Hello, fixer-uppers, interior design DIYers and professional decorators – an almost springlike welcome back to the Daily Grind, the Mr Sander®’ online location for sharing great ideas, helpful hints, and industry updates all about that all-important surface beneath your feet: flooring.

Every month we help property owners and decorators sand and revamp wood floors sensitively, ensuring we leave them looking flawless – whatever design might be in store! We also take time each month to keep up with the latest flooring trends and buzz so that we can share them with you in our roundup.

This March: Catch up with the five lessons you should have learned from The Great Interior Design Challenge, debunk a common hardwood flooring myth and check out 5 unusual wood flooring patterns for creative homes.

5 Flooring Lessons from The GIDC

Have you been keeping up with the BBC’s Great Interior Design Challenge? If you have any interest in interior design and haven’t caught the show, you’ve been missing out! Sixteen amateur interior designers, 16 rooms, a budget of £1000, a brief from the homeowner and just 3 days to complete the project – a recipe made in décor-buff heaven!

And it’s not just cracking telly or interior inspiration; there’s also a lot to be learned from the GIDC, including some pretty critical flooring lessons, which the excellent Reform Flooring have helpfully compiled in this excellent blog. From balancing texture and colour to the awesome power of a great rug, there’s plenty to pick up on here.

Does Hardwood Flooring Need to Acclimatise?

There are a lot of myths and misconceptions in the flooring world, especially among clients who have never lived with wood flooring before. One piece of misinformation the Gaylord Hardwood Flooring team often comes across is about acclimatisation. Does your new hardwood flooring need some time to acclimate to your property and its typical atmosphere before it is installed, especially given that real wood is prone to expanding and contracting in different conditions?

The short answer is: No! To find out why and to read the much longer, expert answer, look at this recent blog.

5 Hardwood Patterns for Visual Impact

Do you love the look of traditional hardwood floors but also love to do things a little differently? This brilliant blog from United Flooring has ideas to help you take your traditional look further with patterned planks. From classic herringbone and herringbone patterns to modern alternating planks and more rustic-feeling basket weave styles, there’s plenty of food for interior design musing right here. Which is your favourite?

Which is your favourite flooring pattern? Have you been watching the Great Interior Design Challenge? What have you learned from the show? Have your say below.

Some Useful Links:

• Floor Sanding Services
• School Floor Sanding
• Wood Floor Restorations
• Wood Floor Repairs
• Wood Floor Polishing

More from our Blog:

Daily Grind – April: Dad Blogs & DIY Inspirations Daily Grind – May: Parquet Perfection & TheWorld’ss Most Beautiful Floors Daily Grind – July: Creative Wood Floors & 3-Minute Cleans Daily Grind – September: “Floor U” Design & Hardwood Health Risks Daily Grind – November: Black Floors & Reclaimed Wood