The right flooring really matters! Not only does it need to be practical, but it should work cohesively with your furniture & decoration. The right floor completes a space, and when chosen with care, can elevate the style of your home. But where to begin, especially with the beating heart of anyone’s home – the dining room? Let us show you!
When choosing flooring for spaces like the kitchen, there are practical concerns, like durability and how easy it is to wash. However, in the dining area we can stand to be a little more flexible – you can even introduce some textiles. As ever, we advocate for quality wherever possible – look for natural materials that come in a high-spec finish.
First things first: your base
There is a huge amount of flooring to choose from: so it can feel a little overwhelming. Let’s break them down:
1) Sold hardwood
The Rolls Royce of flooring – solid, durable, and can last actual centuries! If you’re lucky enough to own a period home, rip up the carpet and see what’s underneath. Varnish, treat, and you’re good to go! If installing it – always hire a professional.
2) Engineered Hardwood Flooring
Gives you the look, and feel, of a solid hardwood – but is much easier to install. Might need re-finishing after a few years.
3) Laminate Flooring
Super durable & easy to clean – however can be susceptible to water damage. Cheaper ones can look really artificial – so always spend a little more.
4) Vinyl Plank Flooring (LVP) / Vinyl Tile Flooring (LVT)
So-called ‘Luxury Vinyl Plank/Tile’ does what it says on the tin – the ease of installation vinyl offers, with a high-quality finish. Choose from a wood effect, or tiles.
5) Vinyl Sheet Flooring
Perhaps better suited functional spaces like utility rooms, rather than the dining room – but good if you’re on a budget. Watch out when installing – if you accidentally trap air under it, it’ll bubble like crazy.
6) Tiles
Your chance to make a statement! Takes time to install, and trust us, you need a professional here – but you can introduce great patterns or colours that last ages! Easy to clean, too.
Which to choose?
So, now you know the types of flooring – which will you choose? Well, it’s all about your priorities. Perhaps you have young children, so you need something easy to clean & don’t want to shell out for something like hardwood that requires a lot of care. A lover of pattern? Go for vinyl tiles, or laminate. Want it to stand the test of time? Go for quality & durability – tiles or solid hardwood are your best bet. Remember, wood floors are really susceptible to damage & scratches – worth taking into consideration if you have animals.
Make it cosy!
Any flooring can be enhanced with a rug. It adds a touch of elegance, but also acts as a visual aid that draws the eye to the dining table; or acts as a good separator if you have an open plan kitchen-dining room. Get one that is easy to clean – this is not the place for a thick pile rug. If you’ve gone for a dark wood effect, we love neutral or bright jewel tones for a contrast. Lighter colours can take a pastel shade. Also remember to keep the patterns cohesive with the space. Something too busy, or that clashes with the walls, will be visually distracting.
Softly does it
Your dining floor should not only be easy underfoot – it should be easy on the eye too. So-called ‘cold colours’ like grey, or polished concrete – which is becoming increasingly popular in modern homes – can look, well, cold. Brighten it up with warm, patterned textiles – curtains, table cloths, and cushions all add warmth to a space if you don’t want a rug. White walls also provide much needed light if you’ve chosen a dark floor. The reverse applies to dark walls – these look wonderful when paired with light flooring, such as natural, unvarnished wood.
Warmth is key
Nothing worse than cold toes on a winter morning! Underfloor heating is really worth considering for your dining room. It’s incredibly energy efficient, effortless to run, frees up wall space (no unsightly radiators!), and is relatively easy to install. Cons include installation costs – it can rack up somewhat – as well as the time it takes to install. Floor height can also be a concern – you might need to raise your floor to accommodate underfloor heating. Those with solid hardwood floors, from period homes, will have a real job installing underfloor heating – but the end result is definitely worth the labour!
So there you have it – our top tips for dining room floors. Whatever you choose for your space – make sure you love it. At the end of the day, that’s all that matters!
