Wood (or wood-look) flooring is a reliable and practical choice for a new kitchen project. Choose carefully and install it correctly and it can be suitable for kitchens through to dining rooms, family spaces and even bathrooms. It’s the perfect solution if you want to run the same look throughout an entire floor level.

CALA PEARL WHITE OAK REAL WOOD BY QUICK-STEP

A kitchen featuring dark cabinets can benefit from a lighter choice for the flooring, which will emphasise the floor space and create a contrast within the scheme.  Cala waterproof wood flooring from Quick-Step has numerous qualities that make it highly suitable for use in a busy kitchen. It uses ‘Wood for Life’ technology which is moisture and dirt repellent. It’s also 100% resistant to surface moisture, is installed using the Uniclic Multifit system and has all the necessary accessories including profiles and skirtings. Shown above, Cala Pearl White Oak Extra Matt.

CALA NATURAL OAK EXTRA MATT REAL WOOD BY QUICK-STEP

Cala Natural Oak Extra Matt by Quick-Step is shown here in a bathroom, as has waterproof and water-repellent qualities that allow it to be used in bathrooms as well. This range comes with a lifetime guarantee for residential use and can be used with underfloor heating, so it’s a good choice for whole-house projects. Cala is a long, wide plank style, each plank measures 220mm wide x 2200mm length.

MISTRAL GREY OAK LAMINATE BY PARADOR FOR THE KITCHEN

This project, by Claire Totman Designs, uses Mistral Grey Oak Laminate by Parador to bring a sense of space and calm to this gorgeous kitchen. This textured laminate has jointed edges all round, with a natural texture to replicate real wood. It’s from the Trendtime 6 collection, so has high durability, microscratch resistance  and as it uses Aqua-Proof core board, can be used in both kitchens and bathrooms. The bevel lacquer finish prevents damage from accidental water spills for up to 48 house and it has a lifetime guarantee for private household use.

BESPOKE RUSTIC PLANKS BY KNOT & GRAIN

A rustic look can be carried throughout the ground floor area … it will easily work in all rooms, from kitchen to cloakroom, to boot room and hallway.  Knot & Grain, led by Creative Director and Co-Founder Natalie Mudd, offers custom-made flooring that is made to order. Natalie and her team combine cutting-edge technology with creative flair to produce individually designed floors for their customers. This is Bespoke Rustic Plank in Harvest, there are various finishes to choose from, from Smooth to Lightly Brushed, Medium Brushed and Heavily Brushed.

BERKLEY ENGINEERED WOOD FLOORING FROM WOODPECKER

Engineered and solid wood flooring specialists Woodpecker started up in 1973 and today the team is led by the founders grandson. Shown here, Berkeley Burnt Oak engineered flooring, with a brushed and lacquered matt finish. It has a 4mm wear layer and uses eucalyptus for the backing board. It can be installed with underfloor heating, and comes in 190mm x 1860mm planks with four bevelled edges.

 A LIGHTER LOOK FROM WOODPECKER, WHITE OAK ENGINEERED FLOORING

For a lighter engineered look, try Berkeley White Oak Engineered from Woodpecker. The textured finish is brushed and matt lacquered, and is also smoked to enhance the tones and grain. The installation instructions are precise and detailed, and can be seen here.

WOOD EFFECT TILES BY WALLS & FLOORS

Porcelain tiles designed to replicate wood planks can be a good choice for a ground floor area that includes a conservatory, hallway or a utility or boot room, and you want maintain the ‘wood look’ throughout. Porcelain planks are definitely extremely hard-wearing and need very little upkeep, apart from regular sweeping/vacuuming and the occasional swish with a mop. For occasional deep cleaning, invest in a steam cleaner. Ideal for pet-owners and those with family members prone to trailing mud into the house! These are  Royal Oak Wood Plank Tiles from Walls & Floors, each ‘plank’ is 1200mm x 230mm.

OAK INSPIRATION FROM CHAUNCYS

This classic oak choice is Buttered Toast engineered oak from Chaunceys. Shown here in plank form, but also available in chevron and herringbone formats. Ian Tomlinson, Managing Director at Chaunceys Timber Flooring,explains “Textured wood flooring provides depth, contrast and a truly bespoke look. Whether it’s for a residential project, a boutique hotel or a heritage renovation, textures create a lived-in charm that complements handcrafted interiors. Our clients are drawn to the authenticity and individuality that texture brings to their flooring, allowing them to craft a space that feels both timeless and unique.”

A SISAL RUG FROM CRUCIAL TRADING

A wood floor can be paired with a rug for extra comfort underfoot. This design from Crucial Trading is Sisal Herringbone Flint E405, available in a 4m width and with latex backing. The sisal is tightly woven and hardwearing, so is suitable for all areas of the home, including halls and stairs. Click on the Rug Builder tool here to design the perfect rug for your home.

A GORGEOUS RUG FROM BARKER & STONEHOUSE TO COMPLEMENT A TIMBER FLOOR

Choose a large-scale rug to soften the clatter of chairs in the dining room. This is the Lagos Abstract Rug, available in various shades, from Barker & Stonehouse. Remember, when measuring up for a rug, particularly for a dining room, calculate that there’s enough room for the dining chairs to sit on or off the rug …