Interior design advice
Our experts walk you through hard flooring
Creating a home that flows isn’t just about the colour palette and style you choose. You need to go back to basics and look at what’s underfoot, too. With so many different types of hard flooring available – from wood to ceramic, porcelain to luxury vinyl tiles, concrete and natural stone to laminate – where do you start? We asked our favourite experts.
WHAT’S PRACTICAL FOR DOWNSTAIRS SPACES?
‘There are some amazing ceramic products that mimic stone, timber, concrete and even some metals,’ says architect Stephen Coates, ‘Often these are easier to install, maintain and mix and match compared with the real materials.’ It’s about thinking practically, as creative director Lindsey Rendall of
Rendall & Wright explains: ‘Don’t be guided by aesthetics alone; wood flooring and natural stone look beautiful when first laid, but need care and attention. If you want the look, but not the hassle, then think about porcelain, a wood substitute, or vinyl. These non-porous products give an almost indestructible surface suitable for young families and those who want a fuss-free life.’
CAN I MIX AND MATCH DIFFERENT FLOORING IN DIFFERENT ROOMS?
‘Statement flooring, such as encaustic tiles in hallways, can bring period style back to a house that has lost its original features,’ says Paul Bangs, head of Bathrooms, Tiles and Flooring at Wickes. ‘They work well with LVT (luxury vinyl tiles), which are great for adding warmth and texture to a kitchen. LVT are highly durable, water resistant and look just like
“As downstairs spaces tend to get the heaviest foot traffic in the house, flooring needs to be durable”
PAUL BANGS, WICKES
“If you have the time to look after your flooring, then nothing beats a stunning floor” parquet or flagstone
LINDSEY RENDALL, INTERIOR DESIGNER
real wood or tiles.’ Stephen says it’s important to pay attention to any joins: ‘Seamless is ideal, but this can be tricky when adjacent contrasting materials are of different thickness.’ Lindsey agrees: ‘It’s about a smooth transition – swap materials at distinct level changes, such as steps, thresholds or surrounding design materials. Keeping floor tones the same, regardless of material, will help the spaces flow into each other.’
ANY TRICKS FOR MAKING THE TRANSITION WORK?
‘Use one flooring material to create the threshold or edging detail between the two spaces,’ says Lindsey, ‘and keep flooring the same level to prevent trip hazards.’ Paul advises thinking about curves, ‘rather than a jarring straight line or angle. If juxtaposing tiles with wooden flooring, try cutting the wood to complement and match the edge of the tiles, creating an eye-catching feature.’
SHOULD I USE THE SAME FLOORING THROUGHOUT IN OPEN-PLAN SPACES?
‘Yes,’ says Paul. ‘Try a lighter coloured floorboard with warmer undertones to give off a more welcoming feel.’ Lindsey agrees: ‘The same flooring throughout will make a space feel bigger as the eye will flow from area to area without the disruption of thresholds.’
HOW DO I USE FLOORING TO CREATE ZONES?
‘In smaller spaces or open-plan rooms, it may be more successful to introduce a rug to zone an area,
rather than a different hard flooring. This gives flexibility, allowing you to alter a room’s style without the huge expense of changing the entire floor,’ says Lindsey. ‘Using different stains or tones can allow for a smooth transition between living spaces, which can be enhanced by your choice of furniture,’ says Paul.
WHAT ABOUT LINKING A PERIOD HOME TO A MODERN EXTENSION?
‘Choose flooring that either looks seamless – like an engineered oak, perhaps in a herringbone layout, or something more contemporary in style, creating a contrasting effect, like concrete,’ says Paul. Stephen would always choose timber: ‘The wider the board the better.’ Lindsey would look for contrast, ‘but it shouldn’t be a shocking transition’, she says. ‘Wooden flooring to a large-format porcelain tile, or natural stone through to a polished concrete can look beautiful.’
AND LINKING INDOORS WITH OUTDOORS?
‘Lots of brands offer an internal and external porcelain tile in the same finish,’ says Lindsey. ‘I’m currently using a 10mm thick internal tile with a smooth finish and a 20mm thick non-slip external tile on a project to
“Using new or reclaimed stone, timber or concrete becomes part of the fabric of the house, rather than simply an applied finish”
STEPHEN COATES, ARCHITECT
allow the space to work as one.’ Stephen recommends thinking about the junction between the two. ‘There are hidden gutters that can be integrated into the floor that help.’
HOW CAN I INTRODUCE PATTERN INTO A SCHEME?
‘Pair boldly patterned flooring tiles with a lighter wall colour to make the space feel large,’ says Paul. Lindsey suggests adding a ‘rug’ to a bathroom floor. ‘Patterned tiles can help distort proportions – laying planks or patterns across a narrow room can increase the sense of space, but striped floors laid lengthways in a narrow, long hallway can make it feel even longer, so plan pattern carefully.’
WHAT HAVE YOU FOUND LATELY THAT’S EXCITING?
‘I love micro-cement – it’s being used in bathrooms to create a seamless look across the floor, shower and walls,’ says Stephen. ‘I’ve recently used Neisha Crosland parquet vinyl flooring,’ says Lindsey. ‘It’s stunning yet practical, and it packs a punch on the style front.’
AND WHAT’S TRENDING?
‘Light grey laminate,’ says Paul. ‘It comes in realistic finishes, from stone to wood, that give a contemporary look. Herringbone is also up there, with different installation patterns to choose from, while engineered wood remains popular because it’s hard-wearing.’ Stephen identifies ‘natural and sustainable materials in their most raw state and contrasting pattern,’ while Lindsey says, ‘Parquet, parquet and more parquet – whether traditional blocks, porcelain tile, vinyl or lino effect!’
ARE THERE ANY UNSUNG HEROES OUT THERE?
‘The Unnatural Flooring Company has a range of elegant vinyl, which looks just like woven sisal. It’s a fantastic option for period homes with uneven floors, where tiles aren’t a good idea,’ says Lindsey.