Select Surfaces graciously provided me with the flooring for this project. My thoughts and opinions (and sweat equity) are all my own.
Ladies and gentlemen – we have floors in the master bedroom!
(And they are looking pretty awesome, if I do say so myself.)
In the photos I shared in last week’s wall color update, the floors were still bare concrete:
And as a reminder, this room started with shaggy beige carpet:
Just like I did in the main living areas of our home, I used Select Surfaces laminate flooring in “Mocha Walnut” (available at Sam’s Club!) and did the installation all by myself from start to finish!
This is the fourth area in our home where I’ve pulled up carpet and laid down laminate flooring, so this room’s installation was a breeze! The most difficult part was dealing with laying planks under the door jambs on the angled wall, and really, that only required patience and careful measuring.
For ALL THE DETAILS on DIY laminate flooring, you’re definitely going to want to check out this post on installing the floors and this post on the most helpful tools for flooring installation!
I didn’t change anything about my installation methods, but everything just went even more smoothly and quickly because I’ve got my groove down!
- First, lay down plastic moister barrier. ✔️
- Figure out how many planks wide the room is, and cut down the first row to make sure I finish with a wide enough piece. ✔️
- Make sure the first row is straight, and then hit the ground running! Cut and lay twenty-something boxes of planks. ✔️
- Rip the last row of planks down to size and click them down. ✔️
- Install shoe molding to cover the expansion gap around the edge of the room. ✔️
- Caulk and paint the shoe molding to match the trim. ✔️
Look at that gorgeous [faux] wood grain – the Select Surfaces “Mocha Walnut” planks have such beautiful variation!
This room is now ready for the next step of its makeover and I’m so excited to start moving our furniture back in from the rest of the house!
Caring for Laminate Floors
I wanted to wrap up by sharing how I care for our laminate floors. Maintenance has been super easy so far!
First, I sweep up any visible debris with a broom and dustpan.
Then, I follow up with a slightly damp microfiber mop. You never want to clean laminate flooring with too much moisture, so I run the cloth under the faucet, then wring out every last drop of water I possibly can.
Really, I’m not mopping the floor – I’m using the damp mop as a magnet for dust.
For spills, I’ve just wiped them up and followed with water-dampened paper towels so far – no need for a cleaner of any kind.
I do find myself noticing more dirt on the floors in general, but kind of prefer knowing it’s there, you know? I’d rather see something and sweep it up then just have it blend into the carpets until I get around to hauling out the vacuum cleaner!
Call me crazy, but I actually love the act of sweeping. I find its repetitive motion and whisking sound strangely restful, and there’s something so satisfying about seeing visible fruits of your labors!
Do you have any laminate flooring maintenance tips and tricks to share? Or any questions? Let’s chat!
It looks amazing Brynne! I’m so impressed with your work on these floors – they really do look like the real thing and they just add SO much to your home. You are such a rock star DIYer!!! Love the colour of the walls as well 😉 xxx
Thank you so much, Kimberly! I think these are really going to be the touch that makes the room!
Oooh they look so good! Love the color. You always make DIY look so easy ?
Thank you so much, sweet friend! I can’t believe how intimidated I was to begin on this flooring project int he first place – I feel like I definitely have the experience now to assure ANYONE that they can tackle this! <3
What a difference! The room is warm and cozy now. I am so tempted to try this in our living room.
Thank you so much, Colleen! It really does add so much warmth!
WOW, brynne! they look incredible!!!! beautiful flooring- this room is going to be amazing!
Thank you so much, Cassie! Finishing the floors has definitely given me the boost of energy I need to tackle the rest of the space! So excited!
Oh my gosh… beautiful floors just MAKE a room, huh?!?! LOVE!
Thank you Beth! I completely agree – my planned design would be 100% less awesome without this fabulous flooring foundation!
Those look great! I wish the laminate in our rental was this nice! it’s super light and shows allllll the dirt. Great job as always!
Thank you so much, Ariel! This color is perfect for that – not too dark to show every speck of dust, not too light!
Dang, you rocked it! What an awesome transformation, and the floors kinda make the room. Beautiful!
Thank you Brittany! I totally agree – they are a game-changer for sure!
It looks great Brynne! And I love the wall color so much!!
Emy, thank you so much! The floors definitely make the new wall color sing!
What a difference! Love the new look, those floors are really beautiful. I’m impressed that you did this yourself!
Thank you Jennifer! I will admit, I was SO intimidated to do the flooring by myself at first, but now I can say with confidence that ANYONE can do it!
The floors look great! And I am in love with the size of that window!!
Thank you Eliesa! That window is a huge challenge in terms of light control (LOVE sleeping in past sunrise!), but definitely a gorgeous element in the room!
I canNOT believe you did this by yourself! The floors look AMAZING! Great choice! Can’t wait to see the finished space! xx
Thank you Charlotte! I’m so excited to keep working in here!
It really looks good. #girlpower
Thank you friend! I’ve learned so much through this project and I do feel quite empowered! 😀
You did a great job…looks very nice.
I prefer the look of the carpet, I know…I’m weird ! 🙂
Thank you Rita! I completely understand – I know many people prefer carpet in bedrooms! I’ve just had the same shaggy beige carpet in just about every place I’ve ever lived, so I was *really* ready for a change! 🙂
The good news is, I was able to re-home the carpet piece via Craigslist, so it has gone on to work in someone else’s home now!
Awesome upgrade!! The wood tone adds such warmth! I can’t wait to see it all together!
Thank you so much, Karen! I am shooting for a dark, warm, “study” feel in here, and I think the floors work perfectly for that!
Looks great, I’ll be right behind you installing floors next month. Haha and I have a huge window to deal with as well.
So fun! You’ve got this Maggie! I’ll be your cheerleader! 😀
Oh my goodness, it looks so amazing! I am so impressed. You have got to be walking around on sunshine on those floors 😉 XO!
Thanks so much, Jen! I totally am – and now I have that song stuck in my head, haha!
The room looks so much bigger!!!! I really like the color of the laminate you chose to go with. It matches the room perfectly.
It really does! Thank you Jess! I love that this color isn’t too dark – it’s a perfect medium tone!
It turned out amazing! The floors make the run so much bigger and brighter! Can’t wait to see it all come together!
Thank you Jess! I agree – they really do! I’m excited for the next step!
This looks fantastic! Laminate flooring has come a long way in that last few years. I suggest it more and more to my clients. Thanks so much for sharing you expertise!
Thank you so much, Megan! It’s such a great option!
Love it! And love where this is heading.
Thank you so much, Julia! I’m so excited to get this room finished now!
Wow! Such a transformation I’m so jealous! That laminate puts our carpeted bedroom to shame – and I can’t believe you did it yourself!
Thank you Cate! I’ll acknowledge, I was pretty intimidated to tackle this flooring project, but now that I’ve finished, I’m living proof that anyone can do it – with ZERO experience up front!
They look so great! Down with carpet!!! And you’re so smart to do this soon after moving in. I’m still living with (and hating) our crappy upstairs carpet 5 years in. I’m hoping new floors will be next year’s big project after our new deck is finally finished.
Thanks so much, Gretchen! Not quite as convenient as doing it BEFORE we moved in 😉 But I never really finished unpacking the master bedroom, haha. That’s exciting that you have new floors in the plan! Can’t wait to see/hear/read about the project!
The new floor looks fab! Also, I’m in love with your bed frame, it’s so elegant!
Can’t wait to see the final shots when it’s all finished!
Hannah x
Thank you so much, Hannah! I’m excited to reveal the next step this week!
No worries! I will keep checking in – can’t wait! x
OK, the floors are magnificent, and you did an amazing job (you go, girl!). I still don’t know if I’m on board with the wall color, though. It could veer into “bad” 70’s, instead of “good” 70’s! But my momma always told me, “Never judge a half-finished project,” so I’m going to withhold judgment till it’s totally done, especially because your taste is always so interesting!
Thank you so much, Randi!
Trust me, I completely understand! It’s one of those colors that is not for everyone. In fact, we had a dark olive green wall in our previous home when we bought it, and I thought it was hideous and couldn’t wait to paint over it! Fingers crossed I can pull it off, haha! 😀
well, if anyone can, it’s you!