As a self-proclaimed DIY enthusiast and design aficionado, I’ve always been on the hunt for the latest and greatest home renovation trends. But let me tell you, navigating the world of flooring options can be like navigating a minefield – one wrong step, and you could end up with a décor disaster that screams “Yesterday and Today” instead of the cohesive, timeless look you’re after.
That’s why I was thrilled to stumble upon the insights of Maria Killam, a renowned decorator, stylist, and color expert. Her wisdom on the dos and don’ts of luxury vinyl plank (LVP) flooring in bathrooms was a game-changer for me, and I’m excited to share what I’ve learned with you.
The Allure of Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring
Now, I know what you’re thinking: “Vinyl? In my home? Hasn’t that ship sailed?” But hold on to your DIY dreams, my friends, because the world of LVP has come a long way since the days of shiny, cheap-looking linoleum. These days, luxury vinyl planks can mimic the look and feel of hardwood, tile, or even natural stone, all while offering unbeatable durability and water-resistance.
It’s no wonder the DIY crowd has fallen head over heels for this flooring solution. The ease of installation and the relatively low cost make it a tempting option for those of us looking to transform our homes without breaking the bank. And let’s be honest, who doesn’t want the look of real wood or stone without the hassle that often comes with those materials?
The Pitfalls of Mismatched Flooring
But before you go rushing out to the nearest home improvement store, there’s something you need to know: not all LVP flooring is created equal. In fact, according to Maria, the biggest mistake homeowners make is choosing a wood-look LVP that doesn’t seamlessly integrate with the rest of their home’s flooring.
Imagine this scenario: You’ve painstakingly renovated your bathroom, replacing the dated tile with a sleek, wood-look LVP. You’re feeling pretty proud of yourself, until you step back and realize that the new flooring clashes horribly with the hardwood in the adjoining hallway. Cue the internal screaming.
As Maria so eloquently put it, this “yesterday and today” look is a design no-no. The goal should be to create a cohesive, timeless aesthetic where all the flooring in your home looks like it was installed at the same time. Anything less, and you risk ending up with a disjointed, patchwork effect that screams, “I couldn’t make up my mind!”
Choosing the Right Flooring for Your Home
So, what’s the secret to achieving that elusive, seamless look? According to Maria, it all comes down to careful planning and consideration of your home’s overall aesthetic.
“If you’re renovating a bathroom and not replacing everything, that’s when you need to keep reading this mantra over and over again: To avoid the yesterday and today look, your bathroom should look like everything was installed at the SAME TIME,” she advises.
But what if you’re not ready to tackle a full-blown bathroom renovation? Well, Maria has a solution for that, too. She suggests opting for a timeless and classic tile, like a large-scale marble look or a charcoal herringbone pattern, instead of wood-look LVP. This ensures that your bathroom flooring seamlessly complements the rest of your home, without creating any jarring transitions.
Avoiding the Rustic Farmhouse Trap
Now, I know what you’re thinking: “But wait, don’t all those wood-look LVP floors have that cozy, farmhouse vibe? Isn’t that a good thing?” Well, my friends, not necessarily.
According to Maria, the ubiquitous “rustic farmhouse” aesthetic that has dominated the flooring market in recent years may not be the best fit for every home. In fact, she cautions that the wide, distressed plank look of many LVP options can actually be a poor match for more traditional, formal homes.
“We are so deep in the farmhouse trend that we can’t even see the edges of it,” Maria laments. “More traditional homes that have no business with rustic floors have them anyway because that is the only choice available as opposed to more traditional-looking wood floors with slimmer planks, stained and varnished, smoother and more formal.”
So, if your home leans more towards a classic, timeless aesthetic, you might want to steer clear of those ultra-rustic wood-look LVP floors and instead opt for a smoother, more versatile option that won’t scream “farmhouse” the moment you walk through the door.
Ensuring a Cohesive, Timeless Look
Now, I know what you’re thinking: “But I love the look of wood floors! Surely there’s a way to incorporate that into my home without it looking like a farmhouse reject?” Well, dear reader, you’re in luck.
According to Maria, the key is to choose an LVP option that mimics the look of real wood without the overly rustic details. “I always advise my clients to look for the smoothest, quietest and most versatile looking options in LVP without lots of rustic burnishing and detail,” she explains.
And here’s the kicker: the same principle applies to your bathroom flooring. If you’re set on that wood-look, make sure it’s a seamless continuation of the flooring in the rest of your home. Otherwise, Maria suggests exploring the world of luxury vinyl tile (LVT) or classic tile options that will create a timeless, cohesive aesthetic.
Putting It All Together
So, let’s recap the key takeaways from Maria’s expert advice:
- Achieve Continuity: If you’re using LVP in your home, make sure it runs continuously throughout, without any jarring transitions to other flooring types.
- Embrace Timeless Design: Opt for smooth, versatile LVP options that won’t scream “farmhouse” and instead create a classic, enduring look.
- Consider Bathroom Flooring Carefully: If your bathroom doesn’t connect directly to the rest of your home’s flooring, steer clear of wood-look LVP and explore tile or LVT options instead.
By following these guidelines, you’ll be well on your way to creating a sustainable, eco-friendly whole-home makeover that exudes the kind of timeless luxury you’ve been dreaming of. And who knows, with a little bit of planning and a dash of design savvy, you might even avoid those dreaded “yesterday and today” moments altogether.
So, what are you waiting for? It’s time to transform your home into the sustainable, high-end oasis of your dreams. With the right flooring choices and a little bit of Maria Killam’s expert guidance, the possibilities are endless!
