The Feng Shui Anatomy of Floors

Offering a sense of grounding floors help us transition through a space. Built on a strong support the integrity of the floor joists are best intact and not compromised by mindless hacking and cutting into during home renovations to run “new” electrical wires, plumbing pipes and HVC vents.

Floor joists that are straight and un-warped are best to create a sturdy soundproof support which will reduce the probability of squeaking resulting in tight or mis-aligned sub-floors. Buckling and raised floor surfaces can inhibit ease of mobility and chi flow. On an energetic level this could represent un-necessary hurtles and challenges in moving into a desired life path.

Although there are any number of aesthetically pleasing options for interior flooring it is best to choose flooring that is durable, have reduced off-gasses (if budget permits) and that energetically offers a seamless flow between rooms. A house that has a number of different types of flooring surfaces can if there is a drastic difference in colour, texture and composition create un-necessary disruptions in chi flow.

Possible Challenges

Tiles

A polished marble floor may provide an era of grandeur but depending on the location of its use may become wet and slippery inducing a risk of fall and injury.

Although tiles are extremely durable and resistant to water damage they will crack if the sub-floor is compromised and or if in a basement the concrete cracks and heaves over time.

Engineered Laminate Floors

Although very affordable and falling in align with most building and renovation budgets laminate range from .79 cents a sq ft to well over $4.00 sq ft. I’ve seen both economical and expensive laminate flooring joints separate and if subject to water leakage swell and buckle causing a potential risk of tripping and falling.

Carpet

Excellent at reducing household noise carpeting is notorious for being a breeding ground for dust-mites, dirt and germs. This is a less-than-excellent option for folks who have allergies or asthma. Although excellent when used in bedrooms to keep the space feeling warm and nurturing it may over time require stretching as long term wear can cause carpet to buckle creating creases in the floors surface resulting in falls.

Linoleum & Vinyl Floors

Generally a smooth surface with a bit of a cushion such as linoleum & vinyl floors are two different composites but both offer an excellent choice for kitchens and bathrooms flooring. Sold by the foot off the role. Depending on the size of the room these products are used in will depend on how many seams if any will be sealed to join the product to cover the entire floor. The less seams the better to reduce the risk of pealing and bubbling.

Although water resistant the durability and life span of the product will vary. Sold by the yard Linoleum & Vinyl Floors had the same challenges as carpet and that is of depending on how it is laid they may stretch over time creating ripples in the surface resulting in tripping.

Some Linoleum and Vinyl Floors are clued to the sub-floor while others float and secured at the wall under the baseboard and or quarter round.

Hardwood Floors

Although not entirely environmental friendly and sustainable hardwood floors remain one of the most popular flooring and forgiving surfaces available. Subject to water damage they are easily repaired when scratched, chipped and or stained.

Closest to nature they are more comforting to the nervous system providing grounding and absorption of EMFS.

I’ve been in many a home where the hardwood floors are over a hundred years old. Well maintained they are beautiful while creating a smooth and easy transition between floors.

Floor Transitions

When transitioning various flooring types between rooms it is best to make sure that the elevation of product is equal and not creating height variation which can cause potential mis-steps, tripping and falling.

Combinations

If possible minimize the various types of flooring in your living spaces to 5. I personally prefer 3 but that’s based on my own design style.

Foyers are best in tile as they are much more durable than any other product. Choose one that has a slip free surface.

Living Rooms are best in either hardwood, laminate, or carpet. I dis-like carpet for hygiene reasons so I will often recommend hardwood and or laminate depending on my client’s budget and how many pets they have. A good quality laminate is better for a household that has dogs as it doesn’t scratch as easily under sharp nails. An area rug can be strategically placed to soften the space and make a place for young children to play on the floor.

Dining Rooms to me are best in either a hardwood or laminate product. I am not a fan of carpet in a dining room as food and crumbs get caught in the fibbers and the clean up after a spill can be tough leaving stains for the life of the carpet. Easily replaced an area rug can be used if you feel the need to have something soft under the chairs and table.

Kitchens outside of carpet almost any of the above products are appropriate for a kitchen. Although some designers will say tile, linoleum and or vinyl are a better choice as they are water resistant. I personally like wood and or laminate in a kitchen because I love the natural feel and look of wood. Some say the risk of damage due to a dishwasher, ridge leak could be a costly mistake I’ve also seen water damage to linoleum and vinyl as well which resulted in a kitchen reno. To me the choice comes down to preference.

Bathrooms & above ground utility rooms are better suited to non-skid tiles, linoleum and or vinyl flooring. Here I do not recommend wood or laminate as the risk of water damage is too grate.

Bedroom floors are often carpeted to help reduce noise and create a warm soft more soothing feeling to the space. Again my personal design style is to use hardwood and or laminate as I feel they are more hygienic and reduces the risk of compromising those with allergies asthma. An area rug or a narrow runner on either side of the bed can provide a warm cushion to step on upon waking in the morning. Area rugs and runners are easily replaced and affordable.

Basements that are used as a living space such as family room, bonus room and or personal home gyms are generally cool and are often carpeted to provide warmth to the space. In the case where there is a risk of water damage a linoleum or vinyl floor may be a better option as they are water resistant. I do not recommend tile for a basement floor where there are visible cracks as the tile may crack along the opening as well resulting in a compromise flooring and a costly repair.

For 3rd story bonus rooms in a 4 level split I will recommend either a wood or laminate flooring as well. I do so based on the same reasons I do not recommend carpet in bedrooms. I am conscious of the hygiene issues with carpet.

Utility Rooms below ground are best surfaced with a linoleum or vinyl floor as they are water resilient.

As I mentioned above I prefer to choose 3 complimentary floors when designing a living space and no more. Here is my methodology.

  1. Foyer & Bathrooms = Tile
  2. All other above ground rooms = wood or laminate depending on pets and children
  3. Below grade basement and utility rooms = linoleum or vinyl