FIVE HOT TRENDS IN HARDWOOD FLOORING
More than ever, homeowners are appreciating the added value
that hardwood floors bring to a home.
Here’s a look at five top flooring trends that will help if you can’t
see the wood for the trees.
Made in America
“There’s a growing demand for American-produced hardwoods,”
says Michael Martin, President and CEO of the National Wood
Flooring Association. “It’s part of the general trend toward
locally sourced materials of all kinds in the U.S.” Consumer
concerns about sustainability, quality, safety and environmental
factors are more easily addressed when a hardwood is
domestically grown and milled. Plus, the U.S. offers an unrivaled
range of readily available species suitable for flooring.
Stains and Finishes
Gray is a classic “neutral” that’s never truly out of fashion. It’s
currently one of the most popular colors, ranging from pale
smoke to deep charcoal, showing up in hardwood flooring.
“Whether light or dark, gray stains bring out any wood’s natural
grain and texture,” says New York interior designer Laura Bohn.
“Grays are versatile and timeless—quiet and soothing colors
that recede into the background without losing personality or
becoming faceless. They work in any style décor, yet always look
modern.”
Species
For several years, the trend was toward woods like hickory,
but recently white oak has moved to the front. Along with
abundance, durability and reasonable cost, white oak offers
aesthetic advantages. Many of the popular gray-brown shades
look especially sophisticated applied to white oak.
The Wider, The Better
It’s all about wide, wider, widest. Planks of up to 7 inches in
width are considered normal now. Traditional strip flooring still
remains popular, but wide-plank is the market leader. Wider
floorboards can make a space look larger and more modern.
The floor can be treated like a canvas: ebonized for a sleek,
dark look; light-stained for an urban vibe; distressed for a rustic
effect—the possibilities are endless.
Popular Patterns
One way to set your home interior apart is by tapping into the
trend for herringbone and chevron pattern hardwood floors,
which show up increasingly in decorating magazines. Since
installing herringbone floors is a time- and labor-intensive
process, they’re more common in high-end projects. Still, if you
can afford to splurge, these floors are a gorgeous addition to any
room.
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need a place that’s organized, designed well, and in which
you feel comfortable. Chances are, you may also need a
degree of privacy to do your best work.
One of the most overlooked factors in productivity is
lighting. Many studies demonstrate that natural lighting is
best whenever possible, and results in more productivity
among workers and a more positive attitude toward the
work itself. Lighting can have a profound effect on your
mood and can even influence your hormones. A good
overview of this subject is provided by Andrew Jensen, a
business growth, efficiency and marketing consultant, at
AndrewJensen.net.
If placing your home office in an area with windows is
not possible, try the soft lighting of a lamp instead, and
try to avoid harsh fluorescents. Adding a silk plant or two,
along with a picture of the outdoors, will help transform a
windowless area into a more inviting space. Warm colors
such as reds, yellows and orange will also help warm up an
otherwise dark office area such as a basement.
Next, you’ll want to design your workspace with
cabinetry where office supplies and files can be tucked
neatly out of sight. Shelving that is custom-designed for
the way you work can transform even a tiny space into an
efficient work area. Having cabinets and shelves that are
suited to your exact purpose will eliminate a great deal of
frustration and overwhelming feelings of disorganization.
A designer and expert carpenter can help you get the most
from your workspace.
Just because you don’t have an entire room in your house
to dedicate to your home office doesn’t mean you can’t have
a dedicated workspace. Even a closet can be transformed
into a workspace with the right planning, and the whole
office can be put away at day’s end by simply closing the
closet door.
If you have even less space to work with, try a wall-
mounted desk that can be extended when in use and
collapsed flush with the wall when it’s not. Cubby holes
built into the interior wall area can also provide places for
storage in a tight space. A creative builder can help you
make the most of your available space.
If your work area is not separated from the rest of your
home and building a wall is not an option, there are still
attractive ways to define your space. For example, tall
wooden shutters can be linked together with hinges and