Why Flooring Matters in a Small Bathroom

Let’s face it—small bathrooms come with their own set of challenges. Limited floor space, minimal natural light, and cramped quarters can make even the simplest bathroom remodel feel like a massive task. But here’s the good news: the right flooring can make all the difference. It can maximize your valuable floor space, reflect light to brighten up the room, and create a cohesive look that ties the whole space together.

Plus, bathroom flooring isn’t just about looks. It’s also about durability, water resistance, and ease of maintenance. After all, a bathroom floor has to withstand daily wear and tear, from steamy showers to the occasional splash of water. So, let’s dive into some small bathroom remodel ideas that’ll help you choose the best flooring for your space.

Best Flooring Options for Small Bathrooms

When it comes to small bathroom remodeling, not all flooring options are created equal. You’ll want to choose a material that’s not only beautiful but also practical for a small and often humid environment. Here are some top contenders:

1. Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT)

Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT) is a superstar when it comes to small bathroom remodels. Why? Because it offers the look of natural stone or wood, without the high maintenance or cost. LVT can be waterproof, durable, and incredibly easy to clean—a must for any bathroom. Whether you’re dreaming of a sleek, modern look or a more traditional vibe, LVT comes in a variety of styles that can suit any bathroom design.

One of the best parts about LVT is its ability to mimic the appearance of more expensive materials, like marble or hardwood, at a fraction of the price. This makes it a popular choice for homeowners looking to achieve a high-end look on a budget. 

2. Ceramic and Porcelain Tile

When you think of bathroom flooring, ceramic and porcelain tiles likely come to mind—and for good reason. These materials are classic choices for bathrooms, thanks to their water resistance and durability. But just because they’re traditional doesn’t mean they’re boring. Today’s ceramic and porcelain tiles come in a wide array of colors, patterns, and textures, allowing you to create a floor that’s uniquely yours.

One of the biggest advantages of ceramic and porcelain tiles is their ability to handle moisture. These tiles are naturally water resistant, making them ideal for a bathroom environment. Plus, they’re incredibly easy to clean—just a quick wipe, and you’re done. Whether you opt for large-format tiles to minimize grout lines or intricate mosaic patterns to add visual interest, ceramic and porcelain tiles are a solid choice for any small bathroom remodel.

3. Natural Stone

If you’re looking to add a touch of luxury to your remodel, natural stone flooring might be the way to go. Materials like marble, travertine, and slate offer a timeless beauty that’s hard to match. Natural stone brings a unique, organic feel to a space, with each tile offering its own distinct variations and patterns.

However, it’s important to note that natural stone can be more porous than other flooring options, meaning it may require regular sealing to prevent water damage. It’s also typically more expensive than materials like LVT or ceramic tile. If you want the look of natural stone without the hefty price tag, consider opting for stone-look vinyl.

4. Engineered Wood

Love hardwood but terrified of what your bathroom moisture could do to your flooring? It might sound like a recipe for disaster, but engineered wood is actually an amazing alternative to the natural version. Unlike traditional hardwood, engineered wood is made with a plywood base that’s designed to resist moisture, making it a viable option for bathrooms.

Engineered wood offers the warm, inviting look of real wood, with the added benefit of being more resistant to humidity and temperature fluctuations. This makes it a great choice for those who love the look of wood but need a material that can stand up to the challenges of a bathroom environment.

5. Laminate Flooring

Laminate flooring is another option worth considering for a small bathroom remodel. It’s affordable, easy to install, and comes in a variety of styles that mimic the look of natural wood. It may come as a surprise to see laminate flooring recommended for a room that will experience high moisture and frequent splashes, but many laminate products are water resistant or even fully waterproof, making it an excellent potential choice for bathrooms. 

If you’re looking for a budget-friendly option that doesn’t skimp on style, laminate flooring could be the perfect fit. Just be sure to choose a laminate that’s specifically rated for use in bathrooms to ensure it holds up over time.

Design Tips for Small Bathroom Flooring

Choosing the right flooring is just one piece of the puzzle. To truly make the most of your small bathroom remodel, you’ll want to consider a few design tips that can help maximize your space and create a cohesive look.

1. Go Light and Bright

In a small bathroom, light colors are your best friend. Lighter flooring can make a space feel larger and more open by reflecting natural light and reducing the appearance of shadows. Consider choosing a light-colored tile or LVT to brighten up your bathroom and create an airy, spacious feel.

2. Play with Patterns

Just because your bathroom is small doesn’t mean you have to play it safe with your design choices. Consider using patterned tiles or arranging tiles in a unique layout to add visual interest to the space. For example, herringbone or chevron patterns can add a sense of movement and dimension to a small bathroom floor.

3. Consider Large-Format Tiles

It might seem counterintuitive, but large-format tiles can actually make a small bathroom feel bigger. By minimizing the number of grout lines, large tiles create a more seamless, continuous look that can help expand the perceived size of the room. Plus, larger tiles are easier to clean—always a bonus in a bathroom.

4. Don’t Forget About Maintenance

When choosing flooring for your small bathroom, it’s important to think about maintenance. Some materials, like natural stone, may require regular sealing to keep them looking their best. Others, like LVT and ceramic tile, are more low-maintenance options that can be easily cleaned with a simple mop or cloth.

Consider how much time and effort you’re willing to invest in maintaining your bathroom floor, and choose a material that fits your lifestyle.

Bathroom Flooring Installation: DIY or Hire a Pro?

Once you’ve chosen the perfect flooring for your small bathroom, it’s time to think about flooring installation. While some homeowners may feel comfortable tackling a bathroom flooring installation as a DIY project, others may prefer to hire a professional to ensure the job is done right.

If you’re unsure about your abilities or simply want the peace of mind that comes with hiring a pro, it’s worth considering professional installation. Empire Today® offers comprehensive installation services, ensuring your new bathroom floor is installed correctly and efficiently.

Transform Your Small Bathroom with the Right Flooring

When it comes to small bathroom remodel ideas, flooring is one of the most important decisions you’ll make. The right flooring can enhance your bathroom’s design, make the space feel larger, and stand up to the unique challenges of a bathroom environment. Whether you choose the durability of LVT, the classic appeal of ceramic tile, the luxury of natural stone, the warmth of engineered wood, or the budget-friendly nature of laminate, your bathroom floor should reflect your style and needs.

Empire® offers a wide selection of flooring options that are perfect for small bathroom remodels. From guidance to professional installation, we’re here to help you create the bathroom of your dreams. So, what are you waiting for? Schedule an in-home appointment to start on your bathroom transformation today!

The post Small Bathroom Flooring: Your Guide to Transforming Tiny Spaces appeared first on Empire Today Blog.

Before we begin, let’s get a quick refresher on what exactly a subfloor is. The subfloor is, as the name suggests, the floor that is or will be immediately below your finished floors. In typical residential situations, the subfloor will be made of plywood or OSB (oriented strand board). Wood subfloors are durable and affordable and make an ideal surface for affixing a wide range of flooring products. These wood subfloors can be attached to flooring joists, or often laid down over a concrete slab. However, adding that wooden subfloor can lead to additional costs and complications when having new floors installed on concrete. For this reason, many homeowners find themselves searching for a floor that can be installed on concrete without needing additional preparation.

Carpet on Concrete?

Believe it or not, you can have carpet installed directly onto a concrete floor without any additional subfloor material. Depending on the area of your home that you would like carpeted, there are a few things to consider. If your goal is simply to spruce up a three-season room or unfinished basement, you might consider indoor/outdoor carpet. This rugged carpet is built to withstand exposure to the elements, making it more it an excellent choice for anywhere that regularly deals with lots of dirt or water.

A key part of its outdoor-ready construction is that it’s designed to be installed directly onto a concrete slab. However, it’s important to note that because it doesn’t use any carpet padding, indoor/outdoor carpet won’t be a huge upgrade in comfort. But it can still go a long way towards making a sunroom or dingy unfinished basement feel more welcoming.

Carpet tiles are another option. Though typically used in commercial settings like offices, they are perfectly suitable for use in areas of your home where you want a simple yet rugged soft surface floor. One of their main advantages is that carpet tiles can be installed directly onto concrete. Their modular nature also makes them great for oddly shaped spaces as well as areas likely to see higher traffic—if one area of the floor becomes severely damaged or stained, you’ll only need to have a few carpet tiles replaced instead of the entire floor.

If your primary goal is to maximize comfort on those cold concrete basement floors, then you’re in luck. Thankfully, you won’t be limited just to indoor/outdoor carpets. In fact, the most common styles of carpet, like plush or Berber carpet, can also be installed onto a concrete floor. When selecting a carpet for concrete floors, you’ll also often have the option to choose from a variety of carpet pads to be used during the installation. Opting for a thick, dense rubber carpet pad can greatly increase how soft the carpet feels underfoot, as well as help insulate it from the cold concrete flooring below it.

Vinyl Flooring is an Ideal Concrete Covering

While traditional carpet over concrete is a viable option for many homeowners’ needs, it isn’t a good choice for certain spaces, like a basement that deals with persistent dampness or a mudroom that will see, well, lots of mud. Situations like these are best served by floors that are easy to keep clean, and which can endure exposure to water. In areas like these, your best bet will be some type of vinyl flooring. Sheet vinyl, vinyl plank, and vinyl tile all offer options that are rugged, waterproof or water-resistant, and also still look great.

One of the great benefits of having vinyl flooring installed over concrete is the vast array of visuals available across its multiple formats. Luxury vinyl plank floors offer the convincing look of hardwood; vinyl tile is an affordable alternative to porcelain or ceramic tiles; and sheet vinyl is available in a mix of both aesthetics. While vinyl flooring can be installed directly onto concrete, you can also choose to have an optional underlayment used during the installation. This underlayment will help insulate your new vinyl floors from the concrete slab below, and can also add a bit of cushion to make it a more comfortable surface

Tile Floors are a Great Choice for Concrete

And there’s always ceramic or porcelain tile, the stalwarts of basement flooring. Both types of tile can be installed on concrete floors. Tile will provide much of the same feel and functionality as a bare cement floor—it will still a hard surface that will feel cool underfoot and won’t do much to improve the comfort of a room. But tile’s similarity to a concrete floor means it also shares many of the benefits: a tile floor is typically very durable, resisting scratches and chips; it’s easy to maintain, requiring little more than regular sweeping and mopping; and it’s a floor that can stand up to the spills and dampness that a basement might typically encounter. Plus, tile floors are a great way to improve the look of a bare space without adding worries about complicated upkeep.

When it comes down to it, if you’re looking to have finished floors installed onto concrete, you’ll have more choices than you may have imagined. There are even some wood laminate and engineered hardwood floors that are suitable for installation directly over concrete, though they often come with a few more maintenance concerns and may not be a good choice for basements. But Empire® offers a great variety of carpet, vinyl, and tile floor products that can be installed on concrete, improving the look and feel of your home while still keeping some of the low maintenance of bare concrete.

If you’re hoping to have flooring installed onto concrete in your basement, three-season room, or other area of the home, give us a call or click any of the “Schedule In-Home Appointment” buttons on the site to set up a free, no-obligation consultation with a flooring professional today.

The post The Best Floors to Have Installed onto Concrete appeared first on Empire Today Blog.

When on the hunt specifically for carpet like this, there are four main factors to consider: carpet that resists stains, carpet that helps hide stains, a product that resists overall wear and fading, and one that doesn’t easily show footprints and traffic marks. Some homes may need only one of those traits, while many homes—especially those with pets or children—will benefit greatly from carpets that offer some measure of each of those features. One type of carpet may be better with one feature than another, while some carpets excel in every aspect. Here is a closer look at how each type and style of carpet holds up to stains and wear marks.

How Carpet Materials Handle Stains, Wear, and Footprints

Polyester Carpet

Polyester carpet provides some of the most beautiful color variations, because the fiber material is easier to dye. And because it is usually solution-dyed (the color permeates the entire fiber, not just its surface), it has excellent fade resistance as well. Finished polyester fibers are hydrophobic, meaning they will not absorb liquids-and that in turn makes them more resistant to liquid stains. Polyester carpet is often made from recycled materials, making it eco-friendly, and tends to usually be budget-friendly. Its main downside is that it’s not as durable as other common carpet materials, which means it may begin to show wear earlier than, say, nylon carpet.  So if you’re not terribly concerned with physical wear but are looking for the best carpet to resist stains, polyester carpeting is a safe bet.

Nylon Carpet

Nylon is one of the other most common carpet materials, alongside polyester. Nylon carpet shares many traits with polyester, including its overall soft feel and ability to be woven into many different styles of carpet. It’s crafted from very durable, elastic fibers that tend to bounce back into their shape. This trait gives it superior resistance to wearing and matting compared to polyester carpets. Nylon fibers’ main downside is that they are absorbent, which means it’s more likely for an untreated stain to stubbornly set in a nylon carpet. In short, the pros and cons of nylon carpet are almost exactly the opposite those of polyester carpet. These features make it the best carpet for those whose primary concerns are long-term wear and minimizing marks from furniture or daily traffic and have fewer worries about stains.

Polypropylene Carpet

Polypropylene, commonly known as olefin, is a material that’s growing in popularity for certain residential carpeting applications due to its affordability and high resistance to mold and mildew growth. Like polyester, olefin fibers repel moisture and dry quickly, which is what gives the carpet its mold and mildew resistance. Those same properties also make it resistant to liquid stains. However, the polypropylene material can actually be more susceptible to oil-based soiling, like those that might happen if a piece of food is dropped on the carpet. Olefin is also not as durable a material as nylon, which makes in unideal for high-traffic areas. Overall, polypropylene/olefin carpet is best suited for rooms like the basement, or areas that get light to moderate traffic, and where liquid spills are the greatest stain concern.

Dark and multicolor carpet

Most homeowners have come to accept that when daily life meets carpeted floors, stains are going to happen. And despite the best intentions to deal with these stains, they’ll often happen quicker than they can be treated and may end up hanging around for a while. If that sounds like a likely situation for your floors, prioritizing a style that disguises stains may end up being the best type of carpet for your home

When you just know that stains are going to happen regularly and probably linger, a dark or multicolored carpet can be the key to staying sane. The typical carpet stain will be much less visible, or even completely undetectable, on a darker carpet like black, dark blue, or a deep brown. Of course, those hues may not match your home’s aesthetic. If that’s the case, we recommend a multicolor carpet. These styles can have an overall lighter look, but with a mottled design that includes flecks of darker color throughout. While today’s stain-resistant carpets and powerful carpet cleaners can get most stains out, opting for a carpet that simply makes them less visible can save you significant stress.

Carpet Construction Types

Plush Carpet

Plush carpet is known for its clean, classic look. Also often referred to as Saxony, velvet, or texture carpet, plush carpeting features a smooth, level surface that provides a blend of soft comfort and traditional style. This soft, springy construction helps to hide footprints in high-traffic areas, while the dense, twisted fibers help keep dirt near the surface—making for easier cleanup. If you are looking for a great “whole house carpet,” a plush carpet can be the best choice due to its universal style and versatility.

Frieze Carpet

Frieze carpeting is made by tightly twisting fibers together to create a casual, shaggy look. This shaggy style can do more than just give your home a fun look—it also makes frieze one of the best carpets for hiding stains and footprints. Many frieze carpets are multicolored, so individual stain spots are less likely to be seen. And because frieze fibers are of varying length and look slightly disheveled by nature, footprints, vacuum marks, and other temporary impressions don’t obviously stick out.

The one catch is that the properties that make frieze great for disguising stains and footprints also make it more difficult to clean. If dirt does make it down into the depths of those shaggy fibers, you may need quite a powerful vacuum cleaner to reach deep enough into the carpet to get it fully clean.  Overall, frieze carpet is a great choice for common rooms that will see lots of activity and will have to deal with the typical small spills that happen in daily life—but probably not in rooms that will see heavy amounts of crumbs, dirty shoes, or other solid contaminants.

Berber Carpet

Berber carpet’s low profile and dense construction make it the best carpet type for all-around resistance to stains, wear, and footprints. Because its fibers are short, thick, and tightly packed, it resists matting and compacting better than high-pile carpets. That means furniture marks and footprints are less likely to linger. This dense construction also keeps stains near the surface, making for easier cleanup. Berber’s main downside, however, is that its resilient build can be less underfoot cushioin than other carpet styles. Overall, Berber carpet is a great choice for practical performance in rooms that see the most activity in your home.

When searching for a carpet that hides stains and footprints, there are quite a few variables to consider. And like just about any subjective choice in home renovation, there’s not really one “best” carpet for all situations—rather you’ll have to find the best carpet for your particular needs. But that’s where Empire Today® comes in. We’re here to guide you through the carpet shopping experience and ensure you end up with floors that fit all the requirements of your life. Schedule a FREE Empire® In-Home Estimate today to find out which carpet type is the right one for your home.

The post Best Carpets That Hide Stains and Footprints appeared first on Empire Today Blog.

Picture this: You’ve just arrived home after a long day of work. You open the front door of your cozy yet spacious bungalow (or vintage farmhouse, or tidy cottage, or secluded cabin – your choice) and set down your keys and coat in the entryway. You head into the main living area, open concept, of course, where you’re greeted by the sight of the afternoon sun filtering through the gauzy curtains and casting a golden hue over the gorgeous, distressed wood flooring of your living room.  

You make your way into the kitchen to get dinner started, noticing that someone has spilled water on the floor. Not a problem, you think as you grab a towel to wipe it up. The vinyl plank floor looks nearly indistinguishable from the weathered hardwood you might find in a rural farmhouse kitchen, yet the product you chose is completely waterproof. A quick swipe of the towel and it’s good as new.  

After the evening’s activities are complete, you retire to your bedroom, a tranquil retreat awash in soft, muted tones. Although you’ve chosen to place an area rug near the bed as part of the decor, you reflect on how it’s not really necessary thanks to the comfortable and beautiful wood laminate you’ve chosen for the bedrooms.  

If this all sounds like heaven to you, you probably find yourself drawn to the timeless allure of rustic design. Rustic home flooring is the perfect choice to infuse your space with that warmth, character, and natural beauty that’s so appealing about the bygone days. 

At Empire Today® we absolutely adore rustic design, and we’re excited that it’s grown in popularity over the years. As we delve into the rustic flooring trend, we’ll explore the various styles, materials, and design possibilities that make this enduring aesthetic a true classic. 

Introduction to the Rustic Flooring Trend 

In an age where technology dominates nearly every aspect of our lives, it’s hardly surprising that more and more people are being drawn to the rugged appeal of rustic interior design, both for their homes and workplaces. The authenticity and connection to nature of rustic flooring can serve as a powerful counterbalance to our increasingly digital experience.  

The Timeless Appeal of Rustic Flooring 

Rustic interior design is deeply rooted in the unique pioneering history of the U.S. Early settlers brought very few belongings as they left larger cities to disperse throughout the rugged expanse of the wild west. When it came time to build and furnish their homesteads, these pioneers had no choice but to rely on local, natural materials. This resourcefulness not only shaped their living and working spaces, but also fostered a design aesthetic that celebrates the beauty of simplicity and the authenticity of the American frontier. 

Rustic flooring is so much more than just a trend; it’s truly a tribute to the skilled hands that have shaped our history! 

What is considered a Rustic Home? 

These days most of us aren’t chopping down trees to build our own cabins and furniture, but that doesn’t mean we can’t create the same atmosphere of natural, tasteful simplicity found in the rustic homes of yore. Understanding where rustic design elements originate can help define the overall aesthetic. 

• With no other materials or manufacturing available, wood was the primary material used for flooring and walls. The colors, lines, ridges, and knots of local hardwood contributed to the unique character of each building. 
• Natural light from windows and doorways was a requirement in the days before electricity and is a must-have in our modern world, where we spend so much of our time indoors. 
• Our foremothers and forefathers didn’t get their furniture and decor from factories, they designed and built everything they needed and wanted from scratch. That means not every edge was perfectly straight, smooth, rounded…you get the idea. These imperfect design elements, when used today, create a warm and inviting atmosphere in the typical modern home. 
• It would be a mistake to overlook the subtle ways in which “Mother Nature’s colors” give life to any home decor. In rustic design, you’re sure to find wood grains or stone, beiges, pale greens, or warmer shades of white, along with iron, pewter, or copper fixtures gleaming in all that natural light. 

Rustic Floors are Here to Stay 

When it comes to interior design, trends come and go (think the shag carpeting and avocado green appliances of the 1970s, or the beige walls, floral prints, and wicker furniture of the 1990s). One of the most exciting aspects of rustic flooring is that its beauty and simplicity transcends short-lived design trends. Rustic flooring compliments a huge variety of interior design styles and can be adapted to suit different aesthetics such as traditional, farmhouse, industrial, or contemporary, making it a much safer investment than those massive, wooden entertainment centers that dominated living rooms circa 2002! 

Incorporating Natural Aesthetics in Your Home 

Welcoming nature into our homes has never been more important than in today’s fast-paced world, where maintaining a connection with the great outdoors can be a real challenge. In fact, studies have shown that exposure to natural elements, such as wood, plants, and stone, can actually lower cortisol and increase feelings of relaxation – something most of us could use! Rustic flooring’s enduring appeal lies in its ability to invoke those feelings of peace and tranquility you get from an afternoon in the woods, without ever leaving your living room.  

Types of Rustic Flooring 

Unlike the pioneer days, when the only building materials available were whatever was growing nearby, we offer a wide variety of rustic floor products to choose from. Finding the perfect floors to fit any aesthetic, budget, and lifestyle has never been easier.  

Distressed Wood Flooring 

 Newer wood can take on those gorgeous, timeworn characteristics by using techniques such as hand-scraping. In hand-scraping, also known as hand-planing, a special tool is used to scrape the surface of the wood to create a more textured, stately appearance. Hand-scraped wood flooring is often used for restoration projects or rustic homes. 

Reclaimed Wood Flooring 

If sustainability is your main concern, look no further than reclaimed wood. Reclaimed wood is typically salvaged from older commercial buildings, vintage barns, or other demolished structures. Besides the fact that it’s an environmentally friendly flooring option, reclaimed wood is also prized for its unique and character-rich appearance. Whether it’s nail holes, knots, saw marks, or naturally weathered textures, each plank has a story of its own to tell. Reclaimed wood is typically more expensive than traditional new wood or engineered flooring due to the labor-intensive process of sourcing, salvaging, and preparing the wood. 

Wide Plank Flooring 

Wide plank floors are known for their stunning visual impact. The wider planks (typically around 5” or more) showcase the grain patterns, color variations, and subtle contrasts of the wood and can create a sense of spaciousness in a room. Wide plank flooring has historical roots and is often associated with American and European homes. Thanks to their more traditional look, wide plank flooring is a popular choice for anyone seeking to add a rustic element to their home. 

Stone-Look Flooring 

The earthy, textured appearance of stone-look floors aligns with rustic design’s emphasis on natural elements. Stone-look flooring is typically made from materials like porcelain or ceramic tile, luxury vinyl tile, or laminate that are engineered to replicate the texture, color, and veining patterns found in natural stone. Stone-look flooring is typically highly durable and resistant to wear and tear, and is relatively low maintenance and budget-friendly compared to natural stone. 

How to Choose the Best Rustic Flooring 

Selecting the ideal rustic flooring for your space is a process that goes beyond aesthetics alone. Finding the right product means striking that perfect balance between your design vision, practical needs, and the unique character of each flooring option. 

Define Your Style 

The sheer variety of rustic floor products on the market can make finding the perfect fit feel a bit overwhelming. Understanding your own personal style will help you narrow down your options and make the sometimes daunting task of selecting floors a more enjoyable experience. When you schedule an appointment with Empire, a flooring professional visits you in your home where they are better able to help you narrow down the choices. 

Consider Your Lifestyle 

Thinking about the function of the room or rooms where you plan to install your rustic flooring is key to finding the right fit. Do you have kids, pets, or both? Which rooms get the most traffic, and which might be exposed to topical moisture? Rest assured you will be able to find the perfect rustic floor product for every area of your home. 

Color, Pattern, and Finish 

Today’s rustic floor products are nothing if not versatile. Not only are there a variety of materials to choose from, the color palette of rustic flooring offered at Empire® ranges from rich, earthy tones like deep browns and warm reds, to lighter, more weathered hues such as soft grays.  

In terms of patterns, rustic floors can showcase diverse arrangements of planks or tiles. These patterns can be customized depending on the vibe you’re going for – whether it’s the classic farmhouse look, a contemporary loft, or a cozy cabin retreat.  

The finish of rustic floor products is yet another aspect that enhances their appeal. Matte finishes provide a subtle, understated elegance, while semi-gloss or high-gloss finishes offer a sleek, polished look. And of course, the popular distressed/hand-scraped finishes create that charming, weathered appearance and highlight the natural character of the wood. 

Maintaining Your Rustic Flooring

Rustic flooring is not only durable, it’s also relatively easy to maintain. As with any type of flooring, a little TLC in the form of regular cleaning and minimal maintenance will help keep it looking its best for years to come.  

Regular Cleaning and Care 

Cleaning your rustic flooring depends somewhat on the materials used to create the floor. However, these general rules apply to the care of most types of rustic flooring. 

• Dry cleaning: Sweep or vacuum the floor on a regular basis to remove dust, dirt, and debris. Be sure to use a soft-bristle broom or a vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment to avoid scratching the surface. 
• Gentle mopping: For routine cleaning, use a damp (not soaking wet) mop or microfiber mop to clean the floor. Avoid excess water on hardwood floors, as it can damage wood and cause swelling. 
• Avoid harsh chemicals: Never use harsh chemicals, abrasive cleaners, or wax-based products on rustic flooring. Instead, opt for a pH-balanced, manufacturer-recommended floor cleaner specifically formulated for your type of floor. 
• Clean up spills immediately: This one is probably obvious, but letting spilled food or liquid sit on certain types of flooring for too long can cause staining and other damage. Use a soft, dry cloth or paper towel to blot up liquid spills. Sticky substances can be scraped off (gently!) with a plastic scraper. 
• Area rugs and mats: Don’t overlook the value of a strategically placed area rug or mat. Not only can they add a bit of extra warmth or pop of color to your overall decor, rugs or mats located in high-traffic areas can help trap dirt and prevent it from being tracked onto the floor. A win-win!  

Enhancing Your Home with Rustic Flooring 

The warmth, charm, and enduring quality of rustic flooring can be a soothing balm to those of us craving a tangible connection to the natural world. The choice to incorporate rustic flooring into your interior design also means that no matter how your tastes change in the years to come, your floors will never look out of date or at odds with whatever decor you choose. So, whether you’re into mid-century modern or intergalactic chic in the future, your rustic floors will always be there to support you in style. 

More Than Meets The Eye 

As we conclude our journey through the world of rustic flooring, it’s clear that this timeless choice is more than just a surface beneath our feet – it’s a statement of style, a testament to our eternal connection with nature, and a nod to the past. Whether you opt for the warmth of wide plank flooring, the inviting charm of distressed finishes, or the natural beauty of stone-look, the skilled flooring professionals at Empire Today can help guide you towards the choice that reflects your unique personality and the ambiance you wish to create. 

The post Rustic Home Flooring 101: Types, Trends, and Tips appeared first on Empire Today Blog.

With the holiday season being such a common motivator for minor aesthetic tweaks, it also becomes a popular time to consider your home’s appearance on a deeper level. Before the winter gatherings start, is it time to repaint walls, rearrange furniture, or replace appliances? Maybe your carpet looks a little tired, and you’re wondering if it makes sense to get new floors installed right before the holidays.  

Of course, we fully support the idea of prepping for the holidays by having new carpet installed. But there’s more to it than just wanting to impress guests. New floors can make your life much easier—during the holidays and throughout the year—and this is also often one of the best times to score flooring promotions. Still think it’s a crazy idea? That’s why we’re here! Here are a few reasons why you may or may not want to get new floors before the big day. 

Spills are a Certainty. Stressing Over Them Shouldn’t Be. 

Accidents are a regular part of life and practically an inevitability during big celebrations. Usually, that means stubborn stains on your carpet, which in turn means your holiday cheer has been replaced with anxiety. But imagine a scenario in which you watch a nephew’s heaping helping of gravy-smothered mashed potatoes slide off his plate onto your plush new carpet and you don’t even flinch.  

With the right carpet, that fantasy can be a reality. Stain-resistant carpets from Empire Today®, especially those protected by the R2X® Stain and Soil Resistance System, make cleaning up accidents quick and painless. Even if spills continue to happen throughout the evening, you’ll have little reason to stress. So, if your carpet already has stubborn stains that just won’t leave, and you’re worried about collecting new ones, it may be time for some new stain-resistant carpet.  

While appearance is a worthy concern, another important consideration is how your carpet can affect your home’s environment. Old carpet is often rife with dust, dander, and other allergens. Even though you may consistently vacuum, older carpets tend to trap more of these particles, which get released when the surface is agitated, leading to itchy eyes and runny noses. This can be especially painful for overnight guests who aren’t accustomed to the air inside your home. New carpet is a great way to get rid of your dirty old floors, and choosing a hypoallergenic carpet like HOME Fresh from Empire® means you can greatly reduce those issues going forward. If you’re expecting lots of guests this holiday season, that might be a good reason for some new carpet. 

And lastly, you can’t overlook comfort! The holidays are a time when you want your home to feel especially cozy. Threadbare carpet with compressed padding makes for a very uncomfortable surface to stand, walk, or play on. And flooring comfort is paramount to making guests feel at ease, especially during “shoes off inside” season. 

Carpet: Get It New or Get it Cleaned? 

So, what if you feel like some of these factors apply slightly, but your carpeting is just a few years old and you’re certain it has more life left? The holiday season is a great time to give your carpet a deep cleaning. Commercial carpet cleaners can be rented at your local hardware store or even many grocery stores. For a reasonable fee, you can steam-wash all of the carpets in your house, restoring much of the look and feel they had when first installed. Just be sure to not wait until the very last minute before your party—steamed carpet needs ample time to dry before it can be walked on! 

Ultimately, the question of whether or not you should replace your floors before the holidays is really about whether you should replace your floors, period. The holiday season simply offers a few extra motivations compared to the rest of the year. Increased time off of work means you won’t have to waste a vacation day to be home for the carpet installers. The end of one year and the dawn of the next is a always popular motivator for any major life upgrades. And, of course, the holidays are just a great time to unveil a new look you’re proud of to your friends and family. Think of it like getting a fancy new ‘do or an amazing outfit right before an important occasion—but for your home.  

Do You Really Have the Time for New Floors During the Holiday Season? 

The holidays can be chaotic and adding carpet replacement to your to-do list may seem daunting. However, that’s one more reason to trust Empire with the task. We make it easy to get quality flooring without the added stress of visiting flooring stores and by offering minimal wait time for installations. Schedule your in-home estimate today and you could have durable new flooring installed by Thanksgiving, so you can eat your turkey without worry. 

The post Should You Have New Carpet Installed Before the Holidays?  appeared first on Empire Today Blog.

These wood textures can add an even more authentic hardwood look, and—dare we say—can even add the “feel” of wood under your feet, too. Here’s a look at some of the wood floor textures out there and how they show up in different design styles.

The Smooth Wood Look

Let’s start the conversation with the least-textured example: smooth wood-look floors, which are most commonly seen in wood laminates. A natural hardwood can be sanded to the point where its surface is smooth, but you’ll always see or feel a bit of a grainy texture to it. A smooth texture on a wood-look floor is completely without waves or imperfections. Some laminate floors will have a slight graininess built into them, but they’re still considered a smooth texture.

Smooth textures preserve the wood grain look without the rigidity and subtle roughness of a piece of sanded wood. A smooth texture may feel almost tile-like when walking on it, but not quite as cold.

Smooth textures, especially in laminates, are more likely to have a glossy sheen, although you can also find them in a matte finish. If your smooth floor is glossy, you may consider using it for a room with plenty of natural lighting. A matte finish is a more muted tone and tends to be better for rooms with less overall lighting, giving it more of a relaxing, subdued feel.

Seams can also affect how a smooth texture influences design in a room. For example, floors with more pronounced seams designed into them in a medium to darker tone, such as a hickory or cherry wood, can give more of a polished, elegant look to a room, especially if there’s a glossy sheen.

The Hand-Scraped Wood Look

Some refer to hand-scraped floors as having a “wave” texture. Hand-scraped hardwood flooring actually looks like the floor was skimmed in sections during the wood milling process, giving it a wavy look that’s easy to see if you look at the surface at an angle with a light shining on it. Some hand-scraped textures also have natural scuffs designed into them for more of a vintage look.

Darker colors can add rustic charm—an almost log cabin look and feel—to a space. This texture looks great in front of a fireplace and in sitting areas. Some hand-scraped textured floors even come with varied plank widths for added sophistication. Hand-scraped hickory, white, or red oak wood-look floors look great and can warm up a study or den, offer a homey country touch to a dining room, or bring a welcoming feel to a living room or great room.

You may hear other terms such as “subtle scraped” or “heavy scraped” when talking about hand-scraped floors. These terms are often used to emphasize how much or how little of a scraped look you’re getting. Generally, heavy scraped is closer to a distressed look.

The Distressed Wood Look

This distressed texture is sometimes called “wire brushed” as well. A distressed floor looks as if the surface is aged; it embraces its imperfections and has a well-worn look. If you were to actually “distress” natural wood, you might use chemicals or tools to add imperfections to the surface. With a wire-brushed wood texture, no two pieces look alike.

A wire-brushed oak flooring is one of the most popular floors out there today. A white oak wood-look floor with a distressed texture and matte finish, it offers a subtle elegance and is great for transitional design that might merge vintage, industrial, classic, and contemporary styles.

You can even find the distressed white oak wood-look in porcelain tiles. With the natural wood look and grout lines, it adds sophistication with design flexibility. These floors work great just about anywhere. Install them in a home with a country theme, an urban loft, or anywhere in between.

Distressed looks in general are pretty design versatile. They can make a game room fun and lively while leaving the door open to different themes and wall coverings. They can absolutely set the tone for a great room space that flows to other areas of the home. Distressed floors are a go-to in minimalist design, and they look great in large, uncluttered areas where they can stand out.

Generally speaking, you can’t think small with a distressed texture. This statement-making flooring shouldn’t be contained to a small room. It’s best in large rooms and throughout a home.

Considering a wood-look floor for your home? Let a professional help you find the right floor for you. Schedule a FREE In-Home Estimate to see how easy the whole process can be—and in some cases, you can even have your new floors installed as soon as next day!

The post Understanding Wood-Look Flooring Textures appeared first on Empire Today Blog.

Vinyl Flooring

First, is vinyl flooring. Vinyl plank, vinyl tile, and sheet vinyl are all great options when you have a pet, as they are highly resistant to staining, soiling, and scratches. And when accidents happen, vinyl flooring is easy to clean. Finally, vinyl floors can be more comfortable and more slip resistant than other flooring options available. As an added bonus too, vinyl is made to mimic the look and feel of real wood and tile, so it looks great in any home.

Laminate Flooring

Wood-look laminate flooring is also a good option for homes with pets. The finish on laminate flooring can help resist scratches, stains, and soiling. Look for laminate floors with a textured finish, as smooth finishes can be slippery for our furry friends.

Hardwood Flooring

If you want real wood in your home, opt for engineered hardwood, which is constructed with a thick solid wood veneer and a sturdy engineered backing to make it stronger than solid wood. Look for an engineered hardwood with a textured finish to help with slips.

Tile Flooring

Porcelain and ceramic tile are both good options to help prevent scratches and lasting damage from liquids. Be sure to look for a tile flooring that is slip-resistant, so you don’t need to worry about kids and pets running around, especially if there’s a wet area.

Carpet

Carpet and pets can co-exist! Not only is it soft and comfortable for pets, there are some great carpet options with added stain and soil resistance. Plus, Empire carries carpet with added PUP® Pet Urine Protection that helps protect carpet fibers from stains due to pet urine. If you’re looking for a carpet, keep in mind pet’s nails can snag and cause damage to carpet. We recommend keeping your pet’s nails trimmed or look for a carpet that won’t snag – the best carpet types for pets is plush, frieze, or HOME Fresh – an Empire exclusive.

Having a pet means loving them every day, from dirty paws, pee stains, and nail scratches – pets are family, and when you come home from a long day, they are the first ones to greet you with a wagging tail or soft cuddle. Whether you’re looking for carpet, vinyl, tile, laminate, or hardwood, finding floors that make you and your pet happy is easy when you work with Empire. Schedule a FREE In-Home Estimate to see our pet friendly flooring options in your home.

The post A Quick Guide to Choosing the Best Flooring for Pets appeared first on Empire Today Blog.

Hardwood Spreads Warmth Throughout Your Home

Hardwood has more benefits for your home than giving it a timeless look. Solid wood is an excellent heat conductor and allows heat to travel through your home quicker. This can help reduce energy costs in the long run, as well as make a home cozier during frigid, snowy nights.

Carpet Feels Warm No Matter What

Carpet not only offers a soft cushion for your feet—it feels inherently warm when touched. This is because it doesn’t automatically pull heat from your body. While Carpet doesn’t necessarily help heat circulate throughout your home, it feels naturally warm to walk on with bare feet.

Vinyl Flooring Lets You Have Tile Without the Cold Touch

With vinyl flooring, you get warm floors that are incredibly versatile. Whether you have vinyl tile or vinyl plank, its temperature remains comfortable in any season. You can enjoy the look of tile or wood without feeling like you’re walking on ice.

A Rug Can Keep Cold Floors Warm

Porcelain Tile, Ceramic Tile, and Laminate flooring tend to be less temperature-friendly in colder months of the year.

By laying down comfortable, inexpensive rugs, you can make your chilly bathrooms, kitchens, and hallways a lot warmer to the touch. Many hall-runners can make a difference as well. The best part? Most rugs can be washed easily, keeping maintenance in the winter to a minimum.

In the end, you want to prepare your home for whatever weather winter brings. That’s why it’s important to know what you prefer when it comes to flooring. Whether you choose Carpet’s warm touch or hardwood’s ability to spread heat throughout your home, make sure you stay cozy this winter. Schedule a FREE In-Home Estimate today to get warm floors in your home.

The post Finding Warm Floors for Winter appeared first on Empire Today Blog.

The flooring in your family room can have a huge impact on your family’s overall comfort and quality of life. Here are some things you should consider when choosing family room flooring ideas to help make sure you and your loved ones have the right flooring for everyday life.

Consider Your Lifestyle

The first thing you should consider is your family’s lifestyle. How many children do you have and how young are they? Do you have any pets? These factors can determine what type of flooring you should get and what will be beneficial for your family. Young children like to play on the floor, so something soft and comfy would be ideal for them. Carpet is an easy choice due to its soft comfort and beautiful aesthetic. There are many different types of Carpet to choose from.

Plush and frieze are a great starting point if coziness is priority number one.

Berber Carpet may not be as soft as plush or frieze, but it can be easier to clean and less likely to shed fuzz. Berber’s looped fibers can even help prevent spills from leaving bothersome stains. In general, Berber is a great choice for active family rooms where function is prioritized over style.

Pattern Carpet pairs unique styles with high durability. If you’re looking for a great contemporary look without the hassles of daily maintenance, pattern Carpet would make an excellent addition to your existing family room decor.

Although these carpet choices are great for kids, Berber and pattern aren’t good for pets. Because they have looped fibers, claws can get caught easily. This can easily result in snags, making the carpet look messy and uneven.

What Type of Look Do You Want

Getting flooring to fit your family’s lifestyle is important. However,  you also want to make sure the look fits your taste and the rest of your home’s décor. Wood looks can be achieved without using Hardwood. Instead, people are exploring options like Luxury Vinyl Plank(LVP) and Laminate. Laminate’s surface is scratch-resistant, durable, and can resist stains. It is also less likely to experience color fading due to sunlight, so feel free to open your blinds wide. With Laminate, you get a wood look for a lower price with the durability needed to handle your family’s lifestyle.

How Will You Use the Room

If you’re expecting to host guests or spend most of your days in the family room, you should opt for flooring that has the durability to handle the heavy traffic. Family can be messy and spills are inevitable, so it’s also important that your family room flooring can withstand the occasional “uh-ohs”.

Many vinyl flooring products from Empire have slip, stain, mildew, and scratch resistance, making it a durable option for a busy household. LVP gives you a wood look with cost-efficient durability. This means you don’t have to worry about scratching wood floors. Vinyl also comes in a stone look, helping you give the room a bold and sophisticated style without worrying about damaging your flooring.

Get the Best Family Room Flooring for Your Home

Think about how much time you spend in the family room and you’ll realize how important it is to choose the right flooring for your family’s lifestyle. Whether it’s carpet, hardwood, laminate, vinyl, or tile, you can discuss family room flooring ideas with an experienced Flooring Professional. Schedule your FREE In-Home Estimate today to see how easy it is to get beautiful new family room flooring.

The post Family Room Flooring Ideas: What to Consider appeared first on Empire Today Blog.

1. Shop for carpet with built-in stain protection.

Scotchgard 3M, R2X® Protection, and Stainmaster® make it more difficult for puppies to leave permanent stains, odors, and soiling.

2. Always check for “pet urine protection” labels on carpet samples.

Some brands will have different names for it. This can help keep accidents and odors on the surface for easy clean-up, rather than deep in the fibers where it can turn into a tough stain.

3. Scratch, stain, and moisture resistance goes for hard floors, too!

Check for tough protective coatings such as aluminum oxide on flooring samples. This can defend floors with most scratches, stains, and moisture.

4. Aim for darker colors for carpet.

Although it is possible to have a lighter carpet color if you own a pet, having darker or multi-colors can make cleaning and your life in general much easier. Why? Stains tend to stand out more on lighter colors, which can be an eyesore for you and your guests if not cleaned properly.

5. Grooming is everything.

When’s the last time your dog’s nails were trimmed? Long, jagged nails can cause scratches to hardwood and laminate if overlooked.

6. How resilient are your floors?

Dogs tend to follow their own pre-determined paths over and over and over again. Durable laminate, hardwood, or  vinyl flooring are great for heavy foot traffic.

7. Avoid loop carpet.

Even if your dog keeps those claws trimmed, you may want to avoid looped carpet, as nails at any length can snag and rip it easily.

8. Pattern, frieze, and textured carpet can help hide dirt.

Sometimes, it’s nice to not have to clean up immediately. Certain carpet styles conceal crumbs and flecks of dirt better than others.

9. Don’t let sleeping dogs lie.

Not only is sleeping on a hard surface uncomfortable, but a dog’s dead weight could leave an impact on your floor over time. Find a comfy dog bed large enough for the pup to stretch out on!

10. Time to chow down? Use a feeding mat.

Puppy eating and drinking manners are a little different from ours. Opt for a feeding mat beneath the water bowls to avoid standing water on your floor.

11. Floor mats can keep mud and dirt at bay.

There’s no avoiding a little mud or dirt in the house, but strategically placed mats at every entryway and long hallway can make a huge difference.

12. Consider tile or vinyl entrance ways.

Taking the mat concept a step further, tile or vinyl is a lot better next to the backyard door than wall-to-wall carpet. It adds a buffer for liquids, mud, and dirt.

13. Keep bones and toys in one place when you can.

Bones and doggy toys can be pretty heavy! If they’re being knocked off a couch or dropped from a decent height, bad things could happen to your floors.

14. Drink on the edge of the table?

That’s just asking for a tail-whipping! Pets are just like kids in a lot of ways. Lots of sudden movements, not much grace. Keep drinks in hand or away from edges to avoid messes!

15. You can never have enough clean towels.

If you are constantly “acting fast” cleaning up spills left and right, make sure you have a steady supply of towels strictly for the dogs.

16. Where there’s a will, fur will find a way.

While cleaning up shedding, use mops, brooms, and vacuums without the beater bars to avoid scratching your floors.

17. Regular vacuuming is a must.

On both carpet and hard flooring, vacuum twice a week in high traffic areas. Once a week is fine for “pet-free” rooms.

18. Don’t be afraid to deep clean.

Use manufacturer-recommended products for carpet, wood, laminate, vinyl, and tile alike. Absorb stains as much as possible with a towel to remove excess moisture. Avoid abrasive scrubbing. Steam-mops and heavy machinery are not recommended.

19. Hire a professional cleaner once a year.

To keep your floor looking fresh longer, consult a professional cleaning service through the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification. They can get out the doggy bits your deep cleaning missed.

20. Above all else? Be prepared!

Accidents will happen. Don’t panic! If you have soap-free cleaners, mops, clean towels, and a vacuum on hand, you’re already halfway there. Most stains and soils can be avoided if you act fast and thoroughly.

Dogs and flooring can peacefully exist. It just requires a little more effort to keep your floors looking their best. If you need any help figuring out what dog-friendly flooring would be best for your  home, Schedule a FREE In-Home Estimate now!

The post 20 Ways Dogs & Flooring Can Peacefully Coexist appeared first on Empire Today Blog.