FLOORS, WALLS & WINDOWS
BACKGROUNDS
Backgrounds help set the mood of a room. The materials, patterns, colors, and textures you choose for the background all contribute to the mood, which may be formal or informal, calm and quiet or loud and exciting.
Backgrounds also affect sound. Soft textured materials muffle sound, while smooth, hard surfaces do not.
FLOORS
Often the most expensive part of a redecorating project, but well-chosen floor coverings last for years.
The type of floor covering will depend on the purpose of the room, the amount of traffic flow, how much maintenance the flooring requires and whether it coordinates with the decorative scheme of the room.
TYPES OF FLOOR COVERINGS
Resilient Flooring with a semi-hard surface Warmer and quieter to walk on. Not as durable.
RESILIENT FLOOR COVERINGS
Vinyl Durable, easy to clean, many patterns
and colors
Asphalt Least expensive, can be damaged
Rubber Resists denting and most stains,
quiet, easy to walk on
Cork Quiet and comfortable, easily
damaged, not stain resistant
Comes in roll or sheet form
CARPETING AND RUGS
Muffles noise
Insulates floors against drafts
Provides comfort and luxury
Comes in Wall to wall Tiles Rugs
WOOD
Pretty durableCan be expensive
Some floors are laminate, they look like wood ex: pergo
HARDWOOD
Oak is the most popular domestic hardwood and can last for decades.
North American species like birch, cherry and maple are timeless choices.
Global species have a regal look, rich color tones and provide inherent hardness.
Bamboo and cork provide a contemporary decor and are renewable resources.
LAMINATE
Features the authentic appearance of real domestic woods such as oak.
Exotic laminate mimics unique woods, such as Pear Wood and Merbau
Rustic laminate has a warm, country feel.
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TILE
Durable, easy to clean
Expensive
TILE AND STONE
An economical choice for indoor use, ceramic is durable and easy to clean.
Used indoors and out, porcelain is stronger than ceramic and has the most durable surface.
For indoor and outdoor applications with natural colors and pattern variations.
.With an array of patterns, laminate mimics the
appearance of natural tile (peel and stick)
WALL COVERINGS
Consider the cost involved, condition of the walls and function of the room
Most common wall coverings are
Paint Wallpaper Paneling
WALL COVERINGS--PAINT
Least expensive way to decorate
Available in several finishes Gloss Semi-gloss Satin
Special effects can be created by using a rag or sponge or stenciling
WALL COVERINGS--WALLPAPER
Available in many patterns and colors, a lot of work to take down
Be aware of batch number.
• Wallpaper printed at one time is given this number. If you don’t match the numbers, the pattern may have the same design but the colors may vary slightly.
WALL COVERINGS—PANELING & MOLDING
Paneling Warm and attractive Requires little maintenance
Molding Strips of wood used for trim or
ornamentation Main purpose is to finish off a window,
door, or wall Baseboard Chair rail Picture rails Plate rails
WINDOW TREATMENTS
Types Curtains
Unlined fabric Sheers Tailored Sash
WINDOW TREATMENTS
Draperies Heavier fabric than
curtains, usually lined Provide privacy Insulates
Valance Short piece of decorative
material placed across the top of a window
WINDOW TREATMENTS
Shutters Vertical sections of wood or manufactured material
hinged together
WINDOW TREATMENTS-SHADES
Shades
Pulled down from the top of the window Roller Roman Balloon
WINDOW TREATMENTS
Blinds Window coverings made of a
series of evenly spaced slats that may be opened or closed by cords Venetian Vertical