For a long-lasting home investment, choose to install hardwood floors or Pergo (and other laminate flooring) which is NOT made of wood.

More and more homeowners are replacing carpeting with hardwood flooring.  It lasts longer, is easy to maintain, and keeps dusts and allergens to a minimum.

With so many hardwood choices, how to select the best one for your home?  It is a long-term investment in your home, so you will need to select the proper wood, color, and scale.

Design Element

* Your hardwood floor needs to complement the walls and furniture, not just currently, but also many years in the future.

Darker Woods

* If your room has a lot of natural light, or if you want a more formal looks, consider darker flooring. Dark exotic woods can add a beautiful richness and sophistication to any room.

Lighter Woods

* If your room does not have natural light, a lighter toned wood can help brighten it up. Lighter colors offer a more casual look found in many country and contemporary decorating schemes. Also, lighter neutral woods work more easily with a broad range of color schemes.

Edge Treatments

* A square edged board, which does not show seams, conveys a more formal and contemporary look. However a beveled board, which shows the line between each board, is more relaxed and casual.

Board Width

* Consider the size and scale of the room. Wider boards make a large room appear smaller and cozier. They can also make a bold, grand statement in any room. Conversely, a small room appears larger with narrow boards, which tend to recede.

Borders and Accents

* Create a unique floor with an inset border around the perimeter of the room, using a contrasting color board. Make an elaborate statement by mixing board widths, or by mixing domestic with exotic wood species. 

Oh and by the way... I strongly recommend professional installation.  I've seen some do-it-yourself jobs that didn't come out very good... and a few that never got finished!

Regina P. Brown
Broker, Realtor®, e-Pro
Author of eBook "Stop Foreclosure Fast: Solutions to Save your House"
Author of forthcoming book, "Virtual Office Guide for Business Professionals:  Work & Profit from Home"

Text copyright © 2009 R.P. Brown, All Rights Reserved