You’re already the lucky type that just refuses to live one the safe side of the home scale like everyone else on the block if you have a log home. Cabin style log homes have cozy, comfortable and inviting atmospheres. This article will give you the tools to put together your cabin in a manner that is relaxing, appealing and unique if you’re having a little trouble yourself.

Keep in mind rustic and rugged when you’re decorating your cabin. Those two words will aid you in choosing the right furnishings and accessories for a nicely appealing home.

Rule number one – break the rules!

Most people believe that when decorating a cabin or log home that you need to use old furnishings and accents. While it’s a great thing to include pieces that you love, using trendy, modern pieces can also be a great help since they can make the home look and feel both comfortable and stylish.

When you start hunting for new accents or furnishings you need to keep in mind the basic style and color theme you’re using so that when you complete your project, it looks all pulled together.

Warm colors rule

The atmosphere in more cabin or log homes is mean to feel inviting, comfortable and lived in. You want to choose warm and rich colors in this style of decorating since color plays a large role in the atmosphere of the room. The most common thing in most cabins is the wood floors, walls and ceilings. Take up the colors found in the wood; is the wood more on the golden or yellow side, or does it have red undertones? In order to get the best look possible you should choose your colors based on these tones.

Today, lots of people going green – literally. A room can be made to look visually appealing by simply using shades of sage, moss, olive and sea foam and blending them with shades of gold, cream, mauve and rust.

Mix it up

Don’t be afraid to mix it up a bit when you decorate your cabin. Using contrasting colors and patterns can add more interest and depth to the room, giving it some more texture. Look for accessories that complement the entire feel of the room in furnishings like pillows, quilts, curtains and blankets. As long as you keep the color scheme intact you can mix stripes and florals. What you want to do is stick to three colors, and one of the colors must be use more than the others.

In almost all styles of decorating too much clutter is simply too much clutter and nothing else. Use only accessories that you love and work perfectly with your decorating theme in order to open up the room and avoid making them look messy. When it comes to the walls, a single large landscape portrait is the perfect addition, and the room itself can benefit from large bouquets of flowers that add splashes of color. Anything that has a rugged, woodsy look fits into the log cabin style.

If you mix the old and new and simply put these tips to work for you, you’ll be able to create a beautiful and inviting home.

About the Author…

Leon Tuberman has been in the home furnishings and interior decorating industry for 4 decades. He is the owner and manager of popular furniture store in Los Angeles. They have a huge inventory of handcrafted American built solid pine furniture for your bedroom, dining room and living room. It doesn’t matter whether you’re shopping for a armoire for your dorm room or oak dining tables for your breakfast nook then they carry everything you need.

Years ago, all of your fabrics, colors and furnishings had to be in complete harmony when you were decorating your home. No matter what is found in your home, the look you create can be all your own and simply stunning. You should get rid of any preconceptions that everything in the room should match. You are very much able to create rooms that burst with personality and interest when working with an eclectic style of décor.

This is one of the best styles of decorating for anyone without deep pockets of cash that will allow them to completely redo the look of their home. First off, let’s get started by searching out attic, basement, storage shed and anywhere else that may have some furniture or accent pieces hidden away.

Mix and Match Furnishings

Do you have a modern sofa and an entertainment center or china cabinet with country appeal? Don’t worry. Nearly anything goes with eclectic décor! You might have a mixture of items that are elegant and simplistic. This is what helps it to stand out from the ordinary and makes it look so interesting.

Pulling the room together is as easy as using colors that complement and contrast each other. For example, pastel items in a mahogany china cabinet can be matched with a chenille throw for a sofa. Though the style of the furnishings may vary greatly, the colors flow continuously through the room.

Accessories Add Flair

When working with eclectic decorating the items you use must express your personality and be fun. From exotic plants to funky mirrors and beaded fringe, you can do as you please! Put any of your porcelain tea sets or wooden schooners on display in a corner designed to show off your collection if it’s your passion. Fabrics and textures should be mixed and matched. Paint your lamp shades and even the base of the lamp if you simply feel like it. You should be having fun while you create a look that is unique and interesting, it’s the whole point of this.

Mixing and matching colors and patterns is very much allowed in the eclectic style of décor. You might simply use blue, burgundy and cream. Use these colors all around the room; and if you want to use a bit of forest green, don’t be afraid to. If you want to use light and dark shades of each color, you can. You can add a vibrant touch to the room and give it an extra spark if you mix plaids, stripes, florals and solid patterns.

The eclectic look would do exceptionally well with something like funky artwork for the walls, unique knick knacks found at flea markets, and throw pillows that are thick and decorated with nubby textures.

Your objective is to create interestingly mixed rooms, not rooms that look messy or thrown together. Remember, color will pull it all together; so use up to three different styles of décor and pull the effect together. You can use fun pillows, decorative throws and accent rugs to pull color from all around the room.

If you want the rooms you create to burst with unique appeal and originality, simply put your creative ideas to work and add a touch of your personality. If it’s boring, why settle for it?

About the Writer..

Leon Tuberman has 4 decades of experience in the furniture and interior decorating industry. He is the owner and manager of popular furniture store in California. They offer a huge assortment of solid wood furniture for your living room, bedroom and dining room that’s built in the Heartland of America. Are you searching for wood beds for your bedroom or wood file cabinets for your home office then they probably have everything you need.

Although it may seem difficult, decorating a wood dining room table can actually be quite simple. Its true that some people do spend thousands of dollars on their dining room table decor, but it may not even take a hundred dollars to create a beautiful dining room table you can be proud of. With a little creativity, you can look around and see what you already have, and then pull those elements together to create a great-looking dining room table that fits within your budget.

Keep Placemats or a Tablecloth on the Table
An easy way to add instant style to your dining sets is to add placemats or a tablecloth. While some tablecloths and placemats are rather expensive, there are more inexpensive options at department or discount stores. If youre really looking to save money, you might want to consider making your own out of inexpensive fabric, using your sewing machine.

Remember, the fabric you choose is going to set the style for the table. If you want a clean and simple look, use plain-colored fabric. A patterned design might work well if you plan on only putting placemats or the tablecloth on the table.

Utilize the China You Already Have
Displaying your good china on your dining room table will bring style to the table and is better than just storing it away in a kitchen cabinet or hutch. This is a great way to add some interest to the table. Its okay if you never use that china, as you are only displaying it for dcor reasons and not for actual use. If you already have a good set of china, this can also be a money saver, as you dont have to pay additional money for a new setting to display.

Look to Nature for Decor Pieces
Nature provides us with so many different decorating options that dont cost a thing. When you spend time outdoors, you are surrounded by inspiration for some really beautiful and unique dining room table centerpiece ideas.

You can create a centerpiece instantly with a vase of freshly picked flowers that are not only pretty but smell nice too.

For an autumnal touch, try a bowl filled with pinecones and dried flowers.

Try apples in a bowl for a classic centerpiece, if you have an apple tree or know someone who does.

Other fruits that work great are lemons and limes.

Try placing a simple potted plant on the table for a clean, fresh look.

Use Candles to Decorate Your Dining Room Table
Not only do candles on your dining room table add a romantic ambience to the room, but they will also add some great interest and style to the table. There are plenty of inexpensive candles available that can be placed in a row or a circle in the center of the table. You might also consider a candelabra for the centerpiece. For another centerpiece idea, add a glass bowl filled with water to the table and fill it with floating candles. These days, there are so many different candles available that you will easily be able to find something that not only looks great but fits your unique decorating style.

Decorating your dining room table doesnt have to be difficult or expensive. Follow any of these great dining room table decorating ideas for a stylish and unique table that fits in your budget.

Does your living room seem a bit boring? It’s probably time for a change if you feel that your living room lacks personality and color. Neutral colors are great, though can be really boring if your living room looks as if it’s in one single shade. The ideas in this article will aid you in creating a room that has life using bold accents, color and texture. You can very much so transform the look and feel of your room in only a couple of days.

Start With the Basics

With modern design, the basics are what you’ll need to get to first, then color and pattern will follow. A perfect start is something like cream colored walls or any neutral shade. The look isn’t just clean as it also provides a spacious feel. A light colored carpet that complements the wall’s color, or a natural wood floor should be taken into consideration. Ceramic tile is also a great add when it comes to modern décor. Large squares and a simple pattern are best.

Furnishings

Simple lines and no fancy details are a staple of modern décor furnishings. The furnishings of modern décor have no fancy details and include simple lines. Sleek, simple, lightweight furniture can be used or bulky furniture can be chosen according to the size of your room. Things that got perfect with this style of décor are micro-suede, leather or a stripped pattern. Just remember that solid colors will demand throw pillows and accents with patterns, and vice versa if you choose patterned furniture.

Accessories Turn Up the Heat!

Accessories – where the fun begins! Bold and vibrant vases, accent rugs, throw pillows and prints for the walls are what you want in modern style decorating. Make sure these accents will be noticed, because they will add life and personality to the room. As long as the color complement one another you can use stripes, plaids florals or all three in over-sized throw pillows for solid, neutral colored furniture.

Not only will a wall tapestry design with intense color jazz things up, but it will also make a perfect focal point for one wall. You should have unusually shaped and solid colored vases for your greenery. You make quite a bold statement and add further punch to the room when you use large vases. Large vibrant prints are also great when it comes to the walls. Remember, in modern décor the colors you use for accents are colors you shouldn’t be shy about. With these colors the neutral foundation will be brought to life.

Your own judgment can be used for the windows. If lots of natural light flowing through the room is your thing then fabric shades that you can easily roll up to have the entire window open should be considered. If curtains you like curtains better then think about a swag that will drape to the floor gracefully on each side of the window. Making your own drapes out of silk or satin sheets is a great idea, and they’ll look very expensive. With all the window treatments available today, you should stick with what you think looks best.

The perfect things to complete the room are recessed ceiling lights and modern floor lamps. Additional lighting can be placed where you want and need it, or special lighting can be used to accent a wall hanging you love or even an area above your fireplace. Just remember that if you want all who enter to notice your modern room you’ll need to use lots of bold color against a neutral background to create sparks.

About the Author…

For over four decades Leon Tuberman has helped people with their home furnishings and interior design needs. He is the owner and manager of popular furniture store in Los Angeles. They carry a large selection of USA made solid oak furniture for your living room, dining room and bedroom. It doesn’t matter whether you’re shopping for wood dressers for your master bedroom or wooden tv stands for your family room then they have everything you need.

Updating a kitchen to create a modern new look can end up costing a fortune. Anything like counter tops, cabinetry, and flooring tend to be very expensive. Yet it’s updates like these that add the most value to your home. How about giving your kitchen a facelift and completely transforming the look without spending an exorbitant amount of money?

Many families spend the majority of their time in the kitchen and dining areas. It’s possible to have a warm and appealing kitchen without spending a lot of money. Here are several easy ideas to try for refreshing your kitchen on a budget.

Refresh Your Cabinets
Depending on your budget, you may not be able to afford to buy all new cabinets. Instead, make them look brand-new yourself. One option is to paint them an entirely different color. Or you might sand them down a bit and stain them a different shade. After you top it off with a protective coat of polyurethane, your cabinets will have a sparkling, shining new look. Once you add new hardware, you cabinets will look altogether different.

Add an Island
If you have space in your kitchen, adding an island will dramatically change the appearance of things. Not only can an island break up the room, but it can give you some much needed counter space. An island also gives you the perfect spot to hang a wrought-iron pot rack.

Freshen Up Your Appliances
If you try to buy all new appliances, you’re really going to put a strain on your bank account. If you feel that your stove, refrigerator and/or dishwasher are looking a bit outdated, they can be painted as well. There is actually a special appliance paint that’s made for this purpose. If y ou have any rust spots starting to form, you can buy a special product that stops the rusting process as well. Apply this prior to painting your appliances.

Perk Up the Walls
When it comes to your walls, anything is possible. You can paint them, add wallpaper, or install paneling. Use bright, energizing colors like orange, peach, and green that lend a botanical appearance to things. If you have a large wall space, hang pictures that include fruit, flowers, herbs, and other natural elements. It’s amazing how much transforming the walls can bring a dull kitchen to life.

Don’t Forget the Floor
Are you unhappy with the flooring you have? This can be updated as well. Surprisingly, old linoleum can actually be painted. To help the new paint adhere, start by lightly sanding the surface of the linoleum. After a thorough cleaning, apply an oil-based primer next. Once everything is dry, you’ll be ready to paint!

You can create your own design on your floor. Use stencil patterns or even paint a “rug” on the floor. Get creative and use your imagination! You’ll need to apply about three layers of paint and then wait for those coats to thoroughly dry. To protect your new floor and make it shine, finish things off by applying three coats of durable polyurethane.

You can create a beautiful new kitchen without blowing your budget by following these few easy steps. Although you can spend tens of thousands of dollars completely remodeling a kitchen, you can keep it to just a few hundred by doing it yourself.

About the Author…
Leon Tuberman has been in the furniture and interior decorating industry for 40 years. He owns and operates a popular furniture store in California. They offer a huge assortment of solid wood furniture for your living room, home office and dining room that’s built in the Heartland of America. It doesn’t matter whether you’re shopping for a file cabinets for your dorm room or a wood dining room set for your breakfast nook and kitchen then they have everything you need.

One style of decorating that has become one of the most popular styles of interior design is style French country. This style of decorating will bring you the charm and natural rustic setting of country homes and old farm houses. Thinking of French country decorating usually brings to mind warm sunshine and flower filled meadows. This style has a natural and appealing look and it doesn’t give too much fuss.

Soft green, rust, golden yellow and shades of red are all colors that are often found in this style of décor. Pink, blue or even lavender are all splashes of color that you might find. Fabric patterns and colors that you might think are “too much” or busy in other decorating styles are often used in French country design.

Furnishings

Natural looking furniture with a rural quality can often be found in use in this popular style of home décor. Pieces that have been painted white and dark woods with a matte finish are well-liked. Some slight wear or a few natural nicks lends to the appeal, so you don’t need to have furnishings that look perfect. Two things that can blend seamlessly and add to the charm of this style are wrought iron and antiqued metals.

When it comes to pieces like a sofa or love seat, floral fabrics with solid throw pillows or solid fabrics with floral accents work perfectly. You want to avoid floral sofas accented with floral throw pillows because the look can be a bit confusing. Though several colors might be used, you want them to complement and contrast each other in an attractive way.

Accents and Accessories

You cannot complete French country décor without flowers. You can add the perfect touch with floral throw pillows and accent rugs, also with wildflowers that are placed in simple clear or white vases. Make sure that you use antique or rusty iron pieces in the overall them if it’s at all possible. Things that would make a great addition are wrought iron magazine racks and small tables. These can often be found at garage sales or flea markets.

Any fabric that adds to the feminine touch of this style can be used for curtains, like sheer curtains with a bit of frill. Draperies that are plain and heavy can give the room a masculine feel and should be avoided.

Walls

On your walls you can use soft pastels, and the walls can even be embellished with stenciled French country motifs like sunflowers, roosters or fruits. The rural appeal should be continued with any wall hangings used, and pictures framed in wrought iron or antique wood make wonderful focal points.

Another perfect addition to your French country décor would be chipped pitchers. An old, cracked or chipped ceramic pitcher can be used to hold herbs, sunflowers or other natural greenery from the back year. The idea is that you are to give your home a feel that is comfortable and rural.

The affordable nature of this style of decorating is one quality that people really love. A look that is inviting and relaxed is created using old furnishings, color, fabrics and French country motifs. No matter the type of décor that is being used in your home at the moment, it can be transformed to be given the appealing tones of a French country style farmhouse.

About the Author…

Leon Tuberman has been part of the furniture and interior design  business for 4 decades. He owns and operates a popular furniture store in California. They carry a large selection of USA made solid oak furniture for your living room, bedroom and dining room furniture. Whether you’re looking for a wood tv stand for your family room or a bed for your master bedroom then they have everything you need.

Though large, spacious rooms are the desire of most homeowners, the reality is that these rooms can truly feel unwelcoming and stark. Having lots of room for everyone to relax without feeling crowded is great, but your rooms should have warm and welcoming spaces. The tips in this article will help you create intimate and appealing spaces in larger sized rooms.

Remember, you want to make the room feel cozy, you don’t want to clutter the room, so avoid using large amounts of small accents to fill up the room.

Use Multiple Furniture Groupings
A thing to consider for the room is multiple groupings that have different purposes. Group the room in such a way that you will have spaces for watching television, playing games and entertaining guests. Dividing the room up will provide a more inviting atmosphere with the help of larger pieces that are in scale with the space in the room. Instead of just a cooking area and dining set in the kitchen, think about creating a lounging area.

If the home is work workplace, think about taking up a corner of the living room to break up the space more.

Keep Accessories in Scale with the Room
Add new depth and dimension to the room by using colorful accessories that are in scale with the room. No matter the type of plant, artificial or real, they should all be good sized. When using larger prints and tapestries on the walls, make sure that they complement the tones of the décor in the room. Large vases filled with flowers and greenery are best for a large room; tiny floral arrangements don’t really work in them.

Color Plays a Crucial Role
You can make a really large space look smaller with the use of rich, deep colors on the ceilings, floors, and walls as well as in furniture. Consider painting your ceiling in a darker hue that blends with the room is you have a high ceiling. Add interest and appeal to the room with tones of burgundy, blue, green and autumn colors.

Large prints and bold patterns are best if you are considering on using wallpaper. The tone of the room should be in line with the colors you decide to use, avoid using any overly detailed patterns.

You can also bring down the size of a room by moving furniture from the walls and suing area rugs to organize furniture. An entertainment center, book shelves and built-in furniture should really be considered; putting them in a corner or flanking a fireplace with these pieces will help bring the room down in size. These pieces are useful and they take up space which will help make the room look smaller.

Spacious rooms often look blank, though they are definitely perfect for a large family or entertaining guests. Use a few of these ideas in your home and your rooms will soon be welcoming and warm.

About the Writer..
Leon Tuberman has been part of the furniture and interior design  business for 40 years. He owns and manages his family owned furniture store. They offer a huge assortment of solid wood furniture for your living room, bedroom and dining room that’s built in the Heartland of America. Are you searching for a wood dining table for your dining room or wood tv stands for your media room then they probably have everything you need.

You want the perfect nursery for your baby, when expecting. You desire to create a relaxing, soft and cuddly room for your child. No matter the baby’s gender, the nursery will be a place that you will spend lots of time rocking and soothing your child in the wee hours of the night. This article will provide you with ideas on how to choose attractive and soothing colors for decorating your baby’s nursery.

Decide on the Color Scheme

Parents usually love to decorate the nursery with bright primary colors. The room will have a cheerful tone, and attract the attention of the baby as their eyes begin to focus if you use colors like bright reds, blues, greens and yellows. You can also use soft, pastel colors; they are also more relaxing to the baby, especially when it comes time for the baby to take a nap. You can also use good colors such as soft blue, cream and pastel peach.

You can also use a blue or pink theme depending on your baby’s gender. To keep the space from being overwhelmed by a single color combine these colors with sand, cream and white shades.

Furnishings

The furniture in the room like the crib, changing table, dresser and other furniture can be anything you want. Use white furniture in the room to provide contrast for the bright colors if you decide on using the bold primary colors. If you decide to use pastel pink, blue or even a light aqua, consider using darker colored furniture to contrast with the lighter tones you used. Any color scheme you use will go well with pine or natural finished furnishings.

Creative Painting Makes a World of Difference

Literally hundreds of things can be done with a little paint! When working on the nursery, you can get really creative. Painting soft clouds on the ceilings to add a relaxing feel to the room is something that many new parents feel. Maybe you should also consider painting playful murals on the walls. This can be something intricate like Disney characters or something more simple like a few alphabet blocks. Simply use your imagination!

There are all sorts of options for accessorizing the room if your baby is a boy. Great choices for a boy’s room would be sports themes, cars and trucks, fire engines and tractors. Think about using a princess theme, ballerina, or a fairy tale character such as a mermaid for a girl’s nursery. You can always, of course, use teddy bears.

Many people enjoy the surprise of finding out the baby’s gender on the day it is born. This won’t be a problem when it comes to decorating the room, you just need to make sure that you stick with natural colors and themes such. If you want to avoid having to change the room’s décor too soon try to go with a theme what will still work when they are two or three.

Use these tips and ideas for the baby’s nursery and try to throw in a few of your own ideas. You will have the perfect nursery, just like your little one

Avo Barsoumian has been in the interior flooring and interior design industry for over 25 years. He is the owner and manager of a popular flooring installation company in Los Angeles. The carry the best in elegant hardwood flooring, beautiful laminate flooring and plush carpeting. So whether you’re looking for carpet sales for your new apartment or office carpet to makeover your older house then Carpet Wagon carries everything you need.

If you want to update your kitchen to give it a modern new look, it can end up costing you a fortune. Updates like counter tops, cabinetry and flooring tend to be very expensive, yet they add the most to your home’s value. How about giving your kitchen a facelift and completely transforming the look without spending an exorbitant amount of money?

Many families spend the majority of their time in the kitchen and dining areas. It’s possible to achieve that warm and appealing kitchen you want without investing a ton of money. Here are several easy ways to refresh your kitchen’s décor while sticking to your budget.

Refresh Your Cabinets
For many people, buying all new cabinets is out of the question. Fortunately, it’s possible to make them look brand-new yourself. One option is to paint them an entirely different color. Or you might sand them down a bit and stain them a different shade. With a protective coat of polyurethane, you’ll have some sparkling, shiny new cabinets. Add some new hardware, and your cabinets will have a completely different look.

Add an Island
If you have space in your kitchen, adding an island will dramatically change the appearance of things. An island can add some much-needed counter space to your kitchen and can also serve to break up the room. If you want to hang a wrought-iron pot rack overhead, this is the perfect place.

Freshen Up Your Appliances
It can put a real strain on your bank account if you try to buy all new appliances. If you feel that your stove, refrigerator and/or dishwasher are looking a bit outdated, they can be painted as well. They make a special type of appliance paint that can be used for this purpose. If rust spots are starting to develop on any appliance, there is a special product that stops the rusting process that you can purchase as well. Just be sure to apply the rust solution before you paint your appliances.

Perk Up the Walls
When it comes to your walls, anything is possible. They can be painted or you can add wallpaper or paneling. Use bright, energizing colors like orange, peach, and green that lend a botanical appearance to things. Hang pictures of natural elements such as fruits, flowers, and herbs on large wall spaces. By transforming your walls, you can really bring a dull kitchen to life.

Don’t Forget the Floor
Are you unhappy with the flooring you have? This can be updated as well. Although many people don’t realize this, old linoleum can actually be painted. Start by lightly sanding the surface of the linoleum, as this will help the new paint adhere. After this thorough cleaning, next apply an oil-based primer. Once everything is dry, you’ll be ready to paint!

Consider creating your own design by using stencil patterns or even painting a “rug” on the floor. This is a great way to get creative and use your imagination. Apply about three layers of paint and then wait for them to thoroughly dry. Finish things off by applying three coats of durable polyurethane to protect your new floor and make it shine.

You can create a beautiful new kitchen without blowing your budget by following these few easy steps. Although you can spend tens of thousands of dollars completely remodeling a kitchen, you can keep it to just a few hundred by doing it yourself.

About the Author…
For over 40 years Leon Tuberman has helped people with their furniture and interior decorating needs. He is the owner and operator of popular furniture store in Los Angeles. They carry a large selection of USA made solid oak furniture for your home office, dining room and bedroom. Are you searching for a dining room set for your kitchen and dining room or wooden filing cabinets for your home office then they probably have everything you need.

Ask any interior designer to name the first element to consider when finishing a room, and the answer will likely be flooring. Builders agree, it sets the mood.

Many more professionals these days are bypassing tile and carpeting, and going with wood. But what kind of wood should you go with? Solid hardwood? Engineered wood? Reclaimed antique wood? But making the right choice for your tastes and circumstances is not as hard as it appears. Here are some factors to consider, along with some useful advice from the experts.

Which Wood-Flooring Type Should You Choose?
Solid Hardwood: This wood expands and contracts and sometimes creaks, but its natural beauty add value to your home. That value will endure, because it can be re-sanded and refinished.

Engineered Wood Floors: These floors are constructed of thin sheets of wood glued together and finished at the factory. The resulting product resists buckling and warping, make it more staple than solid wood. Engineered wood floors were developed to be glued over concrete, but they can also be nailed or floated, whereas solid wood can only be nailed to a subfloor.

Reclaimed Antique Wood: For customers with a unique vision, this is the best flooring option. Reclaimed antique wood is custom made one plank at a time according to customer specifications. It is especially stable because it can cut from the center section of a beam.

Finished vs. Unfinished
One of the benefits of solid hardwood flooring is that it’s available finished or unfinished. Go with an unfinished option if you want to match an adjacent floor. Then it can be custom stained to blend. You will be pleased with the uniform color and finish you can achieve in your floor by finishing it on site. An unfinished wood floor, however, may take several days to install, stain, and finish.

Whether solid or engineered, finished wood is factory sanded, stained and finished, so it’s easier and faster to install, not to mention much less messy because there’s no on-site sanding or finishing. Finished wood is durable and is therefore a great option for high-traffic areas. And don’t forget that it’s less expensive than unfinished wood.

Important Things to Consider
One feature that’s becoming more common is radiant heating, where the heat source is under the floor. When this is the case, then engineered wood is preferable over solid hardwood because of its durability. Durability is also a central factor in the National Wood Flooring Association’s recommendation of quarter-sawn or rift-sawn wood in this circumstance. According to the NWFA, strip flooring is preferable over plank flooring, since narrow boards expand and contract with changes in temperature and humidity less than wide ones.

If you live near the beach, Stoddard recommends an engineered wood. Not only is it scratch-resistant and less likely to be damaged by sand tracked in from the beach, it requires less maintenance. For any interior that’s not environmentally controlled—such as a cottage or summer home or below-grade installation—engineered hardwood flooring remains the best option.

Some Simple Design Tips
Pay attention to the understated details when personalizing a room. A great look is to use a lighter wood overall and then either add a dark border or drop in a maple medallion that looks like an area run.

More and more people are mixing woods from room to room. Choose darker woods, like walnut or cherry, for a den or a bedroom. Kitchens, on the other hand, need lighter, brighter woods such as maple or birch.

If you are going for a formal, traditional, or historic look, then darker wood is the way to go. Country, casual, and contemporary homes are better suited to lighter woods. Pay attention to your fabrics, furnishings, and accessories when choosing your flooring.

Current Trends in Wood Flooring
The latest options in the flooring market include hand-scraped wood and “exotics” from far-off lands. For delightful grains and colors, look at options such as Brazilian cherry, Santos mahogany, and Amendoim. Conveniently, all are available in solid hardwood or engineered wood.

Owners of historic homes on the Eastern seaboard are increasingly going for the old look and simplicity of woods such as Old Groove Eastern White Pine. For owners of historic homes on the Eastern seaboard, woods such as Old Groove Eastern White Pine are prized for their old look and simplicity. Walnut has fast grown in popularity as dark woods become more and more “in.”

DIY & Maintaining Your Wood Floor
Almost 30 percent of homeowners install wood flooring themselves. Anyone who can operate a nail gun and a saw can do it. Many resources are available to help you with this project, including instruction books and information online.

A great benefit of wood flooring is that it’s extremely low maintenance. Keep a step-off mat at any doorway, and then all you need is a regular schedule of sweeping and vacuuming. Clean up any standing water immediately; it should never be left on a wood floor. It’s advisable to keep an extra box of wood in case you need to replace a strip.

Natural hardwoods stand up to many household mishaps much better than any laminate or synthetic flooring, since the grain and pattern of solid hardwoods go all the way through. Even nasty scuffs and burns that would permanently damage a synthetic surface can be easily repaired.

For the past 25 years Avo Barsoumian has helped home owners with their home flooring and interior decorating needs. He owns and operates a carpet installation company in Southern California. They have a huge selection of elegant hardwood flooring, beautiful laminate flooring and plush carpeting. It doesn’t matter whether your searching for discount laminate flooring for your new home or carpet barn to makeover your older home then Carpet Wagon has exactly what you’re looking for.