From walls to floors: 12 trends to know now for a stylish interiors update (and tips for getting it right in your home)

As autumn looms and the weather begins to shift, many are thinking about their next DIY project to update their homes. 

And what better way to update your home than by giving your floors and walls a makeover? 

For many, understandably, the thought of making changes to the style of your home seems like a huge task, but it needn’t be.

Wickes has loads of ideas and inspiration for how you can give your house a stylish refresh, whether it’s a quick update or you want to make a major statement. And one of the best ways to create an instant transformation is with flooring.

Whether you’re looking to modernise or do something more traditional, Wickes has an extensive selection of products and styles, plus plenty of help and advice on how to make your decision. 

And to get you started we’ve rounded up 12 top trends to try now. 

As the new season looms and many are thinking about their next DYI project, why not consider laying some new flooring? Wickes has laid out the top trends of the moment to help you make a decision

FLOORING

1. Herringbone flooring

The Herringbone flooring trend is one that comes up time and time again - and Wickes offers several options that are both sleek and durable

The Herringbone flooring trend is one that comes up time and time again – and Wickes offers several options that are both sleek and durable

The Herringbone flooring trend is one that comes up time and time again – and it’s never out of fashion for long.

The novel pattern of the flooring is stylish and chic, and will always bring a contemporary feel to your home.

Plus, Wickes’ herringbone laminate flooring is an incredibly durable option and very easy to clean, meaning it’s practical as well as aesthetically pleasing. 

Whether a light oak shade takes your fancy, or you prefer a grey effect, Wickes has an option for you. 

For more information on the Herringbone flooring designs Wickes offers, click HERE 

2. Grey flooring

The clean and sophisticated look of grey flooring has gained popularity with homeowners in recent years

The clean and sophisticated look of grey flooring has gained popularity with homeowners in recent years

If you’re looking to bring a modern style to your home with an urban finish, you can’t go wrong with grey flooring. 

The clean and sophisticated look has gained popularity in recent years – and with such a timeless finish, it will look chic in your home long after the trends have moved on.

Wickes offers customers a variety of shades and detailing, including its Elderwood Medium Grey Oak 12mm Laminate Flooring which is embossed and features grain patterning to help it achieve the real wood look.

3. Dark flooring

Dark flooring is the perfect choice for bringing a sense of warmth to your home.

Wickes recommends styling dark flooring with bright shades to increase the feeling of comfort while not overwhelming your interiors.

In particular, its Acacia Brown Laminate Flooring is a rich, nutty colour option without being too dark – and it has the added bonus of an antibacterial coating, making it an ideal choice for busy families with children running around. 

4. Scandi flooring

Scandinavian-inspired home decor continues to influence interior design - and washed flooring is a great way to give your home that look

Scandinavian-inspired home decor continues to influence interior design – and washed flooring is a great way to give your home that look

As Scandinavian-inspired home decor continues to influence interior design around the world, many people opt for Scandi-style washed flooring for a minimalist look.

The light shades of the laminate flooring elevate the space, working to brighten up your home.

Top tips for beginning your flooring project

Measuring up: 

Before you begin your project, make sure you measure up properly and then work out how many packs of flooring you will need.

Account for wastage:

Projects don’t always go to plan and flooring is no exception, so it’s best to order a little more than you need. Wickes recommends ordering approximately 10% extra.

Start in the corner:

Before you begin laying your new floor, Wickes recommends taking the time to decide the direction you want it to face. Once you have decided, begin laying from one corner of the room.

For more project tips from Wickes, click HERE 

Wickes’s Aspen Light Oak Laminate Flooring looks perfect with bold shades as well as metallic themes, and maintains the detailing features of real wood, for an authentic look. Similarly, the Hayfield Grey Oak 8mm Moisture Resistant Laminate Flooring is also a sleek option.

5. Distressed flooring

Spotted in the homes of many lifestyle influencers, distressed flooring is bang on trend at the moment.

Wickes recommends choosing distressed flooring for both modern and traditional homes, as a feature that slots well into different interior design styles.

While it’s all the rage at the moment, its aged finish means it will be a feature piece in a home for many years to come.

Try Wickes’ Elderwood Medium Grey Oak Laminate Flooring to get the look.

6. Engineered flooring

If you’re looking for a practical option that doesn’t stint on style, engineered flooring may be the choice for you.

With grains and knots, it’s one of the most authentic matchers for real floorboards – while having the added bonus of an extra layer of insulation.

W by Woodpecker Farm Light Oak Engineered Wood Flooring is exclusive to Wickes, and offers a warm feel with plenty of detailing, bringing character to the space. 

How do you choose the right type of flooring for your home? 

Wickes recommends taking the time to really consider the type of flooring you want in your home, so you can be sure you achieve the look you want.

As well as the style, you should also consider the practicality and how durable it needs to be for the room where you want to lay it.

Solid wood flooring

Real wood flooring is versatile, gives a premium look and will stand the test of time when looked after properly.

It is vulnerable to moisture, however, so it’s less suitable for a bathroom or spaces with high humidity 

Engineered wood flooring

Engineered wood flooring offers the ‘best of both worlds’ in that it is a durable option which also has the look and feel of solid wood flooring 

Laminate flooring

Laminate flooring is a good alternative to wood or engineered wood and it’s a budget-friendly option too.

Luxury vinyl tiles

Not only is vinyl incredibly versatile; it’s also very affordable and it’s available in a number of different designs.

It’s moisture-proof too which makes it suitable for every room of the house.

For more flooring inspiration click HERE

TILING

Wickes has laid out some of the top tiling trends at the moment, for people who want to update their floors and walls

Wickes has laid out some of the top tiling trends at the moment, for people who want to update their floors and walls

1. Marble effect

Marble effect tiles are a great choice for adding glamour to your home, without worrying about the maintenance of real marble

Marble effect tiles are a great choice for adding glamour to your home, without worrying about the maintenance of real marble

Marble will always ooze glamour, and is probably the most timeless style of tiling you could choose.

And by opting for tiling in the style of real marble, you won’t need to worry about maintenance (as you would with the real thing).

Wickes’s Calacatta Charm Polished Porcelain Wall & Floor Tile is an elegant choice for anyone looking to add a little  sophistication to their space. 

2. Metro/Brick

Wickes offers a range of different brick options for your home, from white (pictured) and black to brighter colours

Wickes offers a range of different brick options for your home, from white (pictured) and black to brighter colours

The metro/brick tiling trend is gaining popularity in bathroom interior design for its contemporary block monochrome design and it’s always evolving, with new patterns and colours ensuring we can all create a space to be proud of.

While many may opt for black or white brick tiles, Wickes also offers a very cool light blue option – and has plenty of ideas if you want to get creative.

3. Patterned/Victorian

Embrace the trend for all things vintage! Patterned tiles are very much back in style, and Wickes offers a full range of patterned floor and wall tiles, which will create a real statement feature in your home.

Try Wickes’ Melia Sage Patterned Ceramic Wall & Floor Tile to achieve this look. It combines geometric shapes with an on-brand shade in interior design, to add a contemporary style to your room.

4. Wood effect

Just because you’re using tiles, doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice an authentic wooden look.

Wickes offers a range of wood-patterned tiles which are perfect for floors and walls and they are, of course, completely waterproof making them a practical choice.

The Boutique Kauri Grey Glazed Porcelain Wood Effect Wall & Floor Tile can be used to completely transform the look of many rooms in the house including the kitchen, hallway and bathroom.

5. Stone effect

If you're looking for a new type of stone tiling, you could consider Wickes's Olympia Light Grey Polished Stone Porcelain Wall & Floor Tile

If you’re looking for a new type of stone tiling, you could consider Wickes’s Olympia Light Grey Polished Stone Porcelain Wall & Floor Tile

Stone effect tiling is utterly timeless and will never go out of fashion with its clean finish and versatility.

The Wickes Everest Ash Porcelain Wall & Floor Tile has been designed to replicate natural stone and can be used in bathrooms or kitchens, on both the wall and floor.

If you’re looking for a shiny effect, you could instead consider the Olympia™ Light Grey Polished Stone Porcelain Wall & Floor Tile which has a veinstone effect.

6. Concrete effect 

If an urban look is more your thing, concrete effect tiling is for you.

Industrial interiors with their cool and rugged finish are on the rise and Wickes has just the thing to help you nail this contemporary trend.

The Boutique Andora Grey Glazed Porcelain Wall & Floor Tile has a matt finish in a deep grey shade – making it a great choice for kitchens and bathrooms. 

Click HERE to shop tiles and all the kit you need for your next project at Wickes. 

How can you make an impact with your tiles? 

Bold colours

Many are tempted to keep things simple with tiling in bathrooms and kitchens, opting for muted tones – but Wickes suggests bold colours can make a real statement.

Feature wall 

A feature wall is a great way to bring character to a room without overwhelming it. Whether it’s the tiling in a shower, or the splashback in the kitchen, there are plenty of ways to install a bright pattern that won’t take over the atmosphere of the room.

Grout colours

Make a note of the colour of the grouting when you’re picking new tiles. If you want to make a statement, why not consider a slightly different colour for your grouting.

For tiling ideas and tips on installation click HERE