While it is unusual to conceive of leather for flooring, leather tiles are gaining popularity. Leather is not only gorgeous, it's a durable flooring material. It could be just the thing to add unique elegance to your executive home. A wide selection of colors that leather can easily be stained and dyed, and the ability to have leather custom colored, assures a flooring that will blend in with any decorating style.

While leather floors have traditionally been hard to install, many companies are now adhering leather to wood, making leather tiles. These are very easy to install, as they are solid, and each piece retains its shape and can be tiled very tightly together. Waxing the surface after installation assures that any gaps are filled, and makes the leather surface easy to clean.

Taking care of your leather flooring is easy. Just vacuum or sweep as you would any other flooring. Spills can be wiped up with a damp cloth. It is recommended that wax be applied to floors annually, although they can go longer without this. The level of maintenance you will do on the floors depends on the aesthetic you are after. If you enjoy the natural patina of a well-used floor, then all the better. After all, wear and tear happens, and adds to the character of your floor, and any object in you home. If, however, you want the leather looking like it did the day you installed it, you will want to wax and buff on a regular basis, especially in high traffic areas.

The biggest detriment to leather flooring is high humidity and excessive direct sunlight. These factors can stress leather, causing it to warp and reducing its longevity. So avoid leather in bathrooms, kitchens and solarium's.

However, leather is ideal for living rooms, bedrooms, offices, and dens. Its soft texture makes it a great choice for TV or listening rooms. Leather tiles on the floors, walls and even ceilings will compliment your entertainment system's surround sound, buffering sound waves and reducing echo.

If you are installing the tile yourself, be sure to store the tiles out of their shipping container, in your chosen room for at least two weeks. This helps them acclimatize, assuring they will stay put as tightly as you install them. Assure that your installation surface is clean and free of all debris. Any flaws in the floor will be apparent on the finished surface. Be sure to read all of the manufacturers instructions carefully before beginning. This is a worthy investment, and should be done right.

Those of you with an environmental conscience will appreciate that recycled leather tile can be found, made from old leather furniture.

Because leather tile is attractive, unique and durable, it is an excellent choice for flooring that will add to the value to your home.