If your room is more narrow, you might opt to run your flooring horizontally — making the space appear larger than it really is. Installing your flooring horizontally will draw the eye from side to side, creating a greater perception of space.
In general, laying the flooring parallel to the longest wall can make a room look larger, while laying it in a perpendicular direction can give the room a cozier feel. Ultimately, the decision should be based on the specific layout of your home and your personal preferences.
Parallel Planks
The direction you install your flooring makes an immense impact on the flow and spatial feel of a room. We recommend placing the planks parallel to the widest wall. This will create an elongated look by drawing attention to the longest portion of the space.
The most common way to lay hardwood flooring is by aligning the planks parallel to the longest wall. Apart from a few exceptions like sagging joists, this is the preferred direction to lay wood floors because it aesthetically provides the best result.
The most common pattern when using plank format tile is an offset pattern, also known as running bond or brick pattern. Most tile manufacturers suggest a varied offset, meaning a 30/70 or a 40/60 ratio between rows to achieve a soft and natural look.
Contrary to what you might think - wide plank flooring does NOT make your space look smaller. In fact, in many small spaces, it adds unique visual interest. The wide planks play tricks on your eyes and enhance your space rather than taking away from your design.
Contrast Dark Floors With Light Walls
If your average-height ceilings aren't capturing the ambiance of the elegant cathedral ceilings you desire, a dark floor—whether hardwood, tile, or carpet—can make a light-colored ceiling seem even higher.
Add reflective surfaces
Yes, you know that mirrors make a space appear larger. (“It's like doubling a room,” Curtis says.) But other reflective surfaces — high-gloss painted ceilings, lacquered furniture, shiny tile on a kitchen backsplash — have a similar effect, casting light and creating the illusion of volume.
A good rule of thumb is to stick with two or, at the most, three types of floors for your whole house. For example, you could choose a type of large tile for high-traffic, high-spill areas like the kitchen, foyer and dining room. Then you could use smaller tile in the bathrooms.
The ideal way to lay your flooring: room and light
As a general rule, make sure to lay your floor in the same direction as the main light source in a room and in the same line as the most frequently used entrance. If there are several doors and windows, then opt for the direction that's the easiest to install.
Diagonal = big
Most commonly at a 45-degree angle, this will make your room a feast for the eyes. At as little as 10 degrees, diagonal flooring also helps tie a wall visually to one in another room, creating a unifying effect: talk about opening up a room!
Laminate panels should be aligned parallel to the window or the primary light source. This direction of laying laminate makes rooms appear larger and longer.
Staggering your planks is a crucial step to creating a beautiful and lasting room. Not staggering the seams of your floor can create a disruptive pattern that attracts unwanted attention to individual planks.
Drawing on the traditional neutral colors of carpet, choose a light or neutral tone for a timeless carpet. Choose from gray, white, or beige to match your interior design. When popular flooring trends change, you won't have to update yours!
3) Parallel or diagonal flooring
Believe it or not, the way flooring is installed can help make a room look bigger than it is. As a general trick of the trade, installing flooring such as boards running parallel to the longest wall in the room instantly makes a room appear more spacious.
In most cases, you'll want your floors to be darker than your wall color with a flat white ceiling. As a rule of thumb, go at least 3 shades lighter on the walls than the floors. However, there are instances when you can add accent wall colors or paint in darker shades.
The cost—wide planking is considerably more expensive than standard planking. Availability—despite being a popular choice, wide plank flooring is scarcer and must often be special-ordered. More humidity sensitive. Wide plank flooring can be more susceptible to cupping and crowning due to changes in humidity levels.
Go thinner for an elegant look: A refined look often works best with slender 2 ¼-inch widths. Try wide for a rustic feel: Wider boards of at least 5 inches in width will look the most rustic and are most appropriate if you're also looking for a weathered, bleached or distressed wood look.
It's not recommended to have solid hardwood flooring more than 6″ wide. This is because if the floor boards get much wider, they are prone to damage. Solid hardwood reacts to temperature and humidity changes by expanding and contracting.
Since vinyl plank flooring is not the same as real hardwood material-wise but has the look of it, staggering the seams will make it look more natural. The flooring should be installed to where popping won't occur – this is because the floor will move over time and can cause the seams in the floor to pop.
When learning how to install vinyl plank flooring with a glue down method, remember to start in the center of the room, rather than in the corners. Find the center of the room, then using your chalk and straightedge, strike a line.
Please follow these requirements: Subfloor unevenness cannot be greater than 3/16 of an inch over a 10-foot span or 1/8 inch over a 6-foot span. Subfloors must not slope more than ½ inch per 6 feet (25 mm per 1.8 m) Subfloors must be structurally sound.