24 January 2022
How to create an impactful style on a budget
It’s easy to assume that impactful spaces require big budgets, but that needn’t be the case if you do your research before embarking on an interior design project.
One of the things that can add a wow factor to a room is the flooring. And while lavish designs and luxurious materials can easily push price tags through the roof, there are hundreds of flooring types, styles and finishes at a reasonable price to suit even the most cost-conscious consumers.
Impactful design ideas
Your budget might not stretch as far as you’d like, but that doesn’t mean you can’t achieve an impactful look.
Go for bold and bright
Daring designs can bring an otherwise drab space to life. Choose a carpet with a bold pattern or create unique designs with colourful vinyl tiles. Alternatively, choose a plain floor design and brighten it up with a colourful rug or two.
Opt for LVT over real wood or stone
While there’s no doubt that natural wood and stone look fantastic, there are some amazing LVT options out there that can easily be mistaken for the real thing. If your budget doesn’t quite stretch to hardwood, opt for a high-quality LVT instead.
Combine designs
Who says you have to settle for one flooring type or design? If you’re transforming a larger space, you could go for a combination of carpet and LVT or carpet and wood or stone. This works well in dual-purpose spaces, such as a combined kitchen and dining room or commercial spaces where you want to create different zones.
Create a feature
Similar to the above idea of a combo floor, you can create a unique flooring feature in your space. A brightly coloured section of flooring can accentuate a piece of furniture. Alternatively, you could create a striking pattern using contrasting tiles or carpet designs. If your budget is a little larger, a parquet feature looks fantastic in an entrance hall.
Planning is key
Planning is key to choosing the right floor, especially if you’re working with a strict budget. Don’t simply opt for the cheapest option available. With a little patience, you could find the perfect floor without overspending.
Think about how the room will be used
How will the flooring be used – or should we say, where will it be used? Are you finishing a space where high footfall is expected? Or is it a bedroom or private office undergoing a transformation?
Consider the amount of wear and tear the flooring will endure and whether it will be subjected to wet and muddy shoes or at risk of spills from food, drink or other liquids.
This will steer you towards a material to suit the room’s use, which is critical when you want to maximise the floor’s lifespan.
Do some research
You might have already seen a type of flooring you like. Perhaps you visited a friend’s home, and their newly-laid LVT got your attention. Or maybe your interest was piqued by some parquet you’ve seen recently.
But before you rush into a decision, do some research. There may be a flooring style that is more suited to the use of your room (or your budget). It’s helpful to browse flooring brochures or websites to ensure you haven’t missed something that meets all your needs.
Head to a flooring showroom and pick up some flooring samples or talk through your ideas with a flooring specialist.
Get in the mood
What better way to visualise your space than by creating a mood board?
Find images in magazines, create cut-outs and paste them side by side onto a sheet of paper to help you visualise how different colours and designs can work together.
If you’re not feeling creative, don’t worry. Utilise those flooring samples you’ve collected to test how they look alongside your chosen furnishings.
Creating mood boards and testing samples can help you narrow down the options, even if it’s just to eliminate styles you don’t like.
Measure and measure again
Double-check those room measurements to ensure you order the correct amount of flooring. You don’t want to start fitting your new floor only to find you haven’t ordered enough or that you’ve spent more than you needed to because you ordered too much.
Don’t scrimp on installation
If there’s one place you don’t want to cut corners, it’s on the installation. If you aren’t experienced in DIY, hire a flooring specialist to install your chosen design. You don’t want to fork out for new flooring only to damage it during installation. You want your floor to be impactful because it looks fantastic, not because of lumpy laminate or badly cut carpet.
Need a little inspiration?
There are hundreds of flooring manufacturers, suppliers and installers, so it can be hard to know where to turn.
At Beyond Flooring, our mission is to enhance your kitchen with expertly fitted flooring. We only use quality products, and we offer a two year warranty on all domestic projects.
If you need a little inspiration, check out our customer gallery, or visit our showroom. Our friendly team are always happy to help you select the perfect flooring for your home.