What are your options then?     

Solid Or Engineered Wood:

To the unsuspected eye, all-wood flooring must look alike. However, in reality, there are two types of wood flooring and the first consideration is to choose one over the other. The most common type is solid wood flooring also referred to as ‘real wood flooring’, though not entirely accurate. These are made from complete wood and vary in their grade. Their solid structure offers property owners fantastic durability (up to 100 years of service life), though there are two disadvantages for using solid wood that may make them unsuitable in your property:

Price – Because 100% wood is used in the production of solid wood flooring, they are dearer compared to the alternative.

Expansion / Contraction – Wood has a natural tendency to react by expanding or contracting when the temperature changes. Solid floors having been made from complete natural wood will inherit this reaction. In cold temperature the floor may contract and logically the other way around in warm conditions.

The alternative is therefore another type of ‘real wood flooring’ called engineered wood flooring. Real wood is still used, but only on the top layer, whilst the core is made from three to four layers of plywood, MDF and softwood. The result is a type of wood flooring that looks like solid flooring, however more affordable and immune to expansion and contraction, though there are two disadvantages for using engineered wood that may make them unsuitable in your property.

Durability – Due to their varied construction, engineered wood flooring will never match the durability of service life that owners of solid flooring can expect. Depending on the quality, floorboards of this type are expected to last around 25 years.

Wood Flooring Sanding Limitation – Sanding wood flooring in the process of sanding away 1mm of top layer to expose new wood thereby rejuvenating the look of the wood. This is often done every couple of years or when needed depending on the foot traffic the floor is coping with. While engineered flooring could be sanded a few times (depending on the thickness of the top layer), they can never be sanded in equal amount to solid wood.

Grade Of Wood:

Both solid and engineered type floors are available in different price levels. Price is normally based on the grade of the natural wood that used (complete wood in solid case vs. top layer in engineered case).  There are four grades of wood, the higher the grade is the more expensive each floorboard will end up costing. Grade will not influence the durability of the wood; it is merely an indication of how refine the wood is in terms of knots and colour variations. The higher-grade woods are taken from the middle of the tree so they are more refine. The four grades that are available for both types of wood floors are:

Prime Grade – Prime grade wood flooring are cut from the middle of the tree which means that the floorboard will have the least amount of colour variations between the boards and knots are very few between. They are the most expensive.

Select Grade – Select grade wood flooring are cut from the second ring from within the core of the tree which means that the floorboards will show some colour variations between the boards and some knots can be expected.

Natural Grade – Natural grade will feature sapwood and black knots of up to 30cm in size. Compared to the previous two grades, price difference between the three will become more substantial.

Rustic Grade – Also referred to as ‘country grade’, rustic is by far the grade with the most texture, as you cannot mistaken the floor for wood.  Floorboards will feature sapwood and black knots of 35cm. There might be unlimited colour variation between the floorboards. Rustic is the most affordable option.

As you have read, there are many considerations and options for fitting wood flooring. If you are still unsure, leave your comment below and we will try and help.

The 2011 trends for interiors used bold colours and contrasts in design and visual elements. Many design blogs recommended thinking “outside the box”. Over the next year this trend will go further, vivid colours balance with softer tones. 2012 will see resurgence in the use of neon colours, used as an highlight that creates an arresting impact. In creating sleek and elegant spaces in your home, subtle use of metallics, particularly gold, is making a comeback. For a simple way to improve your living space on a small budget, a little careful painting to smarten up a space can be highly effective. If you are able to invest a little more, look for unconventional pieces of furniture that fit your personal style and tastes and combine sofas, tables and chairs in combinations which reflect your chosen style.

Lighting is a key part of your living room’s appearance. In a room with ample natural light look for lights and lamps which throw smaller areas of light and will offer a soft, soothing atmosphere in the evenings. In rooms lacking sun facing windows consider the different areas of the room and how they will be used. Plan adaptable lighting options giving the greatest longevity and adaptability to the designs as you live in the space. Understanding your “canvas” before you begin is the critical element in creating a stylish and effective result which you will enjoy living in.

Due to the current economic climate one key to this year’s decoration trends is to gain the most impact for the least cost. A great way to do this is to introduce luxury through the smaller decorative items. Lush fabrics, for example on cushions, and decadent designs on ornamental pieces can bring class and luxury on a budget, particularly when combined with a well thought out colour scheme. Putting these luxury elements alongside simple design elsewhere can create “featured” pieces in a space. For example an eye-popping chandelier can draw the eye. This type of design scheme should avoid clutter and overcrowding.

Alongside the basic décor, you can also do a lot for the aesthetics and ambience of your living room by investing in the home appliances in the space. Traditional, piped central heating systems can be clunky and expensive to maintain and the copper piping itself can create major problems in planning the decoration of the space. Those looking for a truly chic design solution should consider installing electric heaters – they are available in numerous designs, from small, low-profile electric heaters to those designed to look like a fireplace or small stove. The bold designs will fit with this year’s trends, while also adding value to your day-to-day experience of your living space.

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Step 1 – Furniture Plan
Before you arrive at your new home, take a tape measure and camera, and measure all the spaces and take pictures of the basic furnishings. When you get home measure all of the furniture and furnishings (curtains, light shades etc) you already have, and work out which pieces will fit into the new house. Also review the basic décor of the new house, and make a plan of which rooms will need decorating and new carpets, curtains etc. Once you have decided what you will need for your new home, and start making plans to dispose of all those pieces of furniture/furnishings you will not need when you move, such as by taking them to charity shops or advertising them in a local paper.

Step 2 – Budget
Once you have decided what new decorating and furnishings the new house needs, figure these costs in that of the overall move, and keep this money aside. Lots of people move into their new homes without setting by any money to buy furnishings, and are then stuck with worn, outdated carpets and drapes, and mismatched furniture for months to come.

Step 3 – Do It Yourself
Professional decorators, builders and interior designers provide that special, perfect finish, but this comes at a high price, so if you are on a tight budget you must be prepared to be spend some time and effort on decorating and furnishing yourself. Start on one room at a time, and if you have no experience with decorating, then just do simple jobs such as stripping and replacing the wallpaper, and repainting the windowsills and skirting boards. Don’t attempt big jobs such as re-tiling the bathroom if you have never done it before, as this may look simple but does take a skilled hand to achieve a smooth, polished effect, and in these cases it is worth saving up to have difficult jobs done professionally.

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