photography by Ted Dayton

These days, it's all about "saving," and the world of flooring is no different. Here are three ways that you can save while still cashing in on style.

Save Money
"We've noticed that many clients are choosing less-expensive options, and are using less product, too," informs Ben Griffiths of Brent's Carpet One (255-3337). But with the help of informed professionals, customers can still get the look they want. "A great trend now is polyester," says Griffiths. "It's a newer player in the carpet world, and it's more durable than nylon. It's also more stain resistant, and you can get it for a lot less." Griffiths says that polyester carpets are great for bedrooms. "The carpets are taller and less dense, plus they are incredibly soft. Because of that, it's not ideal for a staircase, but it makes for gorgeous, surprisingly-more-affordable flooring in many areas of the home."

Save Sanity
Kids, pets, parties - they're all wonderful to have in your life - and they can cause major havoc on your carpets. Flooring is an investment, and if you are trying to make yours pay off in a house where spills are just a cup of juice (or wine!) away, Stainmaster Ultralife carpet is the trend for you. This super-durable flooring comes with a 15-year wear and stain warranty. Even better, there's special financing incentives available right now that can score you super-quality carpet at major savings. Elite Stainmaster Flooring Center is the only local proprietor of Stainmaster Ultralife Carpet (244-0220).

Save the Earth
The environmentally-sound choice for the flooring in your home is bamboo. It serves as an alternative to hardwood flooring or laminate flooring at a fraction of the cost, and it's good for Mother Earth. Bamboo stalks are being transformed into quality, ultra-smooth flooring on a grand scale in order to meet the fast-growing demand for this exceptionally stylish floor covering. It is available in short laminated strips, planks or tiles, so installation is conducted in much the same way as other hardwood floors. There are nine styles to choose from, so you can create a cohesive look with the rest of your home. It is best suited in the kitchen, as it is not as sensitive to moisture as other flooring because of its origin. This incredible, affordable trend is available from The Flooring Connection (297-9800).