos 

 

This next favourite of ours won’t be so favourable with the little ones, as Buddy the Elf finds his way into the Christmas chocolates. 

 

For this idea all you’ll need is a packet or box of chocolates and possibly a floor cleaning kit. 

 

Open the packet and position Buddy inside. Then spill some of the contents onto the floor leaving his trail of trouble behind. For added effect, add a little bit of chocolate around Buddy’s mouth. This will further confirm he’s the culprit and add to the mischief.

 

One thing to bear in mind is if you have an underfloor heating system under your beautiful laminate, engineered wood or EvoCore flooring, this may melt your chocolate props! Whilst this adds some authenticity to the act, this also adds to the clean up operation. 

 

To avoid this, ensure your underfloor heating system is not in use between setting up your scene and your little ones discovering their chocolate collection is a little lighter. 

 

If you happen to forget to switch off your underfloor heating system, don’t worry it happens! A microfibre mop with a spray of floor cleaner should do the trick. Mop that chocolate puddle away, and return your flooring to its pristine appearance. 

 

He’s Snow Angel

 

For this next one, a trip to the baking cupboard will provide Buddy with the ingredients he needs to cook up this snow storm!

 

 

A popular idea that comes with a lot of mess; The snow angel.

 

To complete this look you can go with a quirky set up and use sprinkles, or with the traditional snowy effect and use flour or icing sugar making sure to avoid baking soda!

 

Whilst baking soda would give the desired snowy effect, it can damage the protective finish of your flooring making it vulnerable to damage in the future. 

 

Once your youngsters have witnessed what Buddy has been up to overnight, a quick sweep up or hoover, will alleviate this mess.

 

If you opted for sprinkles for Buddy to wave his arms and legs around in, ensure to be cautious when running the hoover over them, debris can get caught in the wheels resulting in accidental scratches. We’d recommend using added attachments if your hoover has them – because protecting your floor and keeping it in it’s stunning condition is snow laughing matter.

 

Worry Free Elf on the Shelf Flooring Ideas

 

Though some of our favourite flooring ideas need to be executed with a little caution for your charming wood flooring, we’ve also come across some ideas that you can carry out without consideration. 

 

Elf-Isolation

 

Relevant to the times, this idea might give you a little bit of freedom from Buddy’s bad behaviour for a night or two. We call this one ‘elf-isolation’. 

 

 

Since Buddy has travelled from the North Pole, he will need to quarantine upon his arrival for everyone’s elf and safety.

 

Create a segmented area on your floor, this can be made with paper, card, or even a box to sit Buddy in. Create a letter from Buddy explaining why he’s self isolating and save yourself the mess for a night or two. 

 

Snowball Fight

 

Another idea that will have your mind at ease when considering your flooring, but have the rest of the toys in your house provoked, is Buddy’s snowball fight.

 

Don’t worry. This one doesn’t include real snow!

Cotton wool or paper are perfect for rolling into the shape of little snowballs. Create as many snowballs as you like and set them up near Buddy, with a note requesting a snowball fight.

 

If you want to get really creative, now would be a great time to bring in his sidekick, the girl Elf on the Shelf. You can then set up a snowball fight between the two of them. 

Or better yet! Gather some of the other toys in the house and set them a few feet apart from Buddy arming them with snowballs too.

This will set the scene of a good old fashioned snowball fight between your Elf on the Shelf and your child’s good old faithful friends. This should require no protection for your flooring. Though you may want to create a wall to shield the toys, we heard Buddy has a great throw!

 

Treat your’elf

 

 

This final idea is both a trick and a treat! With as many plastic cups as you can find, lay them out upside down with a treat for your children underneath one of them. 

 

Sit Buddy somewhere nearby with a note insisting they find the treat. Then watch as your children race to find their surprise from this naughty elf.

 

You have 25 days to fill with funny Elf on the Shelf ideas so we hope we’ve managed to inspire some naughty antics, and given you a tip or two on protecting your wood flooring in the mix. 

 

If you need any more tips on protecting your wood flooring, get in touch with one of our specialists now. 

 

The post Funny Elf on the Shelf Ideas That Incorporate Your Flooring appeared first on Direct Wood Flooring Blog.

Staying in place for most of 2020 has turned many homeowners into DIYers. They’ve watched more home improvement shows, and started more projects than they ever imagined taking on.

Are you one of them? Do you walk throughout your home and see the possibilities?

If you’ve tackled any project these past few months, you probably realize that some projects are easier than others. Even if they look simple – painting, for example – it can turn into a nightmare quickly if you don’t know what you’re doing. To paint a room properly, you need more than a can of paint and a brush. Rollers, dropcloth, masking tape – and it’s not just the resources that are important. If they aren’t high quality, it can be almost as difficult as attempting the project without the tool.

So what about floating tile?

On the one hand, it seems like an easy task. If you’ve always loved the look of tile flooring, but are a little intimidated by gluing them into place as you work, this seems like the perfect solution. This gives you a chance to ensure things are in place before you add the grout.

But is floating tile really that easy to install? Is it something you should consider as you’re upgrading your home in the coming year?

What does the term floating mean?

Before we get into what floating tile really means, let’s start with the concept of what a floating floor is. Floating floors make the installation process easier. A floating floor can be made from any material – wood, laminate, ceramic, porcelain – and instead of being attached to the subfloor, the pieces are interconnected and support themselves.

This doesn’t mean that floating floors are any less stable than other types of flooring. Their support comes from within. They lie in such a way as to use each piece of the flooring, fitted together within the dimensions of the room, to provide a stable base.

While laminate and wood are created with grids to click-and-lock into place, ceramic and porcelain tiles don’t have the same ease of use.

How floating tile works

Tile has been used in homes for thousands of years. If you’ve ever been to a home improvement store, you know there are endless varieties of tile, in all sizes, colors, and patterns. If you can dream it, you can find a way to install it with tile.

But tile itself isn’t a DIY friendly option. A thin layer of mortar has to be laid into place, followed by a concrete backer board, and an additional layer of mortar connecting to the subfloor. This is time-consuming work. And because it dries quickly, which means it isn’t easy to move tile around after its set, it’s an art form that can take years to perfect.

That’s not something easy for a DIYer. Which is why another option was created.

It’s called floating tile because it’s not attached to the subfloor. Floor tiles are connected to a rubber base that interlocks with one another. This simplifies the installation and means there is no need to use a mortar base. It makes it easy to lay the entire floor through click technology, and only then do you come back and create a grout line in between.

Are you intrigued? Let’s weigh the options carefully before you decide to tackle tile installation in your home.

Advantages and disadvantages of using floating tile flooring

Like any potential flooring you choose for your home, tile has distinct advantages and disadvantages to using it. How you install it will also matter in how it wears over time.

Start by carefully considering your room and what you expect for the lifespan of the product. An outside living space has different requirements than a small bathroom in your master suite.

Advantages include:

• One of the most challenging parts of traditional tile is mixing mortar and troweling it onto the subfloor. If this process doesn’t create an even base, your tile won’t be stable when laid on top. Floating tile eliminates this process and makes installation easier.

• No more uneven grout lines. Have you ever walked on a floor where the lines vary greatly? That’s caused by a tile installer with lower skill levels, attempting to avoid cutting tile for perfectly uniform spacing. That’s never a problem with floating tiles.
• Floating tile can easily be installed over another existing flooring already in place. Have a hardwood or linoleum you’re dreading taking out? As long as it’s even, with floating tile, you can simply lay it into place.
• Floating tiles lock at the edges, meaning you’ll always have a smooth surface area. If the subfloor isn’t perfect with traditional tile, it can create catch areas on the edges where a tile may be a fraction higher than the one next to it. Floating tile can ensure your entire surface area is smooth and one level.

Disadvantages include:

• Cracks are more common with floating tile because of how they are installed. They don’t have the support of mortar and a concrete backer, which means more likelihood of air pockets underneath. Without this support, the weight of heavy furniture, or even a heavy person walking over it, may crack the tile.

• Floating tiles offer fewer options. If you truly want unlimited possibilities, and the ability to create and look and design you desire, your best bet is to go with traditional tile.

• Floating tiles cost more than traditional tiles. Because of the ease of use, you won’t be required to buy the same installation materials. But because of the construction of the DIY tile, they will run you more money than a more traditional tile.

• You’ll still need tile-cutting skills to create a uniform layout.

• Floating tiles are not as water-resistant as traditional tile. Grout is porous, and because there isn’t a concrete back holding the tiles in place, it gives more room for water to penetrate the grout and seep into the subfloor.

Is floating tile for you?

It all depends on your project.

Traditional tile is still the best way to gain the full results of a tile flooring. If you want water-resistance and a smooth floor that will last for years, hiring a contractor is still your best option.

But if you have a room where you want the look of tile in a DIY manner, floating tile can be a fun project for you to tackle.

What questions do you have about installing a new floor in your home?

The post Should I Consider Floating Tile as a DIY Project? first appeared on PRO! Flooring.

This post appeared first on https://pro-flooring.com

If you have pets you will probably be thinking about them when you decide on a new floor.  Especially if you have cats, dogs, or other animals that will be walking on the floor.  You will more than likely want to choose a floor that is durable, hard wearing, waterproof and easy to clean. Read More

2020 will be remembered for a lot of things, but if you had to bring it down to one word, it would be: change.

No matter what industry you look at, what market you study, one thing becomes apparent very quickly – this has been a year where we questioned everything and changed accordingly.

Housing is no exception. According to the Colorado Association of Realtors:

• This has been the greatest 12 month period of price appreciation – 21.3 percent – ever tracked by the Colorado Association of Realtors
• There were 42 percent more single family homes sold during 2020 than at the same time the previous year

People are choosing to move for a variety of reasons.

• Move closer to family
• Relocate for better jobs
• Changes in family dynamics
• Build a better setup for working at home

Ultimately, we’re all spending a lot more time at home. And with that comes the desire to make “home” a perfect place. One that meets all the goals you have to make it through your busy day.

For some homeowners, their current space won’t do. The perfect solution may come in the form of new construction, the opportunity to build from the ground up and create the ideal home for your family.

But that isn’t without its own stress.

Some decisions are more critical than others. You can change the paint on the walls, but core decisions are things you’ll live with for years without easy fixes.

Like flooring.

Flooring is one of the most dominant visual factors you’ll install into your new home. Get it right, and it will stand the test of time. Get it wrong, and you’ll have buyer’s remorse from the moment you move in. It must match the dynamics of your living space, and withstand the foot traffic that takes place each day.

What are the most popular flooring choices for new construction on the market today?

Hardwood

When you’re thinking about adding flooring to every room in your home, it’s hard not to look at hardwood. Hardwood has a modern look and feel that compliments any home. It’s durable, easy to clean, and stands up well to the test of time. What’s not to love?

Thanks to modern technology, hardwood comes in many formats.

If you want the timeless classic, nothing can beat traditional hardwood. You’ll find a wide variety of woods, patterns, and stains that can take your decor from country to modern, minimalist to sophisticated. With so many hardwood varieties to choose from, you’ll find one that blends perfectly with your decor in mind.

If you want something even more durable, engineered hardwood may be the perfect choice. It’s made up of multiple layers to add strength and durability to your flooring. The top and bottom layers are real hardwood. In between are sandwiched additional layers that give you even more added benefits. Engineered hardwood is typically less expensive than traditional hardwood, but it increases scratch resistance, and can add durability against spills and messes that might otherwise warp traditional wood.

LVT – Luxury Vinyl Tile

What do you think of when you hear the word “vinyl?” For most people, they revisit their youth, imagining the patterned vinyl installed in their parents’ or grandparents’ kitchens and baths. But today’s luxury vinyl tile – LVT – is so much more than that.

Thanks to today’s technology, LVT is one of the most durable flooring choices on the market. What’s more, it can be designed to take on any look, including replicating hardwood, stone, and tile. What makes it so attractive is it’s waterproof – yes, waterproof. If you spill on an LVT floor, you don’t have to worry about the product warping or fading. Simply wipe it up and walk away.

Hardwood is hard – that’s a big drawback in some cases. If you have elderly at risk of falling, or young kids that love to play on the floor, hardwood can be painful, even dangerous. LVT has a soft cushion that makes it easier to stand on for long periods, and produces a “bounce” factor if you drop something to the ground. That doesn’t mean your fine china will survive a fall. But it does have a little spring in it that makes it more comfortable.

Its waterproof feature also makes it feasible to install in places where hardwood shouldn’t be used. That makes it an ideal choice for bathrooms, laundry rooms, and even downstairs in your basement. You won’t have to worry about damage from a cold, moist sublevel anymore.

Carpet

With so many styles, patterns, and colors to choose from, carpet remains one of the most versatile flooring choices for a new home. While you may not want it in every room, it’s perfect for the places you spend a lot of time lounging or playing. It’s one of the most comfortable flooring surfaces, giving you added cushion when you walk, stand, or sit on the floor.

Carpet also has the ability to insulate a room with the carpet fibers. It holds heat at floor level better. And it adds noise reduction. That makes it perfect for bedrooms, game rooms, or family rooms where you spend a lot of time engaging in your favorite activities.

Carpet can be made from either natural or manufactured fibers. If you want an eco-friendly option, try wool carpet. Want stain-resistance? The most popular manufactured fibers are nylon, polyester, and polypropylene, or olefin. These fibers offer durability, stain resistance, and ease of maintenance. Vacuum regularly and deep clean occasionally to keep it looking its best.

Where carpet really excels is in its design. If you want a particular color, pattern, or texture, you’ll find it. Be sure to upgrade the padding underneath to further add softness and texture that makes it perfect for your home.

What flooring choices are right for your new construction project? 

Flooring is the base for your overall design. Get it right, and you’ll love your flooring for years to come.

No matter what designs you have in mind, we have the perfect solutions for your new construction home. We can help you make your selections and have it professionally installed, ready for the day you move in and setting into your new home.

You’ll love your new flooring.

The post The 3 Most Popular Flooring Choices People Are Asking For In New Construction first appeared on PRO! Flooring.

This post appeared first on https://pro-flooring.com

We have four new beautiful parquet block Oak floors to add to our Charnwood range.  There are two different sizes to choose from; either 70mm or 90mm, and two colours; either natural or smoked. All four floors are engineered, giving additional strength and versatility to the flooring.  The two different sizes allow you to choose the correct size of block to suit your home.

  Read More

Traditionally we think of Christmas colors and decorations as typically being red and green but, has 2020 been very typical? No. This year the trends for holidays are very upbeat, bright, and creative!

Decorating the House

Okay so first on the list, wreaths. Having a wreath hanging on the door of your home is often a Christmas/Winter staple. This year we are seeing asymmetrical wreaths. An example is a ring type wreath with Christmas foliage on one side of the ring draping down. It is very stylish and trendy. 

Next, Christmas cards; how the heck do you display them?  Many of us just get a nice long ribbon and staple or tape our cards in a neat line and hang them. Well, have you considered hanging them on a wall or door in the shape of a Christmas tree? You can create one large one or ornate two or tree walls in the house the same way if you like!

Christmas Tree

This year we are also seeing unusual tree skirts. Using something as simple as corrugated paper, a chunky knitted blanket, or even repurposing an old iron sink basin covering it with new paint and glitter! Oversized Christmas bulbs and thick, heavy garland continue to be a trend. This season is no different! If your room allows, go big! Another trend we are seeing is rustic accents. Incorporate some plaid fabric in your garland or even a plaid tablecloth! Or get creative with a rustic wood holder for your firewood.

One of the major staples of the Christmas season is obviously the Christmas tree. Are you one of those trendy, fashionable folks who likes to create a themed masterpiece? This year the Christmas tree decoration trends are:

• Pastel colors – soft, muted, tender, elegant ornaments combined with gold balls or stars for a soft glam accent.
• Flower ornaments- a very decorative, beautiful, and bright trend for the season reminding us of a fairytale.
• Fancy bright colors with toys on white fir branches that excite children and keep the theme light and funny.
• Light and neutral color scheme – white, gray, beige tones with silver accents and a touch of glitter.
• NEON! MERRY AND BRIGHT! Break all the stereotypes and get a hold of turquoise! It is the color of 2020!
• Wood and clay- wood beads, wood bulbs, figurines made of natural materials. This creates a warm, soothing atmosphere. 

And now for the big question…when do you put the tree up? 

Do What You Feel is Best

In other words, there are no rules for decorations but the one thing we tend to observe is the earlier installation of festive or more plain pines and fir trees. However, now the trend has shown that the festivities start as soon as November and folks then do not decorate ornate trees until the first of December. 

If you plan to purchase a fresh cut tree the recommendation is to wait at least until December 1^st. 

In conclusion, 2020 has been stressful enough! Do not stress the holidays! It is time to make your own rules and create a festive, happy atmosphere in your home as soon as you wish!

If you’re looking to spruce up your flooring for the holidays, don’t hesitate! Be wise and call The Carpet Guys for all your flooring needs. Schedule a Free in-home consultation today.

The post Decorating for Christmas appeared first on The Carpet Guys.

Have you ever wondered where hardwood flooring trends come from? They ultimately come from you, the buyer.

As demand increases for a particular type of hardwood flooring material, manufacturers follow up by giving in to the demand. They create what you want. So the more you ask for it, the more they deliver.

 

Of course, manufacturers are also working hard to give you a better product as well. Hardwood has long since been a durable and aesthetically-pleasing option for your home … why not make it even better! And if you compare a lot of the products on the market today, you’ll find they handle better than ever before.

If 2021 is the year you upgrade your flooring, and you’re trying to select the right options for you, we have some advice on what hardwood floor is trending right now. Stop by, and we’re happy to show you lots of options that will fit in with any decor.

Here’s what we’re seeing our customers want right now.

Dark Hardwood Floors

Remember when a lighter, more golden color was the standard? No more. Today you’ll find dark hardwood flooring has taken over the most popular hardwood homeowners want in their homes. For some, that means black. For others, it means a chocolate color. No matter how you define dark hardwood, there’s an option for you.

One of the most frequent questions we get about dark hardwood is its durability and maintenance. Luckily manufacturers have created products that give you both in whatever color combinations you choose.

Dark hardwood can highlight dirt and stains more than lighter wood, and tends to scratch easier than other types of hardwood. But don’t let that stop you from installing it. The darkness of the wood also tends to blend gaps and uneven surfaces better, making it well better over time. If you’re going to have hardwood, you’ll get used to the care and maintenance it requires; it’ll be a part of your day.

• Use a soft mop daily to keep dust, dirt, and crumbs off the floor
• Plan on restaining your flooring every 10 to 15 years
• It’s a great way to make the rest of your decor pop – accent it with light walls, and any color will make your home shine

Grey Hardwood Floors

Are you the type of person that looks at dark hardwood and thinks: no way? For some, light furnishings will always top their list.

Then you might benefit from looking at another top trend, grey hardwood floors.

What we love most about grey hardwood floors is the fresh, clean look you’ll get just by installing them. They look good everywhere: the kitchen, living room, dining space, or even the basement.

Be conscious of the color grey you select. A softer shade can keep your home fresh and minimalist, while a darker grey can have an aged effect. The good news is you can set the tone if you’re willing to have them stained after installation. It’s a simple process of adding white to ebony to come up with any shade of grey you desire.

The key with any hardwood flooring you choose is to opt for a higher grade water-based polyurethane finish to give you the protection you need. You can decide how glossy or matted it is based on your desires.

If you have a question about the best color for your home, ask one of our consultants for advice. They can provide you with several samples to take home so you can see how it looks in your room. Be sure to look at it in all lighting conditions, sunlight throughout the day, as well as artificial light at night. You’ll want to be happy with your choice no matter what time of day you spend in your room.

Whitewashed Wood Floors

If you want a neutral palette to work from inside your home, consider whitewashed wood floors as your base. Whitewash wood has the advantage of brightening up any room, no matter how much natural light spreads through the windows.

Whitewash wood is also one of the best color choices if you have a busy household with kids and pets running in all directions. That foot traffic, including scratches and small dents, won’t show as easily with a whitewash design.

While homeowners who choose whitewash tend to love color, you can always mix and match different shades of wood. We especially love mixing whitewash with varying shades of blue – from Mediterranean to a deep navy, whitewash accents the final color choice nicely.

Whitewash wood can start with many different hues. While they may not appear to be that different on the showroom floor, you’ll be surprised at the differences when you bring them home. From greens to blues, browns to greens, and more, it’s important to stick with hues that match your decor. That’s where one of our consultants can help you choose. And if you have a specific color in mind, a contractor can always mix and match your ideas once the planks are laid into place.

Wide Planks

Wide plank wood flooring is also a growing trend in 2021. Gone are the days of standard sizing, you’ll find planks getting wider in size because of the way they open a room up.

Before you lay a wider plank in place, be sure you know what’s underneath the planks. A wider plank size should have a perfectly smooth subfloor to ensure a quality floor.

With a wider plank, be sure to purchase your product from a reputable dealer. We’ve heard many stories of people that found great “deals”, but were greatly disappointed when cupping and curling occurred throughout the flooring shortly after the installation process.

Seasoning is important with all hardwood jobs, but especially when you’ll be installing wide plank hardwood floors. That helps the wood acclimate to your surroundings before you lay it into place.

What questions do you have about installing new hardwood floors? If you want the latest trends, something you’ll love for years to come, let us help you pick out the perfect hardwood floors for your home. 

The post Hardwood Flooring Trends for 2021 and Beyond first appeared on PRO! Flooring.

This post appeared first on https://pro-flooring.com