Flooring that jumps out at you as you walk in the door is just plain jarring. Is the color too bold or the style not quite right for the house? As you shop, avoid these common flooring mistakes:

1. Flooring that Doesn’t Blend:Flooring should coordinate with the style and décor of the house. Terra cotta tile goes well in a Spanish-themed home, but hardwood is more fitting in a traditional Colonial. While it’s fine to mix it up sometimes, but you should still keep a consistent flow. This is particularly true with kitchen flooring because it shapes the most important room in the house.
2. Flooring that Stops and Starts: It’s best to use the same flooring throughout large areas, so you don’t break up the visual flow from room to room. Try using the same hardwood or vinyl flooring in the foyer, hallway, powder room, and kitchen. Then, change it up in the dining room.
3. Too Much Color: Flooring is designed to be an inviting backdrop to your other décor. So, don’t make the mistake of buying bold kitchen flooring that steals the attention from your furniture and kitchen appliances.
4. Selecting the Cheapest Remodeling Contractor: You get what you pay for. So, be careful when trying to save money on your remodeling contractor. The right remodeling contractor will know what wood flooring needs to acclimate for a few days in the selected room. Otherwise, the flooring won’t be sized right to avoid expansion and contraction problems, says Buzzle.com.
5. Buying the Most Expensive Flooring: Overpaying for flooring is a big mistake, as you’ll have trouble recouping the cost during resale. If your house is in an entry-level subdivision, laminate flooring should be fine. Save the fancy wood flooring for the kitchen or one special room.

New granite countertops, a bathroom vanity and floor, or hardwood floors in the foyer can make a world of difference in your home. The good news is that you can complete each of these remodeling projects for $5,000 or less, depending on the materials and size of the project. Here are a few options with a very reasonable price tag:

• A new kitchen countertop: Everyone loves granite, but there’s also tile, laminate, and quartz to consider. Think about how you use the space, as laminate is great for busy households. Granite countertops require a little maintenance, but they’re ideal for those who want a stunning entertainment space. Quartz gives you the best of both worlds–a nice look with less maintenance than granite countertops.
• Hardwood floors: Oak is a mainstay, but there’s also cherry, mahogany, or rustic pine. Look for wide plank floors to make an impact. Or, combine marble with a wood border for a unique look.
• Paint, light fixtures, or new door and cabinet hardware: While these changes appear tame, they can dramatically change the look and feel of your home. Try faux painting or a textured finish to make a big splash. Or, in your playroom, add stencils of your kids’ favorite movie.

You can also streamline your dream remodeling projects and get the functionality you want. Instead of a large media center with built in cabinets, try nice wall shelves and a fresh coat of paint. The result can be powerful. These types of remodeling projects can add functionality without breaking the bank.

If you’ve been following the whole green movement, you know plenty of ways to be environmentally friendly when remodeling and buying home-related products. From countertops made with recycled materials–to mulch made from old tires–to wall tile made from crushed glass, going green’s never been so easy.

If you want to make an impact in a large area, consider green flooring, which can make a bold statement throughout several rooms.

Green Flooring Options

Green flooring includes a wide range of products, like cork , bamboo, and wood reclaimed from old barns. When buying reclaimed wood, be prepared for a rustic look with a few imperfections. In many cases, you’ll find knots, scrapes, and old nail holes, but it’s all about the character.

If you’re considering bamboo, here’s the rundown on this versatile material from Green Building Supply. Bamboo is a grass, so you know it’s renewable!

Green Flooring Shopping Tips

When shopping for green flooring, the trick is to find the right style, sizing, and material for your home. If you’re working with a large room, you can use wider, six-inch boards without worrying about the room closing in on you. In smaller spaces, try narrow, two-inch “rescued maple” boards like these featured by Agedwoods.com.

Your contractor may have to scour a few lumber yards or specialty suppliers to find the right recycled or reclaimed product. So, build that into your construction schedule.

Defining Green Building

Before buying green flooring or a door made of reclaimed wood, consider where it originated. One green building factor is travel distance to the store or job site. It’s all about the carbon footprint and reducing fuel usage.

So, buy locally (or within a 100 mile radius), if you can. This will help you stay as “green” as possible!

As we head into the holiday season, many people are evaluating what they spend and when. If you’re weighing which remodeling projects to move forward on, look at those that will provide the most payback to you.

While resale is one thing, you’re comfort and enjoyment are another. Look for projects that will make your house warmer – such as replacement windows or insulation – or add style to a few areas.

Kitchen Remodeling Tips 

If your kitchen is dated, but you’re not ready to take the plunge on a full scale kitchen remodeling, consider new wall tile, a sink and faucet or new flooring. read more »

So you just moved into your new home, but the floors just aren’t your style. Hopefully you incorporated that into your budget and now have a quite a few options available to you when it comes to new flooring. These days you can make your home’s floors look absolutely beautiful at costs almost anyone can afford.

The first thing you want to do is figure out exactly what types of floors you want in each room. You’re going to want to think about factors such as foot traffic, easiness to clean, available colors, comfort and cost. read more »

When having hardwood flooring installed, be sure that your installer uses a vapor barrier- long black paper that comes in a roll and looks like tar paper. It must be rolled out on top of the sub-floor before the floorboards are installed. This will prevent moisture from rising through the floor and causing the hardwood to cup (warp or bow). Also, be mindful that wide planks (boards three inches or wider) are more likely to cup.

Vapor Barrier is particularly important for floors above basements or crawl spaces with dirt floors.

If the crawl space is:

• Accessible- Lay plastic on top of the dirt and place bricks or something heavy around the perimeters to keep it in place. It does not have to be air tight.
• Inaccessible (a previous owner could have built a wall around the entrance) – Assume the worst and be extra-certain that the vapor barrier was laid. Avoid wide planks all together.

Many homeowners buy a house with the intention of making additions or updating it soon after they are moved in. Are you thinking your house needs some renovations, but aren’t sure what? Take a look at some of the choices homeowners today are making when it comes to their homes:

• White interior walls. Many painters find that homeowners are selecting white paint for the interior of their homes.

• Earth tones outdoors. For the exteriors of their homes, homeowners are choosing brown, gray, and other earth tones.

• Large additional rooms. Homeowners are requesting sunrooms, exercise rooms, screened porches, and larger, more detailed bathrooms.

• Tile floors. The most popular type of flooring is tile, though there is a growing, gradual selection of natural materials that can be recycled for floors.

For you forward-thinking homeowners, some hot new features already present in a few homes are starting to slowly become more popular and affordable. Dare to dream when it comes to what you would like to see in your home. Here are some features you may be seeing more and more of in the future: read more »