Well prepared for a flooring showroom? 8 handy tips

Are you looking for a new floor, a beautiful carpet or a completely new look for your home? Then a visit to a showroom is an excellent start.

But how do you make sure you get the most out of your visit?

After all, choosing a floor is not something you do every day. The colour, texture, light, quality and practical properties largely determine how your interior looks and feels.

At NTU Vloeren and Budgetvloer on the Woonboulevard Utrecht, next to IKEA, you can discover a wide variety of floors, materials and interior options.

With these eight practical tips, you'll arrive at the showroom well prepared and find it easier to make a choice that suits your home, wishes and budget.

1. Bring photos of your home

One of the handiest things you can do before visiting a showroom is to take photos of the rooms you're looking for a new floor for.

For example, photograph your living room, kitchen, bedroom or hallway.

Try to capture your furniture, kitchen and the way the light falls as well.

Why is that useful?

A light PVC floor can look wonderful in a modern living room, but a warmer wood colour might go better with your furniture or kitchen.

With carpet, too, the combination with your existing furnishings is important.

Photos allow our advisers to give much more targeted advice on colours, materials and the look you want.

Our tip: take photos from several angles and bring colour samples of your walls or furniture if you can.

2. Measure the rooms beforehand

You don't need an exact professional measurement before you come to the showroom.

Still, it is wise to have a rough idea of the dimensions of your rooms.

For example, write down:

• The length and width of each room.
• The estimated number of square metres.
• Any unusual corners or recesses.
• Whether the new floor will cover several storeys.
• Whether a staircase also needs covering.

With this information, we can discuss more specifically which materials suit your home and what the likely costs are.

For the final order and installation, precise measurements and possibly a professional measurement may be required.

3. Think about which materials you want to see

Many customers come in with one type of floor in mind, but discover in the showroom that there are several interesting options.

At NTU Vloeren and Budgetvloer, you can explore a range of materials and finishes.

PVC: versatile and low-maintenance

PVC is available in a wide range of wood and stone looks. It is relatively easy to clean and many versions are suitable for underfloor heating.

Laminate: attractive and practical

Laminate offers a combination of good looks, easy maintenance and affordability. It comes in many colours and textures.

Parquet and wooden floors: natural character

Wood gives a home a warm look full of character. Every type of wood and finish has its own properties.

Carpet: soft and comfortable

Carpet is an appealing choice for bedrooms, living rooms and other spaces where warmth, softness and sound insulation are important.

There are various textures, colours and pile heights. A low-pile carpet gives a very different look from a soft, deep-pile floor covering.

Marmoleum: natural and versatile

Marmoleum is a linoleum floor made largely from natural raw materials. It is available in a variety of colours and can be an attractive option for both homes and functional spaces.

Rugs: atmosphere without replacing the whole floor

Would you like to add more warmth, colour or comfort without laying a completely new floor straight away? Then a rug can be a lovely addition.

By looking at different options, you'll discover what best suits your interior and the way you live.

4. Think about everyday use in advance

A beautiful floor also needs to be practical.

Do you have young children? Pets? A busy household? Or are you looking for a comfortable floor for a quiet bedroom?

Questions like these help you make the right choice.

For example, think about:

• How intensively the floor will be used.
• How important easy maintenance is to you.
• Whether there are children or pets.
• Whether sound insulation matters a lot to you.
• Whether the floor needs to withstand regular contact with moisture.
• Whether softness and comfort are important.

For a bedroom, carpet can be attractive because of how soft it feels underfoot.

In a busy living room, on the other hand, a low-maintenance PVC or laminate floor may be the better option.

The best floor is not automatically the most expensive one, but the floor that fits well with your everyday life.

5. Check whether you have underfloor heating

Do you have underfloor heating, or are you planning to have it installed?

Then mention this during your showroom visit.

Not every floor has the same thermal resistance, and not every type of floor is suitable for every underfloor heating system.

PVC is often used in combination with underfloor heating, but certain laminate, parquet, marmoleum and carpet products can also be suitable.

It depends on the specific product, the underlay and the overall floor build-up.

Our advisers can help you compare the options.

Do you live in a flat? Then also bring along any VvE (homeowners' association) requirements regarding impact noise and underlays.

6. Pay close attention to colours, textures and light

A floor can look very different on a website or in a photo than it does in reality.

That is why it is wise to look at floor samples in real life.

Don't just pay attention to the colour, but also to the texture, sheen and finish.

A floor with a warm oak look can combine beautifully with beige furniture, while a cooler wood tone may suit a different interior better.

With carpet, the pile direction and the light can also affect how the colour is perceived.

Our tip: compare several samples side by side and look at them from different angles. Where possible, ask whether you can assess a sample at home in your own daylight and lighting.

That way you avoid making a choice based on a single photo that turns out differently in your own home.

7. Think beyond just the floor

When you refurnish a room, it is useful to look further than just the floor covering.

The combination of floors, curtains, sun protection and other interior products determines the final atmosphere.

That is why at NTU Vloeren you can also explore products such as:

• Curtains and other window coverings.
• Shutters.
• Sun protection.
• Rugs.
• Finishing and matching accessories.

Say you want to combine a new floor with curtains. Then it is nice to coordinate colours and materials.

A warm wooden floor with soft curtains creates a different look from a sleek PVC floor with modern window coverings.

By discussing the overall picture, you'll find it easier to make choices that go well together.

8. Set your budget and preferred timing

Before you come to the showroom, it is wise to think about your budget.

Don't just think about the price of the floor itself.

Depending on the situation, the underlay, levelling, skirting boards, finishing, delivery and any fitting work may also play a role.

Also let us know when you need the floor.

Are you moving soon or is a renovation planned? Then the availability of materials can be important.

Budgetvloer has a large stock of floors, which means that relatively fast delivery is possible for certain products.

Our staff can tell you about the current stock and the options for your timing.

Why visit NTU Vloeren and Budgetvloer?

Ideally, you choose a new floor or interior finish with plenty of information.

At NTU Vloeren and Budgetvloer, you can compare different materials and get personal advice on the options.

Budgetvloer is part of NTU and offers a wide range of quality floors for different budgets.

NTU Vloeren also offers a more extensive range of flooring and interior products.

That makes it easy to discuss different wishes during a single visit.

Whether you're looking for affordable laminate, a stylish PVC herringbone floor, soft carpet, a wooden floor or new curtains: there is plenty of inspiration to be found.

Combine your showroom visit with IKEA Utrecht

Our location is on the Woonboulevard Utrecht, next to IKEA.

That makes a visit extra convenient when you're busy moving house, renovating or refurnishing.

Are you at IKEA looking for a sofa, bed, kitchen or wardrobe, for example?

Then you can combine your home ideas with looking at floors, carpet and window coverings at NTU Vloeren and Budgetvloer.

After all, a floor forms the foundation of your interior.

By coordinating materials and colours, you create a cohesive whole.

Frequently asked questions about a showroom visit

Do I need to measure my home exactly beforehand?

No, rough measurements are often enough for an initial look around. For a final quote or order, precise measurements may be required.

Can I compare different types of floors?

Yes. You can explore different materials such as PVC, laminate, parquet, carpet and other flooring solutions.

Can I also get advice on curtains and window coverings?

Yes, in addition to floors, NTU Vloeren also offers various interior products, including curtains, sun protection and shutters.

Can I get advice on underfloor heating?

Yes. Tell our staff which type of underfloor heating you have, so they can help you find suitable floors and underlays.

Do I need to know in advance which floor I want?

No, not at all. A visit to the showroom can help you discover different materials, colours and options.

Ready to discover your new floor or interior?

Good preparation makes choosing a new floor a lot easier.

Bring photos, rough measurements and any colour samples. And think about what matters to you in terms of look, comfort, maintenance and budget.

Then our advisers can help you in a more targeted way.

Visit NTU Vloeren and Budgetvloer on the Woonboulevard Utrecht.

Hollantlaan 26-28
3526 AM Utrecht
Next to IKEA Utrecht

Drop by, get inspired and discover which floor, type of carpet or interior finish best suits your home.

‍