The interior design process of your home can be very exciting, particularly if it has taken a long time for the construction process to complete.

But while it’s tempting to focus on eye-catching elements such as wall colours, statement furniture, and intricate decorative detailing, we are here to tell you that your primary focus should be on flooring.

The right flooring performs a much bigger role than giving people a safe surface to walk on. It also can set the tone for the property as a whole and enhance its overall functionality.

In this post, we’ll outline why flooring should be the foundation on which your home design is built. It is amazing the difference the right choice can make.

Types of Flooring Options

Before outlining the reasons why flooring is pivotal to your overall interior design, it is worth briefly highlighting what options are available on the market.

Currently, several companies, including Choices Flooring, offer a wide range of solutions to consumers. Depending on their specific needs, some of the most popular options are as follows:

  • Laminate
  • Hardwood
  • Vinyl
  • Carpet
  • Stone
  • Cork
  • Concrete
  • Linoleum
  • Tile
  • Bamboo
  • Rubber

Some of these types of flooring are more appropriate for certain rooms than others. But collectively, if the right choice is made, it can significantly enhance the overall look and feel of your home.

Here is some more information about flooring you might find beneficial.

Why Focus on Flooring First

Now that you are aware of the different types of flooring options available to you, let’s look at why you should commit to deciding on them first during the interior design process.

1. Makes Good First Impression

Flooring is usually the largest uninterrupted surface in any room, so it is also often the first thing people notice when they enter a space. It follows, then, that if it has a wow factor, it will make an excellent first impression on guests (or buyers, should you ever want to sell).

Overall, a well-chosen floor will complement your other design elements and tie together your furniture, walls, and accessories to create one eye-catching and harmonious space. 

2. Build a Design Theme Around It

If you have a particular interior design theme in mind, the right flooring can significantly enhance the overall aesthetic you are trying to create.

Certain types of flooring better lend themselves to certain themes. For instance, if you are trying to achieve a modern and minimalist look, polished concrete, bamboo, or large-format porcelain tile work can create a sleek, contemporary look.

Similarly, rich hardwood floors in shades of oak, mahogany, or cherry can really emphasise a traditional and timeless look, while reclaimed wood, distressed planks, or natural stone exude charm and character as befitting a rustic or farmhouse style.

3. Functionality

It doesn’t matter how attractive a floor looks; it needs to be able to stand up to the practical demands of daily life. This is why it is important to make sure that the material you choose for your flooring will align with the specific needs of each room.

For instance, in kitchens and bathrooms, you will need something that is water-resistant, such as ceramic tiles or luxury vinyl planks, because these areas are prone to spills and moisture.

Likewise, the flooring solution in living rooms and bedrooms should prioritise comfort, which is why warm and soft materials like carpet or hardwood are popular choices, while those in high-traffic areas like hallways must be extremely durable.

If you choose your floor covering as an afterthought or specifically around other design elements, you might experience flooring issues further down the line.

4. Practicality

There is a practical reason why you should choose your flooring first, and that is because it is easier to install it in a blank space.

When you lay your flooring down first, you will be able to flush, which means it will be completed more quickly and potentially more cheaply.

If, however, you have to fit it around cabinetry, it will take longer to do so. Additionally, should you want to move the furniture around at a later time, you will be left with an unsightly gap on the floor, which you’ll have to be creative about covering.

How To Choose the Perfect Flooring

Knowing why you should focus on flooring first is one thing. However, being able to choose the perfect solution for your needs is another, as it involves balancing the elements of aesthetics, functionality, and practicality, as outlined above.

To do this successfully, you’ll need to assess your lifestyle because those with kids might need a solution that offers maximum scratch resistance, durability, and ease of cleaning, while empty nesters might plumb for more luxurious finishes.

You’ll also need to ensure the flooring materials you want are fit for purpose in the specific room you want to put them in, and, of course, ensure that it fits into your overall budget.

These can be difficult decisions to make, which is why it’s always consulting with an interior design expert who understands that flooring is the foundation of every great home design.