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Pet urine stain removers are your best ally when it comes to bringing back the former flair of your hardwood floor. Pets are pets, whether they are being territorial or just simply couldn’t hold themselves, instances like this can happen on any day. Trained or untrained, whether or not you forgot to let them out, this can happen and when it does, it can cause 2 problems on your hardwood floors: first, the smell and second, the stain when the urine seeps in. The smell is easier to manage compared to the stain but don’t worry, all is not lost. We have some steps below on how to clean pet urine on hardwood floors.

How to remove the smell?

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The smell of the pet urine is very unpleasant and can be downright irritating that it affects the concentration of others and leaves them distracted. While most of us will get bleach, soap or other available chemical cleaners that smells good, it is wiser to go to the kitchen and use these less popular but often readily available remedies…that and some chemical cleaners might actually cause more harm to you hardwood flooring aside from the smell.

These common items found in the kitchen include:

1. Baking soda. Wipe off the urine. Once the floor is dry, sprinkle generous amounts of baking soda over the part where the urine was. Leave it there for an hour before sweeping it away. Baking soda absorbs the bad smell on the floor.

2. Charcoal. Charcoal has been known as a great odor-absorbing material, its not unusual to keep or find charcoal hidden from plain site in the kitchen for that purpose. SO in order to keep the whole surrounding smell-free, its a great habit to have: placing a wire tumbler of charcoal on every corner of the house. Apart from the smell of urine, charcoal also absorbs other impurities such as fur odors and smoke.

3. Vinegar. Another known wonder cleaner from the kitchen is vinegar. While it has a strong sour smell, its acidic properties works wonders in eliminating the urine’s stench. To  use vinegar on pet urine: prepare a mixture that is on a 1 is to 1 proportion of water and vinegar. Scrub it over the part where there was urine. Do not worry about the smell of the vinegar.  It will hang around for about an hour. When the smell of the vinegar is gone, you will be surprised that the smell of the urine is gone, too.

How to remove pet urine stain on hardwood floors?

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Hardwood floors are really low maintenance and do not need to be frequently replaced regularly, in fact they are only replaced when they have been damaged beyond repair. Most well maintained hardwood flooring can last longer than our lifetime. Waxing, annual staining and refinishing are 2 of the main activities done to preserve hardwood flooring.

When it comes to pet stains, here are a few quick steps to follow:

In general, pet urine do not stain – that is if you act quick enough and follow the cleaning steps we discussed earlier. However should the urine go unnoticed and be left on the floor for a day or even longer, then we have a problem there because by that time, it is possible that the urine has already penetrated the finish, of the wood itself if the floor has no finish at all. Dark spots may be present and it can be hard to get rid of.

First is to try and scrub the stain off the wood. If that don’t work, try adding small amounts of bleach on the affected area. Should there still be stains, then we have to resort to sanding. Now remember to be very careful when sanding. Try to keep the activity on the affected surface and keep it as small as possible.

After you have successfully sanded of the stains, remember to re-apply stain and finish off with a coat of varnish. Allow to dry before use. Now in rare extreme cases that the stain is too much or too stubborn, then replacing the wood plank might be called for.

Hardwood is basically a pet friendly flooring material, you just have to train your pets properly and be prepared to quickly clean up the mess should training fail.

Carpets have long been associated with nothing but pure comfort and luxury. Its warmth and softness remains unmatched given the different flooring choices available today. Like other floor coverings, carpets have changed with the times – the cut, the color, fabric, shapes, styles and textures even the manner it is installed.

Given limitless options and possibilities in decorating homes and offices, how can one not resist  the charm of carpets. At the same time, and more importantly: how does one choose the type that is most suited to his or her needs?

There are several things we should essentially know about carpet flooring before we go out and scout local stores and retailers.

Location and Purpose

This is very important since this will determine what materials or fabrics will work for the room. Knowing the use – planned activities and expected traffic will help identify if wall-to-wall carpeting or carpet tiles will work best.

This also is true for the installation and backing as well as subfloor preparation. If there are any repairs or alternations to be done make sure they have been implemented before you go out shopping for your carpet flooring.

When you go ask around, don’t forget to mention things like access from the outside, having pets or kids running around, exposure to moisture and the amount of sunlight the room gets in order for you to get the best grade and quality as possible.

Cost

After you’ve identified the location and purpose for your carpet flooring, now its time identify why you want it – are you renovating to sell or you simple want some good-old home improvement?

Knowing this is important because it will help you choose the material and color of the carpeting. Natural and neutral shades is advisable to those who are looking to sell their property as it would be easier for the buyers to match their decor to your flooring. On the other hand, if you’re simply redecorating then you have more options to choose from and more colors and materials to explore.

One more thing to keep in mind if you are selling is to check the warranty on your carpet flooring, especially if you intend to leave them on the property. While most sellers offer transfers to the new owners, its always better to be aware of their policies.

Finally, when considering the cost be sure to include the expenses you might incur when removing the old floor covering and repairs on the subfloor, the cost of installing the new carpet flooring and the fee for the contractors.

Some sellers offer a cost calculator on your websites so you can get an estimate even before you go out. Get the rough estimate of your floor area, including stairs and steps and allow for 10 to 20 per cent allowance in purchasing the material to make room for error and repair.

Styles and Colors

Floors play an important role in any room: it pulls the look altogether. Whatever it is you are trying to achieve with your current decor, chances are it will have greater success if you pay close attention to flooring.

If you have themes for your decor, then you most certainly have a color palette. Use it to decorate your room virtually online buy trying out the tools most seller offer. Better yet, hit your local store and talk to professionals – show them pictures and bring swatches of other fabrics that you used or are going to use in the room so they can show you samples of the shades and textures that will go well with your plans.

Again, style can vary from one room to another, you just have to be mindful of transitions and edges when you go from one area to another to make sure they are as seamless as possible.

Consider having different types of carpets from one area to another depending on the need.

Solid hardwood flooring is perhaps one of the best investments one can make it terms of home improvement. Not only does the quality and warmth of hardwood flooring add personality to a room it also adds significant value to the selling price of homes which they are installed on.

We’ve constantly  tried to provide you with valuable information about hardwood flooring from shopping, installation, maintenance and repair and today will take another look at one of the most ideal flooring solutions around and the most exquisite types of wood used in solid hardwood flooring planks.

So what are solid hardwood floors? As the term implies, its pure wood from top to bottom. No added veneers, as with typical laminate flooring or solid base added, like those in engineered hardwood to prevent natural hardwood flaws like expanding and shrinking. This is pure and unadulterated solid wood not to be confused with either cork or bamboo flooring.

Aside from adding to the monetary value of your property, solid hardwood floors also has other benefits: it is environment-friendly and highly sustainable. Most variety of hardwood these days are grown and harvested in regulated farms. Further, taken care of properly, these floors can last well up to a century.

Solid hardwood flooring planks have a standard thickness of at least 5/16” to 3/4” thickness. The thicker ones is usually better, especially if you plan to keep them for a while because you have the option to refinish these solid hardwood planks several times. Thickness plays a critical part on how many times the surface of solid hardwood flooring can be sanded and resanded because one trademark of hardwood flooring is its tongue and groove system.

While some experts have different opinion where hardwood can be installed, in general solid hardwood flooring can be installed virtually anywhere, yes, including kitchens, basements and bathrooms as long as there is no direct exposure to water or excessive moisture and appropriate steps were taken to prepare the subfloor. All other flaws and defects in the subfloor and the surface beneath it should have been repaired though you might be a little bit more cautious installing it on your basement especially if there are chances of flooding.

Finally, aside from endurance and sustainability, if there has to be only one reason why solid hardwood flooring is still around and remains popular, I would have to be because of its sheer beauty and unmatched elegance. The crisp natural hues as well as the unique grain patterns have helped make domestic oak, maple, walnut and cherry are among the popular species used in most countries because of their beautiful grains and patterns.

In recent years however, there has been a steady and growing demand for exotic hardwoods like ipe, cumaru and tigerwood because of their unique patterns and grains in a richer color.

Each variety however have certain advantages and disadvantages and a common scale wherein the appropriateness of using a particular type of wood is the Janka hardness scale which identifies the hardness of the solid hardwood flooring surface.

Well maintained and cared for hardwood flooring is one great asset in any home. It’s natural beauty is timeless and its endurance has been known to stand the test of time. Whether you are in a new home considering the benefits of hardwood floors or in an old house that came with hardwood flooring that is scratched, faded and worn in every sense of the word, don’t worry. Hardwood flooring is well loved because of another great quality: it can be stained back to its former glory and shine as it it were brand new.

Yes, staining hardwood floors may seem a complicated process but its something that can be done DIY with appropriate preparation and some amount of time. Here are some simple steps you can follow:

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1. Repair before you restore. All obvious defects – boards to be replaced, subfloor repairs, chips and holes should all be taken care off before proceeding any further with the project. Holes should be stuffed with putties or fillers, also see our earlier post about hardwood repair for some hints and tips.

2. Clean and clear. Ensure that the surface of the hardwood floor to be stained is clean and clear. By this we mean that all the old floor coverings have been removed. The repair residues have also been cleared together with dusts and all.

3. Sand it up. This can be done using a sanding machine or by hand. Remember to sand in the the direction of the wood grains. Use this step to make sure minor defects like small bumps and uneven surfaces. Be mindful of the time spent on an area if you are sanding with a machine, be sure you are in control in order to prevent making more uneven surfaces. If sanding by hand, be sure to use 3 different grits of sandpaper: 30, 60 and 80 are the recommended ones. Work your way from one end of the room to another.

4. Clean again. After sanding clean the floor again. Be sure to remove all the debris. If you are sanding by hand, it is recommended to vacuum with every change of sandpaper. Aside from vacuum and sweeping you can also use a wet mop to lift the debris off since water will raise the grains. Be sure to do this quickly and do not let the water sit on the surface long enough for the hardwood surface to absorb it. Finish up by allowing the floor to dry and making one last pass by wiping the floors with mineral spirits and a soft cotton cloth to pick up remaining debris.

5. Condition the wood. For best results, use this as a base coat. Check out local retailers for those recommended for the type of hardwood flooring you have. If they offer some free on site checks so they can make better recommendations for the products and services you might need. If you already have found one, apply following manufacturer instructions. General practice is using a 4-inch paint brush when you apply this in the perimeter then use a synthetic applicator to spread the conditioner across the room and allow to dry for 2 hours.

6. Bring in the stain. Following manufacturer instructions, apply the stain using a brush or a rag. Remember, your strokes should go with the natural grains of the wood. Let it penetrate according to directions and be sure to remove any excess before they dry using a rag. Allow sufficient time to dry.

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7. Second staining. For darker, better and even more dramatic effect, you might want to apply a second coating of the stain to the hardwood floors. Ensure that the first coat is well-dried before proceeding with the second coat. Apply the second coat evenly and again go in the direction of the wood grain. Leave to dry.

8. Protect with polyurethane. Once the stain have been dried, apply a coat of water-based polyurethane with a clean paint brush. This will help protect and preserve your newly-stained hardwood flooring. Allow to dry for 2 hours or so.

9. Finish and polish it up. When the first coat of polyurethane have dried, lightly sand the surface. Doing so will allow the second coat to adhere to it. After sanding, wipe it clear with a tack cloth before applying the second coat and allow to dry overnight.

Giving your floors an updated look needs not be limited to few expensive choices.Here are some modern flooring ideas to consider if you’re remodelling:

1. Glossy Floor Panels

Imagine having glossy floor panels with rich graphic, like an extension of the wall under your feet. If that is the ideal flooring you have in mind, then Resofloor might be the right product for you. Made of compressed fiberboard, these are resistant to friction and scratching, comes in different designs and are made by Resopal.

2. Comfy Floor Cushions

Practical and useful this minimalist cushions is the perfect solution if one has limited space or needs a functional piece that can go from comfortable seating to a warm floor covering. Each cushion can be zipped together making it practically customizable, talk about modern and modular.

3. Artsy Doodle

When designer Olle Hemmendorff wasn’t satisfied with his light wood kitchen flooring, he decided to throw in a thin white vinyl film to cover it up. He thought that replacing or tearing up the floor would cost more work and eventually lessen the value of his apartment.

He found his new vinyl sheet a little too plain and one night decided to take a permanent black marker and started to creatively doodle on every inch of his white kitchen flooring. The result: this edgy and artistic monochrome floor.

4. Painted Concrete

We all know that concrete is cold and  can really look unappealing at times but at the same time it is also one of the most inexpensive and durable flooring choices out there so instead of making it a subfloor and spend on something to put on top of it, why not freshen and warmify it with great designs and bright colors?

5. Stick ‘em Rugs

Well, they are not rugs actually but stickers. A practical way to creating an effect of having area rugs with out the tedious maintenance or cost. Sure it will not be as comfortable as real rugs but they wont slip either, so you’re looking for a great alternative, you might just have found it.

6. Puzzle Up

If you’re up to being extra creative and interested in having fun with your floors or if your thinking of an appropriate flooring for kids room or activity area, puzzle flooring is the way to go. They come in wood and carpet varieties and can either be set permanently or makeshift.

7. Modular Ones

Another modern and practical approach to flooring s using modular wood floor panels. Designed by Klaartje Daamen, these tiles are made of sandwiched cardboard panels which can be folded up into a furniture. Soundproof and cushioned, each tile has hooks and holes underneath for easy assembly and they come it different thickness too for a more dramtic flare.

It’s easy to overlook the importance of bedroom flooring. Let’s face it, many of us think of our bedroom decor last when making decisions about our home; we tend to pay more attention to those rooms that might be seen by visitors, or get a lot of family traffic. Yet, we spend on average 26 years of our lives asleep, with an estimated 7 years on top of that just trying to get to sleep. Even on the minimum end of the scale, that’s a lot of bedroom time. Therefore it’s important to treat the bedroom not as an afterthought, but as a valuable place of refuge and relaxation, and decorate accordingly.

But where does bedroom flooring come into this? Well, not only will it complement the other design choices you make in the room, your flooring choice will have myriad other effects upon the way you live with the space. A cool, natural linoleum can give a sense of the uncomplicated and sparse when all else in your day has been chaotic. A plush carpet will envelop your bare feet; a source of comfort at the end of a stressful day.  From practical perspectives, to the holistic effect on your life, compiling your bedroom flooring ideas should be as important as your choice of wall color or even the bed you’ll be sleeping on.

The good news is, whether you are decorating on a budget, have highly unique bedroom preferences, or have limited bedroom space, rest assured that there are a lot of choices available for having your bedroom reflect your personality and your lifestyle. From material considerations to aesthetic appeal, your bedroom flooring ideas can generally be achieved in a way that suits both your taste and your wallet. But, we get it — the sheer number of options available can be a bit overwhelming. So, we’ve put together a guide to some of the popular, practical, and budget-wise options.

Now, there are a lot of flooring materials that can be used for bedrooms, each will have its own advantages and disadvantages so be sure to make a mindful decision when choosing bedroom flooring. It has to meet your needs and preferences and reflect who you are. It can be something funky or edgy or it can be a traditional one, anything will do as long as it meet one’s needs.

1. Carpets, Carpet Tiles and Area Rugs in Bedrooms

A carpet is probably the most traditional bedroom flooring choice, if not always the most popular. This is primarily because of the warmth and comfort they provide to your feet. Depending on your choice of carpet, there can be either an inherent sense of luxury in its smooth and soft texture, or a firmness that gives the impression of stability and practicality. Utilizing a high-pile carpet that exhibits softness also adds a certain degree of insulation, offering a quieter and more restful sleep.

An important aspect to consider when making a choice about your bedroom flooring, is the amount of traffic it will receive. For adults, while we spend a lot of time in the bedroom, this generally isn’t spent walking around on the floor. For most of us, our shoes come off long before we make it to this room, so we don’t really need to consider how well the material we choose will wear under footfall. Therefore we can feel free to consider bedroom flooring ideas that are more in line with our aesthetic or comfort requirements. This means that plush or velvet twist styles for that expensive, luxurious appearance and feel are an option to you.

That said, those of us who are parents know that our bedrooms can also become a regular point of visitation by our children. Thankfully, there are carpeting choices that blend both comfort and a sense of practicality. Loop pile carpets — as the name suggests, created from uncut loops of yarn or synthetic materials — have the advantage of being soft and comfortable, while also being durable.

One of the major challenges in having carpets in bedrooms is the maintenance – spilled liquids tend to seep in and stain. Plus, they are prone to dust, which makes them a haven for microbial organisms — so they’ll require thorough maintenance and regular cleaning. Another potentially detrimental factor is that they tend to have a shorter lifespan compared to hardwood and natural stone floors which can be refinished, repainted or, in the case of tiles, re-grouted.

This is where it can also be worth your while considering a combination approach, utilizing carpet tiles and area rugs. These can often be more practical than wall-to-wall carpeting, particularly in children’s bedrooms which see a lot of action and are a haven for spillages. One of the primary advantages of carpet tiles is their ease of installation and modular nature; meaning that you can replace sections should they get permanently stained. If carpet tiles aren’t to your aesthetic tastes, area rugs also present a practical solution, being easy to remove and wash in order to keep off dust, mites and other allergens.

Finally, it’s worth taking into account that one of the key points that makes carpet an attractive bedroom flooring idea, is the cost. Compared to hardwood flooring or natural stone tiles, carpets tend on the whole to be more pocket friendly in both material and installation. On average, the lower quality carpets come in at around $7 per square foot, with some luxury ranges going as high as $12 per square foot (2020 prices), and if you are able to install this yourself, you can save on contracting costs too.

 

2. Cork Bedroom Flooring

When compiling your bedroom flooring ideas, the prospect of cork might seem like a strange one. However, next to carpet, one of the most common and popular materials for bedrooms is cork flooring. Its proven resilience and durability, alongside other amazing properties have made cork flooring a favorite for more than a century.

If comfort is a priority for your bedroom flooring, but you don’t want the maintenance hassle of carpeting, cork can be an ideal solution. Cork flooring in bedrooms is a great option mainly because — like carpet — cork is warm and soft underfoot. It features a similar cushioned sensation, which can be enhanced by choosing thicker sheets of the material.

It also has excellent insulating properties. Cork is used to soundproof recording booths in professional studios. They’re also popular among designers of libraries and offices, due to their sound filtering qualities. As bedroom flooring ideas go, cork can provide the opportunity not only for comfort, but improve your ability to treat the room as a peaceful retreat.

One disadvantage of cork flooring in the bedroom is that while the material is naturally resistant to damage, and can even go back to its original shape after being dented, it is not immune to daily wear and tear. Sure, bedrooms are light traffic areas but that is not always the case if you have toddlers and pets running around.

Cork’s natural softness makes it vulnerable to pet claws and tearing. Therefore, in order to ensure a certain amount of longevity in your bedroom flooring choice, it’s worth taking time to inform your family about best practices, and even create boundaries regarding pets in the bedroom area.

Cork is one of those materials that tends to come in at the lower end of the budget, too. Available in tiles or in longer planks, the average price fully installed in the current market is around $3 to $15 per square foot.

3. Soft Rubber Bedroom Flooring

Bedrooms not only need to be designed to suit adults hoping to get a good night’s sleep, but also as combined rest and play areas for children. From spilled fluids, to ground-in dirt, and additional wear due to active xxxx, bedroom flooring for children can face some extreme challenges. This is where rubber can become an unexpected asset.

Rubber is commonly used in gyms and outdoor areas because it’s durable, water-resistant and stain-resistant. These very same characteristics also make it a great choice indoors, alongside the bonus fact that it’s soft and yielding; as a bedroom flooring idea it can be a boon not just for its tolerance to damage, but also for its ability to soften the blow during trips and falls.

It’s generally easy to maintain and does not require any particular treatments following installation. They can come in tile form, or rolled as narrow sheets, and from an aesthetic perspective these can be mixed-and-matched in a variety of colors to suit your child’s personality as well as their lifestyle.

There are, however, a couple of key drawbacks when it comes to choosing rubber as bedroom flooring. The first is a tendency to have a pervasive odor. While this is non-toxic, it can be unpleasant for some time following installation, and sometimes triggers allergic reactions. The other downside is with regard to availability. Rubber flooring is most often utilized in gyms and activity areas, making it something of a niche option for bedroom use. As a result, fewer domestic manufacturers and suppliers are making it available with bedrooms in mind — meaning that you may have difficulty sourcing it in the quantities and colors you need.

As a comfortable, hard-wearing option, you’ll usually find that rubber flooring tiles come in around the mid-to-high price range. In the current market , they average around $10 per square foot, with installation usually adding a couple of dollars on top of that.

 

4. Padded Vinyl Bedroom Flooring

Vinyl continues to be a popular choice for flooring in general, but while it tends to be cheap and versatile, is not really an ideal bedroom flooring in and of itself. It is characteristically thin and very easily adopts the coldness of the underfloor layer upon which it’s installed. To solve this dilemma, manufacturers came up with a brilliant idea to add comfortable padding beneath vinyl flooring. As a result, there is additional cushion and warmth to support one’s foot.

Aesthetically speaking, vinyl isn’t usually one of the first bedroom flooring ideas many of us would consider. Traditionally, we find it in kitchen or bathroom areas. However, it’s worth bearing in mind that the tiled nature of vinyl means that there is the possibility to tie this into your design theme in the bedroom; creating a mosaic or checkered pattern that compliments your other design choices. It’s easy to install, too, making it a great option for DIY enthusiasts and flooring amateurs alike.

While vinyl might not be your first choice for warmth and comfort, there are options that allow you to stray away from the traditionally shiny and clinical style. Some manufacturers offer vinyl tiles that are layered with fuzzy and cushioned textures.

 

A single major drawback against vinyl is that it is sourced from synthetic materials, and as a result it does not easily decompose. Therefore it’s probably not going to be your first choice for bedroom flooring if you’re looking for something that’s eco-friendly.

Of note, too, is that it’s also not uncommon for bedroom owners to have gotten tired of their old vinyl flooring long before the flooring shows signs of wearing out. That said, vinyl is not among the pricier flooring options, coming in on average around $2 to $6 per square foot. So, if you get bored of it within a few years, replacing is unlikely to be a costly or labor-intensive ordeal.

5. Linoleum Bedroom Flooring

If vinyl is not particularly to your tastes, a great alternative to consider is linoleum flooring. Aesthetically, linoleum resembles vinyl. It can also be produced in a wide variety of patterns — from wood grain, to marble — giving it just about the same level of versatility that vinyl has.

Perhaps the primary pro of linoleum as bedroom flooring is that it’s produced without the hazardous chemicals used in making vinyl. Linoleum is sourced from natural materials, from a combination of mineral fillers, wood rosins and dusts, coloring pigments and linseed oils. The result is a biodegradable product, which does not pose any threat to the environment.

It tends to be one of the more durable flooring options, too, and it’s manufacturing process is optimized to ensure surface damage such as scratches are unlikely to be visible when they occur. That said, its versatility means that it will show any imperfections that lie beneath the surface — care must be taken during installation to make sure the subfloor layer is smooth and level in order to produce an aesthetically pleasing finish.

In terms of pricing, linoleum is a relatively economically sound option. On average, sheets of the material are around $5 to $7 per square foot.

 

Color, texture and value are basically the top qualities that people are looking for when it comes to flooring materials. They are constant but if your are thinking of replacing old floor covering or updating some parts of your home or office, you may want to take a look at these flooring trends that might be the perfect investment you are looking for and that’s just perfectly divine for your floors.

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1. Classy Carpet Squares

Yes, we’ve seen it all before cheap carpet squares that we can DIY and we probably seen it more in offices and similar establishments than houses. However, these particular carpet tiles I’m talking about cuts it above the usual. Well, there’s really nothing unusual about them – like typical carpet tiles, they are modular. The twist is that we’ll buy them in really pretty patterns, rich textures or even different colors and arrange them creatively to make any room appear extraordinary.

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2. Love some lava

Another hot flooring trend is the liquid lava from Jockimo. No, its not literally hot, it is in fact so totally cool. These are actually modular panels with liquid sandwiched in between the sealed tiles. The liquid within actually swishes around when pressure is applied  making unique patterns on the floors’ surface. The tiles are made up of 2 sheets of polycarbonate pressed together to make a single resilient and durable tile. The top has been designed to be slip-proof and the bottom fortified to be shockproof to ensure the safety. What’s more is that they offer a wide range of customization which includes different shapes, sizes, colors and get this – they offer transparent and back-lit varieties too! Pretty cool for something hot, don’t you think?

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3. Luxury Vinyl

While having vinyl on your floors in nothing new, having far more detailed and way more luxurious vinyl flooring tiles is. Forget the plain, flat and drab vinyl floors you grew up with, modern manufacturing have taken your memories from the yesteryears to the next level. Luxury vinyl now offers richly textured, realistically hued, damage-proof and more pocket friendly    alternatives to traditional solid hardwood floor planks and cold and heavy stone tiles. Forget the florals and pastels that makes it hard to tell vinyl from linoleum sheets, opt for luxury vinyl tiles that can be installed with or without grout and have the look of stone tiles at a significantly lower cost or go for the plank-cut ones if you wish to achieve the look of hardwood minus the hefty price tag.

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4. Lavish, lush and leather

Now, if you really, really want to splurge some serious bucks for your flooring then this is probably for you: leather. Leather bags, belts and shoes ain’t nothing new but leather flooring is something else. Decorators and designers alike agree, this is a rather unique luxury. You can choose from the classic croc patterns in black and browns or snake skin in metallic hues, its really up to you and your budget since this is quite a high end trend.

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5. Stylish Cement

Cement. We know what goes through your mind: cold, dark, grey, heavy, plain. You’d be surprised to know that these days, cement tile flooring has become popular both for indoor and outdoor flooring. Oh, yes! Colored, stained and painted, concrete tiles are slowly popping up and finding their share of the market. Concrete is durable and inexpensive and to some extent, you can get creative with it in a lot of ways.

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6. Tiled Decks

One ideal project this summer is to  build a deck or update it if you already have one. If you’re thinking hardwood is overrated and expensive and you’re not so sure about getting those composite decking, then perhaps you’d like to consider modular decking tiles. Made from premium reclaimed hardwood, each piece is designed to interlock with another making installation a breeze. If you want to get a bit more creative with it, you can even come up with the same theme for your tables and bench so they all go together.

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We all love our carpets – they’re vibrant, warm and cushiony. They never fail to give comfort with their lush appeal but what happens when they get stained? How are we going to clean and restore this prized flooring that adds both luxury and comfort?

Well, just keep reading because we have below the steps to clean about just about any stain that can hit carpets and area rugs and some tips to keep the stain off.

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There are different types of carpets and area rugs and in order to maintain their good condition and not ruin the fabric or the color whenever spills occur, it’s important to know the different ways of handling each type of stain.

In general, whatever juice or sauce you spill on your carpet floor, the best way to remove the stain is to blot and dry the spot from the outside in. Yes, blot. Do not wipe or scrub as you risk further spreading the stain, damaging carpet fibers and letting the spill get soaked into the carpet pad.

Here are nine common items you can use to remove stains from your rugs and carpets:

1. Ammonia. Just like its used with upholstery, simply mix a cup of clear ammonia with 2 gallons of warm water and left the stains off the rug or carpet by using the solution with a sponge. Let dry thoroughly and repeat if needed.

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2. Beer. You read that one right. While removing stubborn stains made by caffeinated drinks like coffee and tea seems unlikely, a bit of beer on the top will do the trick easy-breezy. Just pour the brew on top of the stained area, and rub it lightly onto the material and the stain would disappear. The process may be repeated for badly stained areas until all traces of the stain have been removed.

3. Salt. Spilling red wine on the rug might be the worst thing anyone can do because it can really damage the rugs surface but don’t worry. Salt will come to your rescue, oh yes, common table salt is the answer. Before the spill dries up, pour some white wine on the spot to dilute the color then clean it with sponge and cold water. Sprinkle the secret cleaner then let it sit for 10 minutes and vacuum it up to finish the job.

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4. Vinegar. Vinegar ought to be a wonder cleaning product for your carpets and rugs because it can remove and clear out a number of stains and you can use it in two ways, first as a leave on cleaner: Dissolve 2 tablespoons of salt for lighter stains and borax for darker, heavier ones in half a cup of vinegar. Rub it on the stained area, let it stand for 2 days and the vacuum it away. You can also make a spray-on spot remover by mixing a part of vinegar with five parts of water. You’d also need an accompanying solution of one part ammonia and five parts water. To use: spray and saturate the stain with the vinegar solution. Let it stand for five minutes then blot with a dry cloth. Spray the ammonia solution to the stain and blot again. Repeat until the process is completed.

5. Cornstarch. Ink is probably one of the most common ruining stains you can have on rugs and carpets but do not fret. We have one wonder solution: add cornstarch to milk to make a paste then apply it to the stained area. Let it dry then brush of the residue and brush the area. Finish off by vacuuming the residue.

Today we have for you some of the most ridiculously expensive floor covering materials from all over the world. In no way we are claiming this to be conclusive as we have searched only the priciest ones available online, in any case they are outrageously costly but no doubt incredibly beautiful and pretty much worth the treasure that they are.

Hardwood Flooring

On the average hardwood flooring whether solid or engineered hardwood can cost somewhere between $5-$10 per square foot. Anywhere from $12-$15 is already considered expensive. Those that fall into the $15 and above per square foot category includes Ash, Hickory and Mahogany.

However, apart from these popularly known and commonly used hardwoods, other exotic varieties command a higher price and ranks above the rest and these include:

1. Brazilian Cherry. This beautiful reddish brown hardwood is loved for both its beauty and durability. This exotic hardwood retails for about $20 per square feet.

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2. Zebra Wood. This exotic hardwood is also considered as a threatened specie so be careful when you buy them. This variety is characterized by stripes resembling that of a zebra an used to be abundant in Africa. It is extremely hard and resistant to termites and the color even enhances over time. This costs about $22 per square feet.

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3. Macassar Ebony. Retailing at a whopping $150 per square feet, this native of India, Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia is a visually striking exotic hardwood also known as Calamander wood. This striking black and brown streaked with golden and orange hues variety is extremely durable and is more than likely to break bank accounts than itself.

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Tile Flooring

4. Rosa Aurora Marble Flooring. Considered as one, if not the finest and most visually appealing among marble tile flooring are Rosa Aurora marbles. This exceptionally beauty makes it suitable for making sculptures and its sturdiness makes it perfect for flooring. This combination of beauty and strength costs about $58 per square meter.

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5. Lux Touch Tile Flooring. And the honor of being the most expensive flooring goes to Tierra Firma’s hand-crafted black marble tiles encrusted with mother-of-pearls, diamonds, abalone shell and black onyx. Reportedly priced at $1,000,000 per square meter which contains about 2400 pieces of mother-of-pearls, 400 pieces of abalone shells, 500 pieces of black onyx and 1,000 pieces of diamonds, indeed it is a luxury that most of us can only imagine to afford.

www.luxuo.com

Since we’ve gone over some anticipated trends this year as well as common decorating mistakes, its time we look at what to expect this year for flooring.

Since green will remain the theme for the year not just in terms of color, but as well as the raw materials used in decorating.

This is in the form of natural fiber area rugs.

 

Casual-looking area rugs made up of natural fibers like bamboo, jute, sisal, seagrass and mountain rugs are all eco-friendly and made from renewable resources that can provide both a subtle elegance and rustic glow to the room.

Natural area rugs come in different rich textures and can usually be dyed to become even more welcoming and attractive hues.

The next big thing this year is said to be natural wood flooring. This is from the most natural shades to the lightest and materials can range from hardwoods, softwoods and bamboo.

Specifically, the natural lighter shades are predicted to be the most coveted colors this year.

In terms of style, though it might be a bit more expensive a continuous wood flooring throughout the house is one worthwhile and sustainable investment.