Choosing the Right Flooring for Every Room

Kitchens: Porcelain or Luxury Vinyl

Kitchen floors need to withstand spills, heavy foot traffic, and dropped pans. Large-format porcelain tiles (600×600mm or 600×1200mm) are extremely durable and easy to clean. Luxury vinyl tile (LVT) is a softer alternative — warm underfoot and available in realistic wood and stone looks.

Bathrooms: Slip-Resistance Matters

Any tile used in a wet area must have a slip-resistance rating of R10 or higher. Smaller mosaic tiles or textured porcelain work well in showers and wet rooms. Avoid polished marble in bathrooms — it looks stunning but becomes dangerous when wet.

Living Rooms and Bedrooms: Engineered Wood

Solid hardwood warps in centrally heated homes. Engineered wood — a real wood veneer over a stable plywood core — performs far better with underfloor heating and gives the same look and feel. Herringbone and chevron patterns are particularly popular in Nottingham period properties.

Hallways: Durability First

Hallways take more punishment than any other room. Encaustic cement tiles add character in Victorian homes. For a modern look, a continuous porcelain run from the hallway through to the kitchen unifies the ground floor and makes the space feel larger.

Underfloor Heating

Electric underfloor heating mats can be fitted under most floor types with minimal floor height increase (typically 12mm). Wet underfloor heating is more efficient long-term but is best installed during a full renovation when the floor is being replaced anyway.