Budget-Friendly Home Makeover: Revamp Your Interior with Laminate Flooring

 Giving your home an interior makeover can be an exciting yet daunting task. It becomes more difficult if you are on a tight budget. However, with careful planning and smart material choices, you can transform any space without breaking the bank.

One budget-friendly option that delivers both cost savings and aesthetic appeal is laminate flooring. Installing new laminate floors is an easy, affordable way to refresh the look of any room in your home.

This blog will discuss the key steps to revamp your interior by adding stylish, durable laminate floors on a budget.

Steps to Improve Your Interior with Laminate Flooring

Planning Your Home Makeover

Before starting any home makeover project, proper planning is crucial. Take time to thoroughly assess your current space and interior design. It will help determine which areas could benefit most from new laminate floors.

Setting a realistic budget and having some design inspiration in mind will also help guide your plans. Measure the rooms and map out the floor plan to calculate how much laminate flooring you will need to purchase.

Be sure to add about 10% extra to account for imperfections and cut waste. Planning ahead and allowing sufficient time for the installation will help confirm your makeover goes smoothly.

Choosing the Right Laminate Flooring

You will find many options on the market. Thus, selecting the right laminate flooring involves weighing factors like colour, texture, thickness, and installation methods.

Light, medium, or dark wood tones can dramatically transform the look and feel of a room. Textured surfaces add visual interest while smooth ones give a sleek, polished appearance.

Thicker floors (7-12 mm) hold up better to traffic over time. Look for floors with attached padding for ease of installation and sound dampening.

High-quality floors may cost more upfront but last longer and require fewer repairs. Get one that balances your budget and quality needs.

Visit home improvement stores to view samples in person before deciding. Opt for floors with warranties of at least 15 years for peace of mind.

Consider buying 10-20% extra flooring to allow for mistakes. Leftover planks can be used for repairs. With the right choice, new laminate floors can stylishly upgrade your interior within your budget constraints.

Step-by-Step Installation Guide

Here is a step-by-step guide to laminate flooring installation:

1. Prepare the subfloor by cleaning thoroughly, removing baseboards, and fixing any cracks or uneven areas. The subfloor must be flat and dry for proper installation.

2. Install foam underlayment by rolling it out over the subfloor according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Underlayment helps smooth minor subfloor imperfections, reduce noise, and provide moisture protection.

3. Do a dry layout by loosely laying out the laminate boards across the room to determine the optimal placement. With this, you will get a sense of how they will fit together. Leave 1/4 inch expansion gaps along the walls.

4. Start installing from the corner furthest from the entrance and work towards the door. Align the first row of boards tightly and attach with the adhesive applied to the tongue and groove. Use spacers against the wall to maintain expansion gaps.

5. Continue laying boards left to right, engaging the tongue and groove edges together. For stronger seams, use a rubber mallet and tapping block to gently tap the boards into place while avoiding damage. 

6. Use a table saw to cut boards to fit at the end of each row. Measure precisely and cut slowly for clean edges. Use leftover cut boards from previous rows to start new rows when possible.

7. Maintain a consistent pattern alignment from row to row, randomly staggering end joints by at least 6 inches for stability. Use a pull bar to confirm tight seams when needed.

8. In hard to reach spots like door frames, use a jigsaw to cut boards for a perfect custom fit. Make any angled cuts along walls with a mitre saw.

9. Once the main floor is installed, add trim moulding pieces around the perimeter, leaving small expansion gaps. Install any transition moulding between rooms.

10. Thoroughly clean the new flooring using laminate floor cleaner and let dry completely before moving furniture back in.

Follow the manufacturer’s installation guidelines closely for the best results. Take your time and do not hesitate to contact an expert if you need help.

Decorating Tips to Enhance the Look

Laminate flooring creates a clean slate to build upon with interior design. Complement the modern, minimalist look with Scandinavian-inspired furniture and decor. Brighten up a dark floor with light area rugs and curtains.

For traditional laminate wood patterns, add rugs with geometric or floral prints along with vintage-style furnishings and art. Paint walls with a bold, contrasting colour to make the flooring really stand out. Add visual interest by orienting area rugs diagonally instead of squarely.

Place furniture with dark finishes over light floors and vice versa. There are endless possibilities for decorating and furnishing rooms to highlight and enhance stylish new laminate floors.

Conclusion

Installing laminate floors allows you to reinvent the look of your home in an affordable way. Laminate offers the warmth and beauty of wood or tile floors with added durability and longevity. A wide variety of laminate styles means you can find options to suit any interior design taste.

Laminate flooring is a worthwhile long-term investment that can significantly increase your home's value. For those on a tight budget, laminate is an ideal flooring solution.