Master Flooring Selection for Every Room with Interior Design Courses in Bangalore
The right flooring can have a huge impact on how your home looks. You may invest in the best furniture but if the flooring is not up to the mark, your home can look dated. A lot of people think that flooring is all about aesthetics. Well, it’s not. Choosing the right flooring involves an array of aspects such as comfort, durability, style and functionality. The kind of flooring you choose must not just look good but must be a practical choice.
Though you can have one type of flooring in your entire home, choosing a flooring that matches the aesthetic of the space may be a good idea. For instance, the flooring you install in your kitchen should be different from the flooring you install in your bedroom.
Our interior design students who are pursuing a Masters in Interior Design Management programme have shared some tips that can help you select the right flooring.
Flooring Guide for Every Room in your Home
Living Room
Let’s start with the most important room in a home. It’s a place where families unite, have meals together and spend most of their day. Considering it’s a high-traffic area, durability and easy maintenance should be your top priority. Marble is the most popular flooring choice in Indian households. While it’s great for the living room, it’s prone to staining. However, it’s resistant to wear and tear, and has a timeless factor. Another great thing about marble is that it can be used across various rooms and is not just restricted to one room. If marble is not your ideal choice, consider hardwood. Though it’s high on maintenance, it’s great for large spaces and exudes a sense of warmth. If you don’t have a budget for hardwood, laminate or vinyl is also a good idea. It’s an affordable alternative and gives you a similar look at a budget. All the flooring materials listed are highly durable and fit the needs of a hallway or living room.
Kitchen
Next, let’s look at the kitchen. The second most used room in a home. It’s a moist area as it’s prone to steam, spills, and splashes. It’s the area where all the cooking and washing happens. Thus, you need a flooring that is durable, water-resistant and offers ease of cleaning. It should be able to handle moisture and must be easy to clean. A few suitable materials for the kitchen include ceramic, porcelain, vinyl, mosaic and concrete. Most modern kitchens use ceramic as they’re extremely easy to maintain. They’re also resistant to stains and spills. Most kitchen tiles are mixed under high pressure conditions that produce tiles that are harder than other materials. These tiles are also suitable for bathrooms.
Bedroom
At the end of the day if there’s one room where we like to relax and unwind, it is the bedroom. Since it’s your private sanctuary, you will want to express your style. Whether you’re seeking a cosy and warm space or a bright and airy one, the flooring you choose should be top-notch. The best option for a bedroom is hardwood. It works well in almost any bedroom. It stands the test of time too. If you have pets, vinyl is also a good option. It’s affordable and easy to clean. If you want sound insulation, a carpeted floor is also a good idea. However, that’s uncommon in Indian homes as cleaning becomes a task. The best flooring with sound-proofing qualities is cork.
Bathroom
Bathrooms are nothing but wet rooms. Therefore, the best flooring for a bathroom is something that can withstand humidity, is slip-resistant, and is comfortable. Hardwood, engineered wood and vinyl are a complete no-no. A few tile options you may consider are ceramic, porcelain, vinyl and natural stone. A vinyl roll is also a suitable option. Based on the colour and style of your bathroom, there are an array of tiles available in the market.
Dining Room
Though most people these days have their dining table in their living room, there should be some kind of demarcation. Style, durability and ease of maintenance is what you should consider. It’s an area where you will be entertaining and serving meals. Thus, the best flooring options include tiles, hardwood or laminate. All these materials are easy to maintain and clean-up in case of any spills.
Final Words
Think of flooring as the foundation of your home. It should match the room’s purpose and be the best fit for that environment. Other things you should consider are traffic, style, budget, maintenance and climate. When you carefully choose a flooring based on these parameters, you will be able to make a functional yet beautiful home.
