One thing that’s often overlooked in home remodel planning, ironically, is what’s right underneath our own two feet. Flooring can define the style and utility of a space, so it’s important that you sort through all of your options before you make your final decision. Whether it’s subway or herringbone, kitchen or bathroom, an experienced remodeling team can give you the knowledge you need to make those tough decisions. Let’s chat with our Interior Design Group Lead, Megan Heidel, about what’s trending in flooring and how you’ll know which option is right for your home.
What’s trending in kitchens in Indianapolis?
Homeowners used to favor wall-to-wall carpeting for its warm and cozy feel, but now we’re seeing a shift to hardwood floors. Heidel explains why most homeowners make the switch. “The number one ask we get [in kitchen remodels] is hardwood flooring, and that often turns into hardwood for the whole first floor”, Heidel said.
Once homeowners see how their new hardwood transforms one room, it’s hard to keep it contained to just one part of the home. But hardwood surfaces don’t have to break the bank – we can give you options for every budget and style, from engineered hardwood to luxury vinyl. If you’re looking for something that’s stylish and easy to clean, we’d recommend the luxury vinyl. It’s a good option for growing families that have little ones running around or pets in the mix – it also registers at half the cost of real lumber, so you can save on price, too.
How can I complement the hardwood-look in the design?
If you’re looking for a finishing touch in the newly designed basement or kitchen/living area, roll out an area rug. It can provide an extra pop of color, an eclectic accent, or win you back some of the simple comfort that you get from walking on a cozy carpet. You can also take comfort in the fact that rugs are easy to swap out as style or needs change.
Do homeowners usually come in knowing what materials they want, or do they change their mind along the way?
“If they don’t know already about it, we introduce [options] to them. [When we show them] durability and design, they get interested,” Heidel said.
If you’re ready to begin browsing materials, Cortec is a good place to start. In our design studio, we’ll be able to help you compare across brands and other wood-look materials; as overwhelming as it all may seem at first, you’ll get a better sense of which is right for your project after you get to see it with a designer.
What design trends are you seeing in bathroom flooring?
“Tile is still the most popular in bathrooms, but we’re seeing a comeback of large format square tile, with less grout lines.” Heidel said.
For coloring, the trends are cooler than ever. “Lots of gray, neutral tones,” Heidel said. “New projects are keeping away from the [more retro] honey, the reds, orange and yellow-tones.”
Advances in technology make getting ready in the morning feel more like a luxury experience. “[We also install heated floors,] they’re run by a smart system that you can control right from your phone. You can start it from your bed and the floor is [warmed up] once it’s time to get up.”
Each client gets to see the entire space in a 3D rendering before signing. Can you describe what that looks like?
“We give them basic floor plans to choose from, A, B, and C…If we know a lot about [what the client likes] already, we can choose [materials] for them, but we don’t always do that. We propose possibilities with the choices, and once they’re satisfied we can make selections, and take that product, manipulate it, and put it into the 3D format”.
If you want to learn more about the 3D renderings you’ll get to see before you sign, check out our process page. If you’re ready to take the next step toward your dream home, attend one of our upcoming webinars or schedule a conversation with one of our project developers!
