From cozy area rugs to durable floors made for Central New York living, fall is the perfect time to take a closer look at what’s underfoot.
When my fiancé and I bought our first home last November, we jumped into homeownership at perhaps the most Central New York time possible. The leaves were nearly gone, colder weather was settling in and snow wasn’t far behind. Almost a year later, as we head into our first full fall in the house, I’ve found myself looking at our home a little differently.
There’s something about this time of year that makes you want to settle in. The windows close, the blankets come out and suddenly the rooms you breezed through all summer are where you’ll be spending much more of your time.
And while there are plenty of ways to make a home feel ready for fall, one of the biggest changes you can make starts right under your feet.
So, as part of this month’s MVL At Home feature, I turned to Mark Enjem of Enjem’s Flooring America in Utica for some advice on making our homes feel warmer and more inviting while choosing flooring that can actually handle life in Central New York.
A LITTLE CHANGE CAN GO A LONG WAY
According to Mark, refreshing a room doesn’t necessarily mean replacing the flooring you already have.
If you have hardwood or another hard-surface floor you love, an area rug can make a surprisingly big difference in not only how the room looks, but also how it feels and even sounds.
The key is choosing the right size. Mark recommends a rug that creates a warm, inviting focal point while still allowing the beauty of the flooring underneath to show. It’s a relatively simple change, but especially as temperatures begin to drop, it can make a room feel considerably cozier.
For spaces that need a bigger update, replacing old, worn-out carpeting with fresh carpet, hardwood, laminate or luxury vinyl can completely change the look and feel of a room.
But here in Central New York, looks are only part of the equation.
FLOORING THAT FITS REAL LIFE
If there’s one thing our first year of homeownership has already taught me, it’s that your house has to work for the way you actually live in it.
Mark takes a similar approach to flooring.
“Choose a floor that fits your lifestyle,” he says.
That advice becomes particularly important as fall arrives. Wet leaves and mud will soon be followed by snow, slush and road salt, all of which inevitably find their way through the front door.
Before choosing a floor, Mark recommends considering how much maintenance you realistically want to take on. Durable, waterproof flooring can be especially practical for busy households and high-traffic areas where worrying about every footprint or spill simply isn’t realistic.
At Enjem’s, Room to Explore Woodgrain options offer realistic wood-inspired features while being budget-friendly and durable enough to stand up to some of everyday life’s tougher situations.
BEFORE THE HOLIDAYS, START NOW
There is also the inevitable fall realization that the holidays aren’t nearly as far away as they seem.
If new flooring is on your list before Thanksgiving or holiday company arrives, Mark’s advice is straightforward: the earlier, the better.
Starting now gives homeowners time to explore their options, find a floor that works for both their home and lifestyle, and allow enough time for installation before guests arrive.
And while choosing the right flooring matters, Mark says choosing who installs it is just as important.
When I asked him about the flooring mistake he wishes homeowners would avoid, he actually gave me two: don’t buy low-quality flooring, and don’t trust just anyone to install it.
Flooring is an investment, and installation plays a major role in how that investment looks and performs over time. Flooring purchased through Enjem’s Flooring America is backed by an extensive warranty that also covers labor, giving homeowners protection beyond the product itself.
A FALL PROJECT WITH SOMETHING EXTRA
There are a couple of additional opportunities for homeowners considering a flooring project this season.
Carpet purchases that include Enjem’s Tunnel to Towers cushion allow customers to give back in honor of those who made the ultimate sacrifice on September 11.
Qualified buyers can also take advantage of 12 months of interest-free financing on new flooring purchases of $1,500 or more.
As we approach a year in our own home, I’m realizing that making a house your own doesn’t happen all at once. Sometimes it’s a major project, and sometimes it’s simply finding one change that makes the room where you spend every evening feel a little warmer.
Whether that means replacing flooring before the holidays, choosing something better suited to muddy paws and snowy boots, or simply adding an area rug to a room you already love, fall seems like a pretty good time to start from the ground up.
Enjem’s Flooring America
2010 Oriskany Street West, Utica
