Fall on the Wall: Decorating With Rich Reds, Browns and Oranges

For your interiors, take a cue from nature’s colorful seasonal offerings

By Jennifer Ott -Houzz Contributor 

Autumn has arrived, and with it are colorful changes to the natural world around us. Deciduous trees, in particular, put on a pretty show with verdant green leaves transforming into gorgeous shades of gold, orange, red and brown. I’ve been known to take my paint color fan deck out with me on fall hikes to match these beautiful hues. Whether you tend to favor warmer colors over cooler hues, or are just looking to inject some warmth into your home, take inspiration from your favorite fall flora for year-round color in your home.

Putney Design

An autumn-inspired rich brown and bold orange palette is tricky to get right, but this bedroom showcases the colors brilliantly. With lots of clean, pure white and minimal art and accessories, it has a fresh and modern feel, rather than a dark and overwhelming one.

Of course, it also helps that this room gets plenty of natural light. If your room is light-deprived, you could still use a similar color scheme, but perhaps limit the dark brown wall color to a single accent wall. Another light-boosting option is to paint just the lower third or half of the headboard wall in the accent color, leaving the upper level and ceiling white or clad in a light neutral.

ALFA - Alexandra de Brem et Fanny Prat

Here’s a nice example of using restraint when working with a deep, intense color. An entire room painted this deep red could feel confining, and the room would appear much smaller than it is, especially if there aren’t many windows. But by limiting the color to a small niche, you get a fantastic hit of color without the downside of all four walls clad in the hue.

Hudson Street Design

Here’s another bold bedroom accent wall, this time in a tangy orange. I’m a huge fan of wood-clad ceilings, especially in bedrooms, because they add such warmth and coziness. The orange accent wall draws your eye right in and then up toward the beautiful ceiling.

Ralo (Tibet Carpet)

Paint isn’t the only way to add a focal point in a bedroom. This beautiful, richly hued carpet is a fantastic choice in this vintage industrial space. The exposed ductwork and brick walls could feel hard and cold, but not when the space is infused with such a warm, autumn-inspired palette.

Gary McBournie Inc.

Here’s another handsome bedroom clad in warm orange and brown. Notice how the more intense colors are reserved for items that are relatively easy and economical to change — wall color and decorative accessories. The more expensive items — window treatments, flooring and furniture — are light and neutral. This gives the flexibility to change up the palette in the future without having to buy all new things.

Cardea Building Co.

Let’s step out of the bedroom and look at autumnal hues in dining areas. Warm colors such as red and orange are thought to stimulate the appetite as well as conversation, making them excellent color options for the spaces we gather in to eat and chat with friends and family. Don’t be afraid to go a bit deeper and darker with color in the dining room. It’s typically a space that you want to have a more closed-in, intimate and cozy vibe.

Christine Nelson Design

Bright pumpkin orange and gray are a popular duo for modern interiors. Here they combine to make this kitchen a fun and inviting place in which to cook and gather.

Metson Urman Architecture

Here’s another fun colorful orange eat-in nook. If you have such an area in your kitchen, it’s a terrific location for a spot of bold color. Use that color in smaller bits throughout the space to balance it out.

mossArchitects

 

If yours is an open-concept home, keep the majority of the walls a light neutral hue that will easily flow throughout each space, and then use bold color strategically to break up the different areas. Vibrant reddish-orange hues are perfect for calling attention to interesting materials or architectural details.

Creekview Custom Homes

If you have tall ceilings or want to create a cozy feeling in a room, use one of these featured fall colors near or on the ceiling. It will visually lower the ceiling and make the space feel warmer and more intimate.

Jennifer Ott Design

Try These Palettes

Inspired to add a dose of fall color to your own home? Here are some paint color options inspired by nature’s rich autumn hues.

Deep reds: Dinner Party from Benjamin Moore, Wild Currant from Sherwin-Williams and Antique Ruby from Behr

Jennifer Ott Design

Autumnal oranges: Harvest Moon from Benjamin Moore, Yam from Sherwin-Williams and Maple Leaf from Behr.

Jennifer Ott Design

Rich browns: Hearthstone Brown from Benjamin Moore, Turkish Coffee from Sherwin-Williams and Bear Rug from Behr.

Deep Wall Colors That Feel Extra Cozy in Fall

Wrap your rooms in richer or seasonal hues for a warm, comforting feeling this autumn

Laura Gaskill - Houzz Contributor

A great paint color works year-round but can also take on different moods depending on what furnishings and accents are teamed with it. Here are six color choices, from moody charcoal and black to autumnal orange, that will make your home feel extra cozy this fall — and still work (with a tweak here and there) once spring has sprung.

Ml-h design

Black. Black as a wall color is certainly dramatic — but it can also be surprisingly simple to work into a room scheme. Try it on an accent wall in a large, open-plan space to draw the eye to your coziest conversation area. In the fall, boost warmth with accents in shades of mustard and goldenrod, and a mix of textures, from chunky hand-spun fibers and rustic pottery to silky-smooth wood and buttery leather. Repeating the black in fine details — the pattern of a Moroccan rug, a handmade dish — will tie the look together.

Claudia Georgi Photography

Black also has the benefit of making Halloween decor super easy: Just add vibrant orange pumpkins and gourds and a tall vase filled with fall foliage. To up the spookiness for a Halloween party, pin a few fake spiderwebs to the black wall and let a pot of “witch’s brew” bubble on the stove.

In the spring and summer, lighten up the space by swapping out mustard accents for fresh mint green and crisp white.

See more ways to work with black

AnneLiWest|Berlin

Dark khaki. Somewhere between beige and army green lies this versatile neutral hue. Dark khaki works well with other warm neutrals, from mocha to cognac, with a bit of crisp black or white for contrast.

But khaki is also happy to take a backseat to brighter pops of color, from turquoise to bubblegum pink, making it easy to change the mood of the space when you are ready for an update.

Color Combos: Khaki and Tangerine

Ml-h design

Charcoal. Think of charcoal as the softer, moodier cousin of black. Used in a living or dining room, it’s sophisticated and cozy; in a kids’ space, it’s surprisingly grown-up.

In autumn, charcoal walls look splendid with accents of plum, aubergine and oatmeal. Natural materials like bamboo or lighter-toned wood furniture and jute rugs keep the overall look from feeling too dark or heavy.

Studio Munroe

Charcoal doesn’t have to be all drama — for an upbeat twist come spring, use the walls as a backdrop for a colorful, eclectic collection of artwork and roll out a floral rug.

How to Work With Charcoal Gray

Amy Krane Color

Mocha. This milk-chocolatey hue is as comforting as the name suggests, making it a lovely choice for spaces where coziness is the utmost priority. Try it in a den or bedroom, accented with layers of textiles and collected treasures for a worldly look that works in any season.

Wall paint: Baked Pretzel, Benjamin Moore

Coffeehouse Color Palettes Perk Up Rooms

A&D Vanessa Faivre

 

Teal. Deep and mysterious, teal calls to mind the sea, gemstones and the dramatic evening sky. This color looks stunning with fall-hued accents in persimmon or mustard, and luxurious materials like velvet. For the most flexibility, go with a neutral color (like gray) for the big pieces of furniture, and you can tweak the color scheme seasonally with different pillows and throws.

Adeeni Design Group

Orange. Deep, spicy shades of orange look especially at home among the colors of fall leaves and rich, burnished bronze and gold. A warm, saturated orange wall color works well in a small dining room, where it makes a cozy backdrop for candlelit dinners. Indigo, sky blue and charcoal gray also work well as accent colors when you want to change things up.

World of Design: 10 Great Escapes Built for R&R

These vacation homes from around the globe will make you want to take flight

 

One in a series from Houzz international editors on how our lives shape home design around the world
Whether it’s for a weekend, a week or a whole summer, a vacation home to which you can escape can be the greatest form of liberation. You might retreat to it to unwind, contemplate, marvel at a view, be adventurous or spend quality time with family and friends — just as no home is the same, neither is how it’s used. Let’s take a look at just how different vacation homes can be, from Tokyo Bay to St. Petersburg and beyond.

Chris Snook

1. Cottage on a Tiny English Island

Location: South Cerney, Gloucestershire County, England
Who vacations here: Mouse Martin, a ceramicist, and her dogs, Sid and Maisi
Size: About 323 square feet (30 square meters); 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom

This cottage on a river island, originally a cart shed next to a water mill, dates back to 1750. It’s now a holiday escape for Mouse Martin, who reaches the retreat via an old bridge that spans the river. “It’s so peaceful here,” she says. “Ducks waddle up onto the grass and there are two otters in the river — Squeak and Whistle!”

Chris Snook

Inside, everything is upcycled, recycled, reclaimed or handmade. One of Martin’s neighbours was clearing out an old barn she owned. “Her father was a hoarder, and it had absolutely everything from here to Timbuktu in it,” Martin says. “That really started the ball rolling on this house. It’s a real joy to use old materials. Half the world is full of plastic now, but there’s no plastic in here!”

Save and splurge. Martin saved money by using secondhand furnishings and upcycling wherever possible. But she did invest in dry-stone walling by employing a specialist, James Harris Contracting, to build up the land alongside the river to protect against flooding.

See more of this cottage

Crosson Clarke Carnachan Architects

2. Beach Shack on Runners in New Zealand
Location: Coromandel Peninsula, North Island of New Zealand
Who vacations here: A couple and their three children
Size: 431 square feet (40 square meters); 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
Architect: Crosson copy Carnachan Architects

Built directly on the sand, this compact beach house is portable because it rests on two wooden runners, a design feature deemed necessary because of the coastal erosion zone in which the house sits.

Crosson Clarke Carnachan Architects

When the family arrives on weekends, it simply turns a wheel, using a “chain and crank system,” to open a vertical bifold shutter, which exposes the view out to sea and provides shade and shelter for those on the deck below. The generous overhang can be adjusted according to weather conditions or closed tight when not in use.

Crosson Clarke Carnachan Architects

Save and splurge. The design team was able to keep costs down with the economical use of space — triple-height bunk beds, for instance, squeeze in more sleeping spots — but the big splurges were the wooden bifold shutter and the double-height steel-framed glass doors, which together open up to create a shaded outdoor room.

See more of this beach shack

William Johnson Architect

3. Camper Fit for a Road Trip in the U.S.

Location: Pictured here at Piney River Escape, a former farm outside Dixon, Tennessee, United States
Who vacations here: Bill and Cathy Johnson
Size: 28 feet (8.53 meters) long

Bill and Cathy Johnson love camping. The architect and real estate agent have been doing it since they started dating at age 15. So the couple, now married 34 years, jumped at the chance to buy and restore a 1972 Avion camper they could turn into a mobile summer home for canoeing and fishing trips around Tennessee.

William Johnson Architect

The Johnsons wanted the interior to have a brighter look, building on the wraparound bank of windows at the front of the camper. So they removed all the original finishes, painted the cabinets white and added new vinyl flooring. “We wanted to try to create the most open and airy feel possible,” Bill says.

Save and splurge. The couple saved money by keeping the camper’s layout the same. Everything remained in its original place, including the appliances. The couple splurged by replacing the upholstery with a durable outdoor fabric and adding new hardware and curtains.

See more of this 1972 camper

iv7design

4. Russian Chalet With Spa Rooms

Location: St. Petersburg region, Russia
Who vacations here: A family
Size: 2,347 square feet (218 square meters)
Architect: iv7design

The main level of this cottage in the suburbs looks like your typical upscale Russian home, but for one family it’s a private spa retreat.

The interior is in the style of a traditional Russian chalet, with plenty of wooden furniture, a big chimney and large windows with panoramic views of the countryside.

iv7design

The basement, however, is a lot more high-tech. There are two massage rooms, a cryosauna (a therapeutic treatment using cold air), a floating table (pictured) and a regular sauna with a large spa. A chromotherapy system operated with LEDs adds to the relaxation.

iv7design

The spa level is enjoyed by the homeowners’ friends and family as well. This summer, the owners plan to build a more active component to the property in the form of a sports pavilion; it will connect to the main house via a covered bridge.

See more of this chalet

Wright-Built

5. Boathouse Getaway in the U.S.

Location: Lake Hawkins, Texas, United States
Who vacations here: A couple with a permanent residence nearby
Size: 301 square feet (28 square meters); 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom
Design: Wright-Built

Before building their main home, builder Erin Wright and her husband got a taste of tiny-home living. They built this lakeside boathouse first and moved in during the main home’s construction. They got cozy in the space, which includes the bare essentials: a bedroom, a kitchenette, a sitting area and a bathroom with a shower and incinerating toilet. “The only thing it didn’t have was a washer-dryer, but if I’d really needed that, I’d have found a way,” Wright says.

Wright-Built

The most important part of the house is the deck, which floats over the water and gives the couple plenty of room to hang out, barbecue and take off on their paddle boards. The couple loved life in the boathouse so much, they now consider it a camper, front porch, guesthouse and second home, just steps away from their main residence.

Save and splurge. The homeowners saved by finding an antique refrigerator and restoring it by hand. They splurged by adding an electronic garage door.

See more of this boathouse

studio zero85

6. Traditional Fishing Hut in Italy

Location: Pescara, Abruzzo region, Italy
Who vacations here: A family
Size: 1,464 square feet (136 square meters)
Architect: studio zero85

This trabocco — the traditional name for this type of wooden structure with a platform, historically used for fishing — was built in place of the original, which was falling apart. While it’s not a typical vacation home (there’s no bathroom, for instance) it’s nonetheless a getaway for its owners, who try to spend as much time here as possible during the summer.

A multipurpose beach retreat, it’s ideal for meditation and hosting friends on the sea-facing terrace. It’s also used as an exhibition space in low season. The children especially love it for their pajama parties.

studio zero85

There are strict building rules in place for this type of hut in Italy, so the architects had to follow precise guidelines, especially regarding the roof shape and size of the windows. Though traditional trabocchi are made of wood, this structure is made of metal, wood and mineral wool, with the floor covered in wood parquetry. This keeps the house from being affected by the humidity.

The architects, together with the owners, decided to keep the furnishings simple, so as not to distract from the view, which is the real star of the show.

studio zero85

Save and splurge. The owners were able to save on furnishings, not needing (or wanting) to overdecorate. This meant the bulk of the money could go toward replicating the original form. The whole project cost about $280,000.

See more of this trabocco

ÁBATON Arquitectura & Construcción

7. Abandoned Stable in Spain

Location: Comarca de La Vera, Extremadura region, Spain
Who vacations here: A family that includes two children
Size: 3,466 square feet (322 square meters); situated on 13 acres
Architects: Ábaton Arquitectura & Construcción

This abandoned stable in the province of Cáceres has been transformed into a vacation home where the owners can spend their weekends and extended breaks, away from the hustle and bustle of Madrid.

They wanted any renovations to be respectful of the environment, so the electricity and water are sustainably sourced. A solar panel system with storage batteries supplies energy during the summer, while turbines take advantage of the two streams that run through the estate, providing electricity during winter.

ÁBATON Arquitectura & Construcción

Visitors can enjoy views of the woods of the Sierra de Gredos mountains from every room in the house. ”When the sun shines, one of the most beautiful things is to see the reflections of the water inside the house,” the architect says.

ÁBATON Arquitectura & Construcción

Stone found in the surrounding area was used to build both the house and the swimming pool.

Save and splurge. Money was saved by reusing the original stone of the facade and the red roof tiles. The owners splurged on energy-efficient solar panels, as well as the pump and turbine that produce hydraulic energy.

See more of this house

Lode Architecture

8. Timber Time-Share in a Wild French Field

Location: Near Honfleur, Normandy region, France
Who vacations here: Two families linked by friendship
Size: 517 square feet (48 square meters); situated on 2.5 acres
Architect: Lode Architecture

Two families share this vacation home, situated in a meadow near Honfleur. There are almost no personal objects inside, since the families share the contents of the house as well. A deck on the south side lets them while away the hours under the sun. The surrounding greenery has been left to grow wild, helping the house blend in with the landscape. The families can enjoy an “outdoor kitchen” thanks to the large sliding windows that open onto the terrace.

Lode Architecture

Inside, a building site net has been used to separate the zones while maintaining an open-plan feel.

Save and splurge. To keeps costs down, the walls and ceiling were covered in plywood. In addition, the second-floor sleeping area is organized like boat or train cabins, with curtains for privacy.

The splurge is found in the living room, which holds an illuminated bath. “It reminds us of Westerns, when cowboys come back from a horse-riding trip and take a bath in the middle of their hotel room,” says architect Arnaud Lacoste.

See more of this holiday house

Yonder - Architektur und Design

9. Alpine Retreat in Austria

Location: Krumbach, Vorarlberg state, Austria
Who vacations here: The architect’s parents, plus family and friends
Size: 1,238 square feet (115 square meters)Architect: Yonder Architektur und Design

Locals call this modern vacation house “Bienenhus” (bee house) because of the precision of its design. The building, a wood frame construction on a concrete base, was built by Benedikt Bosch, an architect at German studio Yonder Architektur und Design, for his parents. They use it as a weekend retreat, sometimes alone, sometimes with friends and family. There’s space for eight people, but it also feels cozy when the couple are on their own.

Yonder - Architektur und Design

The building sits by itself on a hill near the woods, and offers an unobstructed view of the landscape. “The visual relationship to the natural surroundings played a major role in the design,” Bosch says. Little cutouts and panoramic windows open the interior to the outdoors.

The rooms are mostly clad in local white fir (also used for the exterior). In some areas, however, such as in the sauna, the architect used reclaimed wood from the building that stood here before.

Yonder - Architektur und Design

Save and splurge. Bosch wanted to create a quality building on a fixed budget of $163,000. “This was only possible by reducing the standard in other areas,” he says. “For example, there is no central heating in the house, only a wood-burning stove in the living room. We also completely dispensed with impact sound insulation. And in order to give the living room a luxurious sense of spaciousness with an open gallery, the height of the sleeping rooms has been reduced to 2.2 meters,” about 7 feet.

See more of this alpine retreat

廣部剛司建築研究所　Takeshi Hirobe Architects

10. On Top of the World in Japan

Location: Futtsu, Chiba Prefecture, Japan
Who vacations here: A couple
Size: 1,253 square feet (116.4 square meters); situated on 20,129 square feet (1,869.8 square meters) of land
Architect: Takeshi Hirobe

This hilltop vacation home is in the Uchibo area of Chiba Prefecture. “The site was just perfect for a weekend retreat,” says architect Takeshi Hirobe. “Situated on a hill 200 meters above the coast, one can see Tokyo Bay, where ships come and go.”

Just a one-hour drive from the owners’ home in central Tokyo, it’s a place where they can unwind or entertain friends, complete with an enviable view of Mount Fuji in the distance. They wanted to take full advantage of the panorama of sky and sea, so a huge glass wall spans the front of the villa.

廣部剛司建築研究所　Takeshi Hirobe Architects

Save and splurge. The architect was able to save on the interior by cladding it in modest basswood plywood, but it doesn’t look shabby thanks to the meticulous design and finish. One request of the owners was that Hirobe “create an architectural form that we have never seen before, while using usual materials.” In response, the architect designed a unique structure composed of many triangles set along the sloping site.

How to Clean Your Hardwood Floors

Gleaming wood floors are a thing of beauty. Here’s how to keep them that way

 

By Bonnie McCarthy - Houzz Contributor

 

Although installing hardwood flooring is usually more expensive than rolling out new carpet, it’s an investment worth considering, according to data from the National Association of Realtors. Surveys show that 54 percent of home buyers are willing to pay more for a house with hardwood floors. Cha-ching! The question now: What’s the best way to clean and care for that popular flooring and keep that natural beauty (and value) shining through? Here’s how. 

 

Gast Architects

It’s not the wood — oak, maple, mesquite, bamboo, engineered hardwood or something more exotic — that determines how the floors should be cleaned, but rather the finish.

 

Rebekah Zaveloff | KitchenLab

Surface finishes, often referred to as urethanes or polyurethanes, are among the most popular treatments today and are usually applied to hardwood floors after installation to protect them and make them more durable and water resistant. These finishes create a protective barrier. There are four types of surface finishes, according to the American Hardwood Information Center: water based, oil based, acid cured and moisture cured.

Homes built before 1970, including historic residences, may have original wood floors that were sealed with varnish, wax or shellac. These require a different approach to cleaning. The American Hardwood Information Center says these types of finishes work by penetrating the wood to color the planks and form a protective shield. Using a wax coating after staining provides a barrier against wear and tear and gives the floor a beautiful low-gloss satin sheen. The classic look requires a little extra TLC, however, since water-based products and mopping can damage the finish.

 

Frederick + Frederick Architects

How to Determine Your Finish

To figure out whether or not your wood floors are finished with a polyurethane, shellac, wax or varnish, or have a finish that has worn away and is no longer providing coverage, the American Hardwood Information Center suggests these tests:

• Run your hand over the wood. If you can feel the texture of the grain, the floor has a “penetrating” finish (usually a combination of a natural oil, such as linseed or tung oil, mixed with additives for drying) topped with wax.
• In an out-of-the-way spot, dab on a little paint remover. If the finish bubbles up, it is a surface finish, like polyurethane, which coats the floor in a protective layer.
• In an out-of-the-way area, place a few drops of water. If the water beads up and does not soak into the wood, the finish on the floor is intact. If the water is absorbed into the floor or leaves a dark spot, the wood is unfinished or the protective layer has worn away.
• If you sprinkle on a few drops of water and white spots form beneath the droplets after about 10 to 15 minutes, the floors are sealed with wax. To remove the white spots, use a piece of fine steel wool lightly dampened with wax and rub gently.
• If you suspect a varnish or shellac, take a coin and scratch the surface of the floor in an inconspicuous corner. If the floor has been sealed with one of the older finishing methods, it will flake off.

Crisp Architects

Preventing Dirty Floors

Not wearing shoes in the house is one of the best ways to significantly reduce dirt, scuffs and daily wear and tear, and lessen cleaning time.

The National Wood Floor Association, or NWFA, is more specific and warns against walking on wood floors with cleats, sports shoes and high heels. It also offers this cautionary example: A 125-pound woman walking in high heels has an impact of 2,000 pounds per square inch. Furthermore, an exposed heel nail can exert up to 8,000 pounds of force per square inch.

Whether you got out your calculator or not, the possibility of impact and denting appears to be undeniable. However, while you can’t always ask guests to shed shoes at the door, it might be a policy worth considering for family members.

 

Peter A. Sellar - Architectural Photographer

What Not to Do

No matter what type of wood flooring you have, the NWFA advises against using cleaning products meant for vinyl or tile flooring. Their take: Self-polishing acrylic waxes cause wood to become slippery and appear dull quickly.

Another no-no: wet-mopping wood floors, since standing water can dull the finish, damage the wood and leave a discoloring residue. Along the same lines, avoid overwaxing unfinished wood floors in an attempt to restore luster. If a waxed floor has become dull, try buffing the surface instead.

 

Bradley Van Der Straeten

Regular Cleaning

Cleaning floors with contemporary polyurethane wood finishes (for floors installed after 1970) starts with vacuuming, sweeping or dust-mopping the surface.

Vacuuming. Vacuum wood floors daily, or at least once a week with a vacuum fitted with an attachment for wood floors. For regular machines, the American Hardwood Information Center advises turning off interior rotating brushes or beater bars if possible.

Regular vacuuming helps remove dust and dirt particles that play a leading role in scratching and dulling the surface of the floor.

 

McClellan Architects

Sweeping. The American Hardwood Information Center says choosing a broom with “exploded tips,” also known as synthetic fiber ends, is step one.

Damp mopping. Damp mopping should be done with a simple solution of pH-neutral soap (like dishwashing soap) and water; or one capful of a mild cleanser such as Murphy Oil Soap in a bucket of water; or a solution using products specially formulated for wood floors, such as Eco Mist Colloid W, Dr. Bonner’s or Method.

In conscientious cleaning circles, controversy swirls around whether to use a mixture of vinegar and water for damp-mopping wood floors. Ultimately, everyone has to do what works best; however, within the past 10 years this method has lost favor, and popular belief now holds that the solution causes floors to dull more quickly and is not as effective as simple soap and water.

To begin mopping, dampen the mop in the prepared solution, wring it out completely, and mop in the direction of the wood grain. Repeat as necessary. As the water in the bucket becomes dirty, dump it out and refill. Many experts (including Martha Stewart) believe scrubbing wood floors with a damp cloth by hand is the ultimate cleaning strategy — unless abundant square footage or protesting knees prove problematic.

But avoid cloths or mops dripping with water. If your floors do get wet or worse, dry them immediately!

 

Matthew Mallett Photography

Another technique: After the floor has been swept or vacuumed, put your cleaning solution of choice in a spray bottle and mist the floor, then use a dry microfiber mop or cloth and mop in direction of the wood grain.

It’s important to note that just because a floor is clean doesn’t necessarily mean it will be shiny. If the floor has lost its luster, it may be time to have it refinished professionally. Whatever you do, don’t wax a polyurethaned finish.

What you should know before refinishing your floors

Rikki Snyder

Unfinished or Waxed Floors

Unfinished or waxed floors, like those in older and historic homes, as well as floors in which the protective seal has worn away, should never be treated with water or liquid cleansers, which may penetrate, stain or warp the wood. Instead, according to cleaning experts, sweeping with a soft-bristled broom and vacuuming should be done as the primary line of defense. The NWFA says to step away from the mop: Never damp-mop a waxed floor.

Beyond basic care, buffing and waxing the floors once or twice a year should maintain the shine.

Old-fashioned shellacked floors are not common in most homes. However, if you find yourself the proud owner of this vintage flooring, regular care should include sweeping and vacuuming often. Avoid water and liquid cleansers.

 

Alan Mascord Design Associates Inc

Engineered Wood

Engineered wood flooring is created with a thin veneer of hardwood fused atop a plywood base. The material is stronger and more durable than regular hardwoods, and as a result has become a popular choice.

The cleaning procedure for this type of wood is the same as for hardwood floors with urethane finishes. Keep clean on a daily basis by sweeping and vacuuming and use a slightly damp mop as needed.

See when to use engineered wood floors

Jeanette Lunde

Painted Wood

Painted wood floors make a strong style statement and are a clever way to disguise wood flooring in less than perfect shape. To clean them, sweep, vacuum or dust-mop regularly. Avoid scratching or damaging the painted surface by staying away from abrasive cleansers and opting for a simple soap and water solution for damp mopping. Experts suggest drying the surface immediately by hand to avoid streaking and unnecessary moisture.