What shoes are to fashion, flooring is to space. Wooden flooring is the preferred choice of many young homeowners, says K R Shivshankar

The first things to tackle, when you're moving into a new home or even renovating the existing one, are the structure and space. There should be a flow, continuity and reason in space - interiors and décor come later. There are a number of points to consider before you actually start work. A new home? Then, think about your lifestyle, your requirements, your dreams, and the practical use of space before committing yourself to any large investment. In an existing space, the options are, of course, limiting. However, a few civil changes like changing the texture of a wall, changing the flooring, knocking down a wall or making a window larger can make a huge difference to space. As you think of the changes, start thinking of the furniture and the look you want to create.

Flooring makes a huge impact. It even dictates the furniture and upholstery colours. It also creates a certain vibe and triggers décor ideas. The number of options available in the market today just to do your flooring is staggering. Marble, granite, wood, laminated wood flooring and vitrified or stone tiles are the popular options being used these days. In large houses as well as apartment dwelling, flooring is being looked at with a fresh perspective. While marble has connotations of opulence, stone creates a raw natural feel, and wooden laminates create a mood of warmth and add contemporary and even regal chic.

Laminate wooden floorings are a good option if you are looking for a rich and warm look. They are cheaper than premium marble floorings and also require minimal maintenance when compared to vitrified tiles. Laminated flooring is actually a paper surface simulating wood textures and grains. It does not stain or scratch and is available in strips that can be dismantled and reused.

Wooden laminates come in a variety of colours - from dark exotic browns to even blues for the experimental lot! The right colour on the floor can give a lot of character to the room. Each colour in wooden flooring is driven by personality type and is interior-concept specific. Choose the colour according to the mood you want to create. Light colour looks young while the dark wood looks warm and exotic. Also, consider the colours you will use on the walls as well. Blue relaxes, instils calmness and harmony and is therefore, ideal for bedrooms and bathrooms. Remember, that lighter colours can make a room and a ceiling look bigger while dark shades gives an impression of receding dimensions.

If you are using wooden flooring for the den or bar area, consider wooden rafters on the ceiling or texturing one wall. While lightwood would look good in rooms for youngsters, as a race we, Indians, are more comfortable with browns and reds. So go ahead, experiment and see the type you are.

Dos and Don'ts for Laminate Wooden Flooring

Dos

•Use vacuuming for normal cleaning with an occasional damp mopping; never a dripping wet mop.

• Wipe off stains with a soft cloth and denatured alcohol.

•Use felt pads under furniture and chair legs.

•Use a doormat to avoid stains.

Don'ts

• Don't use soap, wax or polish to clean as all these products leave a residue, making the floor look greasy and unclean.

• Do not scrub the floor with steel wool or any other coarse material.

• Do not allow spilt water or any liquid to be on the floor for long hours.

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