(ARA) – Choosing the right floor for your home is a big decision. It sets the tone for the whole interior of your house, and is the foundation for everything else you put in a room. Your choice should fit not only the way you want your home to look, but also the way your family lives.
“When making a decision about flooring, keep in mind such factors as design options, comfort, warmth, safety and maintenance,” says Piera Marotto of Forbo Linoleum, Inc. “And don’t forget you can have fun with color!”
Each family is unique and will have different demands and expectations for their flooring choice. A large family with kids will have a different set of needs than a retired couple. Pet owners will have particular requirements as well. Allergy and asthma sufferers will need to keep a clean and dust free environment.
For households that have light traffic, carpet is one option. It is an attractive addition to a room and the color choices are virtually unlimited. It is however, high maintenance -- regular vacuuming and shampooing are mandatory, and stains are a constant worry.
Hardwood floors are a classic choice for many homes, and they work with most kinds of décor. However, they are sensitive to climate changes and may expand and contract throughout the year. They are also susceptible to water damage and need constant maintenance. These kinds of floors can also be quite cool in the wintertime.
A flooring choice that has a lot more flexibility is Marmoleum. Made mainly from organic materials, it is an environmentally friendly surface that is easy to maintain and is enhanced by time. Exposure to the air serves to increase its durability, yet it remains a comfortable and warm surface on which to walk.
“Homeowners today want a flooring product that is easy to clean, comfortable to live with and one that looks great too,” says Marotto. “Marmoleum is an exciting alternative.”
Cleaning involves just the occasional dust and damp mopping. Unlike with other surfaces, muddy footprints and other stains don’t sink in. They can be easily wiped off with a damp cloth.
Not only is Marmoleum practical, it can enhance any interior design style from retro to modern to country. Available in sheet or tiles, it can be customized with decorative border and corner pieces. Colors range from solids to cubed or spattered effects and can be mixed in unlimited ways. Some of the color palettes offered include mixed greens, rhythmic blues, grey-dations, sunset’s boulevard, and neutral color collaborators.
Related Articles
Lights, Camera, Action . . . Design?!?
By: upinder singh negi2 | 15/03/2008 | Interior Design
(ARA) - “Reality” shows have saturated television programming, especially in the area of home and garden design.
Hand-painted Furniture: the Must-have Home Furnishings of the Season
By: Navneet | 18/03/2008 | Interior Design
From armoires to wooden figurines to headboards and accent mirrors, home furnishings are canvases for artists around the world. Adorned with floral patterns, Asian motifs and other ethnic-inspired designs, hand-painted furniture and accessories are the must-have items of the season. Hand-painted home furnishings are taking center stage in the home, adding a world-inspired flare and style to the overall decor,says Gary Babcock, vice president of merchandising and fashion at Arhaus Furniture, a 2
Ceiling Fan Blades
By: DEV DAAS | 19/03/2008 | Home Improvement
A ceiling fan consists of three basic parts, namely the motor; blades and the mounting device.
Fall is the Perfect Time to Organize Your Garage
By: Mahender Singh | 20/03/2008 | Interior Design
(ARA) - As days grow shorter and temperatures become cooler, it means the inevitable is just around the corner: everything that came out of your garage this spring needs to go back in before winter rolls around.
Real Vs. Artificial Christmas Trees
By: Rajkamta | 15/03/2008 | Interior Design
Putting up and decorating your Christmas tree is a holiday tradition which has been in effect for hundreds of years and will probably be in effect until the end of time. Choosing whether you want a real Christmas tree or an artificial Christmas tree is a dilemma which many of us face every year. There are many benefits to both forms of trees but there are many disadvantages as well.
Softening Your Walls With Color Wash
By: Hanit | 18/03/2008 | Interior Design
If you like the soft look of watercolors, why not try using a color wash on your walls? In addition to a softer color, color washing can accentuate the texture of your plaster or stucco walls. And it�s so simple that even I, a faux-finish-impaired decorator, can do it
Beds for the Pets: Sleeping in Comfort
By: sunil sharma | 19/03/2008 | Home Improvement
As we love to have a comfortable place to sleep so do the animals. So there are various types of beds for the pets to give them a comfortable sleep. Most of us have the dog as a pet. For the pets we specially have these beds designed for their fullest comfort.
How Closet Organizers Can Simplify Your Life: Getting the Most From Your Intimate Space
By: Vikram Parmar | 22/03/2008 | Interior Design
Closet organizers have come a long way in recently years. There's more to them nowadays than just a shelf above a horizontal pole.
Concepts in closet organization have gone from simple home improvement to statements regarding lifestyle. And with the best use of space in mind, it is possible to get all your gear in one place, and keep it handy and orderly.
Got a Question? Ask.
Ask the community a question about this article:
Frequently Asked Questions
Bathroom mat rubber backing came off on tile
By: TMG | 20-07-2008
how do I remove the rubber backing of a bath rug that came off on our tile floor?
Nate Berkus' initial introductio to Oprah.
By: Dan | 17-07-2008
What lead to the first meeting with and appearance on Oprah? Did Nate's pr people lobby for the introduction or did Oprah's people notice him and reach out first?
Float a Wall
By: Rosebuddy7 | 09-07-2008
How do you float a wall for painting?
Shag carpet
By: jimj | 05-07-2008
we have shag carpet. we want to put rugs over the heavyly walked area. any rug we have tried will walk the direction of the soft part of the carpet. what kind of rug can we get that will not move with the flow of the carpet when you walk on the rugs/
I am looking for information about personalized ...
By: duble-d | 30-06-2008
I am looking for information aboutpersonalized rugs. I would like a rug for my living room with my name on it.
Curtans
By: mic | 24-06-2008
can anyone tell a person with all thumbs, how to hang scarf curtains?
Q&A Powered by:
More from Arvinder Jeet Singh
How to Convert Ebay Surfers Into Bidders!
By: Arvinder Jeet Singh | 24/03/2008 | Online Education
Do you know the phrase "A Call To Action"? Well, using "A Call To Action" on your eBay Auction could help increase your sales almost immediately. As outlined in my book "eBay Marketing Wholesale SourcePak" having the right product, at the right price is crucial.
Ebay's Weirdest Items
By: Arvinder Jeet Singh | 23/03/2008 | Education
Indeed, E-bay is today's most sought-after shopping portal in the Internet. It has created in itself a worldwide phenomenon that people get inflicted with. The joy and the thrill of bidding online create a certain diagrammatic representation of life's drama.
How to Stay Focussed and Build Your Business
By: Arvinder Jeet Singh | 21/03/2008 | Education
You have a detailed business plan, which showed the overall intent of your company. You presented the business plan to your bank before start-up and they submitted funding in the amount that you both deemed acceptable.
Regional Cuisine Hunan Cuisine
By: Arvinder Jeet Singh | 21/03/2008 | Cooking Tips
Hunan cuisine shares many commonalities with its close, more well-known cousin, Szechwan cooking, Both cuisines originate in the Western region of China. The climate there is sub-tropical – humid and warm enough to encourage the use of fiery spices to help cool the body, and to require high spicing of food as a preservative.
Four Reasons Why You Should Never Use Animations in Your Ebay
By: Arvinder Jeet Singh | 18/03/2008 | Home Business
Inexperienced auction sellers, or those lacking in confidence, often want to make their auction listings more dramatic and exciting. They dread the possibility that buyers will be bored by their auction and turn away with indifference.
Like an Extra Virgin!
By: Arvinder Jeet Singh | 18/03/2008 | Cooking Tips
I’m talking, of course, about extra-virgin olive oil!
Not many people would disagree with the assertion that olive oil is the very basis and hallmark of southern French cuisine. It’s used everywhere: in aioli and pistou, in tapénade and anchoiade, in ratatouille and pan bagnat ….
For Entrepreneurs a Simple Plan May be Best
By: Arvinder Jeet Singh | 17/03/2008 | Online Business
Here’s my best advice on retirement plans: find yourself a financial advisor (or financial planner) who is has experience working with small businesses and have him or her explain the options available and make a recommendation as to the type of plan best suited for you and your business.
Garlic: a Quick Guide
By: Arvinder Jeet Singh | 17/03/2008 | Cooking Tips
Garlic, there's nothing like the smell of garlic. It's great in soups and sauces, roasted with meats or on its own, and it's wonderful mixed with butter and slathered on bread and then baked.
Home Improvement 
