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Ask Ken - Flooring Advice

Choose the Right Floor the First Time.

Most people start by picking a color or pattern. We think that's the very last step. Start with choosing a floor that fits how you live.

Ken's Take: The 5 Questions to Ask Before You Buy a Floor

Ken walks through the framework he uses with every customer, starting with what you're trying to solve and ending with the details that make a floor look right in your specific room.

Start Here: What Do You Need This Floor to Do?

Objective. Most people walk into a showroom with a product already in mind. The better starting point is a question: what are you actually trying to solve? A bedroom floor has different demands than a kitchen or an entryway. Knowing your objective first means you're choosing from the right category before you look at anything else.

Budget. Don't worry, flooring prices are already set before you walk in. Tell us your general range early. Are you looking for high-end sisal carpet or are you a landlord looking for an all-purpose carpet? Knowing your range early saves time and makes sure we're showing you the best options within it.

Performance. Do you have dogs? Kids? Are people walking straight in from outside without a mudroom? Performance is the question most people skip, and it's the one that matters most long-term. A floor that looks beautiful but can't handle your household will disappoint you. Vinyl plank, solution-dyed carpet, and porcelain tile are all strong performers. Hardwood and natural fiber options require more care.

Vinyl plank flooring samples on a display rack showing the range of color and style options available
Vinyl plank holds up to spills, pets, and heavy traffic without a lot of upkeep. Today's options look far better than they used to.

Now the Fun Part: Color and Pattern.

Color. Once you've narrowed by objective, budget, and performance, color is where the decision gets enjoyable. Go beyond beige and white. A floor with real color or character reads as a deliberate choice. Bring samples home before committing. What looks right in the showroom can shift under different lighting.

Pattern. Almost every floor type offers pattern options, and they're worth considering for more than just design. Variation hides wear, scuffs, and everything a household does to a floor over time. A patterned carpet or a tile with color variation will look better longer than a plain alternative. This is something designers know well, and it's just as true in a family room as it is anywhere else.

Start with what you need
We'll help you work through the framework before showing you samples, so you're looking at the right floors from the start.
Right floor for your household
Kids, pets, and traffic patterns all change the equation. We match floors to how you actually live.
Free measure and quote
Visit our Middletown showroom and we'll put a number on it with no commitment required.

Want to Find the Right Floor Fast? See Us in Person.

Come see us at our Middletown showroom and we'll walk through all five questions with you. You don't have to remember any of this. We'll narrow it down quickly and put a number on it. Free measure and quote included.

Every home is different, every job is custom. Serving Newport, Middletown, and Rhode Island.