Choose the Best Wall and Floor Combination

There are few things more intimidating than facing down a blank wall with absolutely no idea how to proceed. Or, even worse – finding yourself completely paralyzed by the endless amount of treatment options available. No matter which end of the spectrum you find yourself, rest assured that there are only four main segments into which wall treatments can be divided; and each of these takes one main factor into consideration – your floors. Surprisingly enough, your floors play a large part in helping to decide which type of wall treatment will match your home. Join us as we explore the wall and wood flooring combinations, and how one can be used to enhance the beauty of the other.

Importance of Wood Floor Texture

While it might be something you take for granted, never forget that beautiful flooring plays a starring role in deciding which elements will work best in your space. Imagine a Spanish-style hacienda without terracotta tiles, or a vintage Craftsman missing a hand-scraped hardwood floor– it feels incomplete. Floors reflect the architecture of the home, add texture and warmth and can infuse the space with subtle or bold colors. Floors literally lay the groundwork for your room, and in turn, are a great place to start when looking for guidance on how to decorate your walls.

First, take into account the texture of the materials. Are they polished and smooth with single color running throughout as with more formal floors, or are they variegated with natural texture and beautiful imperfections as with more informal floors? By recognizing your floor’s visual texture as the anchor point of the room, you have established a baseline off which you can now build. From this, we can extrapolate the tone and feel of the room upwards into the walls and decide exactly what we wish to showcase there.

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Choosing Flooring with Wallpaper

Wallpaper is not only back in fashion; it’s taking center stage. Far from the garish patterns of the past, today’s wallpaper is refined, bold and ready to make a modern statement in your home.  And if you think you need to limit yourself to botanicals, graphics and loud prints – think again. Wallpaper comes in a cornucopia of colors, textures, patterns and styles as you will see when you peruse Arthouse for inspiration and the newest trends in wallcoverings.  It can act as both a canvas on which to hang your favorite art or be the focus of the space itself.

For more formal floors in both light and dark woods, invest in raw, genuine silk in a rich, vibrant jewel tone, or spring for a hand-painted Chinoiserie print. Plant-based fibers like a grass cloth or even a textile with embedded fragments of mica or other reflective minerals also work as well in formal settings. With more informal floors, consider more organic materials and looks such as motifs are drawn from nature like wood, stone and water. If none of these options seem just right, there’s always the opportunity for individual customization. Wallpaper can be more than just a smooth, understated backdrop, it can take on the role of a three-dimensional piece of art. Choose what works for you!

Create Good Feng Shui with Mirrors and Art

If you’re afraid that papering your walls will close the space, a great solution is to utilize mirrors. Placed mindfully, mirrors can create the illusion of airiness and visually double your space as Patrick Ballasch, Design Principal, of  DAG Architects, did in the Destin home below.  Try a large piece used as a focal point or a small grouping of mirrors in complementary sizes or colors. Keep in mind that they will reflect the room in its entirety, so make sure you have a well-curated selection of decor. When placing mirrors it’s also a good idea to keep in mind the elements of feng shui.

Feng Shui Principles for Your Home Floors

This technique, which developed in China over 3,000 years ago, is an intricate body of knowledge that directs us on how to best balance the energies in any given space. These techniques can be applied to any room in the home, including outdoor spaces, and if done correctly are thought to bring good fortune. Mirrors play a large role in this. They are considered to be part of the water element and are the best way to clear feelings of stagnation and bring in beneficial and healing energy.

While there are many aspects to this system of organization, the basics are as follows:

• Make sure your mirrors catch only beautiful things, refrain from positioning them so that they directly reflect into one another, and place them in areas where they will increase and spread light.
• Placing mirrors in strategic points around the home and choosing frames in materials that echo the feel of your floors will unite the space even further.

This rings just as true with pieces of art. Even though the gallery wall is somewhat of a staple technique, it continues to surface because of its classic appeal. Much like a grouping of mirrors, clusters of framed art, photos or other visual pieces will never go out of style. To curate your collection, choose a theme, color scheme or art type that can tie the pieces together. Then unleash your creativity. When it comes to selecting your favorites, remember art is subjective — so make sure it strikes joy with you.

Choosing Wall Color For Your Wood Floor

When you think about redecorating a space, fresh paint is likely the first thing that comes to mind. And while you might want to run out and choose a color before renovations even begin, it’s often a good idea to wait until the raw materials are installed to see what fits naturally.

 Wall Colors for Light Wood Floors

Lighter floors inherently make a room feel larger. If you’re hoping to carry that feeling through the space, choose wall colors that are bright, neutral and light in color. If pure white is too harsh, go with gray or white paint with an undertone of a different shade. You may be surprised at how different multiple shades of nearly identical white can appear, once applied to your walls at home.

Wall Colors for Dark Wood Floors

Dark wood flooring, on the other hand, is often used to make a room feel cozier and is especially beautiful when used in an open concept floor plan. Dark floors can stand up to bold colors and make a statement when paired with contrasting walls. But before proceeding, check the tone of the stain. Cool tones include blues and greens, while warm tones echo tan or yellow. Use these colors and their opposite shades on the color wheel to decide which direction is right for you.

Aside from simply applying paint, adding three-dimensional elements in matching or contrasting colors can also be used to great effect.

• Chair rails, wood embellishments, picture rails, molding and wall trim can all be accentuated by paint colors and finish.
• An eggshell wall with semi-gloss rails or colorful accents can elevate a space.

There is so much more than just color to consider!

Be Bold and Decorate On

As experts in the field of design, we are uniquely positioned to understand the many challenges that come with decorating a space. From planning and procurement to installation and final touches, we know just how hard it is to decide upon the perfect elements to make your home complete. This is never more true than when it comes to wall decor. By exploring some of the simple elements discussed above, we hope to have shed a little more light on the best way to make your home shine. Now go forth and conquer that blank wall!

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