Design Tips

Choose a design tip from the following categories:

Space Efficient Design
Countertops & Sinks
Flooring
Color Effects
Don't be Afraid of Color

Your flooring is the aesthetic
foundation of your home

By Kimberly Kostka, Lifestyle Designer Southern California

We make more demands on our floors than on any other structural element of the home. Not only must flooring look good and complement our décor, but it must also be durable and comfortable. If we can easily clean the floor, so much the better.

When choosing your flooring, keep in mind not only what choice looks good, but also what choice you can care for and maintain. Natural stone and hardwood floors require some extra care but reward you with their gorgeous looks. If you have concerns about maintenance, laminates and porcelain tile have progressed toward looking a lot like the real thing.

In smaller spaces, consider choosing the same flooring throughout. In limited space, this has a unifying effect and provides a simplicity that helps to counteract lack of scale.

If you do use the same hard surface flooring throughout a space, don’t forget area rugs. These will provide more texture and sound absorption, while being helpful in creating seating arrangements as well.

Your Lifestyle Designer will serve as a valuable asset in helping you choose the right flooring for you. After all, our homes are the place where we want to feel the most comfortable!