NEW LOOKS FOR HARD FLOORING

Get the floor covering right in a room and the design work’s half done. Here, we’ve asked the experts to share what they know…

- JENNIFER MORGAN

Flooring is an investment – whether that’s the amount of money spent, the time and upheaval of having it fitted or even the value it can add to your home life and property’s value, as our experts know only too well. With exciting developments in hard flooring, there’s so much choice, too, with design and practical benefits to weigh up. We asked three experts – an interior designer, a flooring buyer and a wood flooring specialist – to share their insider knowledge…

WHAT’S THE MOST EXCITING HARD FLOOR YOU’VE SEEN LATELY?

‘Rigid luxury vinyl is set to advance the quality and durability of vinyl,’ says David Snazel, hard flooring buyer at Carpetright. ‘It has the softer feel of LVT (luxury vinyl tiles), but the strength and versatility of laminate – and can even be installed over an uneven floor.’ ‘While in wood flooring, we’re seeing lots more creative patterns, such as mansion weave and stretched hexagon designs,’ says Roger Hemmings, marketing manager at Havwoods. ‘Choose a single wood finish or mix and match contrasting colours for a statement aesthetic.’ Josie Lywood, creative director at Q Design House agrees about pattern: ‘I’m always snapping photos of patterned floors – last week I took one of the tiled floor at Tate Britain. Our clients want to add pattern and colour, so I look for inspiration in hotels and museums.’

WHAT’S TRENDING NOW?