Summer is a popular season for home improvement projects, and while it’s easy to find yourself undergoing costly time-consuming projects, sometimes just changing fundamental aspects of a room can make a huge difference not only in the look and feel of a room but also its terms of function.
Flooring is one aspect of a room that's a major game changer in terms of space. Christina Burns, president of Floors of Distinction in Maple Grove, shares expert recommendations on what flooring choices are most efficient and appealing depending on room type. While there are many rooms to choose from, Burns focuses on the basement or lower level, which often doubles as a family space.
“If we are looking at flooring trends, the biggest one is luxury vinyl plank for the lower level,” Burns says. She recommends this type of flooring for very active homes, especially households with pets and children. Floors of Distinction offers a wide selection of vinyl flooring options in various textures.
Although vinyl flooring is not the conventional option for basement flooring, it provides more flexibility in terms of room design, and it’s very easy to manage. “It lasts longer than carpet and [it’s] really easy to clean,” Burns claims. In terms of style, vinyl plank gives homeowners the opportunity to use area design rugs to make the room pop and add comfort.
However, if comfort is your main objective, then wall-to-wall carpet might be the best choice. “Wall to wall carpet will, in contrast to the vinyl plank, give you the coziest, warmest, softest feel,” she says. According to Burns, carpet is still a very popular option for the lower level, but the preferred style of carpet has changed quite a bit since the '70’s—the long and shaggy style is out. “We are seeing shorter carpet, very pulled down carpet styles that are still very soft and silky...they look better and have a higher style,” she says.
Carpet also has unique styling options. Burns recommends choosing a neutral style that will recede into the background and be paired with patterned carpet on the stairs, a popular decorative element right now. Or you can choose a “wow carpet” that brings the room together on its own.
As far as cost, Burns explains that carpet is less of an investment than vinyl plank flooring, however, it has its down side. “Carpet, you will replace once every 10 years versus vinyl plank that you won’t replace,” she says. Shorter carpet styles are relatively easy to clean, though not as easy as vinyl plank floors.
Floors of Distinction has recently added 1800 square feet of product to their showroom space at 12642 Bass Lake Road.
