A recent study discovered 70 percent of homeowners are planning a remodeling or renovation project and expect to spend upwards of $3,500 to finish the job. Chances are that a large chunk of money is set aside for flooring. No matter what flooring you want, the cost of replacement it can be staggering. If your budget is tight, but you don’t want to skimp on style or quality, there are many clever and unexpected ways to save on several flooring varieties.

 Image via: Two Column Marketing

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Be Realistic

You may dream of installing travertine, marble or an exotic hardwood throughout your home. Unfortunately, your budget is only enough for laminate and linoleum. When it comes to installing flooring, it’s important to create a budget and stick with it. Also, keep in mind the specific room and its function. For instance, you probably want to keep carpeting in your bedroom.

Surf the Internet

You’ve wandered the aisles of every flooring provider in your area but cannot find what you’re looking for, or more importantly, an amazing deal. The Internet might not seem like the obvious choice when it comes to flooring, but there are many amazing deals there. Purchasing flooring direct from the manufacturer is another option. In many instances, you can save 50, 60 or 70 percent because you’ve cut out the middle man.

Look for Discounts and Remnants

If you’re covering a small area, inquire about any laminate, hardwood or carpeting remnants at your local home improvement store or floor covering dealer. Remnants are the leftover chunks of flooring, such as the end of a carpet or linoleum roll. In many cases, the seller is so motivated to make room for new inventory that he just might discount the remnant as much as 80 percent. However, don’t expect to recarpet your entire home on remnants. Most of the time, the pieces are large enough to cover a small bedroom, foyer or bathroom.

Image via: Teres 58 Domus

Skip Professional Installation

Many flooring retailers offer free installation if you purchase a set amount of product. However, in most instances, you’ll be expected to pay out of pocket to have it installed. There is another cost-saving installation option: perform the work yourself. If you don’t have the basic tools or expertise to perform the job, ask someone like a friend or family member for help. Laminate and hardwood aren’t difficult to install and require only basic tools. All you need for carpeting is a knife and a knee kicker, which can be rented from many hardware stores. However, if you’re installing expensive, natural flooring, it’s best to leave this delicate procedure to the professionals.

It Never Hurts to Ask

Your locally owned carpet or flooring showroom might not offer the best prices in town. However, aside from service, these institutions can offer you something the big-box retailers never can: a chance to negotiate the price. Once you locate the ideal flooring choice, don’t be afraid to ask if it is the best price. Even if the seller refuses to discount the sticker price, you can still offer to pay cash for a two- to three-percent discount. This will often cover the potential fees charged to the seller by his merchant service for using your credit card.

You might get discouraged by the search for inexpensive and quality flooring, but don’t give up until you find the ideal product for your home and lifestyle. If you continue to struggle, remember to ask for a discount, look for remnants and hit the clearance aisles to find an amazing deal.

Rose Jefferies is a guest blogger and contractor who recommends COIT to her clients. Whenever Rose is ready to spruce up her home’s appearance, she also looks to COIT Carpet Cleaning.

For more flooring options on Stagetecture, click here.

Creative Uses for Cork in Your Home’s Interiors

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Corks can make a difference in your home. Aside from aesthetics, you can also lean on its functionality. These are vital features that anyone would like to have for their home items. Corks are used for do-it-yourself projects because they are easy to cut and shape according to the blueprint. Here are some of the creative uses of cork in your home:

Cork flooring

The best thing with cork flooring is its safety. The cork is basically fire-resistant and will only react if very high temperature is present. Another great feature is its comfort. Corks act as cushion underfoot while walking or running. It provides a natural warmth and noise absorber. The durability of cork flooring is superb. It resists abrasions and cracks better than other materials.

Cork Vases

This is a great decorative item at home. Cork vases will bring out the natural looks of your interior plant or flowers. Best of all, these vases can also serve as a mini bulletin vase board. You can pin a paper message on the vase easily without damaging its looks. Cork vases can extend the life of your plants by absorbing moisture.

Cork boards

Well, there’s no doubt that cork boards are so important in the office and at home. You place all important reminders like your monthly bills, letters, incoming family events or assigned tasks for each family member. This piece of board can save you from having problems brought about by forgetting. You can also place your greetings if someone at home is celebrating his or her birthday.

Corks are environment-friendly. It is a renewable material and all natural. Take a closer look at these cork materials you can use at home and see the difference.

For more home interiors ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

Finding the right flooring for your home can be a challenge. Today on DIY Saturday we are going to find ways to help you decide on the right flooring for your bedroom. The winter is the perfect time to install flooring because labor could be cheaper and installing a warm flooring may save you on your energy bill! Take a look at this video to give tips for choosing a flooring material. Then see examples from cork flooring to linoleum and carpet. See which ones are right for your bedroom.

Image via: Jauregui Architect

Link to video –> Choosing the best flooring

You Tube video – How to Choose the Best Flooring

Out of so many options and so many criteria to consider, choosing the right type of flooring for a home can be quite difficult. The choice varies based on the space the flooring is for, the kind of materials you like, the members of the family and their age, the amount of foot traffic, etc.

Image via: Jordan Lotoski

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However, the task seems becoming a bit easy when you have to choose for a particular space for a particular season. Bedroom is such a place that many people use only for sleeping. However, this is not true for all the families, especially for those who have children or pets in the house. Now, take a look at these flooring options that can ensure warmth and comfort for your family during this winter:

Cork Tiles

Cork tiles are a great flooring option during this winter season, especially if you have children aged under six years. It gives warm feeling under feet and is soft enough for your toddlers’ heads and knees. Cork tiles are not too expensive and are suitable for noisy areas because of their sound-absorbing quality.

Carpets

Because of the warmth and color patterns it offers, carpeting is the most regular type of bedroom flooring. A wall-to-wall carpet can be a good option for a bedroom given that it is a less traffic area and is located far from any entrance from outside. Moreover, you are likely to step on it with barefoot. So, the carpet will less likely to get damaged or worn out fast.

Image via: Feel the Home

If you want to have something that is warmer, softer, and more flexible than the regular carpet fibers, you had better use wool carpet. These natural fiber-made carpets are more acceptable, as they are anti-allergic and free from emitting harmful gases.

Rugs

Area rugs can be used on the top of other flooring options to add warmth. If the bed is not located at the center of the room, you can use small rug on any side of the bed. Otherwise, you should use a big rug that covers an equal amount of space on both sides of the bed. On top of existing rugs, you can use throw rugs and runners. They will let you to start your day with a soft touch under your feet if you place them on both sides of the bed.

Linoleum

Another option to make your bedroom radiate with warmth is linoleum. Its hypo-allergic properties and availability in various colors make it a good choice for bedroom flooring. It can coordinate with almost any décor with vibrant, subtle colors and different patterns.

Image via: Houzz

Whichever flooring option you choose, just make sure that it perfectly fulfills your needs. Use these helfpul tips to ensure your bedroom is kept warm and toasty this winter!

For more flooring ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

For more DIY ideas on Stagetecture, & Stagetecture’s YouTube Channel, click here.

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There are a lot of ways to be green within your home: energy-efficient windows and appliances, programmable thermostats, unplugging televisions and computers when they aren’t in use, etc. But did you know you can also make your floors and carpets eco-friendly?

Growing concerns about manufacturing processes and resources has led more and more people to consider eco-friendly flooring – it’s not only sustainable, but also a beautiful upgrade to your home!

Image via: Flooring.Pinterest

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Bamboo Flooring:

Made from stalks that are about five years old, most bamboo flooring looks very similar to hardwood. However, it’s much more renewable than wood because it’s a grass, and therefore grows much faster. For example, traditional hardwood floors can take 100 years to mature, compared to five years for bamboo. It’s durable and strong, resistant to moisture, and comes in a variety of colors.

Cork Flooring:

Cork flooring is an excellent insulator, as it’s warm and resilient and can be sealed for extra water resistance. Another added benefit is that it provides excellent noise insulation, and it’s available in a variety of colors to meet your style preferences, from neutrals to bolds.

Image via: Home.Pinterest

Recyclable Carpet:

Millions of pounds of carpets end up in landfills each year. However, by using recycled carpet to make new carpet again and again, you’re helping to reduce the previous statistic. Plus, like any type of carpet, it’s available in a range of textures, styles, and colors.

Natural Linoleum:

Linoleum flooring is a great choice for kitchens and/or bathrooms, and because the color is embedded in the structure, it doesn’t fade. Made from milled and dried flax seeds mixed with other plant materials, it’s also 100% biodegradable. With its stylish appearance, this classic flooring can compliment a wide range of décor.

With such a wide array of options available, choosing eco-friendly flooring for your home has never been easier. Contact Binghamton flooring installation to get started today at 607-235-0944.

For more eco-friendly ideas on Stagetecture, click here.