Add a Wood Accent Wall in Your Home

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Looking to bring life to a lackluster wall in your home?  Adding a focal point with a wood accent wall will add interest, texture, and dimension to your room. This trend is being adopted by top designers across the country are incorporating flooring to define the space and create a statement piece.

The style of your home and your preferred aesthetics will help you determine which type of flooring will work best on your accent wall.  The type of hardwood flooring that can be used on your walls can run the gamut from oak, cherry, or birch to bamboo.

Here are some things to keep in mind:

Showcase your (and your home’s) personality

Wood walls bring warmth and natural beauty into your home while also creating a focal point. An entryway wall is an ideal place to consider because it the space that visitors first encounter so it will really make a statement. As an added bonus, a wood accent entry wall can achieve form and function; adding hooks to hang your coats and jackets or shelves to display art and photographs and convey a homey vibe.

Create a focal point

Many homeowners disregard the importance of creating a focal point in a room. Focal points create a well-balanced space and also a sense of harmony. Some homes come with a built-in focal point like a big picture window or an interesting fireplace. However, if your home lacks an existing architectural element, you can create one.  A wood accent wall is a perfect solution to garner attention, draw the eye, and give your room character.

The fifth wall

Often times a room already has a built-in focal point. For that reason, adding an accent wall can confuse the eye, clash with your existing furniture and other elements, and consequently diminish your wow factor.  Remember the fifth wall, otherwise known as your ceiling!  Eliminating your white, boring ceiling will result in a show-stopping statement. Furthermore, a hardwood ceiling will enhance your room and make it unique.

Contact Us

Contact us today to get in touch with a flooring expert. We are here to help make your next project come to life! With over 40 years of experience, Classic Floor Designs provides hardwood floors, wool and nylon carpet, carpet, area rugs, leather, cork, exotics, and green flooring services to residential flooring, commercial flooring and government clients in the DC area. 

How to Stay Busy and Healthy At Home During the COVID-19 Outbreak

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Ways to stay busy while you’re practicing social distancing and following CDC guidelines during the pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic has put many Americans under stay at home orders. For some, that means working from home. For essential workers, it means altered work schedules, or even increased hours. We send our sincere support and gratitude for those who are on the front line of this health crisis. We are thankful for you!  For those who find themselves stuck indoors or with more time on their hands during this period of social distancing while following CDC guidelines, we’ve compiled a list of endeavors to keep you both healthy,  busy, and productive.

Keep a Clean Home Environment

Keeping your home clean during this pandemic goes hand in hand with keeping your household healthy and strong. For those essential visits to the grocery store or pharmacy, we might not be thinking of the dirt and germs we bring back home on our shoes and clothing. Diligently disinfecting high-touch surfaces, such as doorknobs, remotes, and light switches, and keeping your carpet and hardwood floors clean will help to reduce the risk of bringing the virus home and spreading the virus. It’s advisable to remove your shoes before you enter your home. Don’t walk through your house with your shoes on, rather leave them at the door or in a designated spot (such as a garage) as not to introduce the virus from a simple trip to the grocery store or a walk around the block. And of course, every time you come back home remember to wash your hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water.

Home Maintenance

If you’re like us, you’ve been procrastinating and avoiding fixing and sprucing up things around your home.  If you’re stuck at home, there’s no time like the present. Small repairs and home projects you’ve been putting off can help make this time spent sheltering in place feel productive, and give you a real sense of accomplishment. It can also have real health benefits! 

If the weather outside is suitable, start your yard upkeep and begin cleaning up the exterior of your home. Getting fresh air outside, remaining productive while being sure to still follow social distancing recommendations is a healthy and rewarding way to utilize your time.

Virtual Learning and Communication

The internet is a great blessing during this time of isolation. Not only is there a wealth of knowledge available for free online, but we can also connect with loved ones instantly with the touch of a button. Take some time to research a new skill, learn a language, or just unwind with that movie or TV series you’ve been meaning to watch. Keeping entertained and in touch with friends and family can help you stay social and connected and reduce the feelings of isolation, anxiety, and depression. Even if you can’t visit in person, thanks to technology, you can stay connected from a distance which is proven to improve your physical, mental, and emotional well-being.

Stay Healthy &  Physically Active

Following general advice to keep yourself healthy, such as eating a balanced diet, staying hydrated, being physically active, getting enough sleep, and managing stress are the best recommendation for staying healthy during quarantine or self-isolation.  For those who usually dine out, or can only have quick meals in between their busy schedule, time at home can be a perfect excuse to meal plan. Remember that eating a well-balanced diet, with plenty of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, plant and animal proteins, and healthy fats is the most effective way to get all the essential nutrients your body needs to keep your immune system in tip-top shape and stay healthy.  Practice mindful eating and be sure to watch your portion sizes since there’s a tendency to eat more and be less active while we are self-isolating. 

Healthy adults should plan for at least 30 minutes of exercise daily; the recommendation for healthy children is at least one hour of daily exercise. Many of us rely on gyms and trainers for an exercise regimen. With gyms shuttered it can be challenging to find the motivation to work out and stay physically active while you’re stuck in your home. Luckily, there are both paid and free workout classes available online. Some of these services are pre-recorded, so you can access them at any time that is convenient for you during your “new” daily routine. 

Contact Us

With over 40 years of experience, Classic Floor Designs provides hardwood floors, wool and nylon carpet, carpet, area rugs, leather, cork, exotics, and green flooring services to residential flooring, commercial flooring and government clients in the DC area.

How to Kill the Coronavirus and Germs Living in your Home

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People across the globe are staying at home on the advice of the CDC with regard to the ongoing Coronavirus situation. While non-essential travel is discouraged, trips to the pharmacy, grocery store, gas station, and doctor’s office are currently permitted. Venturing out of your house offers plenty of opportunities for the Coronavirus (COVID-19) to be brought back into your house. Recent studies have shown the Coronavirus lasts up to 72 hours on surfaces, so anything you touch out in public is potentially contaminated. Remember to wash your hands with soap for at least 20 seconds upon arriving home, and make a daily effort to clean and disinfect your surroundings until the virus has run its course. Below are some helpful tips to accomplish that goal.

Clean your car

If you’re traveling anywhere, your car is the most likely mode of transport for the virus. You can use disinfectant wipes on high-touch areas such as car door handles, controls, steering wheel, keys or start button, touchscreen, seatbelts, and cup holders. The virus can also attach to your clothes and spread to your seats. Lysol and similar disinfectant sprays can sanitize your seats when given time to dry.

Wipe down surfaces at home

Think about the high-touch areas of your home: doorknobs, refrigerator handles, tables, counters, light switches, and remotes. Especially when living with others, germs can accumulate quite quickly on these surfaces. A daily wipe down of these areas will go a long way in prevent the spread of any illness.

Spray areas that cannot be wiped down

Spray your carpets, couches, and other seating areas with disinfectant spray in a sweeping motion, then wait for it to dry. If you run out of wipes for your other surfaces, you can always spray disinfectant into paper towels to achieve the same outcome.

Clean your floors

Your shoes can easily bring the virus into your home. Remember to remove your shoes immediately upon entering your home to minimize the amount of flooring you need to disinfect. For non-porous flooring, use a mixture of 1 cup of bleach to 5 gallons of water. For porous flooring such as hardwood, use a half cup of white vinegar and 1 gallon of water. A disinfecting mop cloth works as well.

Use hydrogen peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide can kill the coronavirus within 8 minutes. It’s recommended to pour the chemical directly on surfaces like your sink, countertops, toilet, shower, or bathtub. Allow 10 to 15 minutes to soak, then scrub the area and rinse with water. 

Other items to remember

While cleaning all the things around us, we often forget the highest touch area of them all, our mobile phones. We touch our phones more than any other item during the day, yet we never remember to disinfect it. A few swipes a day using a disinfectant wipe should do the trick. Similar items include our wallets, money, and credit cards, laptops, and keyboards.

Classic Floor Designs in DC’s premier source for all your flooring needs. Contact us today!

Vacuuming the Right Way.

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Vacuuming is a key component of carpet and flooring maintenance in any home. Besides the obvious cosmetic benefits, carpets are home to unseen dust mites, pet hair, mold, dead skin cells, insect feces, and other particles. And for hardwood, a simple sweeping isn’t always enough. Something else you might not know? There is, in fact, an art to vacuuming. Below are some tips you might want to add to improve your vacuuming skills. 

Don’t wait until it looks dirty

It’s important to stick to a schedule to prevent the aforementioned gunk from accumulating. By the time your carpet looks dirty it’s probably time for a deep clean, not just a simple vacuum job. Dirt on hardwood and tile is a lot more noticeable, but it’s still important to stay ahead of things. 

Vacuum in multiple directions

Dirt and dust do not come out easily. Vacuuming in every direction will help loosen things up and get the job done. You’ll find it also saves you time whenever you vacuum next.

Don’t let your vacuum bag fill up 

Many folks let their vacuum bag fill up fully before emptying it into the trash. This adversely impacts the vacuum’s efficiency and can release dirt right back into your home. Instead, make sure to empty when its halfway full and remember to never reuse the bag itself.

Use the crevice tool!

We often forget about the corners of the room when we start vacuuming. The crevice tool is key to fully cleaning your carpet and preventing a buildup of gunk in the corners of the room. These areas tend to be neglected, leading to more cumbersome cleaning months down the road.

Take your time

This tip goes hand in hand with keeping a schedule. It’s not a great idea to start vacuuming when you’re in a rush. Dashing the vacuum across your floor for five minutes before heading out the door will do next to nothing for its health and cleanliness.

Use the right vacuum

Some vacuums are superior to others. A low-cost or smaller size vacuum will take twice the amount of time to get the job done, so consider looking for high-quality and durability when making a new purchase. Also, if you have both carpet and hardwood in your home, make sure to either purchase a specific vacuum for each or one that is labeled multi-use. 

Classic Floor Designs in DC’s premier source for all your flooring needs. Contact us today!

Eco-friendly Flooring Options

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As consumers become more environmentally savvy, designers have come up with plenty of ways to incorporate eco-friendly materials for their clients. Gone are the times when environmentally responsible designs were labeled as bland or boring. Consider some of these exciting options and our flooring experts will be sure to make it work for any space!

Reclaimed Hardwood

Deadset on getting a traditional hardwood flooring look but want to limit your impact on the environment? Reclaimed hardwood uses wood from trees that were chopped down decades, or even centuries ago. First used as a beam in a farmer’s barn or a supporting joist in a warehouse roof, reclaimed hardwood can come from many sources. Going the reclaimed hardwood route is a great way to bring environmental sustainability into your home.

Wool

Most carpets are made with compounds and toxins that are harmful to the environment. Luckily, wool carpet is an eco-friendly option that is readily available and can be dyed the color of your choice. Wool is one of the first materials ever used for flooring and has proven to be extremely durable. It is a perfect fit for heavy use areas in a family home.

Cork

Cork is more commonly known for its use in wine bottles and as a wall covering in office spaces. Although in recent years, it has risen in popularity for traditional flooring. You may also be surprised to learn that cork is a renewable resource. Cork comes from the bark of the cork oak tree, and its harvest does not require cutting the tree down. The bark will grow back every few years. In your home cork flooring is anti-microbial, fire retardant, and a natural insect repellent. 

Bamboo

Bamboo is a grass that shares similar characteristics to hardwood after manufacturing. It is sustainable and only takes three to five years to reach maturity, far less than the two decades it takes for trees. Other than reclaimed hardwood, bamboo is the closest to hardwood-eco-friendly flooring can get. You will be surprised by the wide array of colors available to choose from.

Leather

You can group cork and leather together as the two flooring options that surprise and delights first-time buyers. It has a soft, warm feel that fits naturally in a personal space like a bedroom. While it does wear over time, it is extremely durable and can develop a personality of its own over the years from scratches and age. 

Contact Us

Classic Floor Designs is committed to fulfilling your flooring vision in an environmentally friendly fashion. Our experts have decades of experience in the Washington D.C. area and are waiting to give you a complimentary consultation! Call us at (202) 872-9860 and we’ll be more than happy to set up your FREE in-store design consultation.

Hardwood Flooring: Everything You Need to Know

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Hardwood is the most popular flooring option in the United States for a reason. Its durability, beauty, and versatility instantly make your home look great. Hardwood is highly sought after by home-owners and potential home buyers, and offers a look and feel that other types of flooring simply cannot provide. There’s more to simpling picking a type of hardwood for your home. The options available to homeowners may turn out to be a taller task than previously imagined. Here are a few things you should know before making the leap to a hardwood home.

Two types of hardwood floorboards

Solid hardwood 

Each board of solid hardwood is made from a single piece of wood. It has a beautiful appearance but comes with some drawbacks. The single piece of wood will expand and contract based on temperature and humidity in the room it’s been placed. Avoid installing solid hardwood in a basement or kitchen as it may be damaged easily. The hardwood flooring will also need to be acclimated.

Engineered hardwood

Engineered hardwood is made up of several pieces of wood, bonded together in layers. This allows for a much simpler, and cheaper, installation. Engineered hardwood will not expand and contract due to temperature and humidity 

Finishes and species  

Two huge considerations for new flooring in any home is the finish and the species of wood. Popular options for wood species include oak, birch, cherry, maple, bamboo, walnut, and hickory. When it comes to your floors finish, you can opt for a factory finish or site finish.

A factory finish will limit your options, but the installation will be much faster and less expensive than a site finish. The world is your oyster with a site finish, but the drying and curing process could take days or weeks. For a brand-new home, this is a more popular option. For a renovation, which is usually time-sensitive, a factory finish usually makes the most sense.

Other considerations

Check out other articles on our blog for tips and tricks on hardwood care, flooring trends for 2020, and signs that it’s time to replace or refinish your hardwood flooring. We cover refinishing, remodeling, and more!

Contact Us

Classic Floor Designs has been Washington DC’s premier flooring source for over 40 years. Our experts are here to help you tackle your project no matter the size or scope, and we are proud to have earned the trust and respect of our clients when it comes to hardwood. Call us at (202) 872-9860 to schedule your FREE consultation. Let us help make your flooring dreams become reality today!

Five Signs It’s Time to Refinish Your Hardwood Floors

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Hardwood flooring is a beautiful addition to any home and certainly adds a lot of value, but it’s no secret that its value decreases over time. Proper care and maintenance can extend the life of your hardwood floors, but how do know when the time has come to hire a professional to refinish your hardwood floors? Here are the top five signs to look for! 

Water damage 

Water is no friend to your hardwood floors. Quick spills in the kitchen or dining room are usually no big deal, but we’ve all had the problem of catching a leak or spill a little too late. For severe cases, such as a storm causing a large leak, a professional service should come in as soon as possible to attempt to save the wood from buckling or warping. A dark stain may be all that’s leftover for a less severe case. Nevertheless, whether it be extensive water damage or just a few stains, a full or partial refinishing is worth a look at.

Extensive scratches 

This is most common in homes with pets. Large dogs may seem like the most likely culprit, but smaller animals, like cats, can also damage your hardwood. Dragging furniture over your hardwood is another common way for scratches to appear. Most scratches only impact the stain and not the actual wood itself, making this strictly a cosmetic issue. Sanding and restaining may be all that’s required, but deeper or extensive scratches may call for a refinishing. 

Sun discoloration

Natural light is considered a desirable feature of a home, though your hardwood would disagree. Sun exposure can damage your hardwood flooring over time. Reapplying stain to discolored areas is only a temporary fix. Classic Floor Designs recommends a full refinish when the damage becomes too noticeable. 

Some boards are turning gray

You may be wondering why some of your hardwood is turning gray. As the polyurethane wears off, your hardwood absorbs water much more easily. Water dragged in by your shoes, spilled drinks, or even water from cleaning products during normal maintenance, all speed up this process. If not addressed, the wood will eventually turn black. Refinishing is the only way to fix this issue.

Change in style 

A refinish is a perfect opportunity to change the style of your flooring. If you have been pondering a change and have damage or discoloration, refinishing your hardwood floors kills two birds with one stone. Especially if you are putting your home on the market, a new style can be the perfect way to increase the value of your home to potential buyers.

Contact Us

Think it’s time to refinish your hardwood floors? Give us a call at (202) 872-9860 for a FREE consultation with one of our flooring experts! With over 40 years of experience, we are proud to be one of the most trusted names in flooring in the DC metropolitan area. Our team can help with your new construction, home improvement, restoration or maintenance project. 

 

Flooring Trends for 2020

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The past several years have proven to be pivotal in the design and architecture world, and 2020 will be no different. Whether you are planning a renovation for your current home, remodeling to put your home on the market, or just laying out options for your next move, staying on top of the hottest flooring trends will help guide your decision.

Sustainability

Protecting the environment has become an increasing priority among households in the United States. While you may not immediately associate flooring with sustainability, there is a whole subcategory of “green flooring.” Reclaimed hardwood, wool, and bamboo are the most in-style options on the market heading into 2020.

Grey and Neutral Palettes

This trend has been popular for the past several years and it will not be headed anywhere soon. What started as more of a palette for walls or fabrics now includes flooring.  New homes increasingly feature neutral colored hardwood flooring. The look has been associated with elegance and style, and can serve as a great selling point for your home.

Unique Patterns

It is not often a home’s hardwood stands out as unique. Custom patterns for hardwood flooring is becoming a popular option in new homes across the country. Playing around with new color schemes and patterns provides your home with a one-of-a-kind look, leaving a lasting impression with guests and potential home buyers.

Hybrid Flooring

Most homes have different flooring depending on the room. Stone tile for the bathroom, hardwood for the living and dining room, carpet for bedrooms. Consider incorporating various types flooring to accentuate spaces such as the entrance to your home or your living room. If designed properly, this will bring fresh life into your home.

Contact Us

Classic Floor Designs has over 40 years of flooring and design experience in the Washington DC metro area. As industry leaders, you can trust our flooring experts are up to date on all flooring trends heading into 2020.  Our designers are ready to give you a FREE in-store consultation today! Just call (202) 872-9860 and a representative will be ready to get your new flooring project underway.

 

Top ten ways to make your house look “expensive.”

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Many homeowners today desire a home-space that looks and feels luxurious but don’t want to sacrifice their hard-earned money on a costly renovation or redesign. Classic Floor Designs has some tips and tricks to accomplish a more expensive-looking house on a budget.

1. Give the illusion of higher ceilings

It’s easier than you think. Consider raising your window treatments or hanging your curtains closer to the ceiling. Either will give the illusion of height. Painting your ceiling a lighter color than your walls, if you haven’t already, makes the space feel brighter and larger too.

2. Bring in a large area rug

Small rugs can end up dwarfing the size of your room. Instead, opt for an area rug that will make the space feel larger and airier. A bigger rug does not have to be any more expensive or less durable than a small rug.

3. Hang art on the walls

An undecorated wall can make a space feel cheap and barren. There are plenty of inexpensive ways to get art on the walls. Professional photos and picture frame deals are very easy to find online; just a few pieces of art in each room go a long way in making your home feel richer.

4. Update old fixtures

A common feature that often gets overlooked is old fixtures which can keep a home stuck in a previous decade. Door knobs, light switches, and outlets are relatively inexpensive details that can give your home a high-end feel once updated.

5. Put in a backsplash

A backsplash can light up a space at a low cost. These are great for kitchens, bathrooms, and laundry rooms.

6. Add some mirrors

When placed correctly, mirrors make a space seem more spacious and inviting. The pleasing aesthetic a mirror brings can increase the perceived value of the room it’s in.

7. Use bookshelves for more than books

A bookshelf doesn’t need to look like it belongs in a 19th century library. Use it as the perfect space to add some photos and interesting trinkets and bring some life to the room. A basic rule of thumb: one-third books, one-third accessories, and one-third empty space per shelf.

8. Add a statement piece

Depending on how you want to budget, splurging on a rug, dining room table, or sofa might not be a bad idea. If it’s the right fit, that one piece can be all you need, just surround it with less expensive accessories.

9. Incorporate texture

Focusing on one texture will dull the style of your home. Incorporating a variety of woods, metals, glass, and woven material will create a collected look if properly placed.

10. Simplify

Adding too many items to a room can come off as tacky. Focus on simplifying the space by paring things down. Giving items space to breath will let them shine.

Contact Us

With over 40 years of experience, Classic Floor Designs provides hardwood floors, wool and nylon carpet, carpet, area rugs, leather, cork, exotics, and green flooring services to residential flooring, commercial flooring and government clients in the DC area. Our design experts are happy to provide a free in-store design consultation for all your flooring needs.

How to Acclimate Hardwood Flooring

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Making the switch to hardwood flooring is an exciting move. It’s a timeless flooring option, and its wide range of styles can complement almost any space. However, replacing your old flooring with hardwood involves a few steps and time. If this is your first time dealing with hardwood installation, you may not be familiar with hardwood acclimation. This is an essential step in the installation process and can result in serious damage if overlooked.

Acclimation is the process of allowing the wood to reach its equilibrium moisture content in normal living conditions. Proceeding with installation without completing this process may result in excessive expansion, shrinkage, distortion, or structural damage.

It is extremely important to follow the steps below after the delivery of hardwood to your home.

  1. Between 5 to 10 days ahead of time, make sure the humidity and temperature inside your home are at normal levels. The heating or air conditioning must be running consistently in the 5 days leading up to delivery.
  2. Make sure the hardwood is stored in an enclosed space upon arrival. Storing them in your garage or shed will not accurately represent the normal conditions inside your home.
  3. Open the boxes and lay them flat in the respective rooms of installation. You want to ensure they are exposed to as much air as possible. Although more laborious, you can also lay the hardwood out as you are going to install them. This saves time during installation and speeds up the acclimation process.
  4. Generally, you will want to wait for 7 to 10 days before installation, but acclimation varies depending on the species of wood. The manufacturer will provide their own steps for acclimation, so be sure to follow those for maximum precision.

If professionals are installing the hardwood flooring for you, they will be sure to double-check the moisture con. Whether you plan on a self-install or otherwise, we would love to help you out! Call us today at (202) 872-9860 for a FREE consultation, or stop by our DC showroom anytime Monday-Friday 10am-5pm. tent when they arrive. If you plan on doing the installation yourself, you’ll want to purchase a moisture meter. Sudden swings in humidity among other factors could have impacted the acclamation process, so always check even if you followed the directions to a T.

Contact us for assistance!

Classic Floor Designs has over 40 years of experience in the Washington DC area. We take pride in our quality selection of hardwood flooring, and our experts who help make clients visions become reality