A large, active family (including pets) is a gift, but let’s face it, all the lively, vivacious commotion may require some adjustments to your home. While you can strive to maintain a mess-free, danger-free living zone, you don’t have to sacrifice style or sophistication to achieve it. A house is meant to be lived in, not admired on a shelf, so it’s important to be realistic about your daily requirements when choosing a home décor. Instead of waiting till the kids outgrow their home-marring antics, consider installing a hardwood flooring that can meet the challenge, take a beating and keep on giving. Hardwoods are easy to mop up and they make it a cinch to manage pet hair, debris and dirt, keeping allergens to a minimum. Hardwoods are also far more comfortable for bare feet than tile or stone flooring in the kitchen. We offer dozens of sturdy, durable, high-traffic flooring choices that will tantalize the eye while going easy on your pocketbook. From toddlers to teenagers, it’s best to go with the highest ratings on the Janka hardness scale, usually Brazilian Cherry, Hickory or Santos Mahogany, although one of our trained specialists can help you navigate the different species, finishes and colors if you have something specific in mind. A rustic orshabby-chic style of décor with a vintage touch may suit your chaotic lifestyle better than a more contemporary design. Remember also that darker colors and more complex grains tend to minimize the appearance of stains and footprints while adding a cozy feel to any room. If your shedding pet’s hair or fur is a concern, think about choosing a flooring color that blends in with your pooch’s coat. Your pet’s nails will also need to be trimmed and rounded to avoid scratching your flooring. Overall, our “Chiseled Edge Collection” or “Mountain Country Collection” to be the most appropriate floor species for families with canine members.
Your hardwoods can be accented and protected with area rugs, which not only add color and whimsy to a room, but also serve as a soft landing for little people who are just learning to use their legs. Area rugs can be washed or disposed of once they’ve absorbed a maximum of abuse, and as such are very versatile and handy. They also provide a great buffer for pet bowls, sparing your hardwoods the daily crumble of kibble and overturned water bowls.
The main thing is that family, pets and hardwood flooring are highly compatible. With a little extra care, proper species and style selection and an adaptive décor, your house can be the home sweet home you always dreamed of.