Okay, maybe not ’til you drop. Perhaps just until the floor is clean enough.

Dust is never a good look for wooden floors. Aside from dulling the colour, it can also give the room an unpleasant smell, which we’re sure you would rather avoid.

We recommend investing in a microfibre cloth or mop to get up all those pesky particles. Alternatively, throw a soft-brush attachment onto your vacuum and give your floor a once-over every few days.

You’re never going to achieve the look you want if you’re not even sure what you want. 

Take some time to brainstorm by researching on Pinterest, Instagram and Google. Make sure you save all your favourites as you browse. Once you’ve compiled all the best images into one place, you’ll likely have a much clearer idea of your design. From here, you can streamline your finds by making a mood board, either using a platform like Pinterest, throwing them into a PowerPoint, or even going the old-fashioned route and turning them into a physical collage. 

The theme that emerges from your research will direct your design choices, from colour to texture to furniture. 

If your pets are prone to accidents or bringing in mud, wooden flooring may be the perfect option for you. Wood is extremely beneficial as it is very easy to clean with a mop, vacuum cleaner or even a dustpan and brush. It is also a very durable material. If you are concerned about scratches from your pets’ claws, you will typically not find this to be much of an issue, as the natural stains in the wood will usually cover up any dents and marks. Moreover, natural wooden flooring is stain resistant, meaning you won’t have to worry about mud or anything else from your furry one’s paws!

The only disadvantage you may encounter with wooden floors is the risk of slipping.

The first step to any carpet cleaning is thorough vacuuming. There’s no point trying to get out stains if your floor is scattered with crumbs, mud and dust; you’ll likely only end up scrubbing new stains into the carpet. Once you’ve ensured all the easily removable dirt is gone, it’s time to tackle the more challenging parts.
If possible, it’s always best to perform this process as soon as the stain occurs, as it will become harder to remove the longer it is left. Start by making a solution of household bleach, one part bleach to ten parts warm water. Apply the solution to a white cloth and gently dab the stain, starting from the outside and working inwards. Refrain from scrubbing at the carpet, as you run the risk of pushing the stain deeper into the fabric. You could also end up damaging the carpet. If it isn’t budging, try adding a little more bleach to the solution. Once the stain has vanished, use a paper towel to pat the carpet dry.

This is going to be the most important step to ensuring your carpet remains free of stains during your decorating process. No matter how skilled a painter you think you may be, there’s no guaranteeing that splodges of paint won’t fall from your brush and ruin your freshly laid flooring. For larger projects, we always recommend covering your entire carpet with a large cloth or plastic dust sheet. These can also be used to cover furniture and anything else you don’t want to be covered in paint. Covering your carpets with these sheets will protect them from any spills or stray drops from your paintbrush. You can find these sheets in any major hardware stores or online shops such as Amazon at very affordable prices. 

Alternatively, if you want to be extra careful, you can purchase dedicated carpet covers for painting, which will guarantee you won’t have any accidents concerning your carpet. These are easy to use, waterproof, and often come with adhesive to secure them in place, ensuring they won’t become dislodged as you paint. 

A newspaper may well do the trick if you are painting on a much smaller scale. Old papers are very handy when it comes to more awkward angles, as they can fit in every nook and cranny. If you are painting your skirting boards, we highly recommend using newspaper to cover the floor below to catch any running paint.

At the end of the day, you probably won’t be able to prevent every bit of mess your kids create. A little bit of juice, mud or chocolate will inevitably end up somewhere on your new carpet. For this reason, we advise skipping the cream or white colour carpets and opting for a slightly more forgivable colour when it comes to stains. That doesn’t mean you have sacrifice style, though! We stock a vast range of stunning carpet styles, capable of transforming your home and giving it that perfect cosy or luxe look you’re going for.