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Laminate Flooring Gallery
Laminate flooring is an excellent choice for many Western Michigan homes, offering a blend of style, durability, and practicality that suits the region's climate and lifestyle. For homeowners in Grand Rapids looking to update their flooring without breaking the bank, DeGraaf Interiors provides the top selection of laminate styles and colors at a more accessible price point than many natural materials. This allows for greater design flexibility so our property owners can enjoy beautiful, durable, and low-maintenance floors that enhance their living spaces.
Laminate Trends in Grand Rapids Interior Design
In Grand Rapids, MI, laminate flooring continues to be a popular choice due to its durability, affordability, and ability to mimic the look of natural wood or tile. Here are a few of the most popular laminate trends being used in Grand Rapids:
Wood Look Laminate
Oak, maple, hickory, and pecan looks are very popular, often with detailed grain patterns and natural variations that enhance the authenticity. Light oak and gray-toned laminate planks are especially trending for a bright, minimalist feel.
Wood Look Texture
Hand-scraped, distressed, and matte laminate finishes are preferred over high-gloss, creating a more natural and less reflective look that also helps to hide minor imperfections and scratches.
Rustic Designs
Aligning with a broader design aesthetic in West Michigan that often embraces natural elements and cozy minimalism, rustic laminate designs that incorporate realistic knots, varied grain patterns, and subtle distressing are in demand.
Wide Plank Laminate
Similar to hardwood trends, wide plank laminate is popular for creating a more spacious and luxurious feel in interiors.
Warm Tones
While grays have been popular, there's a growing movement back towards warmer laminate tones that evoke a timeless and inviting feel.
Stone Look Laminate
While wood-look dominates, laminate that convincingly mimics natural stone like slate or marble, as well as ceramic or porcelain tile, is also a popular choice, especially for areas where a tile look is desired but the warmth or ease of installation of laminate is preferred.
How to Design a Basement Using Laminate Flooring in Grand Rapids
Designing a basement with laminate flooring in a Grand Rapids home involves a balance of aesthetics, functionality, and crucial moisture management. Given Grand Rapids' climate, which can include humid summers and snowy winters, protecting your basement from moisture is paramount. By addressing moisture, choosing the right waterproof laminate, and thoughtfully designing the space, you can easily transform your basement in a Grand Rapids home:
Address Moisture
The absolute first step, this is critical in any Michigan basement. Before even thinking about design, address potential moisture issues by inspecting for and repairing any leaks, exterior drainage, pumps, dehumidifiers, and vapor barriers over concrete basement slabs.
Waterproof Laminate
You should only consider waterproof laminate products for a basement in Grand Rapids! These products are designed with waterproof cores and locking systems that prevent water from seeping into the core, making them highly resistant to spills and common basement moisture.
Laminate Thickness (AC Rating)
While 8mm is common, consider 10mm or 12mm laminate thickness for a more solid feel underfoot and better acoustic properties. An AC3 or AC4 rating is ideal for residential basement traffic.
Laminate Visuals
Wood look laminates are the most popular trend with lighter, neutral wood tones (light oaks, gray-washed woods) ideal for brightening a typically darker basement. Opt for realistic laminate textures like hand-scraped, embossed-in-register (EIR), or matte finishes that often hide minor imperfections better than glossy finishes. Typically, high-gloss finishes will show dust and scratches more easily and may reflect too much light in a basement, making it feel less warm.
Quality Underlayment
A quality laminate underlayment not only provides a moisture barrier but also adds a layer of insulation and sound absorption, making the floor feel warmer and less "hollow."
Professional Installation
At DeGraff, we highly recommend professional laminate installation in basements to ensure proper moisture testing, underlayment, expansion gaps, and warranty compliance.