Interior Design Help

Platinum Member Joined: Mar 24 2008 Posts: 6528

I am horrible at figuring out what to do in my house.

I need to replace the carpet in my living room. It is a fluffy, soft, light beige carpet that was in our house when we moved in 4 years ago. It is disgusting now. I really don't care except recently my MIL pointed it out to me and it is really pretty bad.

I'd love to replace it with wood, or a wood laminate. My problem is I'm not sure if it works with the room. The living room walls are a dark wood panel and there is a dark red brick fireplace in the center of the room.

I'm concerned that because of the wood walls the wood floor won't go. And that the room will be too dark.

The hallway leading into the living room is wood, so it really makes the most sense to continue that in the living room.

Our living room gets a ton of use, its also the playroom.

I'd really appreciate any ideas or opinions. Also if you have ever seen a wood floor in a wood paneled room and how did it look.

Posted: Mon, Jul 13 2009, 10:39 am Post subject:

I can�t say it won�t work but I don�t see why you should consider something else. Tiles would be hard to maintain if you go light so I say, stick to something dark and practical. It might actually look nice.
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Platinum Member Joined: Mar 24 2008 Posts: 6528

I don't want to put in ceramic because it is hard and cold. I find wood is a bit softer. I can't think of any other material to put down. I'd love a different idea.

Posted: Mon, Jul 13 2009, 10:47 am Post subject:

Have you explored bamboo cane? It's a lot more robust than wood, doesn't deteriorate like parquet, and it's lighter in color but soft and warm!

Posted: Mon, Jul 13 2009, 10:53 am Post subject: re: Interior Design Help

go for the wood - you might even already have wood that just needs sanding underneath ... and then lighten up with an area carpet ... Idea

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Platinum Member Joined: Mar 24 2008 Posts: 6528

We know there is no wood underneath - just plywood because I checked. In the dining room and hallway we had to lay new wood also (that was over 3 years ago).

I'm worried about bamboo that it dents more easily then wood.
I also am not sure if I would do light bamboo or light wood because it would show every spot and I really don't want to mop each night.

But please keep the ideas coming.

Posted: Mon, Jul 13 2009, 11:19 am Post subject: Re: re: Interior Design Help

Platinum Member Joined: Mar 24 2008 Posts: 6528

Yeah - if I go with wood - or any hard floor surface I would put down a rug (but something easy to clean - ds has a way of spraying his milk everywhere) this way there is place for a baby to play on a soft surface.

And the room has a lot of light - dh installed a nice amount of recessed lighting in the room and there are a nice amount of windows. There is really no way to increase that.

Posted: Mon, Jul 13 2009, 9:33 pm Post subject: re: Interior Design Help

Great then it prob wont be dark. Wood or even laminate wood is warm and rich looking and practicall imho

Posted: Mon, Jul 13 2009, 10:21 pm Post subject: re: Interior Design Help

I find wood panels are very dark to begin with. you can always lighten up the room with strategic placement of mirrors to spread the light. you can also paint the panels with a light color. I have some wood panels that are painted (previous owners are responsible for that...) and they look nice. I wouldn't have bothered with the wood paneling to begin with, but they're there already.

Diamond Member Joined: Nov 14 2007 Posts: 2569

Platinum Member Joined: Mar 24 2008 Posts: 6528

Thanks for all the ideas. I have a feeling we will go with wood and just stain it the same color as the walls to keep the look uniform.

dh loves the walls - he would hate to lighten them. I think they are too dark and heavy for the room - but at least I'm saving money by leaving them as they are.

Gold Member Joined: Feb 25 2009 Posts: 1316

Go for something that will last and is soft on the feet. You want your children to be comfortable playing on the floor, and don't need to worry about falls. Laminate is a good option, because they come in softer forms. They look like wood and are also easy to maintain. I agree with the rug idea too,.

Gold Member Joined: Feb 25 2009 Posts: 1316

Go for something that will last and is soft on the feet. You want your children to be comfortable playing on the floor, and don't need to worry about falls. Laminate is a good option, because they come in softer forms. They look like wood and are also easy to maintain. I agree with the rug idea too,.

Platinum Member Joined: Mar 12 2009 Posts: 13185

Maybe you could have something transitional between the wood outside the room and whatever you decide on. Have fun!

Posted: Wed, Jul 15 2009, 12:21 am Post subject: Re: re: Interior Design Help

Gold Member Joined: Feb 14 2007 Posts: 1164 Location: NY

Sorry, but I'm with your dh here...don't paint the wood panels! Get some nice light pictures/art to hang over them, mirror (as someone suggested) even a nice and interesting hemmed piece of material on a pole (a la tapestry) to brighten the walls. And another vote for a wood floor, too.
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Posted: Thu, Jul 23 2009, 5:42 pm Post subject: re: Interior Design Help

I like the wood floor idea but NOT with wood paneling!!! It's going to be too dark and u wont want to go in there! Unless you put down a rug that covers the whole area that is light but I dont see the sense of a light rug bc itll get dirty too...
You can paint the paneling (it will take many coats but it is possible...)
Lighting is definately important but a dark room is still a dark room. its not good for brain stimulation and you said it was a play area...

Take my advice, or dont, and have fun and do something ur confident with.

Remember: uniform isnt always the best option. You wouldnt put an oak table on an oak floor..youd go for contrast bc otherwise u wont even realize the table is there..

Platinum Member Joined: Mar 24 2008 Posts: 6528

I know but dh really doesn't want to paint the wood. They are beautiful thick pieces of wood on an angle. personally I would try bleaching them and staining them lighter (but that would also probably cost a lot of money). but dh loves them just how they are.