|
Most people automatically opt for wall to wall carpeting when choosing floor covering for their home. However, there are many alternatives to carpet that very appealing and easy to maintain.
If you live in an older home, chances are that you have hardwood flooring. During the 60's when wall to wall carpeting became the standard, many people covered their hardwood floors. Now is the time to undercover them. If there has been carpet on the floor for a long period of time, chances are that the carpet padding has stained the hardwood. While you can refinish your floors yourself, hiring a professional will guarantee a perfect finish in a minimal amount of time and at a relatively inexpensive cost. Hardwood floors are very easy to maintain and keep clean and add a touch of warmth and elegance to any room. If you like the look of hardwood floors, but aren't lucky enough to have them, you can install them yourself as they are available in a variety of wood finishes. New hardwood floors, however, can be expensive.
Contemporary homes often showcase satillo tile, the large Mexican tiles originally used in the Southwest. While these tiles are easy to clean and care for, they are not as easy on your feet as carpeting. If you are thinking about installing satillo tiles, it is better to confine them to a small area, such as a foyer. Ceramic tile, like satillo tile, can also be hard on your feet and very cold. If you live in a colder climate take this into consideration before installing ceramic tile in your kitchen or bathroom, as it can be very cold during the winter months. One benefit of ceramic tile is that it comes in a variety of sizes and patterns. Ceramic tile is a nice choice for a family room if you add an area rug to provide warmth and comfort. Installing ceramic tile is not an easy job if you are an amateur. It involves not only gluing the tiles in place, but also adding the complementary caulking between the tiles. However, when done properly, it gives a clean, polished look to any room.
The easiest and most inexpensive floor covering is self-stick tiles. Even a beginner can lay self-stick tiles as they are easy to match, easy to work with and easy to cut. High quality self-stick tiles work best in a kitchen as they are easy to clean, and hold up well in this high-traffic area.
If you still prefer carpet, why not opt for a room size carpet that can be bordered, either by hardwood floor or tile? The advantage of area carpets is that you can move them from room to room to give each room a new look whenever the redecorating mood strikes you.
In sum, whether you're a do-it-yourselfer or prefer professional installation, look at all of the options to enhance your floors, from the contemporary look of satillo to the country look of wood; and if you really can't decide incorporate a little of each!
|
| |
