7 Vinyl Flooring Ideas to Transform Your Home

Thanks to its versatility vinyl has become an increasingly popular flooring choice in Irish households. A lot of people opt for vinyl flooring due to not only its aesthetic appeal but its durability and cost-effectiveness. Whether you prefer a wood look or a chevron pattern at Des Kelly Interiors we have a style for you. We have an extensive range of quality vinyl available leaving you spoilt for choice! Don’t worry if you don’t know where to start, we’ve compiled a list of our top 7 vinyl flooring ideas to give you some inspiration.

1. Luxurious Wood-Look Vinyl

Wood-look vinyl is a popular choice for those who want the realistic appearance of wood without the cost and maintenance that come with hardwood floors. Here at Des Kelly Interiors, we offer a range of wood-look vinyl flooring options, from Amsterdam Manor to Urban Boogie.

Aside from its aesthetic appeal, wood-look vinyl has many practical benefits. For one, wood-look vinyl is extremely resistant to moisture (unlike real wood) making it ideal for kitchens or bathrooms. Wood-look vinyl is durable which makes it suitable for high-traffic areas like hallways and living rooms. Lastly, it’s easy to maintain as it is resistant to stains and water making it perfect for busy households with kids and pets.

Wood-look vinyl goes with various home decors and styles. There are a variety of grains and colours available including oak, walnut, pine & maple. Wood-look vinyl in light or medium tones pair well with sleek furniture and a neutral colour palette. Meanwhile, warm wood tones like walnut match great with traditional style furniture and a patterned rug to enhance the aesthetic.

2. Modern Stone-Effect Vinyl

Modern stone-effect vinyl perfectly captures the beauty of natural stone while providing all the benefits that come with vinyl. 

Stone-effect vinyl can convincingly mimic the look of marble, slate, and other natural stones using high-resolution printing techniques to replicate their intricate patterns and textures. Aside from its visual charm, modern stone-effect vinyl has many practical benefits. Firstly, it's comfortable underfoot unlike real stone making it ideal for rooms that prioritise comfort. It’s also extremely durable making it suitable for high-traffic areas like kitchens or bathrooms. For bathroom vinyl flooring we recommend using a light stone effect like white marble as it makes a small bathrooms appear bigger. In modern interiors, pair stone-effect vinyl with minimalist furniture in solid colours like matte black to add depth to a space. Stone-effect vinyl in neutral colours like beige and greys also works great in modern home décor.

Despite its luxurious look, stone-effect vinyl is extremely cost-effective compared to natural stone flooring. It provides the sophisticated look of stone without the high price point. On top of that, due to its low maintenance, this flooring will continue to save you money down the line.

3. Versatile Tile-Effect Vinyl

Tile-effect vinyl is popular for its versatility, offering the look of real tiles with less maintenance. It suits various spaces, from kitchens to bathrooms, with a wide range of colours and patterns available. 

As well as aesthetic appeal, tile effect vinyl has many practical benefits including water resistance, easy to clean, affordable, durable and easy to install. Tile-effect vinyl is suitable for most areas of the house including hallways and laundry rooms. Hallways experience a lot of foot traffic and need easy-to-clean, durable floors. Laundry rooms are likely to have spills meaning they need a water-resistant floor making tile-effect vinyl the perfect choice.

When choosing patterns and colours for tile-effect vinyl, there are several factors to consider to align with different design preferences.

• Consider room size and lighting.
• Choose colours that complement the interior.
• Match patterns with design styles.

Tile-effect vinyl can work alongside various wall colours to create a striking interior. For example, neutral tile-effect vinyl pairs well with textured walls to create an airy, calm space.

Another reason tile-effect vinyl is popular among homeowners is due to its ease of installation. It often comes with adhesive backing making it easy to install. Replacing damaged sections is straightforward, as individual tiles can be removed and swapped without disturbing the surrounding area.

4. Elegant Herringbone & Chevron Patterns

Herringbone and chevron patterned vinyl flooring have been a staple in Irish households due to its elegance and classic appeal. We offer a range of Herringbone & Chevron vinyl flooring options, from Renaissance Dawn Herringbone to Panama Cali Honey.

Both herringbone & chevron bring sophistication to any space by combining traditional charm and modern practicality. While both add depth and aesthetics to a space, the two patterns have visual differences. The staggered arrangement of rectangular planks in a herringbone pattern creates a more textured look which perfectly complements traditional or classic décor. In comparison, chevron has a more geometric look that creates a zig-zag pattern, making it a great addition to contemporary homes. While these patterns suit any area of the home, they work particularly well in hallways and living rooms. If you have a small living room or hallway we recommend small patterns and light colours as it can make the space appear larger and more open. Alternatively, if your living room or hallway is larger, darker colours and larger patterns can add warmth and make the space feel cosier. Not only is patterned vinyl great for adding a modern and classic touch to a home it has proven to be extremely durable and easy to maintain. Patterned vinyl is resistant to wear and tear making it ideal for high-traffic areas in the home or commercial spaces. With proper care, these floors can last up to 20 years making it a stylish yet practical flooring choice.

If you opt for a bold herringbone or chevron pattern there are some design tips to take into consideration:

• Use a neutral colour palette for walls and furniture as it helps create a calming backdrop, allowing the bold patterned floors to be the focal point without overwhelming the space.
• Incorporate textures through rugs and natural materials like wood or linen tones to add warmth to the room.

5. Bold & Bright Vinyl Flooring

Bold & bright vinyl allows you to infuse energy into your space while making a statement. The options are endless when it comes to bold & bright vinyl whether it be geometric patterns or vibrant colours, we have a style to suit every décor.

Choosing vibrant flooring acts as a bold design statement while adding a lively atmosphere to a space. The vivid hues can influence mood, making the space feel more inviting. Many people opt for bold & bright vinyl for kids' bedrooms as it creates a more playful environment. Using bold vinyl with animals or nature in kids' rooms can encourage activities and create an exciting adventure space. Using different colour vinyl throughout the room can spark creativity while also defining different areas of the room.

While being aesthetically pleasing, bold & bright vinyl is the ideal flooring for high-energy spaces due to its practicality and durability. When you have bold flooring, it is important to think of your home décor so not to overwhelm the space. We have some tips to help incorporate bold vinyl to suit your home interior:

• If you have bold flooring, avoid another pattern in the room or keep them to a minimum.
• Bold flooring pairs well with a neutral-coloured wall (whites, beiges or light greys) to create a calm backdrop.
• Sleek and clean-lined furniture is best for bold flooring to maintain the overall balance of the room.
• For a Scandinavian style pair bold vinyl flooring in muted shades like olive green or navy blue with light wood furniture and soft textiles to keep the space feeling grounded.

6. Neutral & Minimalist Vinyl flooring

Minimalist design trends are becoming increasingly popular in interior design and vinyl is no exception. Neutral and minimalist vinyl has become a popular flooring choice for Irish homeowners for many reasons, one being its timeless appeal. 

Minimalism focuses on clean lines, simple designs and neutral colours meaning it will blend seamlessly into any décor style. Due to its versatility, neutral vinyl is a perfect choice for open-plan living spaces, kitchens and bedrooms. Offering functionality and aesthetic appeal, here are a few examples of how to use minimalist and neutral tones in these areas:

• Light and beige vinyl works great in bedrooms as it creates a cosy atmosphere as well as being a blank canvas for future renovations.
• Neutral oak vinyl adds warmth and rustic charm to an open-plan living room.
• Pale beige stone vinyl in an open-plan kitchen gives the space a sophisticated touch without overwhelming the space.

Although minimalist vinyl is extremely versatile, it is important to pay attention to detail with each design choice to achieve this look. Here are some tips to help achieve a minimalist look in your home:

• Choose complementary neutral tones for the walls.
• Focus on clean lines and simple forms when choosing furniture.
• Use neutral flooring as the visual foundation for the space.
• Embrace natural lighting.

Neutral flooring creates a seamless, airy aesthetic which can make a room feel more spacious. As well as making a room feel bigger, neutral flooring also reflects natural light meaning neutral floors work well in any home regardless of size and lighting. Accessorising neutral floors with layered rugs, throw blankets & pillows and wall art helps balance out the flooring and create a rich and warm space.

 7. Durable & Functional Vinyl for High-Traffic Areas

Choosing durable vinyl for high-traffic areas like the kitchen and hallway ensures resistance to wear and tear and increases the lifespan of your floors. We recommend investing in durable vinyl for heavy domestic use or areas in the home with a lot of foot traffic.

Durable vinyl offers several benefits in high-traffic areas like hallways and kitchens. Due to the amount of foot traffic, these areas need a floor designed to withstand wear and scratches. Kitchens are prone to spills so water-resistant vinyl is a necessity to avoid damage and extend the lifespan of your flooring. When choosing a durable vinyl look out for a vinyl with a thick wear layer. For high-traffic areas, the wear layer should be at least 0.5mm to ensure scratch and wear resistance. The durable vinyl is essential for busy households with pets and kids as they can handle wear and tear without showing signs of damage. Durable vinyl is recommended for rooms where spills or damage is likely to occur like kitchens, bathrooms, living rooms and hallways. Thanks to its water and scratch-resistant features, vinyl is extremely user-friendly and requires minimal effort making it perfect for busy households. Routine cleaning and cleaning spills immediately keep the floors looking fresh for years to come.

Plenty of vinyl combines durability with aesthetic appeal, for example, polished concrete is extremely durable and paired with other natural materials like wood and metal tones can give a modern sleek look. This makes it perfect for high-traffic areas without compromising on style.

Choose Vinyl Flooring With Des Kelly Interiors

Whether you prefer a wood look, stone effect, tile effect, herringbone & chevron patterns, bold or minimalist vinyl there is a style to suit every home. Vinyl flooring offers exceptional versatility with a wide range of styles and textures, mimicking wood, stone, etc. It's durable, water-resistant, and budget-friendly, making it ideal for high-traffic areas and easy home transformations. Here at Des Kelly Interiors, we have 50+ years of experience in flooring and have a wide range of vinyl flooring options which you can view here or visit us in-store. We also offer a free home consultation where we will bring our showroom to you.  We are committed to providing the best quality to our customers. Contact us today to find your perfect vinyl flooring.