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Experts cover entryway floors

The entryway of a home serves as both a welcoming space for guests and a high-traffic area susceptible to wear and tear from elements like mud and moisture. This article provides expert advice on selecting durable, easy-to-clean, and stylish flooring solutions for this critical area. Los Angeles-based interior designer Betsy Burnham highlights the importance of choosing appropriate floor coverings, noting that many clients seek assistance with entryway design. One recommendation focuses on replaceable flooring options. Cork squares are presented as a durable choice made from natural wood fibers, capable of handling moisture while offering sound absorption and a variety of colors and patterns. Burnham emphasizes that modern cork flooring is far more diverse than traditional bulletin board material, providing a look similar to hardwood at a lower cost. A key advantage of cork is its replaceability, allowing individual damaged tiles to be swapped out without redoing the entire floor. Another flexible option discussed is FLOR carpet tiles, which offer customization through color, texture, and pattern arrangements. These tiles can mimic an area rug or wall-to-wall carpeting and are noted for their ease of installation and cleaning. Vinyl plank tiles are also suggested as an inexpensive, durable, and easily installable DIY option that can be mopped clean and cut with a utility knife. The article also explores removable flooring solutions, particularly rugs. Burnham notes that washable rugs, ranging from rag rugs to Turkish carpets, can effectively define an entryway space. Instead of a single expensive rug, she advises purchasing several more affordable ones that can be rotated for cleaning. Meg Caswell, host of HGTV's “Meg's Great Rooms,” suggests utilizing carpet remnants, which can be cut to size and banded with contrasting fabric or canvas edges to create custom, inexpensive pieces. This approach minimizes loss if the rug is damaged by foot traffic. For those seeking wall-to-wall carpeting, Flynn recommends using multiple smaller rugs taped together underneath, which allows for a permanent look with the benefit of removable sections for cleaning. Vintage rugs are also recommended; their pre-worn appearance means further wear and tear integrates seamlessly with their charm. For ultimate durability, porcelain tiles are highly recommended by Caswell. Despite a common misconception about their fragility, porcelain tiles are described as exceptionally durable and nearly impossible to chip. If chipping does occur, the color runs all the way through the tile, making damage less noticeable. Burnham supports this, highlighting that porcelain tile can emulate natural stone but at a significantly lower cost and is easier to clean with water. Finally, the experts advise choosing bold colors, patterns, and textures for entryway floors, regardless of the material. This approach helps conceal dirt and signs of wear. For wood floors, painting a durable pattern directly onto the surface using porch and deck paint, followed by an additional coat of sealer, is suggested for longevity. Caswell encourages homeowners to be more adventurous with entryway designs, viewing it as an opportunity to inject personal style and make a distinct statement to those entering the home. #EntrywayFlooring #HomeDecor #InteriorDesign #DurableFlooring #EasyMaintenance #CorkFlooring #PorcelainTile #WashableRugs #DIYFlooring #HomeImprovement #EntrywayFlooring #HomeDecor #InteriorDesign #DurableFlooring #EasyMaintenance #CorkFlooring #PorcelainTile #WashableRugs #DIYFlooring #HomeImprovement

166 months ago

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