​When it comes to building or remodeling projects, every space has different requirements depending on how the space will be used. How can you be sure you’re buying the right flooring for your space? Let's take a look at some tips to help you get the flooring that's just right for your space.
 
You may think, “Flooring is flooring, I just pick the kind that appeals to my eye,” but you could be making a bad choice. Think about what the space will be used for. Do you have kids or pets? If so, you will likely want to get a more durable flooring like rigid core waterproof flooring or Mohawk’s SmartStrand carpet that will last and stand up to the traffic in your home. On the other hand, maybe you’re empty nesters ready to invest in something more luxurious like hardwood flooring or soft, premium carpet that increases your home’s value and appeal.
 
What if the space you’re building or renovating is not your forever home, and you’re preparing it to sell or rent? If this is the case, you’ll likely want to buy a less expensive flooring that will still add buyer appeal to your home. If you’re renting out the space, you may want a durable flooring that is easy to replace if damaged buy renters. Asking yourself questions like these will help you to get the most bang for your buck and find the right flooring for your space.
 
Once you've evaluated your space, share your results with your flooring sales representative. Having these questions answered beforehand will help you have a quicker and enjoyable buying experience. A little thought and planning can save you time and money and help you to find the perfect flooring for your needs.

Modern or mid-century modern has been popular since the 1950’s. Don't get the wrong idea though; it's by no means outdated. Like most décor, it has evolved and changed over time to become one of the most popular home styles. You don't have to have a mansion or skyscraper apartment to achieve the modern home. Modern décor is primarily made up of simple, clean lines and driven by functionality. The predominant color pallet used to achieve this design includes stark whites, grays, and taupes. The clean lines, light colors, and simple design of the modern look helps make your space feel larger and open.

When it comes to wall colors, primarily you want to stick to whites, grays and taupes, but the modern style looks great with a bold pop of bright color or texture. A colorful focal wall can make a statement, but you don’t have to be limited to this option. A brightly-colored or metallic, tiled focal wall in a geometric pattern makes quite an impression, along with textured accents made of simple grain wood looks, concrete, and metals.

For modern kitchens, tile backsplashes are the perfect accent to flat-planed, light-colored cabinets with minimal hardware. Choose geometric tiles with repeated patterns like grids, lines, or circles. If you prefer a simpler design, subway tiles aren’t just for farmhouses. You can still achieve a clean, modern look with subway tiles, and they’re also available in a variety of colors to add that extra something to your design.

For your floors, you can get modern looks in any floor covering you choose, whether it's hardwood, laminate, tile, LVT or WPC. Concrete-look tile is perfect for the industrial, modern look and even looks great on walls! If you prefer real wood or a wood look, opt for a simple grain pattern that doesn't look aged or worn. Wood is also not limited to just the floor! Wood and wood-look products like laminate, tile, LVT, WPC, and vinyl planks look amazing as accent walls.
Favorite modern wood flooring styles are light and dark (almost black) grays and white-washed looks. White-washed floors are quickly becoming the latest trend, provided an open feel and simple beauty.  If you have a small space, lighter floors keep the space feeling open.

When it comes to décor, keep it simple. Try a canvas painting instead of a framed painting, and don't be afraid to bring in furniture that adds a pop of color, like a clean-lined, brightly colored arm chair or ottoman. Utilize furniture and accents made with angular or flowing designs and industrial materials like wood, plastic, and metal. Primary shapes and patterns are also key to a stream-lined look with straight-lined tables, cabinets, couches, and chairs.
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When aiming to achieve a modern design, keep in mind your color scheme: light neutrals with pops of dark or bright colors as accents. Flowing, clean lines should be the rule of thumb for furniture and other accessories. Don't forget textures with wood, metals and concrete. Follow these tips and add your own style, and you'll have a beautifully modern home.

​Today stress is easy to come by. Between work, family, and just daily living, it can be hard to find a moment of peace. Home is meant to be an escape from the stresses of the day. If you’re feeling frazzled, you need your space to give you a warm, calm feeling. Let's take a look at some design tips to help you feel at ease at home.
 
Do you have a place in your home were you like to get away? Maybe it's the bedroom, an office, or even just the living room. What can you do to your space to make it more calming? Color is a major factor when it comes to our emotions. Different colors affect us in different ways. For instance, pastel blues often trigger a relaxation response. When you couple light blues with beiges, taupes, and creams, you get a beachy feel, and the ocean has always been a symbol of relaxation, giving off a calm feeling.
 
Like blues, other calming colors like yellows and greens tend are derived from nature. The sun is essential for life and being with or without sun physiologically effects our moods. Brining some yellow into your space can give you that same warm feel of the sun. When it comes to tones of yellow, lighter is better than a deep yellow. You want your space to feel sunny but not look like a banana. Green is in the middle of the color spectrum and incorporates both warmth and coolness. Pairing green with white will lend a bright, crisp feel to your space. Other good colors to pair with yellows and greens are beiges, taupes, creams, whites, and grays, but be sure to keep them on the light side.
 
One factor of your home that brings in a lot of color and texture is your flooring. Wood flooring has always been equated with a warm feel. If you like solid hardwood or wood-look products, shoot for lighter colored wood looks with grain textures that don't feel busy. Simple, clean-lined textured floors can add to the calm feel of the space. Tile is another excellent choice with it's cool feel and natural stone looks that add feng shui to any space.
 
Another thing to keep in mind aside from the look of your flooring is the maintenance. Less maintenance equals less stress. For active families with kids and pets, a WPC-type flooring is an excellent choice. It’s waterproof and can easily be cleaned with vacuuming or a wet/dry mop combination and is available in wood and tile looks. If you’re going for carpet, be sure to opt for one with superior stain, wear, and soil resistance. Tile and vinyl are also excellent choices for easy cleaning.
 
They say, “A man’s (or woman’s) home is his/her castle.” Make your castle a restful retreat by utilizing calming color schemes and warm-toned, low-maintenance flooring. Colors derived from nature like light blue, yellow, and green help bring the soothing effects of the outdoors indoors. Choosing a low-maintenance flooring also helps take the stress out of cleaning so you can kick back, relax, and enjoy your home. 

Laminate is a popular floor covering that mimics natural materials like stone and wood. Laminate flooring is just as strong and scratch resistant as vinyl and much more resilient than the wood and stone it immitates. Like every floor covering, laminate has its pros and cons. Below are some things to consider when buying laminate flooring.

Pros
Laminate designs are printed in high definition allowing it to capture a stone or wood look almost perfectly. Laminate comes in many different plank sizes. It’s resistant to wear and won’t fade from direct sunlight or any kind of artificial light. Due to its durability, most laminate has a warranty of 15 to 30 years. Installation is easy with a locking system that is nail and glue-free. It can easily be floated over any non-textile sub floor or existing floor, even concrete. Laminate is easy to clean, and in general just requires regular sweeping and dry mopping. For a deeper clean, a cleaning solution like Bona Hard Surface Cleaner that won’t leave a filmy residue is perfectly safe.

Cons
Even with its foam underlay, laminate is hard under foot. It also doesn’t insulate a room like carpet or cork flooring would. If damaged, laminate can’t be sanded or refinished like the hardwood it mimics. The damaged planks have to be replaced. Laminate is not as moisture resistant as other floor coverings. If there is a wet spill, it should be cleaned up immediately so your floor isn’t damaged.

Think about the specific needs and lifestyle in your home when looking over the pros and cons of laminate. But all in all, laminate’s pros outweigh the cons and might be just right for your home.

Everyone needs their own space, a place to get away and have things just the way they like them. This is especially true for children whether they’re newborns or teens. Let's look at some design tips for fun and functional space for kids of all ages.

Every room begins with a good foundation: beautiful and functional flooring. Kids’ rooms and playrooms take a lot of wear and tear. For flooring that stands up to messes and high traffic, your best bet will be WPC, LVT, or stain-resistant carpet. Highly recommended products are Mohawk’s SolidTech WPC, Mannington’s Adura Max, and Mohawk’s SmartStrand Forever Clean carpet. SolidTech and Adura Max are completely waterproof and come in a variety of wood and tile looks to suit any décor. WPC flooring is also a softer surface than traditional wood or tile. If it’s carpet you’re looking for, the softness, stain resistance, and durability of SmartStrand is unequaled. Whatever flooring you choose, choose a style that can “grow” with the room as your child ages.
 
Organization and easy access will be your best friend as your child grows from cradle to college. You don't have to have a big space to stay organized; just use your space wisely. If you can’t go out, go up with wall hooks, floating shelves, or shelves with slide-out containers. Buy multipurpose furniture pieces like a storage ottoman, combination dresser/changing table, and crib that converts to a full-size bed. Utilize any empty spaces (like under the bed) for pull out baskets or tubs to organize and store everything from toys to extra linens.
 
As needs and styles change, make the transition into your child's next stage of life smoother by picking furniture like convertible cribs or daybeds and using neutral paint colors. Your child's favorite color will likely change almost weekly, so it's best to choose a neutral paint color and use accent pieces, wall art, bedding, and personal mementos to bring in bright colors, patterns, and individual style.
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When designing your kids’ spaces, remember that style and function need to go hand-in-hand. Keeping your flooring and paint color neutral and utilizing multi-functional furniture provides a great foundation for changes in needs and personal style. Pulling all these together to create a timeless look will allow the space to grow with your child.