The right flooring can function as a stage, allowing your decor and lifestyle to shine through. We look at the key interior trends to help inspire the right underfoot fit for you
All about wood
The natural look and feel of wood continues to trend, and this call to nature seems to be here to stay. Wooden floor planks are becoming wider to make rooms appear more spacious and modern. Darker woods will be favoured along with greyer tones; think walnuts, coffees and ash grey.
- Don’t stop at floors, the popular wood-look texture is being seen in everything, from printed fabric to wallpapers, headboards and cushions. Timber continues to be a dominant material in furniture trends and fixtures.
- We’ll continue to see a dominance of mid-century influences in furniture design, along with appearances of rattan and wicker.
- Carpet squares are a cheaper way of warming or softening wooden floors. Use a loop pile or thicker shag pile for texture and consider binding it.
Dusky pastels
Soft botanical shades, earth and sea tones and other colours inspired by nature look beautiful teamed with shades of grey. Or, combine dusty tones with bold and bright shades to create the ultimate colour pop.
This palette lends itself well to either a neutral floor colour in cooler tones or something with guts, like a dark charcoal or deep grey taupe. A short cut pile carpet is a luxe base for this look.
- Don’t be afraid to use colour on walls, floors, furniture and fabrics. Soft textures such as velvet work well with softer hues and help to create depth.
- Dusty pink hues are popular, and almost considered a new neutral that can add warmth to a room, with jewel tones following close behind.
- Team pastels with bold navy or dark green accents to strike a balance between masculine and feminine shades.
Moody bedrooms
Bold, dark colours are prevalent, from entire rooms painted in smoky deep greys to sophisticated midnight blues creating statement rooms. Dark timber floors or thick pile carpets provide the perfect grounding for this look and continue to add that layering effect of warmth, peace and restfulness – the darker colours cocoon you from the outside world.
- Darker colours can be accented beautifully with metal accessories, tan leathers and reindeer hides. You can also team them with natural linens to soften the strength of the colour.
- Break up moody blues with blush pinks and eggplant tones, again creating a balance between strong and soft.
- Use moody colour in a feature armchair, cushions or accessories. It will act as an accent, adding depth and bringing in colour from the outdoors.
- Moody rooms require a sense of plushness and a feeling of opulence, gain this through either thick piled rugs or long pile carpet that has a hint of movement in it.
Shades of grey
Grey injects instant serenity and calm to a space. Society is embracing ‘less is more’ in interiors, with people unafraid to choose hues of grey for their homes. Pinterest has noted the trend of grey flooring in particular, with a 20 percent increase in related pins since last year.
Grey can offer warm and cool tones dependent on the space in which it is being used. It absorbs and softens surroundings rather than highlighting each individual item, a trap that can occur when using white
- Grey doesn’t have a ‘personality’ of its own. When paired with another colour, it takes a back seat, allowing that colour to be more visible. It’s soft and inviting rather than stark and minimal; it’s a go-to neutral without being insipid.
- Grey flooring allows you to get a little more playful with the rest of your palette, or alternatively stay simple and bring shades of grey onto the walls and into the furnishings.
For more ideas, inspiration and tips from Carpet Court design ambassador Jane Carolan, visit carpetcourt.nz or phone 0800 787 777 for a free measure and quote.
Words by: Jane Carolan. Photography by: Martina Gemmola, Annette O’Brien, Andrew Finlayson, Derek Swalwell/bauersyndication.com.au.
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