Ask the designer

This week interior designer Aisling O’Toole, [e-mail], answers all your flooring queries. Email: [e-mail]

Q I’m deciding on flooring for my new home, but with so many options how do I decide?

A. Flooring is usually the first thing people notice in a room and sets the mood of the space. The first thing that you should keep in mind is functionality — for example, wooden flooring may suit a bedroom but not a bathroom. Next, consider the style of your home and room and which flooring will best complement this. Natural materials, such as wool carpet, will give the room a homely feel, whereas manmade ones such as resin will give it a modern edge.