If you’re renovating a room, one of the first things you’ll need to decide is what type of flooring you’re going to use. This bears some thought; after all, the colour you choose can dramatically change a room’s appearance. In fact, you can change the feel of a room easily when you know how certain shades affect the eye, so we’ve written this quick guide to give you a hand.
Light
One of the most common things people want when they’re renovating a room is far more light. Of course, structural limitations usually mean that this can’t be done directly, but soft, natural colours can create the appearance of light, and capture all the sunshine which does enter your space.
If you want to enliven a poorly lit room, try using a pale pastel colour for the floor. This reflects light, so it makes the room appear optically larger. Laminate or tiling is often best for this task, since it is more reflective and less dense than carpeting.
Space
Yellows and blues tend to make spaces feel much larger and more open, so they can be a good choice for rooms which are a little boxy, or those with dimensions which create tight corners.
For an expansive interior, try using yellow or blue for your flooring – perhaps utilizing tiles or slate. Remember, the effect will become greater as the tone gets lighter. This often proves popular in bathrooms and toilets, since those rooms are usually on the smaller sider.
Isolation
Deep colours such as red and brown serve to contract a room’s space, so using those colours for your flooring is perfect for places in which you would like to foster a degree of seclusion. This is why dark wood is often used in libraries and studies.
Many people find that using either dark brown laminate or dark red carpeting is ideal for creating their own private sanctuary. For added tranquillity, remember to use plenty of soft fabrics and warm tones elsewhere in the room, so things don’t feel too sparse.
If you’re trying to decide which type of flooring is right for you, try thinking about how you want to feel when you walk into the room, then use this guide to narrow things down. Happy decorating!
