When decorating your home, your flooring choice is one of the most important decisions you will make. It’s not only a practical decision, but it also sets the tone for the overall look of the space.
The right choice can elevate a room, making it not only beautiful but functional for years to come. Whether you love the seamless modernity of micro cement, the timeless charm of tiles, the warmth of carpet, or the eco-credentials of cork and linoleum, today’s flooring options mean you can have both fabulous style and everyday practicality.
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The Kitchen
The kitchen is the heart of the home. For many of us, it’s where we spend most of our time, as most modern kitchens function as both a cooking and socialising space. As a result, we demand more from our kitchen floor. It must withstand spills, splashes, dropped utensils, and heavy foot traffic. Yet practicality needn’t mean sacrificing style.
Tiles
Ceramic and porcelain tiles are timeless in kitchens for a reason. They’re durable, water-resistant, and available in an endless range of finishes, from rustic terracotta to high-gloss marble lookalikes. The artisan-patterned encaustic-style tile is still a firm favourite, offering a personalised decorative look.
Polished concrete
Not for the faint-hearted, Polished Concrete can be marmite. However, if you love the look, this heavy-duty, industrial-style flooring will last for decades.
Laminate
If you love the rustic wooden floor look, but you’re not blessed with original wooden flooring, laminate is the next best thing. Modern laminate is now water-resistant and more hard-wearing, making it an ideal option for the kitchen.
Luxury Vinyl Tiles
A modern version of the ‘70s favourite lino, Vinyl tiles have come a long way in terms of style and function.
Living Room
The living room is a space for relaxing and entertaining. It’s less about practicality, making it a room where you can let your interior juices flow. Here, you can let your flooring choice reflect your personality.
Carpet
Carpet can be a bold choice for a downstairs space. While the living room is a space for relaxation, it can also be a busy area. If you yearn for the soft feeling of carpet underfoot, then choose wisely. If it’s a no-shoes space, then plush velvet is the luxurious choice. For busy households, consider wool blends that are naturally resilient and easy to clean.
Wood and wood-look alternatives
Hardwood floors remain a classic, but engineered wood, laminate, and high-quality vinyl plank are all cost-effective alternatives. They deliver the same aesthetic appeal with added durability. Layer with rugs to bring in extra warmth and seasonal flexibility.
Cork flooring
If you’re on the hunt for something a little different that provides comfort and warmth, then Cork flooring may be the one for you.
Harvested from the bark of the cork oak tree, the cork is naturally regenerated, making it a renewable and biodegradable option.
Apart from its sustainable qualities, Cork is a good thermal insulator, helping to regulate room temperature. It also provides excellent soundproofing by absorbing sound, making it a great option for apartment living.
The Bedroom
When it comes to the bedroom, we all seek a space that serves as a sanctuary. A space that is calming, comfortable and conducive to a good night’s sleep. Flooring can play a significant role in creating a restful, cocoon-like atmosphere.
Carpet
A firm favourite, carpet brings warmth and softness to a space, making it perfect for stepping onto on a chilly morning. If you fancy a boutique hotel type feel, opt for a sumptuous deep-pile design in neutral shades. Alternatively, if rustic simplicity is more your vibe, go with a textured Berber loop pile for a relaxed, natural look.
Wood flooring
If you’re lucky enough to have original floorboards in your home, then making them a feature is a must. While keeping to the OG stain is best for downstairs, upstairs is the perfect space to have a bit of fun with painting the floorboards to suit the style of the room. If ‘less is more’ is your vibe, why not opt for an off-white or duck egg hue? Or a baby pink or taupe would work well in a baby’s nursery.
Bathroom
Bathrooms are the most challenging space for flooring. Surfaces need to be fully water-resistant, slip-proof, and easy to clean, all while enhancing a sense of spa-like calm.
Tiles
Still the number one bathroom choice, tiles offer endless design flexibility. Large-format porcelain tiles create a seamless look with fewer grout lines, while patterned tiles can add personality.
Micro cement
Its seamless application makes it ideal for bathrooms, as there are no joints where water can seep through. Available in a range of colours, micro cement can be carried through from the walls to the floor, creating a seamless and contemporary, spa-inspired vibe.
Vinyl
If you’re seeking a more affordable flooring option without sacrificing style, sheet vinyl or LVT might be ideal. This budget-friendly choice offers a warmer feel underfoot compared to tiles and is completely waterproof. This modern take on linoleum is far from kitsch, featuring marble or slate-inspired designs that could easily be mistaken for the real thing.
