Whether you are revamping an old property, or have moved house recently and want to give the interior a new look, one way to do this is by opting to install elegant hardwood flooring.
Hardwood flooring looks beautiful and gives homes a wonderful, inviting and welcoming appearance. If you have decided on hardwood flooring for your home, there is such a wide range of flooring options it may be difficult to know which one to choose.
In parts of the home that are likely to see heavy footfall, such as the hallway and living room of a busy family house, the practicality and durability of hardwood flooring will be particularly appealing. Another major influence is the colour and appearance of the wood and this generally comes down to personal taste.
Those of you who want to achieve a bright and airy look to your home are more likely to opt for a lighter colour wood, such as beech or maple. However, if you want to achieve a cosy and intimate look to your interior, it may well be that you will want to opt for darker hardwood flooring.
You will find the range of colours for hardwood flooring is huge. Ranging from dark brown or black timber, to wood with an almost whitish appearance, hardwood flooring is available in all the other colours in between including red, purples, yellows and even wood with gold flecks.
See below to find out about the variety of hardwood flooring options and the different looks you can achieve with the various colours available. We shall also look at the meaning of the different colours in the home.
Hardwood Flooring – Click here to browse our solid wood flooring products
Add Drama to Your Interior with Black Hardwood Flooring
A dark floor can not only make a space feel cosy and intimate, it can also add drama to your interior. If you want to achieve a monochrome look, choose a virtually black hardwood floor which gives an elegant and sophisticated look to your interior.
A dark floor contrasted against white furnishings with well chosen accessories such as black and white photographs and artwork can create a real wow factor to your home. To achieve this look, choose Wenge or American Black Walnut.
Make Your Interior Feel Homely with Yellow Flooring
Flooring which has a yellowish tinge, such as Ash or Iroko can make a room feel light, cheery and warming. It can give a room an inviting feel and create a relaxed space that you will enjoy spending time in.
Hardwood flooring with hints of yellow is a great option for hallways and reception rooms such as the drawing room, living room or dining areas. It is also makes a good choice for a nursery or children's playroom. Yellow is a very optimistic colour and it can help to promote creativity and improve memory, which is why it is also a very good choice for the home office.
Add Vitality to Your Interior with Red Hardwood Flooring
Solid hardwood flooring with reddish tones can really warm up a space and adds energy to your interior. Red is bold and vibrant and will look great in all areas of the home including the living room or bedroom.
If you like this look, there are a variety of hardwood flooring options you can choose from such as Mahogany, Padouk and Jatoba. It is also a good choice for the dining area as it helps stimulate the appetite.
A Solid Wood Floor with Hints of Purple is Calming
Purple is a relaxing and spiritual colour, so it is a great choice for the bedroom or a room used for yoga or meditation. It also evokes the feeling of luxury so it can be used in a room for entertaining, such as the living room or dining area.
If you want to achieve this look in your home, Purple Heart is a good choice as the wood is a deep purple colour, with a hint of brown.
Go Back to Nature with Browns
Brown is a stable and earthy colour and the good news is that there is a variety of hardwood flooring options available in different shades of brown, so you will always find something that appeals.
It is a great option for any room in the home as it brings forth a feeling of security and stability. Some of the choices you can opt for are American Black Cherry, Afromosia, Oak and Burmese Teak.
Give Your Home a Crisp Clean Look with Almost White Flooring
White is a very calming and serene colour so it is a great option for almost any room in the home. This colour is also a good light reflector, so it can make a room appear more spacious.
Canadian Maple is a whitish yellow colour and is a good choice for a modern or minimalist home, in smaller rooms, or simply as the basis for a light or pastel decor.
Thursday, 25 October 2012
Monday, 22 October 2012
Hardwood Flooring – Why Solid Wood is the Best Flooring Option for Your Interior
Hardwood flooring has been in use for generations and it is easy to see why this type of flooring is so popular. It is an elegant choice for the home and makes an interior feel warm, cosy and welcoming.
Another benefit of hardwood flooring is its versatility. It looks stunning in both traditional and contemporary homes and nothing beats the appearance of a correctly installed solid wood floor.
Hardwood flooring is extremely durable so it is suitable for areas of heavy traffic, such as hallways and reception rooms. It is easy to clean and maintain – oiled or waxed floors for instance require just a yearly re-oil or wax. This does not take long to do and will keep your flooring looking as good as new.
Solid hardwood flooring can be used in almost any room in the home and there are many different timbers to select from to help you achieve the look you want. Choose from a host of options including planked, parquet flooring, engineered flooring, aged and distressed floors, end grain block floors and mosaic flooring to suit your style of interior.
Although hardwood flooring is a great choice for the home, it is not the only flooring option. Here we shall look at the pros and cons of other types of flooring to help you choose the right one for you.
Hardwood Flooring – Click here to browse our solid wood flooring products
Other Types of Flooring for the Home
Laminate Flooring – Laminate flooring is designed to look like wood and is easy to maintain but it does not have the beauty that you get with real wood flooring. Although hardwood flooring is more expensive than laminate, a laminate floor will last between 10 and 20 years, whereas a solid wood floor is more robust and can last generations.
Stone Flooring – Natural stone flooring not only looks attractive, it is also very hardwearing and easy to keep clean and care for. However, a natural stone floor does not have the homeliness and warmth that hardwood flooring has. Although it looks elegant in hallways, kitchens, dining rooms, utility rooms and bathrooms, it can sometimes appear stark and cold.
Bamboo Flooring – Bamboo is not a wood but a grass and is a very environmentally friendly option as it is a sustainable product that grows at a very rapid rate (it matures every four years). It is a popular form of flooring and has a distinctive look. However, it is harder to care for than a hardwood floor as the surface is softer, so it is more prone to scrapes, marks and scratches.
Terracotta Flooring – Terracotta tiles have an attractive, rustic look and are used in hallways, kitchen areas, utility rooms and bathrooms. It is a good choice for a traditional home but the downside is that terracotta is very porous and can easily absorb moisture. If the tiles are not sealed properly, they can easy stain and this is hard to put right. Terracotta tiles must be properly sealed before use.
Marble flooring – Marble is a very elegant and beautiful form of flooring which looks fantastic in halls, stairways, kitchen areas, dining rooms and bathrooms. It also benefits from being very durable. However, marble can be very expensive and therefore it is generally used only in the best homes.
Vinyl and Linoleum Flooring – Vinyl is a man-made material made from petroleum and linoleum is made from renewable materials such as solidified linseed oil combined with other substances such as wood or ground cork dust. This type of flooring is easy to clean. It is also durable, economical and is available in a wide variety of patterns and colours. You can also use linoleum or vinyl to give the effect of a tiled surface. However, this look can appear dated and vinyl or linoleum does not last as long as hardwood flooring.
Carpet – Carpet is available in lots of different colours and designs and it is also cosy and warm under your feet in cold winter days. However, if you do happen to spill something on your carpet, red wine for instance, it can be difficult to get certain stains out so you may feel that hardwood flooring is much better option. Carpets can also wear out over time, whereas a solid wood floor can be repaired and restored. And of course, you can bring in the warmth of carpet by laying rugs over a hardwood floor.
The Benefits of Hardwood Flooring
Many home owners are choosing hardwood flooring over and above other forms of flooring because it is so durable and long lasting. It looks warm and appealing and can suit all types of properties and interiors.
A home with a solid wood floor looks instantly inviting and is the ideal flooring solution. Although it can be costly to install, this is outweighed by the longevity of a solid hardwood floor which, if well maintained, can last 100 years or more.
Hardwood Flooring – Click here to browse our solid wood flooring products
Another benefit of hardwood flooring is its versatility. It looks stunning in both traditional and contemporary homes and nothing beats the appearance of a correctly installed solid wood floor.
Hardwood flooring is extremely durable so it is suitable for areas of heavy traffic, such as hallways and reception rooms. It is easy to clean and maintain – oiled or waxed floors for instance require just a yearly re-oil or wax. This does not take long to do and will keep your flooring looking as good as new.
Solid hardwood flooring can be used in almost any room in the home and there are many different timbers to select from to help you achieve the look you want. Choose from a host of options including planked, parquet flooring, engineered flooring, aged and distressed floors, end grain block floors and mosaic flooring to suit your style of interior.
Although hardwood flooring is a great choice for the home, it is not the only flooring option. Here we shall look at the pros and cons of other types of flooring to help you choose the right one for you.
Hardwood Flooring – Click here to browse our solid wood flooring products
Other Types of Flooring for the Home
Laminate Flooring – Laminate flooring is designed to look like wood and is easy to maintain but it does not have the beauty that you get with real wood flooring. Although hardwood flooring is more expensive than laminate, a laminate floor will last between 10 and 20 years, whereas a solid wood floor is more robust and can last generations.
Stone Flooring – Natural stone flooring not only looks attractive, it is also very hardwearing and easy to keep clean and care for. However, a natural stone floor does not have the homeliness and warmth that hardwood flooring has. Although it looks elegant in hallways, kitchens, dining rooms, utility rooms and bathrooms, it can sometimes appear stark and cold.
Bamboo Flooring – Bamboo is not a wood but a grass and is a very environmentally friendly option as it is a sustainable product that grows at a very rapid rate (it matures every four years). It is a popular form of flooring and has a distinctive look. However, it is harder to care for than a hardwood floor as the surface is softer, so it is more prone to scrapes, marks and scratches.
Terracotta Flooring – Terracotta tiles have an attractive, rustic look and are used in hallways, kitchen areas, utility rooms and bathrooms. It is a good choice for a traditional home but the downside is that terracotta is very porous and can easily absorb moisture. If the tiles are not sealed properly, they can easy stain and this is hard to put right. Terracotta tiles must be properly sealed before use.
Marble flooring – Marble is a very elegant and beautiful form of flooring which looks fantastic in halls, stairways, kitchen areas, dining rooms and bathrooms. It also benefits from being very durable. However, marble can be very expensive and therefore it is generally used only in the best homes.
Vinyl and Linoleum Flooring – Vinyl is a man-made material made from petroleum and linoleum is made from renewable materials such as solidified linseed oil combined with other substances such as wood or ground cork dust. This type of flooring is easy to clean. It is also durable, economical and is available in a wide variety of patterns and colours. You can also use linoleum or vinyl to give the effect of a tiled surface. However, this look can appear dated and vinyl or linoleum does not last as long as hardwood flooring.
Carpet – Carpet is available in lots of different colours and designs and it is also cosy and warm under your feet in cold winter days. However, if you do happen to spill something on your carpet, red wine for instance, it can be difficult to get certain stains out so you may feel that hardwood flooring is much better option. Carpets can also wear out over time, whereas a solid wood floor can be repaired and restored. And of course, you can bring in the warmth of carpet by laying rugs over a hardwood floor.
The Benefits of Hardwood Flooring
Many home owners are choosing hardwood flooring over and above other forms of flooring because it is so durable and long lasting. It looks warm and appealing and can suit all types of properties and interiors.
A home with a solid wood floor looks instantly inviting and is the ideal flooring solution. Although it can be costly to install, this is outweighed by the longevity of a solid hardwood floor which, if well maintained, can last 100 years or more.
Hardwood Flooring – Click here to browse our solid wood flooring products
Friday, 19 October 2012
Using Hardwood Flooring to Create Different Effects in the Home
If you are moving into a new property or have recently renovated an old one, then it is likely you will want to think about the various hardwood flooring options to create exactly the right look to your interior.
Hardwood flooring is a popular option for the home not only because it looks so appealing, but it is also very practical as it is easy to clean and maintain. However, with so many different hardwood flooring options available, it is often hard to know which type of to choose.
When it comes to selecting hardwood flooring for your home, as well as the different patterns, you will be faced with a vast range of colours. Hardwood flooring ranges from the lightest timbers such as Canadian Maple, which is whitish yellow in colour, to Wenge which is a dark, almost black wood. And there are a wide range of colour options in between including wood with gold tints, reddish brown wood and even deep purple.
In addition to the colour of the timber in its natural state, hardwood flooring can also be treated in a multitude of ways, such as wax, oils, stains and heat treatments, which further multiplies the colour options available.
Although the choice of wood may seem overwhelming at first, our experts at Naturally Wood will be able to talk you through the various hardwood flooring options. We can also bring samples to your home, so you can see the different wood types at first hand and get an idea of the finished result.
Hardwood Flooring – Click here to browse our solid wood flooring products
Hardwood Flooring in Interior Design
Whether you are looking to achieve a modern or traditional look, your choice of hardwood flooring will give a real wow factor to your interior.
Here we shall look at some of the design tips and hints that you can use to create different effects in a space.
Light and Airy – Choosing light coloured solid wood flooring against a backdrop of neutral walls and similar coloured furniture can make the room appear light, airy and spacious. If you want to achieve this look, a top tip is to make the most of the natural light where you can. For window coverings, the use of plantation shutters means that you can vary the light levels and allow natural light to stream in while still maintaining privacy.
Wider Room – Hardwood flooring in a dark colour contrasted against light coloured walls can make a room appear wider and give the illusion that the floor space is much bigger than it really is. Dark flooring also makes the room appear warm and inviting and is a good choice for sitting rooms or bedrooms. If you are choosing a dark floor in the bedroom, a good idea is to have a textured rug to sink your feet into on cold winter nights.
High Ceilings – If you have very high ceilings, the use of colour can make this space appear more intimate. By choosing light coloured walls and flooring but opting to paint the ceiling in a dark colour (such as dark green for instance) will give the effect of 'lowering' the ceiling and makes the space appear more cosy.
Large Rooms – If you have a very large room or an open plan area and are opting for stripped wooden flooring, wide planks will work best in this space. Alternatively, you may want to consider patterned flooring, such as parquet flooring, and zone each area with different patterns and designs to create 'rooms'. Use hardwood flooring to create a lounge space, home office and dining area.
Small Rooms – Installing hardwood flooring on the diagonal, instead of the horizontal makes a space appear larger and creates added interest. This method also works equally well in large rooms. For instance it can make an already spacious hallway appear more roomy and adds drama to this space.
Focal Point – If you want to create a focal point, one way to do this is to have parquet flooring with a motif. This is imaginative and creates interest and can look stunning, particularly in the hallway of a large period property or townhouse.
About Naturally Wood
Naturally Wood specialise in hardwood flooring installation and restoration for all types of solid wood flooring including strip floors, end grain wood block floors, engineered floors, aged and distressed floors, parquet floors and mosaic floors.
We offer a complete range of sanding, floor laying and restoration services for homes, businesses, civic buildings, churches, educational establishments and a host of other organisations throughout London, East Anglia, Hertfordshire, Middlesex and Kent.
Hardwood Flooring – Click here to browse our solid wood flooring products.
Hardwood flooring is a popular option for the home not only because it looks so appealing, but it is also very practical as it is easy to clean and maintain. However, with so many different hardwood flooring options available, it is often hard to know which type of to choose.
When it comes to selecting hardwood flooring for your home, as well as the different patterns, you will be faced with a vast range of colours. Hardwood flooring ranges from the lightest timbers such as Canadian Maple, which is whitish yellow in colour, to Wenge which is a dark, almost black wood. And there are a wide range of colour options in between including wood with gold tints, reddish brown wood and even deep purple.
In addition to the colour of the timber in its natural state, hardwood flooring can also be treated in a multitude of ways, such as wax, oils, stains and heat treatments, which further multiplies the colour options available.
Although the choice of wood may seem overwhelming at first, our experts at Naturally Wood will be able to talk you through the various hardwood flooring options. We can also bring samples to your home, so you can see the different wood types at first hand and get an idea of the finished result.
Hardwood Flooring – Click here to browse our solid wood flooring products
Hardwood Flooring in Interior Design
Whether you are looking to achieve a modern or traditional look, your choice of hardwood flooring will give a real wow factor to your interior.
Here we shall look at some of the design tips and hints that you can use to create different effects in a space.
Light and Airy – Choosing light coloured solid wood flooring against a backdrop of neutral walls and similar coloured furniture can make the room appear light, airy and spacious. If you want to achieve this look, a top tip is to make the most of the natural light where you can. For window coverings, the use of plantation shutters means that you can vary the light levels and allow natural light to stream in while still maintaining privacy.
Wider Room – Hardwood flooring in a dark colour contrasted against light coloured walls can make a room appear wider and give the illusion that the floor space is much bigger than it really is. Dark flooring also makes the room appear warm and inviting and is a good choice for sitting rooms or bedrooms. If you are choosing a dark floor in the bedroom, a good idea is to have a textured rug to sink your feet into on cold winter nights.
High Ceilings – If you have very high ceilings, the use of colour can make this space appear more intimate. By choosing light coloured walls and flooring but opting to paint the ceiling in a dark colour (such as dark green for instance) will give the effect of 'lowering' the ceiling and makes the space appear more cosy.
Large Rooms – If you have a very large room or an open plan area and are opting for stripped wooden flooring, wide planks will work best in this space. Alternatively, you may want to consider patterned flooring, such as parquet flooring, and zone each area with different patterns and designs to create 'rooms'. Use hardwood flooring to create a lounge space, home office and dining area.
Small Rooms – Installing hardwood flooring on the diagonal, instead of the horizontal makes a space appear larger and creates added interest. This method also works equally well in large rooms. For instance it can make an already spacious hallway appear more roomy and adds drama to this space.
Focal Point – If you want to create a focal point, one way to do this is to have parquet flooring with a motif. This is imaginative and creates interest and can look stunning, particularly in the hallway of a large period property or townhouse.
About Naturally Wood
Naturally Wood specialise in hardwood flooring installation and restoration for all types of solid wood flooring including strip floors, end grain wood block floors, engineered floors, aged and distressed floors, parquet floors and mosaic floors.
We offer a complete range of sanding, floor laying and restoration services for homes, businesses, civic buildings, churches, educational establishments and a host of other organisations throughout London, East Anglia, Hertfordshire, Middlesex and Kent.
Hardwood Flooring – Click here to browse our solid wood flooring products.
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