Choosing the right flooring is one of the most important decisions when it comes to interior design. The flooring sets the foundation for the look and feel of the space, while also needing to stand up to daily wear and tear. This is especially true in active households and high-traffic areas.
When looking for new floors in Alpharetta, Georgia, there are many options to consider from hardwoods to tile, stone, laminate, and more. You want to find the perfect floors for both form and function. The style should align with your interior design tastes while also meeting practical needs. Durability, maintenance, comfort, noise levels, and resale value are top factors to weigh.
In this blog post, we’ll explore the influence of flooring on interior design in Alpharetta and look at the most popular options to help guide your flooring search. From the latest trends to the pros and cons of each type, read on for an in-depth look at choosing new floors for your Alpharetta home.
The Importance of Flooring in Interior Design
Flooring is one of the key elements that sets the tone for a home’s interior design scheme. It influences the mood, style, and atmosphere of each room. Flooring also impacts how people interact with the space. The wrong flooring, such as slippery materials or loud echoing surfaces, can make a room seem uninviting and uncomfortable.
Beyond looks, flooring also serves functional purposes:
- Durability – Floors need to stand up to heavy foot traffic, pet paws, moving furniture, drops and spills, kids playing, and more. Durability is especially key for high-traffic areas like kitchens, entries, and family rooms.
- Noise control – Flooring impacts noise levels. Hard surfaces like tile and hardwood tend to echo sounds while carpets absorb noise. Controlling noise is important for multifamily dwellings.
- Comfort underfoot – The flooring texture impacts comfort as you walk across it. Natural stone and wood offer visual warmth but can feel cold and hard. Carpets cushion your feet but trap allergens. The comfort level needs to suit the room’s purpose.
- Maintenance – All flooring requires some degree of regular care to look its best. However, some materials need intensive upkeep while others are lower maintenance. Consider the time commitment required.
- Resale value – In case you sell your home down the road, popular resilient floors in neutral tones tend to have the widest appeal among buyers. Trendy or bold floors could turn off some buyers.
All of these factors play into finding the perfect flooring for your Alpharetta home’s interior design.
Popular Flooring Types in Alpharetta GA
There are numerous Flooring Alpharetta GA options on the market today ranging from classic hardwoods to trendy patterned tiles. While personal style plays a role, we generally recommend these top flooring types for most Alpharetta homes:
Hardwood Floors
Hardwood floors never go out of style. Wood offers a timeless, warm look that works in traditional, rustic, modern, and contemporary homes alike. Hardwoods like oak, maple, and hickory come in a spectrum of stains ranging from light to dark.
The pros of hardwood include
- Natural visual warmth and character
- Large planks elongate spaces
- Adds value for home resale
- Durable for decades with proper care
- Easy to refinish and change stain colors
The cons are
- Expensive installation and materials
- Needs regular cleaning and refinishing over time
- Susceptible to water damage and scratches
- Can be noisy and echo sounds
Overall, hardwood is among the best flooring solutions for living rooms, dining rooms, bedrooms, and studies. Use large planks and dare to go darker for a sophisticated, cozy look. Add rugs to help define spaces and soften sound.
Tile Floors
Tile floors provide a classic, timeless look. The variety of shapes, sizes, colors, textures, and patterns available in tile empower you to get creative with your interior design. Mix and match tile layouts make a bold statement.
The benefits of tile include
- Extremely durable for high-traffic areas
- Easy maintenance, just sweep and mop
- Water-resistant and great for bathrooms/kitchens
- Cool underfoot during hot summers
- Design flexibility with endless tile options
- Adds resale value
The downsides of tile can be
- Hard, slippery surface requires rugs for safety
- Grout needs periodic sealing and cleaning
- Dropped objects can crack tiles
- Takes longer to install properly
- Can be cold underfoot during winter
Tile is the best flooring choice for entryways, kitchens, bathrooms, laundries, and mudrooms in Alpharetta homes. Use large tile sizes or patterns to elongate small spaces. Add plush rugs to soften the look and feel in living areas.
Carpet Floors
Don’t underestimate the power of carpet, especially in bedrooms. Carpet provides a cozy, warm look and luxurious feel underfoot. From plush to berber, there are endless options. Neutral wall-to-wall carpet can serve as a clean, soothing backdrop in a room. Vibrant patterns or textures make a bold style statement.
Consider carpet if you want:
- Soft, warm feel underfoot
- Noise absorption
- Quick and affordable installation
- Stain-masking ability
- Ranges from budget to luxury options
The cons of carpet include:
- Requires frequent vacuuming
- Stains easily from spills and pets
- Traps dust and allergens
- Needs replaced every 5-10 years
- Not as durable as other materials
Overall, carpet works best in bedrooms, home offices, and formal living and dining rooms that see light daily use. Choose low-pile styles for high-traffic areas. Add rug pads to prevent buckling and extend the carpet’s lifespan. Plan to shampoo clean every 12-18 months.
Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP)
One of the fastest growing flooring trends is luxury vinyl plank (LVP). LVP mimics the look of natural wood or stone with added durability and water-resistance. Many LVP options have textures and grains that look amazingly realistic. The planks click together for DIY-friendly installation.
LVP’s advantages include
- Affordable alternative to hardwood/stone
- Easy click-together floating installation
- Waterproof and pet-friendly
- Dents and scratch-resistant
- No acclimation or expansion gaps needed
- Wide variety of wood and stone looks
The downsides can be
- Still synthetic despite realistic looks
- Can show seams over time
- Needs product-specific cleaners
- Not easily refinished like real wood
- Hollow plastic sound when walked on
LVP works well in kitchens, bathrooms, basements, rentals, and other high-traffic areas prone to spills and messes. It offers the look of wood with more durability. Just beware cheaper LVP can look obviously fake. Invest in thicker wear layers for longevity.
Other Unique Flooring Options
Beyond the main go-to’s above, there are endless unique flooring options to explore based on your interior design vision:
- Bamboo – Made from fast-growing grass, bamboo offers eco-friendly durability similar to hardwood. Available in planks and sheets.
- Cork – Naturally water and stain-resistant, sound-absorbing cork comes in various colors. Needs sealing every few years.
- Concrete – Creates an edgy industrial look, stained and polished concrete is durable and modern. Can feel cold.
- Rubber – Often used in gyms and laundry rooms, rubber is softer underfoot but still durable. Easy to clean and water-resistant.
- Glass – For an eye-catching statement, glass tiles or sheets bring sparkle. Best used on walls and in low-traffic areas only.
Popular Flooring Color Trends in Alpharetta
The shade and stain color of your floors impacts the whole feel of your interior design. Light, neutral floors help rooms appear larger and brighter. Dark, moody floors create an elegant, cozy ambiance.
Here are some of the most popular flooring color trends homeowners in Alpharetta are loving:
Light and White-Washed – From oak to hickory, light whitewashed and weathered wood floors are an easygoing trend. These creamy natural tones keep rooms feeling bright and casual.
Gray Wood Tones – For a warmer alternative to stark gray stone or tile, gray-stained hardwoods are on the rise. The gray tones pair perfectly with modern color schemes.
Bold Charcoal and Black – Deep charcoal-stained wood brings high contrast and drama through the space. Pair with lighter furniture and walls. Use colorfully patterned rugs.
Natural Brown and Beige – Classic oak hardwood flooring in natural medium-brown tones works with any style. Adds warm contrast against white walls and trims. Timeless and versatile.
Multi-Toned Mixing – Instead of all one stain, mix different colors and patterns of wood planks for eclectic character. Also try mixing wood with tile or stone accents.
Factoring Lifestyle and Usage
Your lifestyle and how you plan to use interior spaces should guide your flooring Alpharetta GA selections. Analyze the size of your family, if you have pets, any hobbies that impact floors, and your maintenance preferences.
For example, families with kids and pets may want ultra-durable waterproof LVP on the main level. While bedrooms used just for sleep may warrant plush wall-to-wall carpeting.
Consider your unique lifestyle factors:
- High vs low foot traffic areas
- Risk of spills, stains, scratches
- Needs to accommodate allergies
- Noise levels suiting each room’s purpose
- Amount of time available for maintenance
- Kids, pets, large gatherings, hobbies to accommodate
Plan flooring accordingly for heavy usage in mudrooms, kitchens, entries and kid zones. Opt for luxurious textures and styles where bare feet will tread like master suites.
Setting a Flooring Budget
Flooring costs vary greatly depending on the type and quality selected. Here are rough estimates per square foot installed:
- Hardwood floors – $4-12 per square foot
- Tile floors – $3-15 per square foot
- Carpet – $1-6 per square foot
- LVP flooring – $2-7 per square foot
Factors like brand, construction, warranties, patterns, textures, and installation difficulty cause pricing fluctuations. Expect to pay more for natural stone, exotic wood species, handscraped finishes, and custom detailing.
Work with a qualified flooring installer to get quotes catered to your specific project. They can suggest products matching your budget. Just remember to look at total cost, not just materials. While LVP might be cheaper upfront, a quality hardwood could last decades longer justifying the investment.
Set your budget before falling in love with options out of reach financially. Be realistic and leave room for unforeseen issues driving up the final costs. Many homeowners spend 10-15% of total remodeling budgets on new floors.
Choosing Quality Installation in Alpharetta
Proper installation is crucial for ensuring your new floors look perfect and perform well for many years. Attempting DIY installation of certain products like natural stone and hardwood requires skill and precision.
For Alpharetta homeowners, we recommend hiring a qualified hardwood floor refinisher for best results the first time.
Here’s what to look for in a flooring installation contractor:
- Check reviews and references – Online reviews and word-of-mouth references help verify quality. Ask to see past project examples.
- Look for experience with your flooring type – Carpet layer? Tile setter? Wood floor refinisher? Choose the right pro.
- Request a detailed quote – Itemize prep work, materials with brand names, haul away fees, installation charges per square foot, and any other costs.
- Ask about warranties – Long installation warranties show confidence in quality. Also check material brand warranties.
- Verify licensing and insurance – Licensed professionals with liability and workers compensation coverage protect you if injuries or damage occurs.
While a DIY floating floor option may seem simpler, some installations like natural wood require nails, glue, and seam filling. Don’t risk expensive flooring by attempting intricate installation as a beginner. Hire a pro you trust.
Maintaining Your Floors Over Time
No flooring lasts long without proper care and maintenance. Just installing quality floors isn’t enough – you must keep them looking their best. This involves daily and weekly cleaning along with periodic protection and refinishing.
Follow your manufacturer’s maintenance guidelines. General upkeep tips include:
Daily
- Sweep, vacuum, or dry mop floors to remove dust and grit
- Blot spills quickly
- Use entry mats and area rugs
Weekly
- Wet mop or scrub floors with recommended cleaners
- Spot clean carpets
Monthly
- Deep clean carpets using professional equipment
Yearly
- Reseal grout lines on tile
- Professionally clean and restore hardwood floors
Every 5-10 Years
- Sand and refinish hardwoods with new stain color if desired
- Replace worn carpet
Protect your investment with proper products for dusting, mopping, stripping, waxing and more matched specifically to your flooring type. Follow a routine cleaning schedule. Address any damage immediately to prevent worsening.
Finding Top Flooring Options in Alpharetta, GA
Ready to explore flooring options for your Alpharetta home? These leading local flooring stores offer full-service installation of all the best brands:
Georgia Carpet Outlet
With 4 showroom locations across north Atlanta suburbs, Georgia Carpet Outlet carries major brand carpeting, hardwood, laminate, tile, and vinyl. They offer free estimates for floor purchase and professional installation. Visit their Alpharetta showroom.
House of Floors
Family-owned and operated since 1970, House of Floors provides an exceptional customer experience. Their Alpharetta showroom displays all the latest styles from hardwood to carpet, tile, and more. They handle measuring, product selection, and installation.
Roberts Carpet & Fine Floors
Roberts Carpet has served the Alpharetta community since 1989. Shop their wide selection of carpet, hardwood, bamboo, cork, tile, and vinyl from leading brands. They offer best price guarantees and coordinate professional flooring installation.
Great Floors
This nationwide chain has a location right in Alpharetta with affordable financing options. Browse wood, tile, laminate, carpet, and resilient flooring options. Their installers handle existing floor removal, proper subfloor prep, and expert installation. Schedule a free estimate.
The Right Floors for Your Lifestyle and Design
As you can see, flooring options go far beyond basic carpet versus hardwood. There are so many colors, textures, patterns, and materials available today. Take time to analyze how you live and entertain in your Alpharetta home. Then select durable, easy-care floors suited for those needs and lifestyles. Don’t forget to factor your interior design style into the flooring as well.
With proper installation and care, your new floors should last for decades before needing replacement. Follow the tips above to make sure your flooring investment enhances your home’s function and beauty for years to come. Reach out to the recommended local flooring stores when you’re ready to upgrade the floors in your Alpharetta house.