What flooring options make a room feel bigger?

Interior design experts have revealed what flooring options make a small room appear larger.

Stephen Nash, from All&Nothing studio in London, recommends avoiding narrow timber planks or small tiles with numerous joints, as an uninterrupted, uniform floor makes a room appear larger.

Romanos Brihi from Studio Vero agrees that small tiles should be avoided, as continuity is the key to a room feeling bigger. If using tiles, choose large carpet, timber, or stone ones to make a room look larger.

Lay carpet or other tiles parallel to the longest wall. For narrow spaces, consider laying tiles diagonally to make the space appear longer and wider.

For wood flooring, don't use herringbone or chevron patterns, as, according to Designer Ali Childs :

“Laying floorboards vertically naturally leads the eye forward, drawing you into a space, and making even modestly sized rooms feel longer and more open, as though they are unfolding in front of you."

Colour makes a big difference to how expansive a space feels. Kirsty Barton from Alternative Flooring says that light shades make a room look bigger, whereas dark shades make the room feel smaller but cosy. She recommends beige, cream, or pale grey shades that reflect light and create the illusion of open space. Use flooring that is a lighter shade than the furniture for a grander feel.

For more advice on flooring options that make rooms appear larger, talk to a local flooring retailer in the North Wales and Chester region.