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.

Tarkett launches its Acczent Chambray collection

Tarkett flooring has expanded its vinyl sheet flooring collection with the addition of the Acczent Chambray range, a new offering that features 22 colours inspired by Europe’s countryside, including Sunshine, Citrus, Vine and Terra.

Omoleye Simmons, Tarkett's vice president of design said:

"Chambray fabric has been cherished for centuries for its durability, lightweight comfort and timeless elegance. Inspired by this iconic French textile, Acczent Chambray brings a sense of familiar warmth to any space."

The Acczent Chambray collection is both visually appealing and extremely practical. It features a 32-millimetre wear layer, alongside Techtonic XD protection, an coating cured by excimer that resists scuffs, stains and scratches. It requires no further protective finish to be very hard-wearing and easy to maintain.

This vinyl flooring range is quick to install and is attached to the subfloor via RollSmart adhesive. Thermo-fused welded seams create a smooth, even surface.

The Acczent Chambray flooring is allergy and asthma-friendly and easy to clean, making it ideal for use in hospitals, healthcare and educational environments. Once the flooring reaches the end of its life, Tarkett's ReStart program will collect the worn flooring for recycling. Tarkett is committed to sustainability, the circular economy, preventing waste and reducing the environmental impact of its products.

Tarkett's floor coverings range is available from a local flooring retailer in the Chester and North Wales region. Tarkett flooring looks good whilst being very hard-wearing. Their vinyl flooring is ideal for commercial use in high footfall areas, but is also suitable for residential properties.

How the sun-baked carpets of Antalya perfect their colours

Outside the coastal city of Antalya in southern Turkey, thousands of carpets and rugs are left exposed on the bare ground during the hot summer months (from June to September). This dries out the vegetable dyes in the fabric, which helps to achieve the desired colour.

The wool-knotted carpets arrive from all over Turkey to be washed, trimmed and left out to dry. The morning dew and the heat of the day soften the tones of the vegetable dyes, transforming them into attractive pastel shades.

Each year, up to 60,000 carpets and rugs are left to dry on a 100-acre site. Around 15,000 of them are stored side by side at a time for drying. Around 50 workers are required to turn over the carpets each day, and if it rains, 100 people from the local villages run to fold the carpets and take them to a shelter until it stops.

As soon as the carpets reach the required shade, most of them are transported to Istanbul's Grand Bazaar to be sold, with many of them exported to other countries.

This colourful display of carpets and rugs has become a tourist attraction, attracting visitors from many parts of the world.

When you purchase a new wool carpet from a flooring retailer in Chester and surrounding areas, there is no need to wash it and leave it out to dry in the garden. Modern wool carpets are manufactured with dyes that stay bright and don't fade over time, meaning you’ll get to enjoy their colourful appearance for longer.

What is neuroaesthetic design?

There is a growing trend for neuroaesthetic design in homes. This design style emphasises the impact of interior design on mood and overall wellbeing. For flooring, this often means soft textures, calm colours and natural patterns.

There has been a rise in people adopting lifestyles that improve their health and wellness. Their interior design choices reflect this commitment to physical and mental wellness.

There has also been an increase in people working from home who want flooring that supports the transition from work mode to relaxing after work. Soft carpets in home offices and living rooms help keep a sense of calmness whilst at work and relaxation when work is over for the day.

Those who support neuroaesthetic design do not restrict their wellness care to their own health but extend their concerns to the wellness of the planet. This is demonstrated by their demand for sustainable and eco-conscious interior materials. Floor coverings made from natural fibres such as wool, sisal and jute are popular sustainable choices. Consumers also prefer underlays that contain recycled materials.

Nature-inspired earthy colours like beige, taupe, sage green, terracotta and ochre are tones that are grounding and calming. If wanting patterned carpets, designs inspired by nature, such as plants, flowers, and trees, are popular.

Some design experts predict that the future of interiors is a focus on how spaces in the home make people feel and align with their ethical principles.

To see a wide range of carpets made from natural materials and featuring calming colours, contact your local carpet retailer in Chester.

What’s the difference between floating and glued flooring?

The key difference between floating and glued flooring is how the floor covering is attached to the subfloor. Glued flooring uses an adhesive to fix the flooring to the subfloor. Floating flooring relies on the weight of the floor covering and interlocking system to stay in place.

Installing glued flooring

An adhesive bonding solution is applied to the subfloor, then the floor tiles or planks are pressed onto the adhesive, making the tiles or planks firmly attached to the subfloor. This creates a very stable floor, which is good for high foot traffic areas. If the subfloor is uneven, it should be levelled first.

Installing glued flooring takes skill and time and is best done by professional installers. If the floor is damaged, it is not easy to remove individual planks or tiles to replace them.

Installing floating floors

Floating floor installation involves laying planks or panels on the flooring and joining them using an interlocking system, such as a tongue-and-groove or click mechanism. The planks are not glued or attached to the floor, which allows for limited movement and expansion.

Compared to glued flooring, floating floors are easier to install and can be installed on top of existing floors if they are level. Individual planks are easier to replace if damaged. However, floating floors are susceptible to movement and can be noisier to walk on. Uneven subfloors may require levelling before floating floor installation.

Which method is best?

Which method to use depends on three factors: flooring type, subfloor and personal preferences.

Glued-down floors are stable and durable, making them excellent for high-traffic rooms and underfloor heating systems. Glued flooring is recommended for solid wood and vinyl floors.

Floating flooring is a good option for DIY installations as they are easier to install, and it is simpler to replace sections if damaged. Engineered wood, vinyl, and laminates are suitable for the floating floor method.

If you are uncertain about which installation system is best for your floors, consult with a flooring company in Chester, Wrexham or elsewhere in North Wales for expert advice on the installation of hard surface flooring.