Russell Sage shares the art of getting flooring right in your home

When you choose a floor, you’re making a long-term commitment. After all, it’s easy to change some elements of a room, but an upheaval – not to mention expensive – to alter the floor.

That’s why it’s important to consider flooring at the start of a project. So we've turned to Russell Sage – the interior designer behind Zetter Townhouse, The Conduit and Kittyhawk, to name but a few – about his approach.

With varied projects covering high-traffic areas like hotel lobbies and bars, as well as private bedrooms and sitting rooms that put comfort first, Russell knows the difference good flooring can make.

Here, he explains how to wow, looks for now, and the practical considerations to make when picking a floor.

1. Keep it classic

Sometimes it pays not to be too fashionable. The floor you choose could be in your home for 20 years – perhaps more. So it can be sensible to opt for a material with longevity rather than something that’s on trend.

When you’re thinking through your flooring options, consider how much maintenance you’re able (and likely) to do. This is always a huge part of my decision-making process. Also think about how you live and who you live with. For example, if you have young children, a white carpet isn’t going to be practical.

Don’t forget to think long term either. A bump-proof, easy-to-clean floor is perfect when you have small children, but what about when they grow up and move out, and you want something more sophisticated? Think about the history of your home, too. A marble floor in a Victorian house, for example, is just not going to chime well.

2. Do your prep

If you’re updating an existing floor, start by finding out what the floor build-up is and what this means you can put on top. If it’s a wooden floor on joists, you’re not going to be able to lay marble without strengthening the build-up. Begin by working out what you’re working with – then you can explore your options.

3. Get creative

I like to play with materials – for example, laying thick rugs onto bare floorboards. If you’ve got more of a contemporary space, you can mix finishes too. Half the room could be floorboards and the other half could be something else. You can use flooring to make a small room look bigger too. Keep the floor light and match it to the colour of the skirting boards or the doors: this will expand the space.

4. Know your materials

When it comes to bedrooms, I prefer carpet because it has a softening effect. In bathrooms, I’ve done great things with wood-effect porcelain. By matching it to floorboards outside the bathroom, the floor can run seamlessly throughout the house, extending the space.

A word of warning: if you’ve installed central heating in an old house, don’t turn it on full blast suddenly. Floorboards might crack or gaps may appear. Instead, turn it up slowly over two to three weeks. This is the case for engineered wood, too.

5. Add cash

Quality flooring that’s installed properly will likely add value to your property. Conversely, if you cut corners, it’s likely to devalue your property. As with other property-related decisions, it’s wise to dedicate a sensible amount of your budget to making sure your property is protected in the future.

Words / Sophie Baylis