When it comes to creating a luxurious feel in your home, the right choice of flooring can act as the perfect foundation. Gone are the days when it was little more than an afterthought, or that it was seen as a boring, yet necessary, element of any room, as in 2021, we’re seeing an increasing number of chic and sophisticated trends that set the tone for any living space from the ground up.
Although flooring trends don’t change that dramatically annually, they do tend to come and go, and after a year and a half of spending more time at home than ever, you could be forgiven if you’re feeling tired of looking at the same four walls and tiles and are ready for something new.
Here, we take a look at some of the biggest high-end flooring trends we’ve seen in 2021 so far, and the ones to turn to in order to level-up your home to ultra luxury status before the end of the year.
Whitewashed wood
Wooden flooring of some description has long been one of our major go-tos when it comes to home flooring, and older properties, which often feature original floorboards, can be sanded down and polished up to perfection, whatever their age happens to be. Parquet flooring, in particular, has been experiencing a renaissance over recent years, and in 2021, we’re seeing whitewashing update this ongoing trend to bring it bang up to date.
Creating a lighter, brighter feel within any room and making for the perfect partner for a monochrome or naturalistic colour scheme elsewhere, we’ve seen various different finishes – from the opaque, high-gloss look to a more distressed, shabby-chic style vibe.
If you don’t already have solid wood flooring in your home, then start by having some beautiful parquet wood flooring laid – you can choose between various different wood types, plank sizes and thicknesses to create an entirely unique effect.
Patterned luxury vinyl tiles
Pretty, patterned tiles are the perfect way to add a bit of extra character to your bathroom or kitchen, and while in the past, we’ve seen the walls and additional features do the talking, in 2021 it’s all about letting your floors take centre stage. From abstract patterns to vintage florals, there are a multitude of different options to choose from, but intricate Italian-style patterns and Portuguese azulejos are very much a major trend of the year so far.
If you’re opting for brightly coloured vinyl floor tiles, then keep your walls clean-looking and minimalistic – white, cream and other light neutrals will work well. But if bright tones aren’t your bag, then you might want to consider some sophisticated patterned floor tiles in blacks, whites and greys to uphold that classic monochrome look.
Eco flooring
Concerned about your carbon footprint? The good news is that there is plenty you can do in your home to minimise your environmental impact, including changing up your flooring. Eco flooring comes in various forms, and can help to lower your household fuel consumption by offering greater insulation. Not only that, but you can also choose some environmentally friendly materials, too; concrete flooring can make for an unusual industrial-feeling choice, and can be glossed over to create a hard-wearing finish, while vinyl and laminate made from recycled materials make for another savvy choice.
Cork, which is a more sustainable choice than synthetic carpets, is another option – so depending on the overall aesthetic you’re going for, there is something to suit all tastes and styles. Ask for expert advice from your nearest luxury flooring specialist if your environmental impact is a concern for you, as they will be able to show you the best options for the job.
