JOIN USToday, homes are becoming sacrosanct spaces where people spend a majority of their time and are personalising interiors to suit their tastes and needs perfectly. Creating a space that reflects a person’s individuality and personality is being given more importance. There has been a major change in the concept of interiors with the current generation facing a time crunch and shift of preference to the living standards of the world.
“People want more functional interiors rather than an ornate presentation. The mantra is ‘instant yet cost effective’, just like their preferences for periodic changes. Modern interior concepts now demand sustainability and an eco-friendly approach with a view to conserve the fast-depleting natural resources and fragile environment,” says Ashok Goyal, CEO, NITCO Limited.
Similarly, home flooring has come a long way from traditional tiles and morphed into design or artisan floorings whether it is tiles or wooden flooring. The flooring options are aplenty today and are slowly but surely becoming an important factor in making decor decisions.
The lure of wood
Wooden flooring is amongst the most preferred options today. Wood flooring solutions now offer laminate, engineered and solid wood. Laminate and engineered wood are popular choices to combat temperature fluctuations which cause the wood to expand or contract. Solid wood is coveted where luxury is steeped into the decor.
“People now aspire for wooden flooring that goes beyond the functional aspect, which has the potential to create a sense of luxury, both inside and outside a house and believe that good flooring will always excite their surroundings and pep up the atmosphere around. They want to make an impression and enjoy a living space around them without compromising on durability or ease of maintenance,” says Gaurav Saraf, joint managing director, Square Foot.
Engineered hardwood flooring is relatively new in home flooring solutions. Besides offering endless design possibilities, engineered hardwood flooring also raises the aesthetic appeal of the living room by filling it with exquisiteness and warmth. “There are many colours, styles, stains and species available under this product range and so, no matter how diverse and unique the need may be, there is always an option. Moreover, these flooring choices have several advantages over the classical floorings. For example, the engineered hardwood floorings can be periodically sanded to revive the wood grain and erase scratches and moreover, these floorings also work well in kitchens, basements and bathrooms, where light moisture is present constantly,” says Akash Saini, director, sales, Notion Luxury Flooring Concepts.
What’s trending?
Natural stones like polished marble, honed granite and wooden flooring like laminate and engineered wood flooring and solid wood flooring are some of the new trends observed in the home flooring space. Currently, the most notable trends in the home flooring space revolve around large formats, organic textures and looks that combine rusticity and refinement. Anushka Contractor, freelance interior designer, adds, “Large porcelain slabs which look like natural stone are quite popular. They are more economical than marble, about one-thirds the price, giving you a similar look and feel. They are also available in a wide range of colours.”
Shruti Choudhari, principal architect, Chrysalis Design Studio adds, “The latest trend seen in flooring for homes today are patterns in wood, laminate flooring and tiles. Geometric patterns are very ‘in’ this season. Even composition of two patterns in the same area is gaining popularity. Chevron and herringbone take centrestage and are the most opted for patterns. Ash wood, grey, tangerine, black and white are in this season’s colours.”
Samira Chopra, creative head, Casa Colour says, “Porcelain tiles are higher in demand today to deliver any form of look desired. With the computer designing technology used to design these tiles, options are available in abundance.”
Luxury vinyl is also a new category of flooring that combines the high-end look of hardwood with the durability of vinyl. Solid hardwood floors are becoming popular in Indian homes. “The fixing and installation of wooden floors also come with innovative technologies today, like the clip installation technology that not only helps in the expansion and contraction due to climatic changes, but also helps in maintaining the gaps and the aesthetic value of the solid wood flooring,” says Suresh Kumar Mansukhani, country manager — Indian subcontinent, Junckers.
The most widespread change has come in the range of high quality vitrified tiles. “Tiles with textured surfaces as well as many featuring micro-patterns, marble or granite patterns, quilted leather and embroidered lace motifs are gaining traction amongst home buyers. Another sought after option are digitally printed tiles that have boundless design possibilities, sharper finishes and higher resolution,” says Surendra Hiranandani, CMD, House of Hiranandani.
Going green
Most of the eco-friendly flooring products that are currently in vogue come from either forest stewardship council (FSC) or programme for the endorsement of forest certification (PEFC) certified forests. These products come from controlled forestry to ensure that they do not harm the environment in any way. “Another popular option is solid wood floors that come in natural bamboo variants, which are environment friendly and competitively priced. The bamboo tree is one that grows six times the rate of other trees, so replenishment of the resource is quicker. Furthermore, the wood is sourced from PEFC forests which are essentially managed forests and hence there is lesser random and unwanted logging taking place,” adds Gaurav.
Materials like bamboo which has similar characteristics like hardwood and cork are good eco-friendly options. Arshia Ladak, head — marketing, residential, The Phoenix Mills Ltd explains, “Bamboo flooring is quickly gaining in popularity. It is actually a grass that shares similar characteristics as hardwood. It is durable, easy to maintain and is easy to install. Another sustainable material that is in demand is polished concrete. It creates a tiled effect with different colours and is extremely durable, easy to clean and never needs to be replaced.”
Colours that shine
Grey tones are now one of the hottest options in hardwood flooring as they range from light neutrals to deep saturated charcoals. Grey tones bring out the beauty of natural wood, highlighting the grains and texture, which adds visual interest to a room, allowing the flooring to be a true statement piece. While at the same time, neutral grey tones won’t overpower a room and will compliment many decorating styles.
“And if you want to make a bolder statement, consider the trend toward darker stain colours, such as ebony, for a rich and contemporary look. Or for a more traditional feel, consider a deep, warm Jacobean or dark walnut. Today’s hardwood flooring is all about colour and the deeper and darker the colour, the bolder the design impact. Dark hardwoods, such as oak, cherry, and walnut, are perfect choices for creating sleek, dark look,” adds Suresh.
With so many options in the market today, are you ready to give your floors a makeover now?