Vinyl flooring is cheap, durable and easy to clean. Another plus, is that it comes in a variety of colours, patterns and styles to meet and suit everyone's home. Vinyl flooring can mock floors such as bamboo and hardwood flooring, which tend to be expensive. Therefore, vinyl flooring can make your home look luxurious and at the same time be inexpensive.

If you're interested in having vinyl flooring in your house, there are two simple ways to lay it. You can either apply adhesive to the entire flooring, or use stables and just use adhesive around the outside of the flooring. The first method tends to be used for flooring with a lesser quality material. It's also a good method to use if you know you will not take the flooring up in the near future.

The first step in laying any type of flooring is making sure the base floor is smooth and even. All high or low spots of flooring. flooring should be removed. You can check for these by using a straightedge and a torch. Hold the straightedge flat against the floor and place the light along the straight edge from behind. Light filtering under the straightedge shows high or low points in flooring.

Regardless of the floor type, the base flooring should be clean. Scrubbing the floor and hovering will help to hold the adhesive and will also reduce the chances of ruining your new vinyl flooring. After this, allow your flooring to dry completely before laying any rolls of flooring.

Check for mouldings around the room, and wherever possible, your new vinyl flooring should slide under these mouldings. If not, you can either trim them or remove and replace the mouldings. If you think this isn't possible, then you will have to trim your flooring and fit it around them. To trim the bottom of mouldings, lay a piece of cardboard on the floor next to the trim then place a fine toothed saw on top of the cardboard. After this, carefully cut the bottom of the moulding.

To remove trim, use a small screwdriver and a putty knife. Carefully slide your putty knife between the trim and the baseboard. Then place your screwdriver between the trim and the putty knife blade and pry the trim loose. The putty knife blade will protect the baseboard. Remove any nails carefully that are left in the baseboard and try not to drive them back into the trim when doing so. Instead, pull the nail the rest of the way through the trim, so less damage will be caused.

You may need to install a new base as an overlay to provide a good base for the floor covering, such as hardboard. Secure this under layer sheet to the floor with cement or nails over the entire floor surface. Sand off all edges where the sheets join to eliminate any rough spots and then apply your rolls of vinyl flooring! Enjoy the finished result of your new, cheap and easy to fit vinyl flooring

UK Flooring distributor Floors Online supply a range of solid wood flooring, laminate flooring and vinyl flooring products.

Contacts for information, sales and advice on flooring solutions: 0800 731 2374 / 01827 283 184 or http://www.floorsonline.co.uk

Most of us want our homes to feel warm, inviting and comfortable to spend time in, but what makes a comfy living space? Is it the size of the room, the furniture arrangement, or the lighting? People have their own ideas and creativity about what makes an ideal cosy living space, but pulling those ideas together can often be challenging. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you accomplish a cosy living space to turn a house into a home.

1. Create smaller spaces within a large living space. Large rooms with furniture lined up along the walls often feel cold and aren't functional. Instead pull furniture forward to create a focal point- preferably a fireplace. If possible create more than one seating area. Place a chest across a corner rather than flat against a wall, this will soften the angle making the room cosier. Avoid L-shaped, square and rectangular configurations.

2. Define these different focal points by using area rugs to make them distinct. For example, co-ordinating area rugs placed under the furniture pieces of the different focal points will clearly distinguish them as separate places.

3. Paint the walls in deeper colours, such as gold or dark beige to make a living room feel cosier. White and pastel coloured walls can make a room feel cold. If you want to incorporate a brown, it is best added into a scheme in the form of warm, rich woods like walnut.

4. Use plants to add life (literally) to your room. Live plants are typically more effective when trying to create an appealing cosy living space because it's often difficult to find artificial plants that don't look artificial.

5. The lighting in the room should be kept soft and inviting. You can purchase pearl tinted bulbs rather than clear ones. A hidden floor lamp will help create a mood lighting effect when placed behind any furniture.

6. Sofas and chairs need to beacon you to sink into them. To disguise your hard back furniture cover it with soft throws. Change your scatter cushions to velvet, suede, wool and avoid anything that looks shiny and cold such as silk. Consider heavier curtains to give a plush look and to avoid drafts.

7. If you have laminate flooring, solid wood flooring, or hardwood floors add a large statement rug that is soft underfoot.

8. If close to winter, keep the chills at bay by creating your own personal cosy corner, you can do this by snuggling under warm woolly blankets and cushions.

9. If you have books and art in your house put them up! This will reveal the personality of the homeowner adding familiarity and cosiness.

One thing you have to remember when designing your living space is that you have to be comfortable and like the style since you will be spending the most time in there. Don't forget to be adventurous, if you have two rooms that are awkward, take down the wall to create an open plan living space that still has a sense of intimacy but creates different zones at the same time such as eating, relaxing and entertainment.

UK Flooring distributor Floors Online supply a range of solid wood flooring, laminate flooring and vinyl flooring products.

Contacts for information, sales and advice on flooring solutions: 0800 731 2374 / 01827 283 184 or http://www.floorsonline.co.uk

Is the light in your room still making the room dark? A brighter room can not only lighten your mood, but can create a cheerful atmosphere, which is much easier to concentrate in or just relax. Here are a few simple, easy and effective techniques to add light to your room.

Top 10 tips:

1. Open up - open your blinds or curtains and take advantage of the natural light. If privacy is a concern or the view is terrible, look for translucent curtains or blinds. You'll have light without the eyes of prying neighbours.

2. Use mirrors - They'll make the room seem larger and reflect the light you already have with no additional electricity use.

3. Paint the room and decorate it with light colours - Dark panelling for example, can absorb the light and make a place look dark even if there is plenty of light streaming in. Light colours such as white and cream reflect more light. Richer colours such as red won't reflect as much light, but they will make the room look cheerful as well. A new coat of fresh pain will help too.

4. Tidy up the clutter - This won't help bring light into the room but it will make you feel as if there is more space. Once everything is tidied away it will make the room feel more open.

5. Recreate the sunrise - If you have trouble waking up in a dark room, install a multi light lamp with a timer function this will turn on before you wake up and the light can even help to bring you out of sleep naturally.

6. Use diffused lighting - If you have a dark corner or a room where there's no ceiling fixture, use multiple lights pointed towards the ceilings and walls. This reflected light provides a soft, overhead glow which minimises harsh shadows.

7. Use light flooring - Laminate flooring and hardwood floors with light shades will reflect natural light brilliantly creating an ambience in a room and also makes the room look larger than carpet.

8. Install a sky light - Sky lights let in natural light and lots of it. There are skylights that can be installed to fit between rafters and even reflective tubes that require little more than a slight hole in the roof. Some skylights can even open to help with ventilation.

9. Replace the bulbs with higher light intensity - Such as compact fluorescent bulbs with a low voltage but higher light output.

10. Add task lighting - If you frequently perform certain activities in a room, consider adding specific lights to help for these tasks. Some lights can mount under cabinets and over counters. Others may go on or over your desk, piano or sewing machine etc.

Other tips include washing your windows regularly - cleaner windows mean more light. If you don't want to change the colour of your paint on the walls, lighten objects such as the pillows, sofa, or paintings around your room.

UK flooring distributor Floors Online supply a range of solid wood floors, laminate flooring and vinyl flooring products.

Contacts:

For information, sales and advice on flooring solutions, contact Floors Online 0800 731 2374 / 01827 283 184

In order to keep your bachelor pad clean, impressive and presentable it is important to choose the best flooring. The best flooring for a bachelor pad should be easily cleanable, warm and insulating, and relatively colourful. Bear in mind you need to look as though you are a high flyer and having a pad that is dirty and with poor flooring will not do well for this image.

Laminate flooring has the advantage of being durable and hard wearing meaning it would take a lot for the floor to be ruined. More so, if you are regularly throwing parties the odd spillage is inevitable and laminate flooring is easy both to sweep up mess and wipe up spills. Laminate flooring can also be a cheap alternative to the real thing, and give the illusion that you are a high flyer. Laminate flooring is also colourful which can be immediately eye catching and add to your room.

Cork flooring is not really the best for living rooms or lounges. This is a good thing as the living room can have a laminate floor and the bathroom or kitchen can have a cork floor. It is water resistant, which is ideal in these two areas, especially if there is a lot of food and drink lying around. What also makes it great for a bachelor pad is that cork flooring is a good insulator meaning it can prevent a knock at the door by neighbours complaining about the noise as this type of flooring helps drown out noise.

Any type of wooden flooring also has their own attributes that could suit a bachelor pad. Wooden flooring in general is warm and natural and easy to clean and maintain, so you do not need to constantly worry about ruining your floor. Engineered wood flooring is stronger than laminate flooring. It is cheaper than any solid wood flooring, but people will not really tell the difference, wooden flooring gives a good image. It is expensive than the other options, but if you want a low costing floor made from wood it is the best option. Hardwood flooring is easy to clean and does not accumulate dust or dirt very easily. What may appeal about hardwood flooring is that it can increase the cost of your pad when you choose to sell it.

Vinyl flooring can be considered if you have just moved into the bachelor pad and are budgeting. Sheets or tiles of different textures are available. But the part that would appeal would be that the customer has the freedom of colours and designs, which for a bachelor pad could be as eccentric, lavish or as laid back as possible. With chosen designs and colours it gives the impression of the person and so be careful not to choose something too boring as the wrong impression could be given off. Like cork floors it is insulated, meaning it combines your own designs and colour preferences along with being able to party in the pad without annoying the neighbours. However problems are that it is easy to scratch, not as long lasting, and installation can be complicated.

The best flooring for a bachelor pad should be one that is easy to maintain and ones that are not noisy, but the popularity of wooden floors for image will make this a big consideration when choosing flooring for a bachelor pad.

UK flooring distributor Floors Online supply a range of solid wood floors, laminate flooring and vinyl flooring products.

Contacts:

For information, sales and advice on flooring solutions, contact Floors Online 0800 731 2374 / 01827 283 184

www.floorsonline.co.uk

A sitting room can be a place where you spend a lot of your time, or an area to entertain people. Certainly if you have visitors it is the place you host your guests and so the way it looks will be very important in creating a good impression. You may relax in that room and therefore you are going to want as comfortable surroundings as possible. You would want it to look attractive and for it to be comfortable.

In terms of flooring it is where people tread when they walk in; it is the foundation to what they see and needs to match the mood of the room. Bathrooms and kitchens acquire moisture and so need specific kinds of flooring, but sitting rooms are open to any number of possibilities by your own choosing. There are several different flooring options that could help improve and give your sitting room a welcoming atmosphere and is impressive to other people.

There are several types of popular flooring options out there that would look good in a sitting room. Wooden floors tend to be the most popular for their hard surface and general look in any type of room. Hardwood usually looks the best and has the best feel, but engineered wood flooring is cheaper than solid wood and there are few flaws with it. For a seating room comfort is essential which is why people may opt for wooden floors. It is certainly the type favoured by interior designers who can match rugs and surrounding furniture to wooden floors.

You may also want to be a bit more adventurous and want a flooring type for your sitting room that matches the design of your walls of the sitting room. Vinyl flooring allows for greater freedom of designs and colours and the patterns often are similar to patterns you find on wallpapers and tend to go well with everything else in your room. The popularity of vinyl flooring in a sitting room is for more adventurous households. Carpet is also an option for sitting rooms. Carpet is most favoured in living rooms because they give the room that cosy feel; it hides dirt making it easier to clean.

What you also need to take in mind when considering flooring options for sitting rooms is who will be in the living room to truly appreciate it. There may be guests you want to impress, you may be hosting a party, and you may have pets that have the ability to ruin certain flaws with their nails or claws. Pets tend to struggle on laminate flooring, but if you do not have pets, laminate flooring, has the advantage of being an image printed on wood, allowing you to influence the design of your floor. So it really does depend on who will be present in the sitting area most often.

A lot of importance is attached to the costs of flooring. For cheap flooring laminate flooring is especially popular as well as engineered wood flooring which is favoured by some people over the more expensive hardwood flooring. The most expensive flooring is the hardwood but that is only because it is solid wood. The fact it is clean and durable and can increase the price of your house mean it can be valuable. It may be worth paying extra to make your floor both look and feel the very best.

Flooring options for sitting rooms mainly depend on considerations like who will be using it, the cost and the look, in terms of how it blends in with the rest of the room. Because the sitting room is often the place where people are the most in their houses, it is important to have safe and comfortable flooring and some may discount price ahead of comfort.

UK flooring distributor Floors Online supply a range of solid wood floors, laminate flooring and vinyl flooring products.

Contacts:

For information, sales and advice on flooring solutions, contact Floors Online 0800 731 2374 / 01827 283 184

www.floorsonline.co.uk

 

There are several different flooring types, which all have their own pros and cons. The most popular, and best quality flooring is arguably hardwood flooring - this is the flooring which has been shown to raise the price of your house. There are of course drawbacks with all types, but on the whole, hardwood is the most preferred, popular and trusted. Here are some of the types of flooring which both have their own pros and cons. These include:

Laminate flooring – There are many benefits associated with laminate flooring - it gives the illusion of real wood, stone or tile, and is a cheaper alternative to these. It is easy to install and connect together, rather than simply gluing together, the pieces tend to clip together rather easily. It is long lasting, which is of advantage over many other flooring types.

However, the cons associated with laminated flooring include the constant thought that it will never be the real thing – it only gives the illusion of real wood and this could be disheartening if someone you know has the real thing and it is more impressive. In addition it does tend to wear over time and any damage caused cannot be repaired, therefore it’s not as strong as other types of flooring. More so if laminated flooring is poorly laid, it will affect the price when you come to selling your house.

Engineered wood flooring – The way it is constructed makes it stable, immediately elevating it above laminate flooring in strength. It can also easily be floated and is less prone to damage. More so, it is cheaper than solid wood which again makes it a worthy choice of flooring for customers who want cost effective wooden flooring. The only obvious disadvantage is that it is more expensive than laminate flooring.

Vinyl flooring – This is notable as it is used by people who are budgeting. It can come in either sheets or tiles. The advantages are that it is durable meaning value for money. It is very customer friendly in that they are in charge of the way it looks due to the freedom of the colours and designs that can be used. It also has noise insulation, and is cheap to repair. The disadvantages of Vinyl flooring is that although it is durable it is not as long lasting as other floor coverings and sheet vinyl especially is prone to scratch. Installation, although easy, needs to be precise, whilst other flooring types do not require such precise installation.

Cork flooring – A key advantage of cork flooring is that it has a great appearance, which immediately catches the customers’ attention. It is also environmentally friendly, coming from a renewable and sustainable resource cork oak which does not require the destruction of the tree when removed. It also reduces noise such as stamping, further emphasising its strength and security. It is also naturally insect repellent. The problems of Cork flooring is that it is quite high maintenance whereas those like laminated and engineered wood flooring are quite easy to maintain. Cork flooring is also open to water and moisture damage which tends to spoil the flooring permanently which is bad considering it is more expensive than Vinyl flooring for example.

Hardwood Flooring – hardwood flooring is the best for floating floors. It is also made to fit which makes it easier to install. It cleans well and does not accumulate dust or dirt very easily and it insulates the room when fitted. If properly used it can remain strong and last a long time. All these considerations can increase the price of your house, more so than any other type of flooring. The disadvantages include it being expensive because it involves only natural rather than synthetic materials. It also takes time to set when installed and it can also be slippery that can be potentially dangerous.

The standout flooring type appears to be the wooden floors which are stronger than other floors. That is not to say the other types are not as good, as price and designs tend to be a major consideration for the customer when buying flooring.

UK flooring distributor Floors Online supply a range of solid wood floors, laminate flooring and vinyl flooring products.

Contacts:

For information, sales and advice on flooring solutions, contact Floors Online 0800 731 2374 / 01827 283 184

www.floorsonline.co.uk

Wooden flooring can transform your home, not only is it impressive but it will last for a very long time, providing that you care for your floor properly.

Controlling traffic

Control the amount of wear that your floor is subjected to by laying down a rug or a mat in high traffic areas. This will protect your floor from potential long-term wear and tear. If you have wooden flooring near your front door or in a hallway then a mat is the best way to control traffic and the impact it will have upon your wooden floor. Shoes can bring in dust and dirt that could scratch the floor and fall in-between the boards. Use a mat or rug that has been made for a wooden floor, mats with rubber backs can cause damage to the wood.

Pets

Your pet's claws can be very damaging to the floor. Cats are well known for scratching to keep their claws filed down. Prevent this by providing your pets with a scratch post and also taking them to the vets to make sure that their claws are trimmed. Do not attempt to cut your pets claws at home as you could potential cause them harm and cause infection.

Moping

Never attempt to wet mop your wooden floor with excessive amounts of water. This will cause the wood to swell and splinter. Always use a hard wood floor cleaner to clean the floor. Use a cloth to clean the affected area. Make sure to clean up spills as soon as they happen to prevent moisture damage to your wood. Make sure the mop is well rung out and clean length ways across the planks.

Controlling dust and dirt

Regularly clean your floor with a soft brush to remove dust and dirt, buff over afterwards with a cloth. As soon as you see dirt gathering between the boards, remove it with a brush or vacuum to prevent any build up.

Cover your furniture

Protect your floor by attaching pads to the bottom of your furniture legs. This will prevent any denting or scratching to your floor. These are widely available at DIY shops.

Sun damage

The sun can play a part in fading your flooring. Reduce your floors exposure to the sunlight by closing blinds or curtains when you can.

Sweep with a soft brush

Use a soft brush rather than a coarse brush. This will prevent any scratching. Softer bristles are also easier to get in between the boards to remove extra dust and dirt.

Do not use

Never use ammonia cleaners or oil soaps on your wooden floor. Always use cleaning solutions that have been designed specifically for solid wooden floors.

Treating long term damage

If your wooden floor needs treatment for long-term damage then you may consider a process called screening and recoating. This takes off the finish that is already on the flooring. It then applies a new coating of urethane. If your floor is particularly damaged then it may need to be re-sanded and recoated. This should be done as a final option.

UK flooring distributor Floors Online supply a range of solid wood floors, laminate flooring and vinyl flooring products.

Contacts:

For information, sales and advice on flooring solutions, contact Floors Online 0800 731 2374 / 01827 283 184

www.floorsonline.co.uk

Dogs on flooring can be a common problem, especially new and carefully invested in flooring. Dogs can add wear to floors and one of the main problems are dogs scratching floor surfaces. They are also causers of stains and water damage as when they drink they tend to splash around. When choosing the right flooring your dog needs to be taken into account. Indeed, some floors are hard and uncomfortable and therefore may cause dogs to misbehave temperamentally when on them. Therefore it is essential to find the best ways of protecting your flooring from your dog.

Owners will want to protect hardwood floors when they've been installed, to preserve and maintain them in the face of any possible damage. This is problematic if you have a dog.

Ways to protect your hardwood flooring from your dog can include the following:

Keep placemats in the entranceways and wait for your dog to be cleaned off, this can protect the most at risk areas of hardwood flooring with strips of carpet. In addition, make sure there is no excess dirt on your dog's feet, if you dog has an accident on your hardwood floors immediately clean it up as hardwood floors can be damaged by moisture. You also need to trim dog's nails to make them less lethal to your hardwood flooring. This is because larger dogs are more likely to damage flooring with their nails because of the pressure of their weight and force alone.

If you are not keen on hardwood flooring then you could purchase laminate flooring. It is seen as quite resistant to dog scratches. It is also easier for your dog to sit on. In addition, dog paws do not stain on laminate floor. It is durable and this helps with the scratch resistant nature of the floor. Unlike carpets, fur can simply be wiped off or swept away and the floor does not retain odours that could potentially stick to carpets.

Ceramic tile flooring is virtually undamaged by dogs. It is easy to clean and a good choice for dog owners. It is durable and resistant to stains and scratches. The only problem with this is that older dogs may struggle on this but by and large this is safe and dog friendly flooring.

There are other types of flooring that protects from dogs that owners should also consider. Bamboo flooring is hard and durable - more so than any other wood. It is also very easy to clean. Vinyl flooring is less expensive than wood or bamboo. Luxury vinyl provides scratch proof flooring which is perfect for a household with dogs. You should use caution when purchasing inexpensive vinyl, as it is far too easy for a dog to destroy.

There are also practical options to protect floors such the previously mentioned method of cutting your dog's nails so they do not scratch on the floor. You can also apply floor wax, to clean your floor and prevent and block away scratches. It is always a good idea to lay down rugs or put down protective mats to further protect your floor.

With the right caution and research there are plenty of options to allow you to enjoy beautiful flooring without missing out on the company of man's best friend.

UK flooring distributor Floors Online supply a range of solid wood floors, laminate flooring and vinyl flooring products.

Contacts:

For information, sales and advice on flooring solutions, contact Floors Online 0800 731 2374 / 01827 283 184

www.floorsonline.co.uk

Your home is a place where your personality can shine through, so it's understandable that you want your home to feel like a celebrity's with all those added luxuries. You can now purchase flooring fit for the rich and famous that suits any budget. You can get all of this by just exploring all of your flooring options.

As you can imagine many celebrities opt for solid wooden, stone, slate or even marble flooring. The rich and famous want flooring that is durable and will impress.

You can achieve any of these effects in your own home without the large price tag. The flooring market has taken into account that people want luxury flooring at affordable prices, and so over the years an increasing amount of alternative options have appeared on the market that have proved to be extremely effective.

Wooden flooring is the more costly option, however you must take into consideration the fact that a wooden floor will last in your home for a very long time. Although costing more than vinyl or laminate, a wooden floor is extremely impressive and can transform any room. You are also safe in the knowledge that a wood floor is a timeless piece of flooring and will never look outdated. Providing that you take good care of your wooden floor, it can look as good as the day it was laid for years to come. If you do find that your wooden floor is significantly damaged, it can be re- sanded and finished again. You must be prepared to take regular care of your wooden flooring, which will involve sweeping, polishing and cleaning the flooring on a regular basis. Wooden flooring can look extremely impressive and will certainly make your home feel more luxurious. However, there are effective alternatives that give an impressive wooden effect.

If you are searching for a flooring option for your bathroom or kitchen, then vinyl gives you the flexibility to find an effect to suits your style and taste. Vinyl comes in many different patterns and effects that can replicate wood, marble, slate or stone. This is a great way to install flooring that will prevent against moisture damage and still look great in your home. Vinyl has shaken off its 60's patterns and is now stocked in a whole range of stylish alternatives that make it hard to tell if it's the real deal. Vinyl can now replicate a number of natural materials and its resistance makes it ideal for public places as well as in the home.

Laminate flooring is an excellent alternative to solid wooden flooring. It is easy to install and requires little to no extra materials. Laminate flooring is easier to maintain than solid wood but still gives off an excellent effect. Laminate flooring has been developed since the 1970's to replicate both wood and stone. If you have pets or young children then a solid wooden floor may not be the most convenient option, therefore you can achieve a similar effect with laminate, which is easier to clean and maintain.

UK flooring distributor Floors Online supply a range of solid wood floors, laminate flooring and vinyl flooring products.

Contacts:

For information, sales and advice on flooring solutions, contact Floors Online 0800 731 2374 / 01827 283 184

www.floorsonline.co.uk