HOW TO CHOOSE FLOORING FOR AN OPEN PLAN DESIGN

February 11, 2020 2 min read

An open concept kitchen with Shaw hardwood flooring, available at Standard Paint & Flooring, serving the Yakima Valley, Washington & Oregon.

Open plan, or open concept homes make the most of every square foot. Without walls dividing the main functional spaces, they feel more airy and spacious – but that can also present a challenge when it comes to choosing flooring.

“Flooring should be one of your first and most important considerations with an open concept home as it creates flow, adds visual interest and also helps define your living areas,” says Emily Hunter, Interior Designer at Standard Paint & Flooring’s Downtown Yakima location.

“With some thoughtful planning, you can be just as creative with your flooring as in selecting paint color for the walls. It’s one of the most exciting design decisions you will make.”

An open plan gives you the option of laying one type of flooring to create a sense of largeness but cohesiveness, or installing more than one style to add dimension and distinguish between spaces without disrupting the open visual effect.

“Whether you select one single style of flooring to flow through your home or multiple styles of flooring with transitions between the living room, dining room and kitchen, it’s important to choose the right materials to unify multi-use spaces,” says Hunter. 

Hardwood Flooring: Gleaming natural hardwood is gorgeous, versatile and suits the aesthetic and architectural style of both classic and contemporary homes. Consider its steep price a real estate investment, as hardwood provides a warm, high-quality look that will increase the overall resale value of your home.

Tile Flooring: A popular and practical choice for all-over flooring in warm climates because it stands up to humidity. It’s also easier to maintain and more difficult to damage in high-traffic areas. Changing the color or direction of tile pattern or color is a fun way to create a natural transition between rooms without switching products. 

Laminate Flooring: Laminate flooring truly puts the “great” in great rooms, providing the comfort, realistic look and durability of natural materials but at a much more affordable price point. Today’s laminates are also more water resistant and scratch resistant than ever, making them ideal in common spaces – yes, even kitchens.

See the Flooring experts at Standard Paint & Flooring about our selection of waterproof COREtec and Shaw Flooring options, and find out how you can lay it down more affordably with our flexible financing options from Shaw flooring.



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