The Unsung Hero Beneath Your Feet: Flooring Architecture Explained
When people think about design at home, they usually think about the walls, ceilings, or some amazing light fixture they posted on Instagram. But here's the insider scoop: the real foundation of any room is from the ground up. Flooring is often an afterthought, but it is what your family walks on every day, and it will create the vibe for your home.
At L+P Interiors, we believe that picking out flooring is similar to laying the first chapter down in the story of your home, if you will. It is easy to pick a material that is “pretty”; however, there is much more to think about, such as the best material for your lifestyle, likes, and daily routines (from knee-high kids running rampant to forgotten coffee cups spilling). We are here to dispense insight to help you choose flooring that is as functional as it is beautiful!
If you're sitting there wondering how to choose the flooring that will connect everything, you are in the right place! In this guide, we will discuss how we at L+P Interiors mix creativity and practicality to help you select a flooring option that feels like it was made just for you.
Thinking about new flooring? L+P Interiors brings form + function to every surface →
Understand the Big Picture First: Lifestyle, Aesthetics, and Architecture
Before you succumb to the temptation of that beautiful parquet or sleek concrete effect, be sure to take a moment to stop and consider that flooring is more than just a protective cover for your subfloor — it brings something to the table, not only literally, but also figuratively. It is an important aspect of a room's character.
At L+P Interiors, we place value on getting to know you and your space. We ask pertinent questions.
Who lives here? Are you a busy family with little ones and even a couple of furry friends?
What kind of light does your home soak in during the day? Morning sun, afternoon glow, or evening coziness?
Do you have any tricky areas—like a bathroom that battles moisture or a kitchen where spills are practically a given?
And most importantly, how does your home’s architecture speak to you—is it modern minimalism, classic craftsmanship, or a mix of both?
In Sausalito, clients want to feel a coastal-modern vibe. They wanted a floor that was stylish, yet warm and inviting all at once. We selected a wide plank European oak with a matte finish that reflected the soft driftwood tones of the beach nearby. In landscaping, we refer to a 'hardscape': the building block for the landscape, a floor is the building block of a home, it is more than just a floor, it is the starting chapter of the stories your home will create. Flooring should be the original tactile pleasure you experience when entering a room; it must feel right underfoot—this is its charm.
Let LP Interiors help you translate your life into the perfect flooring choice. Step one? Book a consultation.
Key Factors to Consider Before Choosing Flooring
We know that there’s a lot to consider, and you might feel like you’re drowning in choices. But let’s break it down into bite-sized pieces. Here’s what we look at when helping our clients choose the right flooring:
1. Environmental Conditions
Consider the location of the flooring. Bathrooms and laundry rooms need something that can withstand water, whereas living areas that receive sunlight may fade if the material isn’t appropriate. Coastal homes, like our projects in Nantucket, are all about moisture resistance.
2. Maintenance and Longevity
It’s one thing to love how your floor looks today, but what about a few months down the road? Our focus is to select materials that withstand incoming wear and tear, whether that be with protective finishes or materials that will simply endure their environment.
3. Architectural Style
Your floor should feel like it was made for your home, not an afterthought. Suppose that you are designing a 1920s Spanish Revival space, you may decide on terra cotta or perhaps hand-scraped hardwood. If you have a clean-lined modern house, you might pick wide-plank flooring or even polished concrete.
4. Budget—But Make It Beautiful
Yes, budget is important, but so is style. We enjoy building custom solutions within your budget envelope that can still deliver a custom, elevated design. There are materials like engineered wood, luxury vinyl plank (LVP), or suggested tile patterns that could serve you well as functional and unique solutions.
Elevated design meets practical solutions. Explore what’s possible with LP Interiors →
Flooring Types: Pros, Cons, and Best Use by Room
Now, let us get into some details of this. we will walk you through some flooring options that most people look at, the positives and negatives of each one based on my experience, and the cool projects we've executed at L+P.
Hardwood Flooring
Best For: Living rooms, bedrooms, and hallways
Pros: Timeless, warm, and could increase your home's value, it's like the classic notebook that will never go out of style.
Cons: It's moisture sensitive and scratches more easily than you'd like.
L+P Insight: On our St. Helena project, we played with white oak stains to create variety & depth while hiding wear, and it was a floor that told a story while softening normal use.
Engineered Wood
Best For: Kitchens, upper floors, and places prone to humidity
Pros: It gives you the appearance of authentic wood, but with improved moisture resistance—pretty much a win-win.
L + P Insight: Engineered wood is the best of both worlds for coastal homes, such as Nantucket, as it provides that traditional look, but not with the maintenance of solid wood.
Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP)
Best For: Areas with heavy foot traffic like kids’ rooms, mudrooms, and even rental spaces
Pros: It’s waterproof, low-maintenance, and surprisingly affordable.
Cons: Some people feel it doesn’t have the same authentic feel as real wood.
L+P Insight: We frequently elevate LVP by including custom inlay patterns or overlaying it with an aesthetic area rug, which adds warmth and character. There is no compromise with practicality in a low-maintenance product.
Tile (Ceramic & Porcelain)
Best For: Bathrooms, laundry rooms, and entryways
Pros: Tile is durable, comes in endless designs, and handles moisture like a champ.
Cons: It can feel a bit cold and hard, especially if you’re standing on it for a long time.
L+P Insight: One of our favorite projects in Belvedere featured a bathroom with patterned tile paired with radiant heat. It’s proof that you can have personality and comfort in one package.
Natural Stone (Slate, Marble, Travertine)
Best For: High-end remodels, grand entrances, and luxurious bathrooms
Pros: Stone brings stunning, one-of-a-kind patterns and an undeniable premium feel.
Cons: It’s on the pricier side, and sometimes it can be slippery.
L+P Insight: We utilize natural stone, such as slate, sparingly to create dramatic focal points. In one Belvedere master bath, the careful selection of stone helped to connect the design in a way that felt both bold and subtle.
Carpet
Best For: Bedrooms, media rooms, or any space where comfort is key
Pros: It’s soft, sound-absorbing, and perfect for creating a cozy environment.
Cons: It can trap allergens and stains if not maintained well.
L+P Insight: In cooler Northern California homes, a plush, wool carpet in the bedroom can add just the right touch of warmth and luxury.
Not sure how to coordinate flooring types across your home? LP Interiors specializes in seamless transitions.
Designer Tips: Marrying Material with Mood
At the end of the day, your floor isn’t just a surface—it’s the stage upon which life unfolds. Here are a few designer tips to help you marry material with mood:
For a Cozy, Grounded Feel: Consider textured oak or slate tile that adds a layer of natural warmth.
To Keep Things Bright and Airy: Pale maple or bleached wide-plank flooring can really open up a space.
For a Luxurious, Cocoon-Like Bedroom: Soft wool carpets paired with layered textiles can create a serene retreat.
The way you choose your flooring should reflect how you want to see yourself in each room. It’s not all about durability or upkeep—it’s about the experience of being in that room: tranquil and cozy, or bold and uplifting.
We partner with you to craft spaces that reflect who you are from the ground up. Let’s translate mood into material →
A Real Flooring Story: Belvedere Project
At times, hearing about a design decision in practice can better explain the decision. I’d like to recount a little story about the remodel we did in Belvedere—a remodel that was successful in both function and style.
The clients were a young family wanting a warm, welcoming environment for their toddlers and explorer dog, so they needed a floor that could take all the dog and kid running around and still look great! They specified a floor that could handle the activity level of their kids and dog, and be warm and inviting. We settled on a wire-brushed oak with a hard wax oil finish. It didn't just have a wax oil finish; the matte finish helped hide minuscule scratches while showcasing the beauty of the wood.
To provide added comfort and a touch of personality, we layered soft, woven wool rugs in every zone, providing a delineation line, texture, and warmth. Over the years of kids playing, the soft padding of the rug absorbed the laughter and moments of the family being together. It wasn't just a new floor, it was a space in which the family lived.
Flooring Mistakes to Avoid
We know you have seen bad flooring ideas online— we all have been there too, Here are a few things to avoid:
Chasing Trends: You don't want to choose something trendy at the cost of what will work for you and your lifestyle. Your floor should be pulling its weight!
Ignoring Lighting: The color and finish of a floor will look completely different depending on your home's lighting. Always see your choices in your own space!
DIY Installation: You might think going the DIY route seems fun, but installing flooring requires a little finesse. A mistake today can also cost you a big fix tomorrow.
Mismatched Transitions: Jamming two very different types of flooring together with no thought of transition can really break the continuity you've created in your home.
Flooring done beautifully and smartly is something we specialize in. Avoid costly mistakes— reach out to LP Interiors for expert guidance.
Our Process: From Vision to Installation
The process of taking clients through the design journey is one of the things we enjoy the most at L+P Interiors. Here is a taste of our journey and process.
Discovery Session: We will have an in-depth conversation about your lifestyle, your needs, and what you want to create in the space. No detail is too small.
Vision + Story Mapping: We want to take your ideas, create a mood board, and generate ideas that speak to your story. This is where the magic happens.
Floor Plans + Palette Decision: Together, we'll finalize floor plans and color palettes while talking about the appropriate vibe. We'll work together every step of the way.
Sourcing + Custom Selections: Whether it is a specified wood or custom tile pattern, we source materials to ensure you are getting exactly what you are envisioning.
Installation + Reveal: You'll travel to the installation site, and we will handle the logistics and reveal a space that feels just right.
By the end of it all, your floors aren’t just a product of installation—they’re the result of a conversation, creativity, and a genuine partnership.
Choosing the right flooring isn’t just picking a product off a shelf. Let’s start the conversation and bring your story to life from the ground up.
Your Story Starts Underfoot
We believe flooring is much more than a design consideration in your home. It is the literal physical connector and touch point between rooms, crafting a continuous storyline of how you live and who you are. It’s the comforting warmth to have beneath your coffee each morning or the base of style and sturdiness for your family’s raucous days and nights. A floor shares a part in your story every day.
At L+P Interiors, we strive to design spaces that are functional as well as beautiful, and heartfelt as well as stylish. Your home should be a place where every detail (even the floor!) reflects the flow of your unique life. If your floors could talk, we would want the stories they tell to be unmistakably you.
Ready to get started? Let’s make sure your floors tell your story.
Reach out to us at hello@larkandpalm.com or start your design journey here.
