Decorating
Floor Art: 16 Patterned Floors That Pack a Punch
Why should your walls have all the fun? It's time for those surfaces underfoot to get in on the artistic action, too
Do your floors get the attention they deserve, or do you tend to walk all over them and spend most of your time admiring your artfully decorated walls, instead? Choosing patterned flooring or floor coverings for your home is one way to ensure what’s going on underfoot gets its fair share of the spotlight. It’s a daring (and creative) design choice that takes careful planning and commitment but, when done correctly, results in a space with loads of character and high-impact style.
These patterned floors and floor coverings prove it pays off when you invest in art that belongs below your feet.
These patterned floors and floor coverings prove it pays off when you invest in art that belongs below your feet.
2. Ethnic influences
Introduce global style into your interior with intricately patterned flooring that exudes exotic appeal. Stick to the same theme (Moroccan-inspired interiors are particularly popular right now) while decorating the rest of your space, or take design cues from other styles to create an eclectic home with plenty of character and charm.
Introduce global style into your interior with intricately patterned flooring that exudes exotic appeal. Stick to the same theme (Moroccan-inspired interiors are particularly popular right now) while decorating the rest of your space, or take design cues from other styles to create an eclectic home with plenty of character and charm.
4. Look-at-me colour
Is your space in need of a shake-up, but you’re quite not ready to redo the entire room? Keep everything up top and cover your floor with bright, bold-patterned carpet or a large area rug, instead. Even though the existing decor will remain the same, no-one will notice as all eyes will be on the colourful masterpiece underfoot, anyway.
Is your space in need of a shake-up, but you’re quite not ready to redo the entire room? Keep everything up top and cover your floor with bright, bold-patterned carpet or a large area rug, instead. Even though the existing decor will remain the same, no-one will notice as all eyes will be on the colourful masterpiece underfoot, anyway.
5. Mixed media
Don’t just consider colour, shape and style when choosing a patterned floor for your space – remember to think in terms of texture, too. If you’re not a fan of vibrant colours or fussy prints, stick with a simple motif but create visual interest by pairing contrasting materials together – like in the tiles and timber shown here.
Don’t just consider colour, shape and style when choosing a patterned floor for your space – remember to think in terms of texture, too. If you’re not a fan of vibrant colours or fussy prints, stick with a simple motif but create visual interest by pairing contrasting materials together – like in the tiles and timber shown here.
6. Statement maker
Typography carpets, area rugs and laminate prove that the writing is not always on the wall but can be on the floor, too.
Typography carpets, area rugs and laminate prove that the writing is not always on the wall but can be on the floor, too.
7. Colour block
A simply patterned carpet in block brights or a patchwork of vibrant carpet tiles are ideal solutions when you want to inject a plain room with a jolt of colour but don’t want the space to look too busy.
Learn how to arrange carpet tiles like a pro
A simply patterned carpet in block brights or a patchwork of vibrant carpet tiles are ideal solutions when you want to inject a plain room with a jolt of colour but don’t want the space to look too busy.
Learn how to arrange carpet tiles like a pro
8. Chevron chic
If there’s one pattern that pops up in interiors again and again, it’s the chevron. For a modern look, go with patterned carpet in lively hues or classic black and white. If your home is traditional in style, timber herringbone floors may be a better choice for you.
If there’s one pattern that pops up in interiors again and again, it’s the chevron. For a modern look, go with patterned carpet in lively hues or classic black and white. If your home is traditional in style, timber herringbone floors may be a better choice for you.
9. Stencil art
Michelangelo may have painted one of his greatest works on a ceiling, but you can create your work of art in a more accessible place: your hardwood floor. Don’t worry, you don’t have to work freehand – select a stencilled pattern so you can transfer the motif to the floor, prep the surface and you’re good to go.
Michelangelo may have painted one of his greatest works on a ceiling, but you can create your work of art in a more accessible place: your hardwood floor. Don’t worry, you don’t have to work freehand – select a stencilled pattern so you can transfer the motif to the floor, prep the surface and you’re good to go.
10. Check mate
Checkered floors are most often seen in opulent traditional homes and Rustic-style spaces. When it comes down to colours, people tend to settle on classic black and white or soft neutral shades. Steer clear of loud tones if you want your home to look chic, not kitsch.
View more checkered floors
Checkered floors are most often seen in opulent traditional homes and Rustic-style spaces. When it comes down to colours, people tend to settle on classic black and white or soft neutral shades. Steer clear of loud tones if you want your home to look chic, not kitsch.
View more checkered floors
11. Wild side
No, we’re not going to suggest that you dress your entire floor in animal prints, but don’t close your mind off to using wildlife-inspired patterned carpet or area rugs in a small section of your home (or even a single room). Here, a strip of spotted deer-print carpet makes this staircase stand out without being too obnoxious – its neutral tone ensures it blends seamlessly with the timber flooring at the base of the stairs.
No, we’re not going to suggest that you dress your entire floor in animal prints, but don’t close your mind off to using wildlife-inspired patterned carpet or area rugs in a small section of your home (or even a single room). Here, a strip of spotted deer-print carpet makes this staircase stand out without being too obnoxious – its neutral tone ensures it blends seamlessly with the timber flooring at the base of the stairs.
12. Complete look
Searching for flooring to tie together a themed space – like a carnival-themed playroom or Hollywood-inspired home theatre? Patterned carpet or linoleum can help you get out of this decorating pickle.
Searching for flooring to tie together a themed space – like a carnival-themed playroom or Hollywood-inspired home theatre? Patterned carpet or linoleum can help you get out of this decorating pickle.
13. Seeing stripes
Thick or thin, bright or monochrome, striped surfaces never fail to make a bold style statement, especially when used to dress up plain floors.
How to paint stripes on your floor
Thick or thin, bright or monochrome, striped surfaces never fail to make a bold style statement, especially when used to dress up plain floors.
How to paint stripes on your floor
14. Monochrome masterpiece
Sure, patterned floor tiles and carpet in bold brights pack a punch, but sometimes a black and white scheme is just as effective. Here, a monochrome mosaic tile motif extends from the floor to the ceiling in a bathroom; surrounding black walls and accessories ensure the floor and feature wall remain the focal point of the space.
See more gorgeous black and white bathrooms
Sure, patterned floor tiles and carpet in bold brights pack a punch, but sometimes a black and white scheme is just as effective. Here, a monochrome mosaic tile motif extends from the floor to the ceiling in a bathroom; surrounding black walls and accessories ensure the floor and feature wall remain the focal point of the space.
See more gorgeous black and white bathrooms
15. In bloom
Floral patterns are one of the biggest interior trends this year, so expect to see more botanical prints popping up in decor, wall coverings and flooring (particularly carpet, rugs and tiles). Floral floor surfaces with bold graphic blooms are ideal for modern homes, while daintier prints in saturated shades are better suited to more traditional spaces.
Floral patterns are one of the biggest interior trends this year, so expect to see more botanical prints popping up in decor, wall coverings and flooring (particularly carpet, rugs and tiles). Floral floor surfaces with bold graphic blooms are ideal for modern homes, while daintier prints in saturated shades are better suited to more traditional spaces.
16. Freestyle floors
Feeling arty? Take a paintbrush to your timber floors and create a bespoke surface that will definitely take centrestage. Frame the artwork with your favourite furniture and decor to complete the look.
WE’D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU…
Do you have a patterned floor you’re proud of? Share a high-resolution photo in the comments section below.
Feeling arty? Take a paintbrush to your timber floors and create a bespoke surface that will definitely take centrestage. Frame the artwork with your favourite furniture and decor to complete the look.
WE’D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU…
Do you have a patterned floor you’re proud of? Share a high-resolution photo in the comments section below.
Crafty geometric patterns that create optical illusions make for a mesmerising feature wall but, when used for flooring, the effect is a million times better.