This traditional style tatami mat is made from a double layer of Japanese rush grass which embodies long-lasting durability. Perfect for use in a variety of interiors, this tatami mat will compliment many different décor schemes especially those of an East Asian feel. Originally made in Japan for the nobility, this type of mat will bring aesthetic quality and a depth of cultural history to your home.

Japanese tatami mats are found in a number of different sizes. This particular mat is 6′x 3′ which will fit well into the majority of medium sized rooms and larger ones. The mats have also been used by martial arts practitioners as well as being used by the Samurai. In the West, a Japanese rush grass mat like this one will be ideal for a meditation room if you are so inclined to practice this relaxation technique for medical and/or Buddhist reasons. It will also serve well as a decorative floor mat to go under a home alter of whatever religion one happens to be.

You can buy this comfortable mat from here: 6′x 3′ Standard Handwoven Rush Grass Tatami Mat.

Price: $119.95
+ $59.02 Shipping

The black and white musical notes rug can be placed in a room which perhaps comprises of one or more instruments that are regularly played. A musical themed rug will add an extra decorative feature to an interior where music is created and enjoyed. This style of musical notes rug is also ideal for a kid’s room especially one who is beginning the process of learning a musical instrument. I remember as a child learning to play the flute and the long hours involved in perfecting my playing of the instrument and understanding the musical notations.

Regardless of which room this black and white musical notes rug is placed in, the contemporary look will add an extra musical ambiance to that room. Black and white décor items for the floor can suit a variety of settings especially those of a classical nature.

You can purchase this music rug from this location: Black and White Musical Notes Rug.

Did you know?: The earliest form of musical notation was discovered in a cuneiform tablet from around 2000 B.C. This was discovered in Nippur, in what is now modern day Iraq.

Most commonly, Afghan rugs are made in the Bukhara print, also known as the octagonal elephant’s foot which usually comes in a deep red or tan coloring, like in the rug images shown in this very post. By the way, Bukhara is in fact a city in Uzbekistan and not in Afghanistan but an Afghan rug does not necessarily have to come from Afghanistan itself. Many surrounding nations have adopted the style and ways of Afghan rug making.

These two Afghan rugs are in fact available to purchase online. The first picture shows the Kashimar Afghan Rug whilst the second shows the more geometric Gem Multi Border Afghan Rug. Both of these deep red rugs will make attractive and sophisticated decorative additions to a variety of rooms in the home. They can be used in a number of ways including as wall hangings and floor rugs.

If you have a traditional setting which will compliment these deep red Afghan rugs, especially with matching Middle Eastern furniture, then these will definitely make an interesting purchase. One thing is for sure, the craftsmanship that goes into these intricate and impressive Afghan rugs is of a very high quality. You can read more about both Afghan rugs as well as see larger pictures of them via the two links noted above.

However, there are a few things you can do to help protect the flooring in your home from damage caused by household pets. These will keep stains to a minimum and they are as follows:

Laminate Flooring

Laminate floors are incredibly durable and very easy to look after. They are based on a 3-layer principle which includes a surface layer, a core fiber body and an underneath layer. The top level, also known as the print level, uses computerized technology to create highly realistic reproductions of hardwood, stone, tile or brickwork. Upon this is a top coating of melamine.

The result is flooring which can withstand scratches, burns, spills and most stains. This makes it an ideal flooring material for a home with pets.

However, one drawback is its slickness. As one can see from videos posted to Youtube, the hilarity of a kitten or puppy slipping and sliding on slippery floors is highly amusing. For adult cats and dogs it can be dangerous. Muscle and ligament damage can result from an animal’s legs going sideways, which is not a natural movement for most 4-legged creatures.

Hardwood Flooring

Wooden floorboards are highly susceptible to scratch damage and they are not much better when it comes to staining. They can, on the other hand, be refinished but you don’t want to do this too often. The best option is a high-grade hard urethane finish which will make visible damage less likely. You can also get pre-finished hardwood flooring which come with a scratch-resistant coating.

She knows she’s bad

Other Types of Flooring

Bamboo, Cork, Stone and Tile Flooring will need special sealers if they are to remain in good condition. Depending on the amount of use the floor gets, this will probably need to be done every 12 months. The sealants will stop water, vomit and other pet related liquids from getting into the pores and cracks, thereby preventing long-term staining.

Carpets are great for pets but they can be destroyed pretty quickly, especially around the door area, if you’re not careful. In my own house, an area of carpet outside my bedroom door is all but worn away from my cat’s excited scratching in the morning when she hears me stirring from slumber. You should also look to get your carpets professionally cleaned once a year to keep them fresh.

Keep Them Out

No, I don’t mean out of the house entirely. By this I mean keeping them out of certain rooms which have new and expensive flooring. If you living room has been newly decorated then make sure you close the door behind you at all times. Find an area of the house, such as the kitchen, hallways or dining room which they can roam at will and install some cat beds and playthings in this space. This is particularly important if you have an indoor cat which isn’t allowed out.

My own cat has a cat-flap from where it can go in and out freely, thereby giving it a large amount of quality space and natural walking areas. Therefore I’ve not needed to buy special pet furniture, scratching posts or toys. With a pet that stays indoors, the potential for damage through boredom is greater.

Following these guidelines should help prevent your new flooring from being damaged. With common sense and adapting to changing conditions and behaviours, it’s not too hard to protect your floors from pet damage.

See also: Pet Furniture for Sale.

Vinyl

Vinyl flooring is probably the most common and popular choice for a bathroom. It comes in both sheets or tiles which makes it easy to install. In the case of the vinyl tiles, they lend themselves to easy replacement if old ones are damaged. This material is easy to clean and is resistant to most stains and moisture. However, the seams can be a breeding ground for germs if not cleaned properly.

Ceramic Tile

Bathroom ceramic tile flooring is the most hygienic and durable. Its long lasting nature means it can be cost effective over a large period of time. With this material, it is important to acquire a tile that is the least water absorbent when it comes to this particular room in the home. In stores you will see the ceramic tiles come with a porosity rating ranging from impervious which is the least absorbent, to non-vitreous which is the most absorbent.

Laminate

Lamination is basically the process of merging two or more different materials together to form one material. The strength gained from such a technique comes from the compaction through either pressure or intense heat. Laminate floorboards are the same shape and can often have a similar look to those of natural wood flooring. However, the laminate plank is actually a photographic image printed onto a thin layering underneath a wear layer. This type of floor material is very durable and cheaper than natural wood.

Natural Wood or Hardwood

Hardwood floors are often the most attractive kind of floor material you can install in a bathroom. If you have an old house with rustic and antique toilets and bathtubs then wooden floorboards will probably be the most suitable. As long as the boards are finished with a water resistant clear gloss sealant then it will be a safe and nice looking option.

Stone

Stone flooring is the most expensive of all the materials presented here. However its timeless beauty and incredible durability can make the high cost worth it in the long run. Marble and limestone floors are incredibly beautiful and add an air of sophistication to a bathroom interior. The stone is typically cut into tiles in various different sizes but nevertheless requires a strong sub-floor level. Another problem lies with its slipperiness when wet if the stone has been polished. One can purchase honed and textured stone flooring which will overcome this drawback if it’s a concern.

Carpet

A bathroom carpet floor is often ridiculed as being in poor taste and unhygienic. The British have faced constant European sneers over their love for comfortable flooring when getting out of the bathtub or sitting on the toilet. I tend to agree. However, if you want a carpet for this particular room then you can purchase water-resistant materials as well as those that stop mildew growth and stains.

Cork

Cork flooring is becoming increasingly popular. Its natural insulation qualities in relation to both temperature and sound make it a great option for your bathroom floor. The soft and warm feel will be liked by the soles of your feet. This type of flooring is tough, resilient and water resistant. You can find this material in a number of varying colors.

The sexy shaggy piles come in a variety of colors and are part of the Elle Funny Carpets collection by Danish Carpets. Hip, payable and with highly intriguing names including Magic, Picanto, Futuro, Reflexion, Descanso and Estilo.

Do you know someone with sexy feet and bottom who would die for this?

See: Elle Funny Carpets

These earthenware ceramic tiles push the boundries of the accepted norm with their 3-dimensional forms. As the designers intended, the tiles echo the forms of the human body and innocently (or perhaps provocatively) reach out to be touched.

The shapes come in clusters of four tiles and are made to fit in with the standard tiles already in place. They measure 15 x 15cm. I myself used to live in Berlin but my bathroom was very small. Stubbed toes and shrieks of pain would have been the order of the day but if you have a large bathroom or areas not accessible to human feet, then I can definitely see the attraction.

See: Touchy-Feely

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