3.16. Laminate Flooring: Finding the Best for Your Home
Today, let’s delve into the key qualities of laminate flooring and learn how to select the right type, creating a cohesive color ensemble in room design. This flooring option has gained popularity recently thanks to its:
- Wear and mechanical damage resistance;
- Moisture and chemical resistance;
- Attractive appearance and a variety of patterns;
- Affordable price.
However, lacking knowledge about the proper selection, installation, and arrangement of laminate floors can lead to mistakes such as:
- Choosing the wrong class of laminate, leading to rapid deterioration and wear;
- Mismatched colors of baseboards, doors, furniture, and laminate in room design;
- Improper installation of the planks.
To avoid these issues, let me explain the criteria for choosing the right laminate flooring.
By Class
Laminate flooring is classified based on the level of foot traffic it can withstand:
- For up to 15 people, choose class 31;
- Up to 30 people – class 32;
- Up to 40 people – class 33;
- More than 40 people – class 34. For residential rooms, class 32 is optimal. For kitchens and corridors, class 33 or even 34 is suitable.
Contrary to popular belief, laminate flooring can also be used in bathrooms. Waterproof laminate made from PVC or vinyl tiles, also known as LVT, is perfect for this purpose, offering excellent insulation and a wide range of textures.
By Thickness
Standard thicknesses for laminate boards are 5, 8, 10, and 12 mm. The greater the foot traffic, the thicker the laminate should be, especially if the base flooring is less than ideal. However, thinner boards can work well on a good base.
I recommend choosing boards with a beveled edge for added safety and comfort, particularly if there are small children or you like walking barefoot. Also, consider a narrower board for a harmonized pattern.
By Color and Texture
When selecting colors and textures for your interior design, a key element to consider is the coordination of floors, doors, skirting boards, and furniture.
Let’s explore the main options:
Matching Door and Floor Colors: If your flooring mimics wood, you might want to harmonize its color with the room’s doors. This creates a cohesive look, but remember, doors should be chosen first. It’s easier to match laminate flooring to doors than vice versa. In such cases, skirting boards should also match the floor color.
This approach is particularly beneficial for small rooms, kitchens, and corridors. Choose universal colors like oak, ash, or birch that fit any interior style.
Contrasting Door and Floor Colors: If you opt for light-colored floors with dark doors, the skirting boards should ideally match the walls or the floor color. This maintains a unified color temperature across the room, either cool or warm.
Dark floors paired with white doors create an impressive effect. Here, skirting boards can be either white to match the doors or in the primary tone of the floor.
Harmonizing Similar Tones: Another option is to pair doors and floors that are close in color but vary in texture. This can either repeat patterns or offer contrasting textures within the same color family.
Furniture Considerations: With dark doors and floors, entirely dark furniture can appear overly somber. Instead, try incorporating a few dark accents. Similarly, in a predominantly light interior, an entirely light furniture set might seem dull. Adding dark skirting boards and other dark interior elements can create a balanced look.
In summary, whether you’re leaning towards laminate or another flooring type, these principles can help you achieve a balanced and harmonious interior. If you’re uncertain about making the right choice, I, designer Olesya Blaschenko, can assist you. I’ll help you select the perfect flooring to complement your overall interior design and even provide layout sketches for a cohesive look with doors and furniture.
