Materials Guide For Interior Design

Hard Flooring Options

Marble

Marble flooring offers a sleek, elegant finish to an interior, popular in many 21st century homes.

Traditionally used in kitchens and bathrooms, marble flooring doesn’t have to be limited to these rooms – the material adds a touch of class in other areas of the home, like hallways and entryways. However, softer materials are cosier in bedrooms and living areas.

It did use to be thought of as being quite cold, however if you pair it with underfloor heating, you can achieve a sleek look without losing any warmth.

Granite

A popular choice of natural stone flooring, granite fits perfectly in rooms with an industrial interior design style. Granite’s dark shade and rugged, organic look and feel make it a staple of the industrial style.

Like marble, granite floors are ideal for use in kitchens, bathrooms and hallways. However, they require regular attention and maintenance compared with other materials.

Concrete

Concrete is ideal for durable, long-lasting flooring that is easy to maintain. It doesn’t require tiling, which means it’s less likely to become chipped or broken.

Also, keep in mind concrete doesn’t hold heat well, so your floors will get cold in the winter, which can be uninviting – especially in kitchen dining areas where you plan to spend evenings or host drinks with friends.

Hardwood

Wood flooring can be hard or soft, with the former popular for its versatility, both in style and practicality.

Hardwood flooring is reasonably priced compared with stone tiles, plus it’s longer-lasting, warmer and complements a range of interior design styles, such as modern, contemporary, Scandi and industrial décor.

Ceramic Tiles

Ceramic tiles perfectly complement a range of interior designs, thanks to their versatility in shape, size, colour and pattern. However, they can prove heavy for use on the second floor of the home.

The traditional benefits of ceramic tiles include their affordability and adaptability to any room.

Porcelain Tiles

Porcelain tiles are a type of ceramic, recognisable for their harder, more durable nature. They are more resistant to moisture than traditional ceramic tiles, making them perfect for use in bathrooms.

Soft Flooring Options

Carpet

Carpet floors are traditionally appealing as a quieter, warmer and easier-to-install alternative to wood or stone flooring. They offer a cosier and more inviting atmosphere for bedrooms and living rooms.

Plus, from a design perspective, there is a near-endless catalogue of carpet designs, colours and patterns to suit any interior plan.

Wood

Softwood flooring options like oak and cork are traditionally popular in homes with modern and mid-century modern interiors. Softwood materials offer a natural aesthetic and warm, inviting feel to a room. They also complement other materials, like granite and glass.

Laminate

Laminate flooring has a core made from by-products of wood, as opposed to entirely synthetic vinyl flooring.

While laminate is similar to vinyl, the key design difference between the two is how laminate flooring more closely resembles the material it is imitating. Laminate flooring looks closer to authentic wood or stone than vinyl.

Vinyl

Vinyl flooring is completely synthetic, making it versatile for use in almost any room in the home. Vinyl material comes in a variety of styles, including imitations of wood, stone and ceramic.

Kitchen Materials

The kitchen plays a central role in the design of your home interior. It’s not only a room for everyday use but many homes also combine kitchen and dining areas, making it especially important to create an inviting space.

Firstly, decide on the overall style you’d like your kitchen to follow – you can read our style guide for inspiration. Then, you can choose which materials will help you create this aesthetic.

Modern style kitchen plans make use of simple, earthy tones and natural materials like wood, quartz or glass. Contemporary style kitchens place emphasis on similar materials but with darker, industrial-inspired elements, like stainless steel, concrete and granite.

These are some of the most common material options to complete your kitchen – from countertops and cabinets to flooring.

Bathroom Materials

Granite and Concrete

Granite and concrete are ideal for use in bathrooms with a walk-in shower or a generous floor space. These materials are sleek, natural and waterproof.

Hardwood

Hardwood is suited to spacious, well-ventilated bathrooms, as moisture can damage the wood in the long term. However, with plenty of space, hardwood flooring and surfaces give bathrooms a warm, country-style vibe.

Porcelain Tiles

Porcelain’s impressive water resistance makes it a common feature of modern bathrooms. Porcelain tiles also come in a range of styles and patterns that can mimic natural stone designs or complement the colour scheme of unique, personalised bathrooms.

Soft Furnishings

Once you’ve established your home’s key materials, you’re ready to add the finishing touches with soft furnishings. This includes accessories and smaller furniture pieces like sofa cushions, bedsheets, curtains and rugs.

When picking your soft furnishings, aim to enhance or complement the existing theme of the room, created by the flooring and surfaces.

Soft furnishings offer a simple way of adapting and updating your home without the hassle of completely redesigning rooms.

Adding smaller accessories like frames and ornaments brings personality to rooms, keeping them fresh and modern. You can even add splashes of colour through these smaller accessories without clashing with the existing colour schemes in each room.

Use these tips to help you choose the perfect materials for your home design plan. Or for some more inspiration, or information about our dressing service get in touch with us today.