"There are lots of beautiful options in interior flooring today."

Interior flooring options are quite varied these days. From soft to hard and even in between, there is something perfect for every living space. Your floor is one of the biggest surfaces in your home, so the materials you choose say a lot about your style and the way you live in your space.

Most flooring options fall into one of the three general categories listed below. Clicking a title will link you to more information on that specific flooring type if you want to learn more about it.

• Hard Flooring

• Soft Flooring

• Flexible Flooring

But before you decide on a flooring type, it’s a good idea to check below your existing interior flooring to verify the type and quality of the sub-floor. In older homes particularly, wall-to wall carpeting often conceals hardwood flooring that only need a little attention to restore it to a beautiful finish.

Even if the hardwood floor is somewhat damaged, it may still be suitable for a paint treatment. This option can look quite sharp on its own.

Regardless of whether or not you have hardwood floors hiding out under your existing floor covering, you may still be looking for something different in look and feel. So what kind of flooring are you dreaming about for your home? Various flooring materials influence the style of a space differently. Begin by taking a cue from the architecture of your home when choosing your flooring - whether it is casual or more on the formal end of the spectrum.

Tiled floors tend to present a more formal vibe if they are glossy in appearance. Marble is a great example of this. On the other hand, slate tile flooring tends to have a more casual feel due to its inherent rustic character.

Similarly, hardwood flooring can influence a room’s style through a couple of factors. Color is one of them. Dark wood hues tend to look more formal while light wood tones tend to convey a sense of casualness. And…the greater the predominance of a wood grain pattern, the more casual the look will be.

Carpet exudes a warm and welcoming feeling and is suited for both casual and formal interiors, though it may not be the best choice if you have pets or super sensitive allergies. A looped, Berber style carpet tends toward the casual while a finely patterned wool carpet can be utterly regal.

Best of all…no matter what flooring material interests you, there are tons of options from which to choose!

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