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From family breakfasts to cocktails to holiday dinners, everyone seems to congregate in the kitchen. So it only makes sense that the flooring you choose for your kitchen could be one of the most important decisions you make in your home.

It will have to handle everything from spills to a dropped pan of your famous lasagna, so it needs to be durable. The kitchen also tends to be a gathering place for everything from Sunday morning pancakes to dinner parties. So, you’ll want it to be a space you love and are proud to show off.

And when it comes to selecting your new kitchen floors the choices can seem endless. That’s why we’ve put together a guide to help you find the ideal kitchen flooring for your home.

What to Consider When Choosing Kitchen Flooring

The kitchen floor sets the stage for the style and function of your kitchen. When deciding on the type of floor to choose, consider things such as comfort, ease of cleaning, lifestyle and of course, your sense of style.

Cooking

Do you spend hours in your kitchen prepping meals and trying out new recipes? Then you’ll want something that is soft and warm so hours of standing and letting your inner chef out won’t wreak havoc on your back.

Cleaning

Does the thought of daily mopping and sweeping have you feeling exhausted before you even pick up a broom? Select a floor that is easy to clean, stain resistant and won’t show every little crumb.

Activity

Do you have kids and pets that seem to spend most of their time and energy under your feet in the kitchen? You’ll definitely want something durable that can stand up to messes, toys and of course, daily games of tag. Did we mention you’ll probably want something non-slip too?

Style

And last, but certainly not least, think about your sense of style. Just because your kitchen needs to be functional, doesn’t mean it can’t look stunning.

Are you on the hunt for something sleek and modern? Maybe you’re more the sophisticated and understated type. Or perhaps your taste skews rustic with some character?

From vinyl to cork to laminate, TORLYS has the types of flooring, colours, and styles to transform your kitchen floor into the space you’ve been dreaming of.

EverWood Designer in Seabright

EverWood Designer

An excellent choice for kitchen flooring, EverWood Designer is warm to the touch and comfortable underfoot. It’s resistant to water, mold, and mildew so it’s great for under appliances and won’t be phased by water drips from doing the dishes in the sink.

Its 0.5mm wear layer makes it extremely durable so it will maintain its great looks no matter how busy your kitchen is. EverWood Designer luxury vinyl plank is also dent resistant, quiet (so late night fridge snacking can stay your little secret), and very easy to maintain.

This collection has the longest and widest planks along with trendy styles and realistic textures. EverWood Designer has 4-sided finished bevels and boasts a contemporary colour palette. Those with modern taste will find it easy to incorporate into their kitchen.

Tip: While vinyl might seem easy to install yourself, a professional installer will make sure you fully reap the waterproof benefits of your EverWood floors.

EverTile Premier in Roxbury

EverTile Premier

Nothing screams kitchen flooring quite like tile. But traditional tiles can be cold, must be installed on a perfectly level surface and can’t always withstand the crashes and bangs that kitchens are prone to.

With EverTile Premier luxury vinyl tiles, you get the look of tile with a durable surface and much more practical choice for kitchens. It’s also resistant to water, mold, and mildew so spills or a leaky dishwasher won’t bother it one bit.

Our EverTile Premier floors have an attached CorkPlus™ underlay, which makes them softer underfoot than ceramic tiles. They also come equipped with Microban® antimicrobial protection, so you don’t need to worry about germs growing in and under your floors.

It’s quiet and warm underfoot so you can enjoy your kitchen without having to wear slippers all the time. EverTile Premier is also dent resistant, hypoallergenic and amazingly easy to maintain and keep clean. These tiles are on-trend and come in a range of colours and textures so there is most definitely a tile for your style.

Thinking about getting a little creative? Here are some kitchen flooring ideas from Pinterest.

TORLYS Cork Florence Premier in Vintage Sand Stone

Cork Florence Premier

Cork is becoming an increasingly popular choice for kitchen floors. It’s not only a stunning, but you can feel good about your purchase too. Cork is recognized worldwide as a floor with unsurpassed environmental advantages.

TORLYS Cork Florence Premier is FSC® (Forest Stewardship Council®) certified, ensuring your floor meets strict environmental standards. Cork is naturally antibacterial and the CorkPlus™ attached underlay with Microban® antimicrobial product protection take this choice to a whole other level.

It’s also suited for installation below grade, over radiant heated subfloors, over concrete and even over some existing floors. This is ideal for a speedy renovation or a kitchen in a basement suite.

Cork floors have long been cherished for their striking looks, natural warmth, and eco-friendly attributes. But unlike traditional cork floors, Cork Florence Premier from TORLYS has our very own Smart Finish for increased durability.

Tip: Add a bit extra to your flooring order so you have replacements should a tile become damaged down the road.

TORLYS Envique laminate in Woodland Oak

Envique Laminate

Do you want the warmth and sleek look of hardwood floors in the kitchen but you’re not sure traditional hardwood is up to the job? Our Envique laminate floors will give you the look of hardwood but will wear like laminate.

This waterproof collection features 24-hour spill protection, making it the perfect floor for a messy kitchen. You won’t have to worry about spilt milk when you install TORLYS Envique laminate floors! Later in 2018, the waterproof features of Envique will expand to other laminate collections. This benefit is not going away any time soon!

Our Envique laminate floors can be installed transition-free up to 50′ x 50′. This means that you can install it seamlessly from your kitchen through to your dining room, making it perfect for an open concept main floor.

Tip: For extra cushioning when standing, install the recommended underlay to ensure durability and comfort.

There is no “best flooring” for a kitchen, but there are certainly options that are better than others. At the end of the day, the choice you make for your kitchen floor should combine form and function. With the number of quality kitchen flooring options available, you should never have to sacrifice looks for durability and practicality.

Find your nearest TORLYS dealer and talk to them about your kitchen flooring needs. They’ll be able to help you pick the right material and look for a kitchen that will look amazing today and for the years to come.

For many people, the word basement brings to mind a cold, damp, dark space. Perhaps it’s just a room filled with boxes or that part of your home that houses your hot water tank and fuse box. Some might even think of it as creepy. But we’re not here to talk about the basement from your childhood. Today, basements are full of potential. Think of it as a blank canvas, waiting to become a theatre room, play space or even additional bedrooms. Choosing a basement flooring and finishing your basement not only expands your living space but also increases the value of your home.

One of the most important decisions when finishing a basement is the flooring. Whether you’re installing a basement subfloor or your new floor will be installed directly over the basement concrete floor, you want to select a product that not only looks great but is designed for an area that is prone to moisture.

Here are 6 of the best basement flooring options to make your space cozy, modern and a place you’ll love spending time in.

Basement Flooring Options for Your Home

1. CorkWood Designer

CorkWood Designer is a fantastic choice for basements thanks to its durability and the added comfort it provides in a chilly basement. It comes in extra-long, wide planks in an array of beautiful wood patterns, on-trend colours with a variety of realistic textures, so there’s sure to be an option that fits your basement vision. It also boasts a 3mm top layer and polyurethane finish equivalent to top-rated AC4 laminate. The beveled edges are sealed for increased water resistance and it’s an FSC® certified option, so it’s good for the environment too.

2. Cork Florence Designer

Cork Florence Designer flooring from TORLYS is an excellent insulating product for cold basements and a modern take on traditional cork flooring. The wide planks are the longest available in the cork collection. They are available in a variety of beautiful natural colours and styles. Each plank is richly textured, designed with a 4-sided beveled edge and complete with the TORLYS smart finish giving it the durability you want in a basement. It’s also an FSC® certified option.

3. EverWood Designer

An excellent choice for vinyl basement flooring, EverWood Designer is warm to the touch and comfortable underfoot. This series has the longest and widest planks along with trendy styles and realistic textures. EverWood Designer has 4-sided finished bevels that match easily with a contemporary colour palette. Its 0.5mm wear layer and waterproof qualities also makes this great a practical option if Fido is prone to accidents on the floor.

4. EverTile Elite

Ceramic and slate tiles can be a beautiful and practical solution for basement floors. Traditional tiles can be cold, but with EverTile Elite you get a uniquely warm and durable surface. These tiles are on-trend and come in a range of colours and textures with 4-sided bevels and a 0.5mm wear layer. Plus, they can stand up to pets*, kids, and spills. Looking for unfinished basement ideas? Check out these Pinterest inspirations.

* pet-friendly features of EverWood and EverTile apply only to pet urine, not to pet scratches.

5. Smart Hardwood

Hardwood in the basement? You bet! Smart Hardwood from TORLYS is not only beautiful, it’s gap, cup and dent resistant. Choose from a variety of rustic, crafted textures with a matte or medium gloss finish to emphasize the natural grains. This hardwood has a 4-sided bevel and is full of character, just like your new basement.

6. Don’t Forget Underlay

Even though you don’t see the underlay, it plays an important role in the durability and comfort of your new basement floor. Many TORLYS underlay options offer antimicrobial technology and a moisture barrier to protect against subfloor moisture. This is ideal in basements due to the amount of moisture that is likely present. The Safe & Sound underlay for TORLYS is great for minimizing subfloor imperfections and has unique acoustic properties. There is also the CorkPlus™ with Microban® product which is great for insulation and even offers antimicrobial protection.

Find your nearest TORLYS dealer and chat with them about your basement flooring needs. They’ll be able to recommend the right flooring and underlay for your basement. Then, you’ll be on your way to spending more time in your comfortable basement.

Planning a kitchen renovation next? Stay tuned for our upcoming post on Kitchen flooring options.

Let’s be honest, summer 2017 has been temperamental and soggy. Thankfully, in just a few weeks a new season arrives for us to enjoy—FALL! This season brings bright sunny days, cool crisp evenings, holiday anticipation, and of course, the changing of the leaves.

Fall is also the number one season for interior renovations. It’s the perfect time to take a look at your living and dining spaces and give them a facelift. A new coat of paint is easy and inexpensive and changing outdated lighting will add sparkle to any room. However, the best investment you can make is to upgrade your floors to hardwood.

Change your flooring

Hardwood flooring will add beauty, warmth, comfort and luxury to any room. In the past, hardwood was not always an option if the climate you lived in experienced extreme temperatures and humidity shifts. If you lived in a condo apartment, you had to forget about hardwood—its cement foundation was too unstable. But thanks to TORLYS, those problems are no longer issues! TORLYS has engineered a hardwood floor that will perform beautifully in any condition or climate!

TORLYS SuperSolid

Introducing TORLYS SuperSolid flooring, a superior hardwood floor designed for stability and long-lasting performance. The patented 100% hardwood core construction allows the floor to be installed above and below grade—even over radiant heat. The floor has been designed to resist gapping, cracking and splitting even with humidity and temperature shifts.

TORLYS SuperSolid hardwood also offers stunning design features. The planks are long and vary in width; from 5″, to the newly introduced 6″ collection, to the 7″ series. The SuperSolid collection features a beautiful array of the latest hardwood colours, character and finishing options.

Creamy layers of rich neutrals make this space calm and inviting. The unique character of the TORLYS hardwood floor adds charm and texture.

Avoid the starkness of modern interiors by adding materials with texture and character. In this space, the brick wall, reclaimed vintage furniture, and rich grain of the TORLYS hardwood floor create a handsome, yet comfortable bedroom.

The luxury and comfort of grey come together in this relaxing living area. The rich grain character of the TORLYS hardwood floor complements the fieldstone fireplace and organic inspired details perfectly.

Natural white oak hardwood is the ideal flooring for almost any room because it works with many different décors. The clean, organic feel to this TORLYS floor gives the room a warm, contemporary feel. Simple, yet sophisticated.

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.

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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.

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:

Dark flooring is dramatic and breathtaking, but when paired with unflattering furniture and accents, a dark floor can make a room feel claustrophobic and heavy. Follow these tips to open up your room and bring out the beauty of your dark flooring. 

Furniture for a Dark Floor

Finding the right furniture to go with your dark floor may seem daunting, but in reality, you have many options. If you’re purchasing new pieces, wooden furniture that is a few shades lighter than your floor is ideal. This will give your space a warm feeling. To make your room seem seamless, match the legs of your furniture to the colour of your floor.

You can also mix and match. Consider selecting a dark wooden table and lighter chairs. The table will blend in with the floor, but the chairs will pop and stand out. You can also achieve the “blended in” look with wrought-iron furniture.

Looking for more inspiration? Mother Nature has it in abundance. Adding palm trees and green accents to your space will make your dark flooring feel exotic. Finish off the look with bamboo chairs, tables, and other furniture.

Your existing furniture can work with dark flooring as well—with a few small touches. If your couches, tables, and chairs are dark and disappear against your floor, a simple, light coloured rug will fix the problem and bring a touch of elegance to your room.

Walls

The design rule is: dark floor, light walls. White or off-white paint will open up your room and give your dark floor a lift. Lighter hues will also have the same effect. Light blue or lavender complement dark flooring perfectly. You should also consider the trim in your room. Painting trims and baseboards a vibrant white will define the area of your space and bring attention to your floor.

If your furniture is white, paint your walls a bold colour, such as Lucky Green by Sherwin-Williams. Add splashes of the paint colour via pillows, rugs and other accents to break up the white.

Another option for your walls is wainscoting. Light wood, tile, cultured marble or stone paneling will contrast with your dark flooring and give your space an elegant glow.

Other Materials and Accents

Leather, hide, velvet and even steel accents will complement a dark floor and give an area a soft, muddy or masculine feel. Think pillows, throws, rugs, and vases. For window treatments, keep them light and translucent—you want as much natural light in a room with a dark floor to make it feel spacious. In the kitchen, white cabinetry and countertops will make the room feel airy.

Rugs—either light or patterned—will break up the darkness of your floor and protect it as well. Remember, dark floors will show more dirt, dust and wear. When selecting your flooring, choose a company that offers superior quality flooring with above-grade finishes, like TORLYS.