New design options will leave you ‘floored’

Hardwood flooring brings enduring beauty, charm and value to a home. Not content to keep a good thing underfoot, inspired homeowners are now finding new and creative locations to use it for a dramatic effect.

Using hardwood flooring on walls and ceilings is becoming an increasingly prominent trend. The rationale goes beyond aesthetic. While the wide variety of colors and finishes do provide myriad design options, hardwood flooring also is very durable and easy to maintain.

Here are just a few ways to creatively use hardwood flooring:

• Deck the walls. Just like floors, there are a multitude of colors, patterns and finishes that can be installed on walls. After choosing the hardwood to match your decor, design a layout for how high you want it to go and how you want the planks positioned. Choose a horizontal layout for a traditional look, or go with a ver tical or diagonal layout for a more distinctive statement.

• Ceilings. If you want your ceiling to take center stage, it’s best to keep the floor neutral and muted. For cohesion, use the same tone on both the ceiling and floor. In an allwhite room, try a wooden ceiling with a matte finish for a complementary look.

• Make more of less. Hardwood flooring accents can help you make the most of a smaller space. In the bedroom, place hardwood flooring around and above your bed to create a headboard. This creates a familiar look and ties a room together without taking up extra space. Another idea is to use hardwood flooring to create an accent wall. This makes the room feel larger by focusing attention to one wall.

• The right flooring. Lighter-weight products — usually 5/16-inch to 1/2-inch thick — are easier to install and keep in place over time. Flooring types and textures, such as acacia or handscraped styles, add a distinctive character to rooms. The Virginia Mill Works line from Lumber Liquidators features a variety of choices wellsuited for this.

Creative options still abound if you’re a homeowner who literally remains grounded with their flooring. When deciding how to decorate an expansive room, for example, different colors or species of hardwood can be used to section off separate areas — especially in open spaces commonly found in loft style and other contemporary construction.

Imagination is ultimately the only limit for homeowners.

This article is courtesy of Brandpoint.