Have you ever considered covering your floors with banana leaves? How about leather, or cork? Some homeowners are not only considering it, they’re doing it. A recent survey done by the Home Depot design team revealed that leather flooring is the hottest new trend in interior decorating. Designers say the material is so popular because it looks different a year later and naturally absorbs sound.
I wasn’t kidding about the banana leaf option either. Rugs are being made out of banana leaves to mimic silk flooring. The leaves are especially popular among homeowners who are concerned with using environmentally friendly (or green) materials to decorate their living spaces. Another “new” material to enter the flooring marketplace is bamboo. The favorite snack of panda bears continues to grow as a popular hardwood flooring option and it also fits into a new trend towards light-colored flooring. Bamboo is also considered a sustainable wood in that it is resistant to water and can be used in kitchens and bathrooms. Another obscure material to walk on is cork. According to design experts, it’s not just for bulletin boards anymore. The organic, soft and lightweight material is hitting floors in a growing number of homes.
So, what do you think about having your kids run around on banana leaves or cork in your home? While those flooring options may not be suitable for your family experts say when it comes to buying new flooring, it’s a good idea to know what you want before heading to the store to buy it. You can narrow down your options by considering how you live, what kind of style you’re looking for, and how much maintenance you want to do. You’ll also want to think about how much traffic the room gets.
As for installation, experts recommend leaving that job to the professionals. Self-installation may save you a few dollars, but any mistakes (buckling or places where the pattern does not match) can ruin the look of the entire room.
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