LIGHTER AND BRIGHTER

The right flooring will instantly make your home feel more inviting – here are five clever design tricks that work for any room

The light in northern countries, such as the UK, tends to be cool and subdued, so making your home feel brighter is always a priority. Flooring can have a real impact when it comes to bouncing natural daylight around a room. Here’s how to choose wisely.

1You might think that dazzling white would be the key here, but muted hues, such as grey, buff and taupe, can be just as effective. Carpetright’s Birch Loop Pile (above right) and Zanzibar carpets, created with Country Living, come in a variety of warm neutrals that work in harmony with pale, radiance-boosting shades. For an instant lift, gradually lighten the tones as you move towards the ceiling.

2Carpets with a subtle sheen, such as the Burnham Twist collection, will reflect more light around the room, says Carpetright buyer Jemma Dayman. Designs like this work especially well when paired with gleaming metallic accessories – choose brass or gold for a burnished glow.

3Finely striped carpets are a great way to introduce colour and texture to prevent a room from feeling dark. The Camber Sands design in Beach Hut Stripe comes in delicate hues with a white stripe, making it an ideal stair runner, as the pattern draws the eye upwards.

4Floors in neutral tones will help to brighten a space, bringing vital shine. Choose a design with variations in the grain, such as the embossed effect of the Impressive Concrete Wood Light Grey Laminate (above left).

5A punchy patterned floor in a similar hue to your walls can add vibrancy to a room. The Platinum Almeria tile-effect vinyl (left) has a Moroccan feel that works perfectly in an otherwise plain interior.