How important is your flooring when it comes to designing with feng shui? Your floor is the foundation of any design you choose and your flooring choice is significant to the process. The type of flooring is important – should it be hardwood? If so what color of hardwood? Is there a specific material better suited for your design and what about your budget? These are all fair questions one should initially think about when adapting your design with feng shui principles.

Keep in mind that any inside renovation or build starts with the flooring and hardwood floors are themselves an elegant choice to begin with. There are obvious differences in hardwood flooring materials and various price points to consider. If money is an issue, you can still have an exquisite new hardwood floor for a reasonable investment and choose to finish it in a color of your choice. Feng shui practices now come into play when determining what finish/color is right for you.

A high grain hardwood floor will be noticeable and many prefer the grainy appearance with a clear finish. Many experts and designer prefer this finish because of its genuineness to the flooring product itself. Flooring color is critical depending on which room is being renovated. A living room/family room you may want the feeling of relaxation and contentment in which case darker finish colors such as mauve, or variations of deep cherry or rose will do the trick.

In a home office, an oak hardwood with a clear finish or light brown stain with a varnish coat would look rich and eye appealing as well as promote alertness and enthusiasm for your psychological well-being while at work. The old adage about following the grain is important when installing the hardwood flooring, making sure the flow of the grain is conducive to the traffic flow of the room. You should try not to have too much obvious cross grain workflow or as little as possible.

Hardwood durability is a consideration if one is going to be using the room quite a bit for entertaining and once again color can determine the balance and spirit your guests will achieve. Will they feel welcome and comfortable or fidget and feel on edge. If you have children, will they be able to act like kids in this room or fear damage and wear and tear? Imagine a room that from the floor up is appealing to everyone who enters and is versatile enough to withstand any and all traffic. This is your objective when confidently choosing hardwood floors - with an emphasis on “living space” in your home.