Luxury Housing Trends & Home Improvement Ideas

Wood is a handsome flooring material, and you’d be hard-pressed to find a hardwood floor that isn’t attractive, but if you want to go for something truly unique, you might try something beyond simple planks or boards.

These parquet blocks from LV Wood Floors are made from exotic Jatoba wood. Adding to the uniqueness is the leather inset into each square block.

The leather inserts are one of many options the company offers–you can have your parquet flooring customized to feature multiple species of wood in each block, marble inserts, or other materials. The company also offers a line of flooring that uses reclaimed woods (everything from timbers from old buildings to horse fencing), so browse their site for ideas for your home.

Remember those awful shag carpets from the 70s? Well, shag carpet has come a long way from then. The long threads of carpet can be warming and comfortable to the feet, and with these unique carpet styles, it will look more modern than retro.

Unique Carpets, Ltd has several types of shagtastic carpets to choose from. Below are a couple inspired by nature. The Aloha Sands is made from 100 percent wool. The Red Sand from this collection is primarily red, but it has flecks of cream, which give it texture and richness.

The Aurora Borealis collection of carpets uses the smallest yarns to create a complimentary mix of various shades. The auroras or Northern Lights have shimmers of different colors, and these carpets reflect that. The one picture below has shades of plums, but you can customize your own with the twelve shades of color that they have to offer.

It’s hard to beat the beauty of hardwood floors (just look at some of the handsome options we’ve featured: teak, antique french oak, exotic rosewood, and numerous handscraped hardwood floors ), and you needn’t limit yourself to boards. Parquet flooring comes as wood tiles and the variety of patterns means you can find something perfect for your home.

Today, let’s take a look at a few parquet options from Ardeco Interior’s Bohemia collection (they have a lot of cool wood products, so definitely check out their site). Their flooring is made from Moravian and French oak. The boards and panels are “mechanically matured after which the tannic acid present in oak is activated in a natural way.” That treatment gives their floors a handsome, unique appearance. The 2 cm thick tiles can be made to standard sizes indicated or can be cut to suit your requirements.

Here are some examples to peep at:

Patterned tile on your floors or walls can make a glamorous impact on your home. Artistic Tile has some classic motifs in their Chateau collection, which can bring a whole new level of class to your home.

The Danse Blanc is a stone mosaic with a curvy marbled pattern of black and white. The pattern is simple and yet remarkable. The designs in this collection are created using waterjet technology, so the intricate patterns are smoother and ribbon like.

Also in this collection, there is a Damask Blanc, Fleur Blanc and Esprit Blanc. You can get your tile made to order, and there are endless numbers of natural stones and colorways that you can select. If you do decide to go with tile walls, you might want to consider carpeted flooring so the room doesn’t look so cold and unwelcoming.

If you love the idea of hardwood flooring, but find boards a little ho hum (and even parquet isn’t unique enough for you), then you might be a candidate for Enigma wood floors.

Offered by Beckwith Interiors, the Enigma line features various styles of “puzzle pieces” that combine to create a unique flooring option.

The “Jigsaw” floor looks most like interlocking puzzle pieces and could be fun in a children’s room. Other styles, such as Hive, Pisces, and Sextant fit together in a more sophisticated pattern, and might work in a living area.

All the patterns are available in different finishes, such as Polished Amber and Black Onyx. Stick to one or mix and match. Either way, you’ll know you’ve got hardwood floors that are different from everybody else’s on your block (maybe in your town!).

Known for its durability, teak hardwood flooring is a practical and attractive choice. Some of its benefits are water resistance (teak is frequently used for outdoor furniture and maritime applications), insect resistance, natural oils that prevent cracking, and structural stability that prevents warping or shrinking.

The pictures below are from Toucan Teak, a company that specializes in this species, providing sustainably harvested boards in a variety of styles and sizes.

The “wide plank honey” boards offer a unique way to display this handsome hardwood. Strips, planks, and parquet options are also available.

All of their teak is FSC certified, and the solid tongue-and-groove boards should last a long time in your home.

Do you want to make a statement with your flooring? Well, you can customize your floors and create unique patterns of your own. Armstrong has a large selection of wood, stone and metal flooring that you can have fun mixing and matching.

The Natural Creations Mystix collection can give you a contemporary feel, because you can have a couple different materials in one area. Although wood floors are classic, why not mix them with limestone for a more interesting design?

Since all of the wood, stone and metal flooring options are within the Earth tones, they are easy to mix together. You don’t even have to be very creative, but adding another element to the floor can enhance the room’s presence. However, if you like taking risks and experimenting with color, try the Chroma Stone Citron (green) or Chroma Stone Luna (blue) for a punch of color. There are even bamboo options.

Moroccan tile is visually appealing with all of the rich and complimentary colors and patterns going on in each individual tile. Just imagine how turquoise, midnight blue, orange and yellow could enhance your home by making it more inviting and attractive.

Colorful tiles on a staircase can make a statement, especially if it’s near an entryway. Wrought irons railings can bring the rustic feel to life. Or you can outline your doorway in Moroccan tile, which would be a different take than the traditional wooden door frames.

Wherever you choose to put the tile make sure that it’s in an appropriate place that needs color and attention. Plus, tile on the stairs can keep them cool and give your home a summery atmosphere if you live near the beach. Wrought iron wall sconces can dress up the doorway and tie in the wrought iron railings if you choose this route.

Cracks in your cement driveway are unsightly, and you might even have cracks in your garage floor too. To prevent the crack from expanding and from weeds from growing out of it, it’s beneficial to repair it as soon as possible.

Start by sweeping out dirt and debris from the small cracks with a whisk broom. Then use concrete repair caulk to temporarily fill in the small cracks. For larger problems or edges, use a chisel to remove debris. Then customize a form board to fill in the area. Masking tape can be used to protect adjacent surfaces. Next, apply a bonding adhesive to the form board. The last step is filling the area with vinyl-reinforced patching compound. This will need to be done in layers, and each layer needs at least 30 minutes to dry.

After years of wear and tear, it’s natural for the cement to get cracks. However, you don’t have to let these imperfections affect your home’s curb appeal.

Cork floors are similar to wood floors in that they are usually sealed with a varnish. The varnish protects them from dirt and debris that can clog the cork’s pores. However, over time, the varnish will wear away and will need to be reapplied. Below are some other ways to maintain your cork floors so they last longer.

Some ways to prevent the varnish on cork floors from wearing include putting mats in high traffic areas and adding casters or cups under furniture legs. The manufacturer might have more specific ways or products to protect the varnish.

When cleaning your cork floor, you should use a canister vacuum and a floor brush. Standard upright vacuums or ones with beater bars can damage your floor. Also, use a damp cotton string mop or synthetic sponge to wash the floor, but be sure not to soak the cork. Check with the manufacturer to see if they suggest certain cleaners.