Bedroom floors
With warmth and comfort a priority in the bedroom, traditional timber is the natural choice, and ideal for those with allergies or asthma. Both softwoods and hardwoods in solid or engineered formats are an option here, and those worried about noise, should look to deep-pile rugs to dampen footfall and provide extra comfort underfoot.
Taking cues from surroundings or structural timbers can help determine floor styles, with European oak and Douglas Fir tending to be popular choices, as they combine texture, depth and warmth with a versatile neutral palette. “Opting for paler, neutral tones can also create the illusion of a larger, brighter area which is crucial to well-being,” says Walsh. Whereas darker wood tones, such as walnut or teak, instil a feeling of sophistication and charm in grander settings.
Specifying an oiled or waxed finish should enhance any timber’s warm appearance, natural texture and grain, and tends be more fitting in most bedrooms than glossy lacquers. Selecting floating, engineered boards can negate the need to lay structural boards across joists, allowing for the direction in which the flooring is laid to positively influence proportion. “In a narrow room, for example, laying boards horizontally will help create an illusion of additional width,” explains Peter Keane, director of The Natural Wood Floor Company.
For an authentic time-worn patina, consider sourcing period appropriate antique and reclaimed timber. “Which, incidentally, is often harder than new, as it is already weathered,” says Alex Main, director of The Main Company. Alternatively, where new is preferred, look to specialist finishes and textured surfaces akin to an aged floor.
Alternatively, tiles offer an opportunity to inject pattern, depth and character in more relaxed settings, particularly warm-to-the-touch terracotta, stone, cement or clay encaustics. ►