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Category: Interior Design Tips

5 Things to Consider Before Choosing Your Cottage Flooring

Posted on by torlys

When you’re at your summer home or cottage, you don’t want to be worrying about maintaining your floors. We bet you’d rather spend your time away from home with your family and friends, wouldn’t you? That’s why it’s important to choose the perfect cottage flooring that will age with your cottage for years to come.

We’ve put together our top pieces of advice for choosing the ideal flooring for your cottage, so keep reading:

Choosing Your Cottage Flooring

Vacations represent relaxation and a simpler lifestyle with fewer rules. Kids and dogs are allowed to run in and out from the beach, we ignore the “no shoes in the house” policy, and generally let the housework slide a little. Cottage flooring needs to stand up to all of these demands and be low-maintenance when it comes to cleaning.

1. Hard Surface Flooring Dries Quickly

Carpet or broadloom provide warmth on a chilly evening, but there are pitfalls when it comes to day-to-day living. Carpet holds in the dirt, and when combined with moisture, will stain and produce mildew and odour. Often, summer homes do not have the best ventilation, so drying out a carpet is challenging. If you close up your cottage or cabin for the winter, germs and odours can get trapped in the carpet and multiply. For these reasons, after a few short years, you will likely need to replace your carpet.

Hard surface flooring is by far the best choice for a vacation home. Whether its hardwood, cork, laminate or luxury vinyl tile, any one of these materials will meet the demands of vacation living.

2. Elevate With Hardwood

If you want your cottage décor to reflect the natural beauty of the outdoors, then hardwood is a great choice. It can be a little more expensive, but it definitely adds to the resale value of your getaway home. Red oak, white oak, and maple are all hardwood species that are tough and less likely to scratch.

If you are looking for a vintage feel to your space and feel that scratches add charm, then softer woods such as walnut, hickory or pine are perfect. Also, look for a hardwood floor finish that is less likely to show dust and everyday wear and tear. Lower gloss levels, wire brushed or hand scraped finishes are great at maintaining that cottage charm and disguising the dirt.

TORLYS smart hardwood is available in many species, including oak, walnut, and even bamboo.

3. Engineered Hardwood or Solid Hardwood

If you have your heart set on hardwood and you are not concerned about keeping your floor looking showroom perfect, then engineered hardwood is a great choice. Engineered hardwood floors are designed to resist warping caused by temperature and moisture variation. But, they still give you the look and feel of hardwood.

TORLYS SuperSolid hardwood features long, wide planks and a best-in-class KLUMPP finish.

4. CorkWood is Warm and Comfortable

If your vacation property is open all year or you’re looking for a softer, quieter hard surface floor check out CorkWood flooring from TORLYS. CorkWood was created to provide all the best-liked benefits of other floors in one superior, all-inclusive floor. It combines the authenticity of natural wood with the durability of laminate and comfort of an innovative hardwearing and eco-friendly cork floor. TORLYS CorkWood is an engineered construction that allows the floor to expand and contract with temperature change, avoiding warping or gaps. This means it is perfect for a seasonal property and is quite a durable flooring option.

TORLYS CorkWood is available in on-trend colours that include a wonderful range of vintage-inspired floors. Vintage is the perfect décor for country vacation homes, it’s relaxing, forgiving and delivers maximum comfort and charm.

5. Alternatives to Wood

If your vacation home is adjacent to a body of water you know the challenges of keeping your furniture and floors clean and dry. TORLYS offers both high-quality laminate flooring and the latest luxury vinyl tile EverWood, both designed to handle high traffic, sand, and sea!

Laminate was originally designed as an alternative to wood. It offers the look of hardwood but stands up to tough conditions – the perfect cottage flooring.

TORLYS also offers EverWood and EverTile, two lines of luxury vinyl flooring that is specifically designed to resist water and stay stylish. EverWood and EverTile also feature Microban® antimicrobial product protection that inhibits the growth of mould and mildew should water get under the floors. Take a look at how TORLYS laminate and vinyl plank flooring work with the latest coastal and cottage interiors.

To bring TORLYS floors into your cottage, visit your local TORLYS dealer to see our floors in person. You can also order samples of floors you want to see in your home.

TORLYS Design Notes: Creating Space with Flooring

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If you live in a condo or an older home with the original floor plan, chances are your home is space challenged. If you’re lucky and have the time to renovate then space can be created with money and a good contractor. But if rooms can’t expand and the budget is tight, how can we create the feeling of additional space in the same-sized room? Here are a few creative tricks that may not change the square footage, but will open things up visually.

Less Means More

First step, get rid of the clutter! If you are a passionate viewer of HGTV and watch carefully most of the WOW at the end of the show is that all the “stuff” that was in the “before” space has magically disappeared. Donate to a charity, have a garage sale or take it to the dump, one way or the other de-clutter! All possessions should have a permanent home, a place where they belong and can disappear when you need to create space.

Focus Your Colour Story

This long, narrow room houses a living area, office and entertainment centre in no more than 120 square feet! The light, bright neutral palette goes a long way to creating the illusion of space. Light wood tones combined with layers of cream keep the space almost seamless. When there is less definition it gives the feeling of endless space. Furniture with built-in storage and cabinetry in the same colour as the wall will hide all functional clutter.

Don’t be Afraid of White

When selecting your colour focus, depending on your lifestyle, white can be a great option. White, when applied in layers from the wall colour to the upholstery, will free up the feel of your room. Select a natural wood floor with lots of grain character to soften the sterile nature of white. The result is soft, relaxing and never feels cramped. Busy households with children and pets may have to opt for a different strategy.

Go Wide and Long

In addition to a monochromatic colour story space will open up when you install larger flooring planks. In addition, you will achieve an elongated feel to the room if the planks are installed following the longest room dimension. Gone are the days when hardwood was typically available in 2 ¼” widths and 48” lengths. Today, engineered hardwood planks can be found in excess of 5” in width and lengths over 70”. In the image above, we’ve included two great samples from TORLYS.

Focus on Height and a Touch of Drama

A small room will expand when you draw the eye up and away from the width and length restriction of the room. Vertical tricks using tall accessories, floor-length mirrors, and dramatic ceiling fixtures go a long way to creating the feeling of space. Your eye will take in the entire room right to the ceiling, well above the furniture where there is all kinds of open air and less clutter.

TORLYS Design Notes: Kitchen Cabinets

Posted on by torlys

If you are considering a kitchen renovation, keep in mind that the design focus in the room will be the kitchen cabinets and the single largest surface to cover is the floor. If these two elements are not in harmony, your kitchen design could be in trouble. Here are a few things to consider when selecting your kitchen design and finishes:

Decide on the overall design story before you start shopping for materials. Not all finishes work in every interior design scheme. Gather lots of your favourite kitchen images off of the internet and from magazines, and when you’re ready, narrow them down to your favourite overall theme. Don’t get caught selecting a material or colour just yet: keep your search high-level.

Select the design that suits your lifestyle. No matter how beautiful an all-white modern kitchen looks if your schedule is crazy and your cooking style is flamboyant, stay away from a kitchen that demands perfection and zero clutter. On the other hand, if you hate clutter and all materials must match, you would be wise to avoid a casual country or industrial kitchen design. The “stuff” needed to create the feel of relaxation could drive you crazy. Select a kitchen design that makes your life easy, yet still delivers the design features you love.

Once you have inspirational images and decided on a design story, start gathering material options and samples. Start with those elements that have the least colour or finish options. There are hundreds of paint and fabric colours to choose from, but wood finishes may be limited to just 8 or 10. Select the kitchen cabinets and flooring first. Make sure the colour and the characteristics of the materials compliment each other and work with your overall design scheme. Here are a few examples that may help:

Glam It Up

The drama of high contrast will also create a feeling of glamour in a traditional kitchen. If the kitchen cabinets are a rich creamy finish and ornately detailed with lots of sparkling glass, try a contrasting hardwood floor and stone countertop in deep charcoal or chocolate.

Natural Warmth

If you’re a purist about wood and love to see natural grain and imperfections, then look for kitchen cabinets in pine, hickory, red oak or rustic maple. These species have lots of character and lend themselves to a casual or country kitchen. Your decorating challenge will be calming down the red and orange overtones that come with the species. The right selection of flooring can help. Unless you want a log cabin effect, avoid matching the flooring to the cabinets. Going with a lighter shade of wood may wash out the overall décor. Try a deeper wood stain in the brown family it will highlight the cabinets and tone down the red.

Country Casual

Whitewashed oak, maple or pine are perfect kitchen cabinet choices if you are trying to create a French country kitchen. A white transparent stain over natural wood creates a vintage quality making grey and antique white a perfect colour scheme. Grey stained wood floors are the latest trend and there are lots to choose from.

Bright White

White kitchen cabinets are perfect if you want a décor that is fresh, clean and spirited. A white colour scheme makes small kitchens appear bigger and dark kitchens brighter. In this case, the cabinet style has a relaxed country feel with lots of vintage details. In keeping with this theme its best to introduce a natural wood floor with lots of natural grain character. A white floor could wash out the space and a dark floor is too dramatic for the charm you are trying to create.

Classic Contemporary

If you want a modern kitchen and want to avoid going too starkly minimal play with texture. In this case, the shaker cabinets are simple but the subway tile and brick backsplash add warmth and character as does the addition of polished chrome, acrylic, and glass. The right floor will also warm things up. This space is very neutral the right floor will add character without disturbing the classic modern feel.

You can browse all of TORLYS options at our website, or visit your local TORLYS dealer!

Personalizing Your Space

Posted on by torlys

Whether you’ve just moved into your new home or you’re renting a temporary space, it’s important to add some personalization and make it yours. Instead of spending hours pouring over mountains of magazines to determine what you want your space to be, follow the latest “anti-design” trend and personalize your space.

In the 1960s it was called bohemian style, in the 1990s it was called “eclectic living”, and today we call it “curating your space”. If you search either term, the same design styles will appear because although the names are different, the rules are the same: create a space that expresses your personality and lifestyle.

This means personalizing your space to make it about what you like and putting your lifestyle first. So if you’re a bookworm, you might have a jumbled space with walls covered in bookshelves. And if you’re someone who loves the opera, you might have framed posters and memorabilia around your home. Either way, express who you are.

How to Personalize Your Space

Getting the eclectic look can seem confusing because it doesn’t follow a set list of rules. Follow these simple tips when designing your curated space while keeping your needs and passions in mind and your personalized space will come together perfectly.

  • Make your space all about you
  • Mix different textures (ie. leather, wool, cotton, silk)
  • Don’t buy matching furniture sets
  • Use pieces from different eras
  • Practice balance — eclectic style doesn’t mean anything goes
  • Don’t worry too much about symmetry

Find Your Focus

Don’t be shy or conservative with your choices. It is fun to add a significant or dramatic accessory that is your statement piece and that represents your lifestyle.

If you love the outdoors and cycling, hang your bike vertically on the entry hall wall. If music is your first love, cover the walls in sheet music, album covers, and vintage instruments.

How to Pick Patterns and Textures

Once you know what you’d like your space to focus on, it’s time to decide on a colour family (brights, neutrals, pastels, etc.) and a pattern and texture preference. If you never tire of colour and graphic patterns, keep your colour theme saturated and bold.

Start looking for textiles, artwork, and accessories that compliment that theme. Remember, your space is about function, so the comfort level of the textures you choose is key to your room. Stay soft and tactile.

How to Arrange Your Furniture

The shopping, collecting, and rearranging never ends with a personalized space. Just as we change our minds, we change our interior décor. As you are pulling your space together, stop frequently and assess your progress. The space should make you feel 100% at home, happy and totally comfortable. The only rule you shouldn’t break is to be true to what you like.

Examples of Personalized Spaces

1. Personalizing Your Space for Life, Work, and Play

The formula to personalizing your space is simple. The arrangement of the décor should suit how you have always wanted to live, work and play. If reading is your passion, then book-lined walls, floor lamps and big comfy chairs should be the focus; not a formal sofa or china cabinet.

Function over Design

The space is not large so the décor is set up to maximize personal comfort. The bed is positioned to take advantage of the view; lighting and wall shelves reflect an avid reader; and the colour story is classic and timeless. The small settee creates an ideal spot for reading if it is not quite time for bed. Image from Rize Studos.

Design to Entertain

This space is an ideal set up for entertaining guests. There are lots of seating options; no one sits outside the circle (including the family pup); and everyone has a spot for cocktails and munchies. The interior design reflects a boho feel with lots of mismatched colour and print. You can imagine the fun, expressive personality of the owner. Image from Aleteia.

2. Design by the Decades

Choosing an era or decade can be helpful for personalizing your space. If you have always liked the 1960’s then shopping garage sales for mid-century modern furniture and accessories is the answer. Research the era and start collecting iconic pieces that speak to the decade.

Personalize Vintage:

Every item within this room is rooted in traditional design and, if set up in perfect symmetry, the decor would feel old and stuffy. However, because the items are large in scale and positioned asymmetrically (off line), the room has a contemporary, over stuffed feeling of comfort.

Mid-Century Statement:

If the 50’s is an era you love, this space is perfect. The bold use of colour and pattern showcase the vintage furniture. The sparse use of artwork and accents reflect an “anti-design” attitude. The contrasting cement wall finish and distressed floor provide the perfect contrast. Definitely a one-of-a-kind living room. Image from Anthropology Home.

3. Picking Patterns and Textures

Once you have a focus, then decide on a colour family (brights, neutrals, pastels etc) and a pattern and texture preference. Start scouting textiles, artwork, accessories that compliment that theme. Texture is important. If comfort is key to the room, then textiles should be soft and tactile. If retro modern is the direction, then high gloss finishes and geometric shapes are key.

The shopping, collecting, and rearranging never ends with a personalized space. Just as we change our minds, so does our interior décor. As you are pulling your space together, stop frequently and assess your progress. The space should make you feel 100% at home. It should make you feel happy and totally comfortable. The only rule you shouldn’t break is to be true to what you like.

Don’t be shy or conservative with your choices! It is fun to add a significant or dramatic accessory that is your statement piece. If you love the outdoors and love to cycle, then hang your bike vertically on the entry hall wall. If music is your first love, cover the walls in sheet music, album covers, and vintage instruments.

Love of Colour and Print:

If you never tire of colour and love graphic patterns this space is a perfect personal reflection. The colours are saturated and bold without being too loud. The prints do not match, but they flatter each other and create a creative energy in the space.

Mix and Match (above left):

Personalize your brunch buffet or a seasonal table display by breaking the rules and mixing and stacking different shapes of serve ware. Scattered fruit, cheese, and nuts for mingling guests to munch on prior to the main meal. The mix of stemware with lower profile plates creates a better landscape. Add candles and flowers for a special occasion.

Bold Decisions (above right):

The giant “E” on the mantel could reflect a name or represent what they were going for like – “enjoy” or “everything (I love) ” There is no rhyme or reason to the décor except the scale, texture, and colour scheme are bold. It’s all vintage, but the era’s are 100’s of years apart. You could define the personality of the owner as confident and “one of a kind”. Images From Anthropology Home.

Personalizing Your Space

The names are different but the rules are the same: personalizing your space is all about what you like and putting your lifestyle first. Find your local TORLYS dealer to create the perfect backdrop for your personal style!

Our Advice For Styling Pale Floors in Your Home

Posted on by torlys

From the lightest whites to the warmest caramels, TORLYS has a wide selection of light hardwood and laminate flooring that will open up any space and make your home feel brighter and lighter. While darker floors tend to be bold and dramatic, pale floors are contemporary, airy and artistic. Here are a few light-coloured flooring decorating tips to help you achieve the look and feel you want:

Pale Floors & Dramatic Walls

If you love the colour of your floor, consider painting your walls at least two shades darker or lighter. Doing this will make sure your walls don’t match your floors exactly but complement its colour instead. Did you know that the same paint colour will look different depending on the room? A room with a southern exposure will make a wall look brighter and lighter. A room with a northern exposure has walls that look darker and duller.

The great thing about light wooden floors is that you can use darker, dramatic paints for walls without causing the room to look small or enclosed. Don’t go too dark and keep your furniture light in colour. You can also create a seaside look with light blue paint and wooden furniture.

Wood This Work?

When selecting an accent colour for your pale floors, follow the feel of your floor. If your flooring has cool hues to it, select accents that are cooler. Blues, bright greens, purples and gray-greens are all considered cold colors. You can also bring in white furniture with blue undertones to create a very cool feeling and looking area.

Pale floors with warmer hues work well with warm colours such as soft white. These colours include golds, yellows, oranges, and reds. You can also make green a warmer colour by adding yellow to it. If you don’t match the feel of your floor and your accent colours, your light hardwood could actually make your walls look dull. To find out the true hue of your floor, put a clean white sheet of paper on it. Pure white will make the undertones of your floor pop.

Wood on Wood

If your existing accents and furniture are a different hue or grain of wood than the light hardwood floor you want, never fear, you can make it work. Wood with different finishes can go together, you should just follow these general guidelines.

Before you select your new hardwood floor, look at the wood in your home. What species is it? You should pick a floor that is in the same wood family to create a cohesive look. Light wood has a more modern feel than darker wood such as cherry. Keep the mood of the wood consistent and your room will come together.

When it comes to matching grain, here’s the rule: do or don’t! You should either include multiple grains of wood in your space or stick to one. Avoid having one area of the room with different grains of wood and the rest of the area featuring only one.

If you are combining wood finishes and grains, bring them together with one bold, distinctive accent colour. Splash this hue on walls and include it in accent pieces around the room to bring the space together!

If you’d like to bring pale floors into your home, visit your local TORLYS dealer to see what we have to offer. You can also browse our collections online and order samples to test TORLYS floors in your home.

TORLYS Design Notes: Jumpstart Spring

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Enough with WINTER! The calendar says March, the clocks have moved ahead and retail stores are brimming with Easter goodies! We should be enjoying the freshness of SPRING not shovelling snow and hibernating indoors!

We may not be able to rush Mother nature outdoors, but we can push things ahead indoors. Here are a few inspirational ideas for rushing the season.

Indoor Gardening

Tulips and daffodils, like most spring bulbs, will bloom just as beautiful inside as they do outside! Force bulbs by planting them loosely in rocks and soil, provide sunshine, water and within a few weeks your indoor garden will be thriving. When long stem flowers become unruly, place them in a taller bucket to keep them under control.

Change Over Accessories

Store away dark or neutral accessories and replace them with your favourite spring colour. Keep it to one colour to maximize punch and focus on small inexpensive pieces like pillows and ceramics. Add a few flowers, sit back and enjoy an early burst of Spring.

Take a Risk!

Neutral walls come alive when you mix time, energy and a gallon or two of brightly coloured paint. Select a bright tone hidden within your décor (upholstery, wall art or drapery) and apply it to the walls. You will be amazed at the impact and how it energizes the room all year round. If the risk is too great for a main room, choose a bedroom, powder room or sunroom.

Natural Trend Inspires Spring

Wood tones are trending lighter and brighter. Flooring and cabinetry are moving away from dark espresso stains and showcasing natural wood grain. The resulting interiors are fresh and naturally inspire a feeling of Spring. If renovations are on your horizon explore natural or whitewashed wood, laminate, vinyl tile or cork.

What changes are you making in your home for spring? Share your photos over on our Facebook page!

Greenery: Colour of the Year 2017

Posted on by torlys

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Pantone has introduced its 2017 Color of the Year: Greenery. And guess what? We love it. But how do you work a new colour into your home’s décor?

What is PANTONE Colour of the Year?

Pantone is the number one colour system used by the home, automobile and apparel industry worldwide. Every year the Pantone institute features colour choices that are symbolic of what is taking place in our global culture and that serves as an expression of a mood and an attitude.

Pantone Color of the Year 2017

After years of Pantone doing its Color of the Year, “Greenery” has been selected as the Colour of the Year for 2017. It is a refreshing and revitalizing shade, symbolic of new beginnings. The colour is a fresh and zesty shade of yellow-green, evoking the first days of spring when nature’s greens revive, restore and renew.

Here’s a quick timeline of past colours that made the cut:Pantone Colour of the Year 2010-2017

“Greenery” has been selected as the Colour of the Year for 2017, it is a refreshing and revitalizing shade, symbolic of new beginnings.

This fresh and zesty shade of yellow-green evokes the first days of spring when nature’s greens revive, restore and renew. “Greenery” is nature’s neutral. The more submerged people are in modern life, the greater their innate craving to immerse themselves in the physical beauty and inherent unity of the natural world. This shift is reflected in daily lives through urban planning, architecture, lifestyle, and design choices globally. A constant on the periphery, “Greenery” is now being pulled to the forefront – it is an omnipresent colour around the world.

Though “Greenery” may be a bold green, it is easily softened when combined with light wood tones; fresh, crisp white; touches of silver; and transparent glass. It is a colour that will bring spring into your home before the snow melts and stay fresh and relaxing all year. The kitchen, bath, and laundry room are perfect spaces to showcase “Greenery”; not to mention outdoor living spaces like the patio or porch.

How to Add New Colours to Your Décor

Try adding the Pantone Color of the Year to in your kitchen, bath, and laundry room. These spaces are perfect for showcasing “Greenery”. And don’t forget your outdoor living spaces like the patio or porch!

If you’re looking to make small changes in your kitchen and bathroom, add “Greenery” through small accents like hand towels or even a coloured bar of soap. For your living room, add some bright blankets, pillows and even some candles to bring new colours into space. The good thing about “Greenery” is that there are many natural elements you can add around your home like beautiful, leafy plants, or cute succulents, or even a bowl of Granny Smith apples.

And of course, for a more dramatic, permanent change, consider painting an accent wall or your cupboards in your laundry room. This will add a lot of colour and freshen things up.

The Perfect Floors for “Greenery”

It’s not likely many of us will select “Greenery” as a flooring colour. However, the newest trend in today’s wood tones is the perfect pairing for “Greenery”. Whether its hardwood, laminate, cork or vinyl tile, the direction is back to natural tones. Natural or lightly stained wood shows grain and character to its best advantage. The overall effect is fresh, spirited and organically beautiful.

Styling Grey Floors

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Grey hardwood or laminate flooring is versatile. Its clear, glassy appearance enhances natural light, opening spaces to make rooms feel airy. While a grey floor looks delicate, scratches and stains seem to blend right in. Grey floors are timeless and your decorating options are endless. Warm and cozy. High-tech and contemporary. Traditional and elegant. Read more to find out how to create your ideal space.

5 Shades of Grey Floors

The key to styling your grey floors is understanding the shade of grey your floors are because grey flooring isn’t just “grey flooring”. Every grey hue has undertones that give it a personality of its own. A personality that needs to be considered when deciding on décor pieces. There are five main shades of grey floors:

  • Yellow
  • Brown/Beige
  • Red
  • Blue
  • Green

Yellow, brown and beige tones will give a grey floor a soft, comforting feel. Grey hardwood or laminate with a blue or green tint will make a space feel cool and contemporary. The darkness of your floor can also change its personality. Light grey floors will create an airy and open space; darker shades will make a room look more intimate and modern.

Styling Grey Floors

Now that you know more about choosing the right shade of grey floors, let’s take a look at decorating them because no matter what shade or hue you choose, you need to follow these guidelines to create the perfect feel for you and your space:

Dark Floors

Pops of red add a bold statement to an otherwise neutral room and look good with dark grey floors. Other bold colours like black and white can add some drama and a modern vibe to your space. However, if your floors have a dark brown hue, black acts as a neutral because it blends in with the hue of the floors more. Other neutral colours also look great with brown-grey floors.

Light Floors

Although dark colours bring things in to create a warmer space, using colours with warm undertones can create an airy yet cozy space. Consider adding cream, beige and other warm colours to maintain a neutral, airy look. Creams also soften a red-grey floor, toning down any obvious undertones. Add silver furniture and décor for a high-tech, masculine feel.

Quick tips for styling grey floors:

  • Pink and purple accents soften red-grey floors while creating a romantic, sensual feel.
  • Use golds and brown to warm up blue-grey floors.
  • Pops of blue add an elegant, stylish look. You can do this with pillows, throws, paint and curtains.
  • Green is a great go-to colour for a relaxing, rustic room. Leafy plants and bamboo furniture can keep your space natural but not boring.

Now that you know more on styling grey floors, its time to find the perfect shade for you. At TORLYS, we have a variety of grey floors available in different sizes and materials. Here are some of our favourites:

TORLYS Design Notes: Functional with Flair

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Who says functional, utility spaces must look like the inside of the garage? We all need a front entrance that can handle the kids and the dog on a rainy day or where we can unload groceries and smelly sport bags. But it doesn’t have to look utilitarian and permanently piled with clutter. Today, there are storage options and finishes that can meet the challenge of the family front entrance and still maintain a sense of style.

First rule: select a floor that stands up to dirt, water, snow or whatever the dog drags in and still looks and feels great. Consider luxury vinyl tile, it delivers the look you want but it will stand up to whatever your entrance demands.

The second rule is build in lots of easy access storage. Install shelves, cubbies, coat hooks, storage benches and cabinets and assign everyone their own drop off point to help keep it organized.

Finally, make sure you add colour with paint or decorative accessories it will give the entrance a personality, making the space a pleasure to enter. Interior by Crisp Architects.

TORLYS Design Notes: Welcome Home!

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Welcome Home!

The design of a home’s front entrance carries the responsibility of making that critical “first impression”. This space must welcome guests, offer enough space to easily remove coats and boots and it sets the design tone for the rest of the house.

When you walk through your front door how does the entrance make you feel? Is it warm, welcoming and functional or do you have to wade through mountains of shoes, clutter and this weeks recycling just to find a spot to remove your coat?

Take some time and design your front hall just like you would any other room in the house.

Be practical

  • choose an easy care front door mat
  • select a floor that’s beautiful but stands up to rain and snow like luxury vinyl tile
  • and always provide a hall bench and table that cleverly conceals everyday clutter or provides a spot to perch

Be creative

  • carefully select a warm welcoming paint colour
  • hang a large scale mirror to expand the space
  • add the perfect light fixture that is both flattering and functional

There you have it the perfect front entrance!

TORLYS