 Are you strapped for space? Does your home seem crowded and claustrophobic? Fear not, follow our simple advice and create the illusion of larger rooms by choosing the perfect flooring for your place!  Be clever, be consistent When you install uniform flooring throughout a house, it automatically makes your space more open and roomy due to the fluidity. If you decide to have different flooring in say, your wet areas, than to your main living areas then make sure you choose complementary colours and textures to further construct the image of expansion.  Dare to go dark Contrary to popular belief, lighter coloured floors don’t necessarily make a room appear larger. A deep tone of flooring can actually make a space look significantly bigger, but only if the walls, skirtings, and ceilings are finished in much lighter tones! A dark floor can really transform your home from a seemingly limited space into a boundless one.  Break the mold and go diagonal Simple yet highly effective, when your flooring is laid on a diagonal, the eye focuses on the widest part of the pattern, thus interpreting the room much larger than it actually is. You can use this little trick with any type of flooring to instantly create the optical illusion of greater space.  Big tiles = Big space The larger the tiles or planks you use in a cosy space, the bigger it will appear. The less detail crammed in or busy patterns, the better. Never clutter a small room with tiny tiles or slender planks, the eye interprets it as being even smaller than it is.  Walk the plank If you’re going with planking, any kind of planking, then ensure you install the boards parallel to the longest wall. This gives the immediate impression of a wider scope.  Keep off the floor When selecting furniture for a small space, consider elevating your belongings to further accentuate the vastness of the room. The more floor you can reveal, the more sizeable it becomes. Consider installing bookshelves on the walls and floating cabinets to store your belongings instead of using traditional furniture. Now you know the secrets to make your small space seem more spacious without having to renovate or redesign your entire home! So, what flooring will you choose to increase the size of your home?
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 Your flooring selection has a huge impact on your business and should be considered carefully Finding the right floor for your hospitality business isn’t simply a matter of picking a material and colour and away you go! Your new choice of flooring should be a sound investment that will last you the long haul, and this goes for both the front and back of house. Important factors to consider include durability, safety, water and stain resistance, ease of maintenance, aesthetics, and more. Safety First Unlike most domestic spaces, commercial areas need to be slip-resistant and hazard free to reduce the risk of accidents. Trips and falls can be detrimental to a business and could potentially cost millions in damages, so your floor needs to be up to the highest of standards.  Health & Safety is essential in the hospitality business We recommend a high performance, non-slip commercial safety vinyl for places such as toilets, kitchens, bars, walkways and dining areas. In any eatery, you are bound to have spills and accidents, so it is paramount that you cover your back with the most slip-resistant flooring out there. Safety flooring meets strict health and safety standards and promises to last a lifetime. Further consideration must be given to flammability. Carpets are soft, non-slip and do give a homely, cosy feel to any hospitality establishment - however, they are also exceptionally flammable and for that reason, we do not suggest carpet as a suitable floor covering for businesses which have any fire or open-flame features! Carpets are also a magnet for stains, but these days you can purchase high-quality commercial-grade carpets that are tough and stain-resistant. If your heart is set on installing a carpet, then speak to a specialist who will be able to advise you about your particular prospects.  Your floor is an investment; You get what you pay for Endurance is a major factor for commercial flooring, so yes, the pricier the product the more premium the product! If you decide on an inferior floor, you might find that your ground cracks or chips due to heavy foot traffic or dropped items. Not only will this cost you extra money in repairs, but it could also potentially cost you in a lawsuit should a customer or member of staff hurt themselves by tripping on a crevice. Bearing in mind these valuable points, let’s take a look at your flooring options. Laminate One of the most favoured flooring types for food and hospitality businesses is laminate flooring. Laminate is tough and hard-wearing, coping well with scraping chairs and tables, pounding feet, dropped food and spilled drinks. It’s non-slip, allergy-friendly, easy to clean and doesn’t fade easily. Laminate comes in a wide range of designs, from natural wood looks to authentic stone and comes in an array of colours and textures which can add character and warmth to your restaurant, cafe or bar.  Vinyl is a popular choice for many commercial and industrial business's Vinyl Vinyl comes in an expansive variety of styles and effects, either in a roll or as tiles. Similar to laminate, vinyl is non-slip, easy to clean, anti-allergy, and low maintenance. Vinyl flooring has come a long way and now looks and feels incredibly similar to the product it mimics; wood, slate, marble, herringbone, mosaic or unique art design.  Your commercial flooring needs to last the long haul so consider your options thoroughly Tiles Whilst ceramic tiles are beautiful, durable, low maintenance and easy to clean, they can crack if something heavy is dropped on them! Porcelain tiles with high slip resistance are popular for most food and hospitality areas as they’re incredibly durable as well as highly scratch, moisture, chip and fade resistant. Stone flooring is another option for your cafe, restaurant or bar. However, every stone has varying longevity and maintenance needs, so you would need to talk to a stone flooring specialist to discuss your requirements. Here at MeasureUp Flooring, we are dedicated to finding the right floor for you. Our team of floor experts can help you choose the perfect covering, provide you with a free quote and measure, supply, and install your beautiful new floor. |
MeasureUpOperating in flooring for over 20 years, we're here to give you the best up-to-date tips, advice, info and guides into the wonderful world of flooring! Archives
August 2019
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