These days, floors are not merely a part of your décor–they’re works of art. Whether you’re painting on wood or making a masterpiece from concrete, there’s no excuse for dull floor treatments. Today’s trends let you create a designer home even if your budget is slimmer than your window treatments.
Eco-Friendly Flooring
No décor trend is complete without an eco-friendly angle, and this year is no different. If you care about the environment and want to keep the air in your home toxin-free, recycled flooring achieves a fashionable warehouse aesthetic. Finished off with poly, your floors will keep their look for years.
African Dreams
Decorex 2016 will have an Africa Exhibition to harness the creative energy of the continent. It doesn’t make sense to commit long-term to fads, but woven rugs and textiles will let you enjoy the trend until you move onto a new look. Concrete or wood can also be painted with Ndebele or animal prints.
Smart Flooring
Today’s home is a hi-tech wonderland. LED-enabled carpets light up with every step to amplify your home safety. Light-transmissive flooring is useful in public buildings and outdoor zones.
Concrete
Concrete is renowned for its longevity, and the days of this treatment being relegated to the garage are over. It can be treated and enhanced in a number of ways. To add to its already lengthy lifespan, it can be sealed against water. Mottled surface treatments give it a sophisticated look that hides every scratch and grain of dust. Concrete can even be painted with a wood grain. It’s the perfect surface for pet owners. If you prefer floor treatments that seal in warmth, faux concrete finishes are the latest glossy and matt additions.
Marble
Marble is perhaps the hottest floor treatment of the season, but you don’t necessarily have to invest half your budget into this look. The seduction of marble can be recreated realistically through tiles that are as eye-catching as they are economical.
Rugs and Carpets
You’ll have a hard time tracking down carpets that suit the rest of your décor. Rugs are far more fashionable, and they come with the side benefit of being easy to replace. Statement rugs are the accessories of your home, and no house should be without them. They can bring your room together instantly, lifting hues and textures that would otherwise go unnoticed.
Weaving techniques are used to create sculptured piles. This year, use loop, hand-twist, and cut-loop piles that create three-dimensional patterns. Layering is trendy so, with the help of carpet tape, your room can be beautifully finished by two differently-sized rugs placed together. The larger your rugs, the better because they add to the spaciousness of your room.
Hardwood
Nothing can replace the rich, elegant look of real wood. North Vancouver’s décor world is currently enjoying a move towards walnut chevrons, white oak, and deep-smoked hardwood. Walnut is versatile and hardy, but if you’re looking for a trendier aesthetic, try engineered hardwood in deep hues to pump up the contrast in your room.
There is no such thing as ‘expected’ in the Canadian décor industry. Your floors should reflect your personality, which is as unique as your taste.