The top 5 flooring ideas to build a gorgeous home from the ground up
When transforming a room little is as subtle, or as key to setting the scene, as good flooring. Here's five of the most inspiring looks that are perfect to lay the groundwork for an impactful scheme...
It may not be the first thing you think of when designing an interior setting but flooring is a major player when it comes to setting the mood of a room and definitely effects the comfort and style of your home. We look at some of the latest trends in home flooring and tips to consider when choosing floors for your home.
1. Patterned
Stepping away from traditional straight-lined floor applications, there is a revival of herringbone, chevron, and basket weave patterns. The modern approach is to use a mix of different woods and even materials like marble and stone, for added texture, laid in highly patterned arrangements that make for a serious style statement underfoot.
2. Textured
If you’ve been thinking of adding a unique twist to your floor, look at textured tiles as an ultra stylish option. Trends at the last Cersaie (the world’s largest tile expo) showcased ceramic and porcelain tiles designed to resemble other materials, not just in look but also by touch. These days, a porcelain tile digitally mastered with a wood grain finish is almost indistinguishable from the real thing, finished with an authentic texture. Also popular are tiles with a hand-painted decorative Mediterranean pattern, oxidised metal, and rough concrete.
3. Blanched
An alternative to the former varnished, dark wood floor frontrunner, the softer white-washed look of a blanched floor is taking the lead. Blanching gives the wood an ashy, Scandinavian look with the natural grain still clearly visible, so you do not lose any of the charm and beauty of the material. From shades of white and grey to faded browns and even a mixture of tones for a more natural, less manufactured look, blanched is the new wood floor favourite.
4. Distressed
The distressed floor style has been around for a while but homeowners are consistently opting for that luxury-aged look in their flooring. Distressed flooring undergoes an artificial aging processes to give it a worn finish – edges are hand-scraped, swirl and kerf markings are added and planks are brushed to remove glossing to give them a soft, worn texture. This trend also applies to concrete flooring, which was introduced to mainstream design through industrial-chic interiors. Distressed concrete flooring is treated to minimise the polished look and produce an enhanced, worn out patina.
5. Layered
Adding character, colour and comfort to your floor is easily done with the addition of rugs and runners, but there’s no need to be shy on selection. Apply rugs on top of rugs, with the trend for layering various patterns and sizes creating even more dimension and versatility to your interior schemes.
Quick tips from the expert
Miriam Llano from Cosentino Middle East offers insight on emerging flooring trends and applications:
What are the latest trends in flooring surfaces?
Natural flooring materials like wood and stone continue to stay on trend. In terms of colour, shades of grey and white, being versatile, are the most popular. There is also a leaning towards texture, particularly distressed looks. Epoxy terrazzo also seems to be making a comeback. Homeowners are looking for materials that are waterproof, stain resistant and low maintenance. Globally, there is a growing interest in recycled and sustainable materials.
Which innovative flooring options seem to be in popular demand?
There is a great demand for natural stone surfaces, particularly quartz and marble. Recognising this, Dekton by Cosentino has created Opera and Natura, while Silestone by Cosentino offers the Eternal collection, both replicating the look of classic marble, without the hassle of maintenance and potential damage associated with natural stone. Dekton Industrial is a range of popular distressed textures.
What should you consider when selecting flooring for your home?
Floors play a pivotal role in the aesthetics of interior design, given the large surface area they cover and the resulting visual impact.
Play with light Use lighter hues to create a sense of space, or if you have a large room with enough natural light, couple that with darker shades.
Make it personal Do you like your floor to be warm or cold to the touch? Choose a material that you can walk barefoot on in comfort.
Wear and tear A floor must be able to withstand daily use as well as isolated impacts, so choose a material that is both durable and easy to maintain, particularly if your home caters to a family with little ones.
Know your space Choose flooring best suited for the space and purpose. For instance, flooring for bathrooms have special challenges presented by humidity and hygiene requirements. In this case, opt for surfaces with low levels of porosity that are stain repellent and anti-slip.
