If you’ve ever wondered how to choose your floor colour, wonder no more.
Whilst we can’t recommend one particular shade over another – it’s your home after all – here at Forest Flooring we understand how important floors are. It goes without saying that flooring is our Thing. In fact, it lies at the very heart of our business, and even when we’re out and about, we can spot various brands and types at 50 paces. Whether it’s carpets or tiles, your investment with us could, and perhaps even should be what marketing people call a “considered purchase”.
That is, an outlay that you’ll only want to make once in a blue moon. Buy cheap, buy twice, as the saying goes.
So, you’ll want to get it right. Not sure where to start?
Interior decorators and architects take several years to study the art of colour, so don’t worry if you’re not an expert. Very few of us are – even if there is such a thing. There are a few things to consider, though. Before we start with advice on shades and hues, let’s start with some practicalities:
What Sort of Property Do You Have?
By which we mean, are there just the two of you in a small-ish apartment with high-value fixtures and fittings? Or, are you a part of a busy family with lots of high-traffic areas? Have you got pets? Possibly, lighter coloured laminates could work in your home and won’t show so many marks and scratches. However, darker-hued carpets are considered the better choice in houses with growing families – where drinks can be spilled!
And, what about the style of your home? You may favour modern, period, traditional, minimalist or – the latest trend: cottagecore. Your flooring should always complement your furniture and your tastes. However, it’s worth taking a view, as it were; you could be enjoying a whole new look and feel with a deep pile carpet in a rich shade, or breathe life back into a tired-looking living room with a contrasting style of flooring.
And what about how different your inside spaces will look throughout the day? Something under artificial light during the darker hours could almost look like a different floor with the sun shining on it.
Do you have a custom-made piece of furniture that you’d like to show off? Then using natural colours creates a canvas to allow your fabulous sofa, sideboard or coffee table to take centre stage for more than a few admiring glances.
A Question of Size
The general rule of thumb is that darker colours minimise space, and lighter shades tend to make interiors look larger. So, if you have a large room with lots of natural light coming in, warmer or darker tones can it feel cosy and comfortable, not least as the nights draw in. If you have plenty of space, consider adding a few brightly coloured rugs as a way to create a striking focal point. Right now, darker shades are in vogue, with rich purple grades adding a luxe touch; grey is fashionable, too, for chic living rooms.
For smaller rooms, of course, the opposite applies. Think about a lighter palette for a feeling of space – it really does work. For example, pale, pastel colours make for striking, contemporary dining rooms. Darker accessories (say cushions or throws) in rich shades add a homely ambience.
What Goes With What?
To help, try putting “colour wheel” into Google.
You can either buy them online, or just do some digging around to see what we mean. Here’s a small, interesting fact: did you know that the colour wheel was invented by Isaac Newton in 1666? Not content with highlighting the concept of gravity, he also mapped out the colour spectrum onto a circle. The basic premise is that a clever mix of art and science can show us which colours look good together, in effect revealing the relationship they have with one another.
The ones that look good together are called a “colour harmony”.
Generally, colours that are opposite in the colour wheel are good choices. Why? Because they’re pleasing to the human eye. And, they’ll work well in your home.
Colour, Mood and Atmosphere
Colour is everything when it comes to how you feel.
Think about yellow. No doubt a tough colour to have on your floor, but it seems to represent happiness, vibrancy and optimism, doesn’t it? A rich deep red speaks to us of opulence and luxury; purple is rather regal, while white and light beige can give the room a sense of openness and purity. Certain colours can fire us up – oranges and reds, whilst blues and greens calm us down. Keen on black? It can be super-dramatic for a stylish twist.
If you’re not ready to embrace bright pink flooring, and let’s face it most of us aren’t keen to go there just yet, you could think about layering your favourite colours over neutral shades.
Colour Vs Neutral Tones
When it comes to interior design, here at Forest Flooring we’d always recommend durable, long-lasting and trend-free. And, for you to buy the best you can afford. This way, you’re avoiding “buyer remorse” by swerving short-term trends.
Plus, you’re stocking up on comfort and wellbeing; and you can’t put a price on that. Safe doesn’t have to mean boring, however. There are so many different types of neutral, including grey, oatmeal, stone, off-white, taupes and so on. These more peaceful shades allow you to make more of an investment, with the understanding that you won’t need to start again next year.
Neutrals can be sublime, balancing your room’s interior and enabling you to make your mark with whatever else you fancy, including pictures, furniture, rugs, throws, cushions – the world is your oyster.
So, there you are. A quick guide to how to choose your floor colour. Do come to our showroom in Forest Row, and you could even bring some elements that represent your interior to make your decision-making easier. Or, get in touch with us if you’d like more information.