Don’t Ignore The Floor: The 6th Wall.
The last couple of years has seen an explosion of the ‘5th wall’ as part of your interior design scheme. Addressing the ceiling has been a welcome and fun element to consider as for years we’ve generally stuck safe with them being plain white - but we’re ignoring a vital addition: The Floor.
By treating the floor as the sixth wall, you can enhance the beauty, comfort, and functionality of your space. The floor, like the ceiling, is the largest surface area in any room, setting the stage for the overall design scheme. It not only provides a base for your furnishings but also influences the room’s colour palette, texture, and style. Ignoring the floor means missing out on a prime opportunity to elevate your space’s visual appeal and coherence.
From natural materials to recycled fibres, these are 5 good reasons not to ignore your floor:
1) Enhancing Spatial Perception
Just as wall colours can make a room feel larger or cosier, the flooring choice can alter the perception of space. Light-coloured floors can open up a room, making it feel airy and expansive, while darker floors can add warmth and intimacy. Patterns, such as herringbone or chevron, can draw the eye and create a sense of movement, making a space feel dynamic and engaging.
2) Defining Zones
In open-plan spaces, flooring can be a powerful tool for defining different areas without the need for walls. For instance, you can have a change in flooring material or pattern to delineate the living area from the dining space, but I prefer to create distinct zones using rugs as visual punctuations without cutting up a space too harshly. Don’t scrimp on size - your furniture wants to be on your rug, fully underneath or certainly the front third if possible. This helps to anchor your furniture and make it feel cohesive and grounded, not just just a bunch of objects floating around.
These can be layered to add dimension and interest to a room, or combine different textures, patterns, and sizes to create a cosy and visually appealing floor space. This approach also allows for flexibility and can be easily updated to refresh the look of the room, relatively inexpensively.
3) Adding Texture and Comfort
Texture plays a vital role in design, adding depth and visual interest. From the sleek finish of polished concrete to the charm of reclaimed wood, the texture of your flooring can enhance the tactile experience of your home. There’s a wealth of materials to choose from out there - sustainable cork, carpets made from recycled fishing nets and plastic bottles, Marmoleum which is made from linseed oil to grasses and wools. Incorporating some of these finishes can provide a layer of comfort and softness underfoot, contributing to the room’s cosiness and acoustic properties.
4) Bold Patterns and Colours
Don’t shy away from using bold patterns and colours on your floors. Geometric tiles, colourful rugs, or painted wood floors can make a striking statement. These choices serve as a focal point in an otherwise neutral room, adding personality and flair - and can often deliver a great unexpected impact.
5) Natural Elements
Incorporating natural elements like stone, wood, and bamboo not only adds aesthetic value but also brings a touch of nature indoors. They bring warmth and character to your space and are timeless and versatile, complementing various design styles from rustic to contemporary. Natural materials reflect the idea of biophilic design. Surrounding ourselves with the tactile quality of nature has a proven positive effect on our emotional response and general well being. The wealth of natural materials out there can help bring harmony to your home.
