Hardwood Floors & Rugs
Hardwood floors and rugs, when chosen wisely, can warm up a space. However, battered floors and worn out rugs will not make anyone feel at home. So now that we are starting a new year, why not brighten up your home?
My dark hardwood floors were badly scratched up and always looked dirty. I just knew I’d be stressed until I did something about it so I decided to refinish my floors. It was a big project but I am so happy with how it turned out.
The first step was to figure out what stain color I should use. I tested all different kinds of stains on my red oak flooring – and I suggest you do the same and here’s why. At first, I thought dark floors would really make a dramatic impact until I realized it showed dirt and dust a lot more than lighter colors, so I chose a white stain and went to work. To my horror, when the floor dried, my beautiful floors looked pink! It was awful. I realized I should have tested the stain more thoroughly on a much larger section of flooring. I wasn’t getting a true picture on my very small test spot inside the closet. What I eventually settled on is a Minwax stain that is three parts weathered oak and one part classic grey. The lesson to take away – test a large space before staining your entire floor because this is definitely not a project you want to do twice like I did!
The next thing I need to warn you about is the mess. Sanding down floors is a dirty business. You’ll have dust EVERYWHERE! I urge you to clear the room completely, and it’s probably a good idea to turn off your central air so dust won’t end up throughout the house. Also, try sealing off the doors or entryways to the room with plastic drop cloths to keep the dust from blowing down hallways and into other areas of your home.
When all was said and done, I finally had gorgeous hardwood floors that I love, but I realized they still felt a bit sterile. I knew I needed to warm up the space with rugs that tied into my décor. My first piece of advice for that is to look at low maintenance rugs.
I chose antique rugs from Kilim.com for the high traffic areas and nice-looking outdoor rugs for dining and kitchen areas. Outdoor rugs hold up well to spilled food and drinks, and with two children, I need that kind of protection. Last but not least, I also found some great washable rugs that were perfect for the floors in the girls’ rooms.
Viva Vida suggestions to purchase stains and rugs: