Designing with Laminate Floors

Author: Dawn Wilkinson, Interior Designer
September 12, 1999

Mannington, Wilsonart, Pergo, Formica, Alloc, Uniclick, Pickering, Decades, Insignia, Witex, the list goes on and on.

With all of the different laminate flooring out in the market today, it is no wonder my clients often come into the retail showroom with a bewildered look on their faces. From various brands come various patterns and styles that can easily be combined to create a finished product that is unique to you and your project.

Where to Start

If choosing a laminate floor seems like a large and unmanageable task, start somewhere that will give you instant inspiration, your closet. In my design opinion, your closet is a great place to look for colors and textures that you enjoy. My two favorite items from my closet are a pair of khaki pants and a denim shirt. These two items go with almost everything else I have. They are easy to mix and match. I try to use this same theory in my designing of interior spaces. These spaces should reflect you as an individual, or your family and the lifestyle that your family leads. If your family's laundry is filled with blue jeans and khaki pants instead of a trip to the dry cleaners, you are more likely to choose a casual floor covering, one that is easy to maintain and one that you can change the look easily.

Take Advantage of the Versatility

Laminate flooring gives you flexibility. Almost any wood pattern or lightly colored stone pattern laminate floor will give you the opportunity to change the look of a room with a few simple changes. For example, a guest bathroom that might normally seem boring throughout the year can be easily changed with new linens. If you have chosen a neutral flooring choice, like Mannington's Beige Travertine Limestone, in the fall and winter months you can use deep, rich tones of navy blue, forest green, and burgundy for your towels, rugs & shower curtain. In the spring and summer months, you can switch these deep colors for something softer, lighter, and brighter like salmon, lilac and sage green.

Don't Feel Limited by the Four Walls

A typical room with four walls can be transformed if you use your imagination. Consider installing your laminate flooring on the diagonal, instead of straight. This will visually open up your space and make the floor a focal point of the room. Be aware that installing your floor in this manner will add to the cost of the project and you will need to allow an extra 15%-20% more material for waste. In addition, you will need to allow more time for installation. If you are installing the flooring yourself, allow even more time! If you are having your flooring installed by a professional, be prepared to pay them extra for their time. In the end, you will have an enhanced visual look over a standard straight installation.

The Most Common Question

When my clients are on the hunt for a laminate floor for their kitchen, the most common question they ask me is, "Do I want to choose a flooring that will match my cabinets?" In most cases, my answer is no. If your cabinets are wood, trying to match a real wood to a laminate pattern is like playing with fire. I think that it is smart to incorporate some contrast between the cabinets and flooring. If you try to match the cabinets and fail, the total design will often be compromised. If you purposely select a floor that coordinates with your cabinets, but is a departure from them in texture and color value, in the end, you will have created a pleasing finished product.

Using More Than One Pattern

Flooring is a great way to bring an instant designer touch to any area of the home. My two favorite ways to use more than one pattern in your floor are the following:

1. Use two contrasting tile colors to create a checkerboard design. For example, use Wilsonart's Bronzed Quarry with Canyon Quarry to bring a rich and warm look to your kitchen.
2. Use a wood pattern with a complimentary tile pattern to create an inset design.

An example of this type of design would include the use of Mannington's Honey Knotty Heart Pine with an inset of the Beige Travertine Limestone in an eating nook. Using a combination of patterns will also help break up large, monotonous spaces by creating cozier areas that are more inviting.

All in All

Create a style that reflects your personality when designing a space with laminate flooring. Use the flooring to your advantage either as a neutral backdrop for your furnishings, or as the colorful and richly textured element that brings life to a room with neutral furnishings.