Flooring expert predicts top 2026 flooring trends

Flooring expert and online retailer James Higgins has analysed customer preferences and search patterns to predict the top flooring trends for 2026.

Patterned vinyl flooring was very popular in 2025, and is expected to be in high demand in 2026. James Higgins says:

“Patterned vinyl works beautifully because it combines practicality with a sense of fun. It's waterproof, easy to clean and suitable for busy households, yet it instantly transforms a space."

In 2025, carpets in cosy earth colours and beige sold well, but Higgins predicts that grey carpets will be a top trend for 2026. Customers are expected to favour soft greys or the classic “greige”, a shade midway between grey and beige. Grey carpets add a warm contemporary feel to a room and go with many decor styles.

In contrast to plain grey carpets, patterned carpets are predicted to make a revival in 2026. Bold stripes, animal prints and botanical motifs will be popular. James Higgins reports that there has been a surge in demand for leopard and tiger prints. He also points out that striped carpets have been known to have an illusional effect of making a small room appear larger.

Bold patterns on the floor create a maximalist, dramatic feel to a space, but for those who prefer a more minimalist style, James recommends carpets made from natural sisal that create an environment that feels grounded and calm.

Whatever your decor preference is, contact your local flooring retailer in North Wales to see their wide range of flooring styles and materials.

Lancashire offices install glueless carpet tiles for sustainability

Lancashire County Developments Ltd (LCDL) recently installed new carpet tiles in offices at Lancashire Business Park.

Previously, the offices secured the carpet tiles to the floor with adhesive glue. The disadvantage of this is that the tiles are difficult to recycle, as the adhesive on worn tiles is not easily removed.

To make the carpet tiles more sustainable, the office management decided to trial carpet tiles that do not use glue. Instead, dry tack adhesive was applied to the subfloor to secure the tiles in place. If the floor needs to be removed or worn, these individual tiles must be replaced. Tiles can be easily lifted from the subfloor without leaving adhesive residue on them. This makes it easier to extract the fibres from the worn tiles for recycling.

Helen Orson, Business Park Manager at LCDL, was satisfied with the trial of the new carpet tiles. She said the carpet tiles aligned with the company’s sustainable goal of reducing the amount of waste it sends to landfills, instead aiming to recycle as much as possible.

She appreciates the ability of being able to easily uplift individual tiles for replacement. She noted that an additional benefit was that the dry tack method leaves no lingering smells after installation. Also, the installation process takes less time compared to using the traditional carpet tile adhesive method.

To see the latest innovations in carpet tiles in the Chester and North Wales region, visit your local commercial flooring retailer.

Do you need a carpet rake?

Carpets require regular vacuuming and occasional deep cleaning, but there's another tool that some carpet experts recommend: a carpet rake.

Dena Ogden, associate editor of home improvement website The Spruce, explains that carpet rakes penetrate deeper into the carpet pile to lift dirt and debris that vacuums often miss. There are several types of carpet rakes.

Silicone and rubber carpet rakes are suitable for low to high-pile carpets and can also be used to clean upholstery. Rubber and silicone rakes are effective at removing pet hairs that, once loose, can be easily swept into a dustpan.

Metal carpet rakes are sturdier than those made of rubber or silicone, but are not recommended for delicate carpets. The prongs on metal rakes are short but effective. Metal carpet rakes tend to be more expensive than rubber or silicone ones.

Handheld carpet rakes have short handles, making them easier to use on stair carpets. They are also suitable for cleaning other items around the home, including upholstery and pet beds. These rakes are inexpensive and lightweight, with prongs made of metal, silicone, or rubber.

Use rakes with short prongs on low to medium-pile carpets and longer prongs for deep-pile carpets. If you prefer to sit while cleaning, opt for a handheld rake or a long-handled rake for standing.

After cleaning a carpet, if it still appears worn or stained, it might be time to replace it. Contact your local carpet retailer in Wrexham for advice on choosing a new carpet.

How to remove pine needles from carpets

Carpet experts warn against using a vacuum cleaner to try to remove fallen pine needles from carpets. Households with natural Christmas trees will be familiar with this task.

Pine needles are sharp and could damage the internal parts of the cleaner. Pine needles contain sap, a type of moisture that can clog up airways and the vacuum motor. There are safer ways to remove the needles.

Purchase a carpet scraper to loosen needles that are wedged in the carpet fibres. Using short, firm strokes, gather the needles in a pile and brush them into a dustpan.

For delicate carpets and rugs that could be damaged by a carpet scraper, use packing tape or a lint roller. Press down on sections of the carpet to gently lift the needles.

For shag and deep pile carpets, use a hair dryer set to cold or cool air. Blow across the carpet whilst combing with your fingers to bring the needles to the surface, ready for removal.

It also helps to minimise how many pine needles drop. Keep the tree away from radiators. If the tree is planted in soil, water it to prevent it from drying out. Spray with hairspray to stop needles from dropping.

If your carpets are worn, after Christmas is a good time to replace them. Ask to see the latest range of quality carpets at a carpet retailer in Chester. A good carpet will last for many Christmases to come.

Experts advise use rugs to reduce energy costs

Energy experts have advised households with hardwood, engineered wood, or laminate flooring to lay rugs on their floors during the winter months to save energy, although there are exceptions to this recommendation.

Wood is a good choice for flooring as it looks good and is easy to clean, but it can make rooms more expensive to heat. Rugs prevent heat from escaping and can reduce heating bills. John Lawless of heating supplier Best Heating recommends a faux sheepskin rug on hard surface flooring, which insulates a room by creating a thermal layer to keep the cold out. As a general rule, the thicker the rug, the more effective it is for retaining heat.

If engineered wood or laminate flooring is installed with an insulating underlay that retains heat, rugs may not be necessary. Underfloor heating is a good way to keep laminate and engineered flooring areas warm without rugs.

As well as insulating the floor, using the "low and slow” heating method is recommended, which means keeping the heat at a moderate temperature for longer periods rather than high temperatures for a shorter time. For those struggling to afford heating bills, try turning down the heating system temperature and use hot water bottles, duvets and blankets to keep warm.

A good quality thick pile carpet is also good for heat retention and has sound-insulating properties.

For advice on the best floor covering options to keep the home warm in the North Wales area, contact a local flooring company.