With the holiday season fast approaching, it’s time to get your home ready for entertaining family and friends. When living in an area known for its unique mix of climate and lifestyle, choosing the right flooring can set the stage for a welcoming and memorable holiday environment. Here’s your guide to making your floors holiday-ready, from style tips to durability and easy maintenance.

1. Elevate Your Style: Choosing Flooring That Complements Your Decor

Selecting the right flooring can help tie together your home’s decor, offering the perfect blend of elegance and resilience. Consider these top flooring styles that work well in spaces where both holiday gatherings and day-to-day living come together:

• Hardwood Flooring: Hardwood floors add a timeless elegance to any space. Available in various finishes and wood species, hardwood can complement holiday decor beautifully while bringing warmth and sophistication to rooms used for gatherings.
• Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP): For a stylish, budget-friendly option, LVP offers the look of hardwood with added durability—perfect for high-traffic areas. With resistance to water and scratches, it’s an ideal choice for areas where you’re hosting guests or entertaining.
• Tile Flooring: Tile flooring’s versatility makes it a great option for the holiday season, whether you prefer the look of natural stone, marble, or ceramic. Tile not only withstands heavy use but also gives you room to get creative with design. Opt for finishes and patterns that enhance your holiday aesthetic while fitting seamlessly into your home year-round.

2. Plan for Durability and Easy Maintenance

With extra foot traffic and the possibility of spills, durability is essential. By selecting flooring that’s as practical as it is stylish, you can worry less about maintenance during the busy season.

• High-Durability Options: Hardwood, LVP, and tile all rank high in durability, but certain finishes make them even more resilient. Water-resistant LVP and specially treated tile or hardwood finishes provide peace of mind for high-use spaces.
• Scratch Resistance: Homes with pets or children will benefit from scratch-resistant flooring like LVP or durable ceramic tiles, making them ideal for spaces where guests will gather and celebrate.
• Simple Cleaning: Hardwood and LVP floors require little upkeep, needing just a quick sweep or mop to stay fresh. Tile, when sealed, also cleans easily. For holiday hosting, choosing floors with dirt- and stain-repelling finishes keeps your prep time manageable.

3. Comfort with Style

Even in warmer regions, winter calls for a cozy, inviting atmosphere. Flooring can add comfort underfoot and warmth to any room, making it ready for seasonal festivities.

• Carpet for Cozy Comfort: Nothing says cozy like carpet, especially in living rooms or bedrooms. Plush, stain-resistant carpets provide warmth and comfort underfoot, creating a soft surface that’s perfect for seasonal gatherings.
• Radiant Heating Options: Radiant floor heating works wonders for those chilly winter evenings, especially when installed under tile or hardwood. Imagine the comfort of stepping onto warm floors in areas where you spend the most time during the holiday season.
• Accent with Area Rugs: Area rugs add an extra layer of warmth and protection. Not only do they tie rooms together aesthetically, but they’re also practical for high-traffic areas like living rooms and dining rooms, protecting your floors and adding a pop of seasonal color.

4. Prepping for Holiday Guests: Cleaning and Maintenance Tips

A little maintenance before guests arrive ensures that your floors look fresh and inviting. Taking the time to clean and prep can make a big difference when hosting.

• Deep Clean for a Fresh Start: A deep cleaning can make your flooring shine for the holidays. A professional polish for hardwood floors restores their luster, while carpets benefit from a deep clean to lift out any buildup from previous months.
• Protective Finishes: If you have hardwood or tile floors, consider applying a protective finish. Not only does this protect against spills and stains, but it also gives your floors a refreshed, polished look just in time for the season.
• Floor Mats at Entrances: Place mats at entry points to keep out dust, sand, and moisture. This extra layer of protection preserves floors, making cleanup easier, especially in busy entryways or common areas.

5. Flooring Fit for Kids and Pets

The holidays often mean guests with kids and pets, making it essential to choose flooring that can handle the extra excitement and potential messes.

• Waterproof Flooring Options: LVP and tile are both waterproof, making them a top choice for homes with kids or pets. From accidental spills to pet messes, waterproof flooring handles it all without hassle.
• Stain-Resistant Carpeting: If you prefer carpet in your living spaces, look for stain-resistant options. These carpets are designed to withstand spills, making cleanup simple and keeping carpets looking fresh.
• Rug Layers for Added Protection: Adding washable area rugs over your flooring in high-use areas keeps it protected from everyday wear and tear. Look for durable, non-slip rugs that can handle busy gatherings and stay in place for the season.

6. Decor That Protects Your Floors

Holiday decor adds magic to the season, but certain decorations can be rough on flooring. Here’s how to protect your floors while decking the halls:

• Tree Mats for Christmas Trees: Placing a mat under the tree protects your floor from water spills and pine needles. For real trees, a waterproof mat prevents moisture from damaging hardwood or carpet underneath.
• Furniture Pads for Rearranged Spaces: If you’re moving furniture to make more room for guests, use furniture pads under chairs, tables, and couches to avoid scratches and scuffs on hardwood or tile.
• Mindful Holiday Lights: Be cautious about placing holiday light cords along the floor or under rugs. Avoid pinching cords under heavy furniture, and keep cords out of high-traffic areas to prevent wear on both your floors and your holiday lighting setup.

7. Quick and Easy Post-Holiday Cleanup

After all the festivities wind down, your floors might need a little extra TLC to keep them looking great.

• Spot Clean for Spills: For carpet, blot spills with a clean cloth and use a carpet cleaner as needed. For hardwood and tile, a mild cleaner and mop will take care of any residue left from holiday activities.
• Wash Area Rugs: Washable area rugs can be refreshed with a quick wash, especially if they were placed in high-traffic areas. Machine-washable options make cleanup a breeze and keep rugs looking good for the next season.
• Inspect for Damage: Once things have settled, take a moment to inspect your floors for any scratches, stains, or scuffs that may have occurred. For hardwood, a touch-up kit can help with minor scratches, while specialty carpet cleaners tackle stains. Regular post-holiday maintenance ensures your floors stay in top condition.

Holiday-Ready Flooring Brings Style and Function Together

Preparing your floors for the holidays doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With the right choices, your flooring can add elegance and durability to your home, setting the tone for an inviting and memorable season. From hardwood and LVP to plush carpet and durable tile, there’s an option for every room and every style.

This holiday season, let your floors make a lasting impression, adding beauty and resilience to all of your celebrations. A well-prepared home allows you to focus on what matters most—celebrating with family and friends. So start planning now, and enjoy a holiday season where your flooring is as ready as your holiday spirit! Click here to explore options perfect for every celebration!

Homeowners will need to understand that almost all medium to larger rooms will have a seam. Standard carpets come twelve-foot-wide sizes, so some seams are inevitable. Seaming is a task that takes a keen eye and extreme level of scrutinizing. No seam will be invisible, but creating the perfect seam should make it very hard to see in a glance. Today, we are going to focus on seaming and how it do it yourself. Let’s take a look!

Seaming

If your space is over twelve feet wide, you will need to create a seam on your carpet.  First, measure your room and make your excess cuts.  You will most likely be having cross seams as well to complete your room.  Your carpet must all lay the same direction, so pay attention to how you unroll it before cutting!  Use your row finder to run a row down the carpet with-the-grain.  Using your top cutter blade, cut along your row on both pieces of carpet to create a perfectly straight edge.  Your top cutter can put the blade closer or further from the carpet, so make sure you put the correct distance before cutting.   Create your rowed cuts.  

For your cross seams, you should flip your carpet over and cut from the back.  Using the cut edge, you just created, use your right angle and straight edge to make a perfect 90-degree cut.  Repeat this process for all your cross-seams.  

Once you have made all your seam cuts, roll your seam tape out underneath all the areas you will be seaming.  Your seam tape may have a line down the middle to help keep you perfectly aligned.  Allow this line to run directly down your seam.  Plug in your seam iron into your extension cord and allow it to heat up for seaming.   Pull back your seam and put your iron directly on seam tape and let it heat. Start with all your cross seams and then move into your big seam. Have your carpet kicker nearby with the teeth out and ready to use.  

As you heat your seam tape move down the carpet and meticulously line your carpet’s backing up to begin seaming.  Keep your carpet’s fibers away from the hot seam tape as you go.  Using your carpet tracker and seam weight, follow behind yourself and track the seam and apply weight – this must be a strict procedure, or it will show in the finished product!  If your carpet shifts, use your kicker to move it back in place, carefully!

Seaming carpet takes practice and can be challenging, depending on the design of each carpet. Patterns, textures, backing, and even pile loop can play a significant role in how visible a seam will be. If you missed the rest of our series, be sure to check them out here.

Installing anything in your own home can be very rewarding.  It is always a great feeling after you paint your own walls or install your own light fixture in a room.  While do-it-yourself projects are great for saving money, there are several reasons why you should probably consider saving your carpet installations for the professionals.  Today, we are going to focus on four reasons that you may want to decide to hire a professional. Let’s take a look! 

Time-Consuming 

Installing your own carpet can be a very time-consuming process, especially if you do not do it daily.  You should consider the amount of time it would take you to complete the project and decide if it is worth your time invested.  While you may be willing to sacrifice a day for installing your carpet, you need to make sure you are confident that you are able to finish the task.  It can be very tricky to hire an installer after the carpet has been tinkered with or half-installed as well. 

Tools 

So you may not be as concerned with time, but you should consider the amount of money you will spend on tools.  Carpet installation has many tools precisely for installation.  These tools can be quite expensive for one-time use.  Installers have already made these investments because they are in this for the long haul.  It may be best to rent these tools if you do not plan on installing a lot in the future. 

Experience 

Consider your experience versus a professional installer as well.    Most installers have been doing this for quite some time.  With this time, comes experience for different dilemmas that may come up during installation.  Carpet installation is an art and a skill.  Every room can come with its own sets of challenges and difficulties.  While you may be comfortable installing it in an easy room, be ready for unexpected challenges.  Troubleshooting these challenges comes with experience and are essential if you want to install your carpet correctly. 

Warranty 

If you install your carpet incorrectly, you will probably void all warranties.  Carpet is an investment which should stay with your home for some time.  You do not need to install your carpet incorrectly and not be able to make a claim if something goes wrong like bubbling or fraying.   

As flooring experts, we recommend leaving it to the professionals unless you feel like you have the skillset, time, and tools to complete the job. We definitely want to encourage all of the do-it-yourself go-getters out there, but we also want homeowners to be cautious and make the best choice for their investment. If you would like to speak to one of our expert sales staff about installation, please do not hesitate to call or visit us. 

Congratulations! You have made an excellent decision and bought brand new floors from Carpets N More. This is a fantastic step forward in the design process, and we are excited to a part of this journey with you. But before your installation, there are a few things that we recommend preparing. To help you get ready for the big day, we have created a guide with four easy steps to assist you. Let’s take a look!

Preparing for Your Flooring Installation:

1. More Furniture.

First, you will want to take all of the furniture out of the room where the flooring is being installed. It is a good idea to also remove all fragile items from the room. You will want to remove your wiring from electronics and store it in a different place. Also, you may find it to be a good idea to remove all of your bedding from your bedroom. This will help to ensure no dust and dirt gets inside of your clean sheets.

2. Vacuum Carpet/Clean Hardwood.

Next, you will want to vacuum your old carpet or clean off your hardwood floors before your installers come. By doing so, you will cut back on the amount of airborne dust and particles.

3. Hardwood/Laminate/Vinyl Installation.

You want your hard surface flooring to acclimate to your space; therefore, you want it to be delivered 48 hours in advance. You will want to set aside time and a space for the delivery as well as following the temperature and humidity guidelines for your flooring.

4. Be Available.

If any unforeseen circumstances arise, it is good to be available over the phone. We are not saying that these events are common, but in case we need you, we recommend turning on your cell phone during the installation.

We look forward to your installation day, and we are excited to show you your brand new floors. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call us or visit us. We want to make sure that you are 100% satisfied and happy with your purchase.

Do you find that choosing clothes out of your cluttered closet is a source of anxiety? Did you buy some of those hangars that are supposed to save space only to find that your clutter just moved down a few feet? If so, it’s time for drastic measures. Follow these few steps to closet control.

1. Empty your closet completely. Yes, all of it! Now promise yourself that nothing but the best will go back in your closet. In other words, if you wouldn’t buy it – full price – today, it’s leaving your life forever.
2. Sort your clothes and accessories into three piles: keep, lose, or maybe. Take the lose items off the good hangers and put them in trash bags for donating. If you want to take a tax deduction, write down every item as you go (no details, 3 skirts, 5 blouses, etc. is fine). Put the lose bags outside your bedroom door and promise yourself you will not open them again.
3. Take your keep items and check for any washing or repair needs before you put them back in the closet (on your good hangers). As you refill the closet, determine an organizational system that you think might work for you. For example, by season or by purpose (such as work vs. play).
4. Now it’s time to address your maybes. The best way to evaluate them is by trying everything on in front of a full-length mirror. If you really don’t want to try something on, then it’s a goner. If you look at yourself and realize you don’t want to be seen in it, put it in discard. Keep only those things that you would buy again. Put the rest in bags with the other donations.
5. Finally, take a look at your newly-arranged closet. And remember our fundamental rule as flooring people – always keep your clothes hung up, not covering your beautiful floor!

Reader Question:

What is the appropriate size grout joint width for rectified tiles?

Answer:

This question was submitted by Stuart Harris in the Las Vegas Craig Showroom and answered with support from Dal Tile.

Rectified tiles continue to increase in popularity, particularly in the commercial arena. For years, the
industry and Dal-Tile have recommended that Rectified tiles can be installed with a 1/16” grout joint.
However, installations have become more time consuming and difficult to ensure compliant installations when attempting to install a Rectified tile with a 1/16” grout
joint. In response, the new TCNA (Tile Council of North America) Handbook addresses this issue by
stating that “the actual grout joint size shall be at least 3 times the actual variation of
facial dimensions of the tile.” To simplify: Rectified tiles, regardless of size, shall have a grout joint
width no less than 1/8”.

Thanks, Stuart and Dal Tile!