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

 

 

Is It Better to Repair Scratches in Hardwood Flooring Yourself or Let the Experts?

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Wondering if you should refinish your hardwood flooring yourself or bring in flooring professionals to fix scratches and more is not an uncommon situation to be in. Contrary to what a quick Google search may tell you, the pros of a self-refinish do not outweigh the cons of hiring a professional. We’ve compiled a quick list of problems our clients have run into when they’ve attempted a DIY (Do-it-yourself) refinish for their hardwood flooring.

Lower Quality Finished Product

You gather all the materials needed, watch hours of tutorials on fixing scratches in your hardwood flooring on YouTube, maybe ask a couple of friends to tag along, and now you are finally ready to get started. Unless one of your buddies is a professional carpenter, you’re already at a disadvantage. Just watching a few hours of videos doesn’t make you a professional. You are bound to run into problems, especially if this is your first time refinishing hardwood. These problems, however minor they may seem, tend to stack up.

The machine experts use to refinish floors can cost upwards of $20,000. Even a higher end machine, rented from a hardware store such as Home Depot, can’t measure up to what a professional would bring to the job. Calculate the cost of all equipment you may need, including goggles, masks, gloves, and knee pads, and you may already be better off hiring flooring professionals. Keep in mind that any mistakes made by a hired professional be corrected at no extra cost to you, while any damage you cause yourself will come right out of your pocket.

The Finish Will Not Last as Long

 Sanding scratches out of your floor is a delicate art. If any error occurs during the process, the stain and polyurethane may not adhere properly. This could put the longevity of your finish at risk, limiting its lifespan to only two to four years. Using a professional service, you can expect your finish to last seven to ten years. Any cost saving you thought you had, could be lost.

It Will Take Longer

Someone with experience will obviously complete a task faster than someone without it. Flooring professionals typically take around a day to sand and refinish 1,000 square feet of hardwood. Homeowners attempting to do it on their own could take three to five times longer. After adding in the cost of renting equipment, you may start to wish you had put that money toward hiring professionals.

Verdict: Hire a Professional

We get it. The cost of refinishing and fixing scratches in your floor can be daunting and it is natural to have a DIY, cost-saving mindset. But the truth is, we’ve heard one too many horror stories from clients who initially tried to do it themselves. Give us a call for a completely free consultation at (202) 872-9860. Classic Floor Designs has over 40 years experience in the DC metro area and would love to put that experience to work for your next hardwood flooring project.

 

 

The Best Flooring for Your Condo

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The flooring in your condo may not fit your aesthetic.  Old carpet or worn out hardwood will not satisfy most of us.  You may be surprised to hear that a simple renovation or replacement of your flooring can increase the value of your house by far more than the cost of service. And even if you are not putting your condo on the market, never settle for a style that doesn’t suit you. Join us as we will go over different types of flooring available for your space.

Hardwood

Hardwood is the most desirable, but also the most expensive flooring. For those with hardwood flooring that is getting old and looking dingy, consider a finishing or restoration. Popular types of hardwood flooring include Oak, Hickory, Maple, and Bamboo. Once installed, hardwood is known for its durability and transformative effect on the space. Whether its purpose is a powerful selling-point or revamping the flooring you have always dreamed of, let us help you every step of the way.

Carpet

Although falling in popularity to hardwood, carpet remains a great option for your condo. Many chose to install hardwood in areas like the kitchen and living room while having carpet installed in their bedrooms and dens. Carpet also serves as a noise dampener, so many high-rise condos may require carpeting at least in certain parts of the flooring. With so many colors and styles to choose from, feel free to contact us for a specialist who can help you find exactly what you need.

Cork

Cork is an under-rated material for flooring. Its unique look can make your space stand out from others with its unique texture and feel. Cork, even more so than carpet, provides sound absorption. The final product is a tough, sustainable, water-resistant, resilient floor.

Stone and Tile

Stone and tile work great in kitchens and bathrooms. They are extremely durable, easy to clean, and provide a great accent to appliances. Condos in areas with warmer climates have increasingly laid down stone and tile throughout the entire space, opting for a simpler look with an area rug or two laid down. Stone and tile repel heat, as opposed to carpet, which absorbs it.

Leather

Leather is another under-rated flooring option that is becoming popular for spaces that are exposed to little sunlight. Unlike hardwood floors, wear and tear on leather floors can give it an enhanced appeal. It works well in spaces that blend living rooms and kitchens together, as well as bedrooms. You will be surprised at the magnificent patterns leather flooring can provide.

Contact Us for Your Condo Flooring

Classic Floor Designs employs specialists for all the types of flooring listed above. With 40+ years of flooring experience in the DC metropolitan area, we will make sure your vision for your condo comes to fruition. Even if you are in an exploratory phase of your planning, call us at (202) 872-9860 for a FREE consultation!

Hardwood Flooring In Your Kitchen? Definitely.

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Homeowners with tile or laminate flooring in their kitchen can often be scared to make a switch
to hardwood flooring. After all, there is a lot that happens in a kitchen that can cause damage to
any type of flooring. And given the cost and high quality of hardwood, many do not want to risk
losing their investment over a few dropped eggshells. This article should put your concerns to rest.
Below, we will go over some benefits of making the switch to hardwood!

Style

Hardwood is increasingly popular in kitchens around the country. Almost all new kitchen
designs featured on social media, blog posts, and house makeover shows feature hardwood
flooring in the kitchen. Modern design style pushes seamless transitions from room to room, and
with most modern housing having hardwood throughout the home it makes perfect sense to why
modern designers go for that look. At the end of the day, you simply will not get that timeless
look and feel in artificial flooring.

Durability

One of the biggest concerns people have is the potential for water damage. It is no shock that tile
is the more water resistant flooring option for your kitchen, but hardwood is not too far behind. If
your hardwood has been properly installed and coated, any spill that is cleaned up quickly will
be no problem. Only spills that have been left sitting for an abnormally long period of time can
damage the wood. Make sure to check out our blog post about maintaining your hardwood floors
for some tips and tricks. In addition, a hardwood’s durability depends on the species of wood.
Make sure to bring this up with our experts when selecting your hardwood!

Versatility

Hardwood can match any design you have in your home currently. Whether it be contemporary.
modern, or even a traditional farmhouse kitchen remodel, there will be a style of hardwood that
fits the spirit of the room.

Contact Us

Ready to get going? Even if you are having a hard time envisioning that switch to hardwood
flooring, you contact us today at (202)-872-9860 for a FREE consultation! With over 40 years of
experience, work done for clients such as the White House, Four Seasons, and Café Milano, you
can trust that our specialists are some of the best in the industry. No job is too big or too small!

Spring Cleaning Your Floors

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It’s that time of year again! Even if you have been doing regular upkeep of your floors over those winter months, a good deep clean will keep your floors in tip-top shape. Save yourself time and money by following a weekly cleaning regimen! This article will give you some tips on how to freshen up your hardwood, carpet, and tile.

Hardwood

A weekly sweeping or vacuuming of your hardwood floors should be enough to keep it nice. Make sure you are getting to any excess dirt or spillage immediately to prevent long term damage. For your spring cleaning, we would recommend breaking out a mop and some hardwood flooring cleaner. This can be an arduous task for those of you with hardwood in most rooms of your house or apartment, but it will be well worth it. Steps like these can go a long way in delaying an expensive replacement or refinishing that comes with age.

Carpet 

The same weekly vacuuming rule applies to your carpet floors, as well as an even bigger emphasis on immediately getting to dirt and stains. Many people forget to upkeep their carpets and end up paying hundreds of dollars for steam cleaning or thousands for replacement before its necessary. Plan on steam cleaning your carpet about once a year to make it last. You can get away with waiting longer, but also remember that renting a steamer or buying your own can be a cheaper alternative.

Tile

Tile may be one of the easier types of flooring to clean, but it is still just as important to keep it clean. Mold and mildew are big threats to your tile floors, particularly in damp places in your home like a bathroom or mud room. A weekly mopping of this space prevents build up and keeps tile from losing its coloring. Avoid using steam mops or detergent/soap as these can damage the flooring.

Beyond Repair?

 No matter how much time you put into keeping your flooring pristine, there comes a time to get a replacement or call in the professionals. At Classic Floor Designs, our team has over 40 years of experience in the Washington DC area. If you think its time to replace or refinish your flooring, give us a call at (202) 872-9860 for a FREE consultation!

 

 

 

How to Choose the Best Area Rug

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While we often overlook rugs in our everyday spaces, they play a huge role in the look and feel of the room. And it’s no easy decision to pick one out, especially if you already have your furniture in place. Size, texture, color, pattern, and shape are not the only things to keep in mind during your search. Here are some tips on picking out that perfect rug.

Functionality

How will this rug be used? Rugs have a different purpose depending on the room, whether it be a living room, bedroom, den, office, etcetera. You might want to go for more glamour in a highly visible room such as your living room, while a bedroom might be a place for a comfier rug. And never forget about color! That white rug is the perfect fit until a flimsy glass of wine or toddler gets to it.

Proportions

Attempting to fit a rug to an entire room can dwarf the space. Instead, try and fit the rug to a more confined space like the seating area in a living room. This allows the rug to “anchor” the room. A good example of this is a round rug. Placing the seating area around the edges of the rug can create an aesthetically pleasing, while also practical, style. As far as a rule of thumb? Most follow Lohnes’ rule: choose a rug that is two feet shorter than the smallest wall in the room.

Layering

If you haven’t built up your room yet, it’s a great idea to start with a rug. Pick a rich color like burgundy or indigo to start, then build from there. It becomes more of a challenge to place a rug in a space currently without one, but that’s a perfect excuse to call in the experts. In fact, we offer a free in-store design consultation. So if designing a room isn’t one of your strong suits, you have nothing to fear, and it may turn out to be much easier than you think.

Feel

It is very important to come in to see and feel a rug in person before buying. You will never know if you love a rug until you see it in person, can feel the texture for yourself, and envision it in your home. The area rugs we offer include flat weave, hand-knotted Tibetan, skin rugs, needlepoint, and oriental. Each is unique, and we can guarantee you’ll find one that works great with your space. And you want to make the right choice the first time by going to a quality rug dealer. After all, this is something you will have to see and interact with on a daily basis.

Contact Us

Our showroom is conveniently located in Washington D.C. Call us at (202) 872-9860 to set up your FREE in-store designer consultation today!

How Long Do Hardwood Floors Last?

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Hardwood floors is the most popular style of flooring for homeowners in the United States. The timeless look and feel add value and spirit to any home. However, the question of longevity always comes to mind before any hardwood installation. This article will provide insight on just that, while also exploring how to keep your new hardwood floor in top shape as time goes by.

Proper care = Longer life

With proper care and upkeep, hardwood floors can last a lifetime. Even if you do not take the best care of your floor, hardwood still blows carpet out of the water if you are looking for longevity. While carpet has to be completely replaced every ten or so years, hardwood only requires a refinishing or recoating after extensive and visible wear and tear. This could mean over a decade before you need to worry. To gauge how well you are taking care of your hardwood flooring, ask yourself these questions:

  • Do I routinely clean my hardwood floors with the proper supplies?
  • Do I immediately clean up any spills?
  • Do you prevent your pets from scratching at or wearing down your floor?
  • Is your furniture properly padded to prevent indentations?

If you answered yes to these then you are in good shape! After installation, it is critical for the homeowner to take good care of the floor and treat it like the valuable asset it is.

When should I refinish?

Refinishing does not have to be a necessity. Many homeowners never refinish their hardwood, choosing to live with the sight of wear and tear. Depending on how much stress you put on your floor, it may be cheaper to go with a recoating than a full refinish. A recoating gives your hardwood that original “pop” it had when it was first installed. To keep that same new look, plan on a recoat every five or so years. Refinishing is recommended after over ten years. At that point floors with heavy traffic may begin to lose color or warp. If you still are not sure, you can always call Classic Floor Designs for a consultation.

Experienced Installers

Deciding who installs your floor is just as important as deciding the style and finish. If your hardwood is laid improperly, you could encounter premature wear and tear or even damage that could need professional repair. Classic Floor Designs has done work for the Oval Office of the White House, The Four Seasons Hotel, and the Masonic Temple in Baltimore. Rest assured that no matter how big or small the job is, we bring industry leading service and professionalism.

Contact Us

Get your vision started today! Let our 40 years of experience in the DC metropolitan area go to work for you. Call us at (202) 872-9860 for a FREE consultation on your homes future flooring. Whether it be hardwood, carpet, or tile, a professional at Classic Floor Designs will be there with you every step of the way.

2019 Hardwood Flooring Trends

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When it comes to creating the vibe that you want, your flooring lays the foundation. Do you want to come home to a fresh, clean contemporary look? Are you a fan of the natural, rustic ambiance that infuses a space with the friendly warmth of a farmhouse? Would you rather create the kind of relaxed, coastal atmosphere that makes a beachcomber feel right at home? Hardwood is an ideal choice for any of these themes. In fact, hardwood flooring makes a great base for virtually any design scheme thanks to the multitude of design options that it offers. With so many possibilities, how will you use this material to transform your home? Exploring 2019’s hardwood flooring trends can help you figure that out.

A Triumph of Texture

Smooth wooden floors offer a classic, polished elegance, but the charming individuality of imperfection means that texture will continue to be a strong flooring trend in 2019. If you’re interested in installing a new hardwood floor, you’ll definitely want to consider popular floor textures. For example, hand-scraped hardwood flooring comes with long, ingrained scrapes that play up the natural color and texture of the material. The marks vary widely from plank to plank. This lack of uniformity makes it seem as if each piece was carefully handcrafted. The result is a delightful sense of uniqueness. Another option is distressed hardwood flooring, which has a somewhat historic feel. With imperfections like knots, scrapes, burns, wormholes, and various signs of wear and tear welcome, this flooring has a sense of hard-earned age that brings both character and a feel of enduring beauty to a space. Finally, wire-brushed hardwood flooring features thin scratches that offer hints of exposed wood. The subtlety and consistency of the marks produce a smoother, more understated texture that enlivens the flooring and hides dirt well.

Pattern Play

In terms of layout, innovative and even unconventional patterns will be among 2019’s hottest hardwood flooring trends. Planks that are longer and wider than their traditionally sized counterparts are sure to find favor with homeowners who want to make a room seem larger and more open. For those who want a slightly more daring look, mixed width hardwood floors weave together planks of varying widths. This pop of unpredictability draws the eye and treats it to a visually appealing surprise. A similar result can be achieved by mixing planks with light and dark tones. Do you prefer a more structured look? There are plenty of fun patterns to play with. Installing a hardwood floor diagonally gives the traditional layout a bold, modern edge. Alternately, chevron floors and herringbone floors bring planks together in a strict, angular pattern that is anything but boring.

Hardwood Floor Hues

What will 2019’s trends bring for hardwood flooring’s hues? Natural neutrals will be on-point. Already popular since it inevitably plays well with other colors and works beautifully in almost any design style, gray is expected to remain a go-to neutral in the new year. While smooth, silvery tones of gray are on the rise, rich, velvety charcoals are another great choice for new floors. Shades of off-white are also a popular pick. Hardwoods that are colored to match the textured warmth of French limestone or the natural glimmer of sea salt can bring an intriguing sense of depth that delights the eye. Of course, brown is a natural pick when it comes to wood. Rich, matte chocolate browns are a timeless choice that never goes out of style, but softer blondes are becoming increasingly popular among people who want a light, airy look underfoot.

Responsibility as a Selling Point

Increasingly, today’s consumers aren’t just worried about the appearance, durability or price tag of their new hardwood floor. They’re also concerned about its origin and its impact on the world around them. Responsibility is a major selling point in 2019. Environmentally responsible flooring options will be in-demand. In response, retailers and manufacturers are offering a variety of eco-friendly options, including recycled and reclaimed hardwood flooring. Sustainable materials like bamboo and cork provide an even wider range of possibilities for consumers who take pride in maximizing their style while minimizing the environmental impact of their choices. Social responsibility is another issue for many homeowners. For some, this means opting for homegrown products that are made in America, even if those products come at a higher cost. For others, this means buying from companies with corporate policies that they can appreciate and respect.

At Classic Floor Designs, we know flooring. We’ve been providing top-notch flooring products and services to homes and businesses in and around the Washington, D.C. area for more than 40 years. We’re always pleased to put our expertise to work for our clients. To learn more about flooring trends or explore our services, contact us today to arrange for a free design consultation.

Do Dark Hardwood Floors Make a Space Seem Smaller?

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One of the most common fears of installing dark hardwood floors is that it may make spaces in your home seem smaller. While it is true that dark colors absorb light, it is possible to counteract this with your choice of décor. Our hardwood floor installation specialists are here to help you with planning your space, making sure your new hardwood flooring seamlessly meets your vision for any project. Here are a few things to consider while doing your own research on dark hardwood flooring:

Paint

Using a lighter shade of paint will open up your space to the eye and mitigate the impact of the dark flooring. Avoid using dark shades of paint unless you are planning on a lighter shade hardwood or other flooring material for your home. The one exception to this is a dark accent wall. Just a shade or two darker on one wall can trick the eye, making our brains think that wall is farther away. Gray paint is a very popular choice for this in home design today and has created great spaces paired with our selection of dark hardwood for past clients.

Lighting

Light fixtures and blinds are big players when it comes to the design and feel of your room. Natural lighting works beautifully with dark hardwood flooring by providing a perfect contrast. Go with shorter sheer blinds (or none at all) to bring light into the room. Pair this with a few fixtures or houseplants to bring that pop a room with darker floors often needs. Recessed lighting or pendant lights are also good when used in conjunction, or as alternatives, to natural lighting.

Rugs

A nice area rug with a lighter shade color scheme is a great way to give separation to the room. Make sure it does not cover the whole floor as its important to strike a balance between the floor, rug, and walls. Designer rugs have become favorite fixtures for modern home designers.

Furniture

Perhaps the biggest piece of the puzzle, furniture is the last step in completing your room. Glass is a fantastic accent for dark hardwood whether it be a coffee table, TV stand, or cabinet. It makes a big difference when compared to their wooden counterparts, and adds functionality with style.

Contact Us

Classic Floor Designs is proud to have worked on projects with clients such as The Four Seasons Hotel, the White House, The Erwin Gomez Salon & Spa, and the Baltimore Masonic Temple. We are confident in our ability to make your dream space come to life. Let us bring our 40+ years of experience right into your home today! Get started today and give us a call at (202) 872-9860 for a FREE consolation.