Home Improvement
Choosing the right flooring for your extension
With the latest research revealing that the majority of UK homeowners are choosing to improve rather than move, renovation and extension projects are top of the agenda for 2025. Whether you're adding a light-filled side extension or transforming your downstairs into an open-plan living space, one of the most important decisions you’ll make is your flooring. It’s not just about style, it needs to perform across different zones of your home and stand up to the demands of modern life. Alex Heslop, trend expert at Flooring Superstore, shares the key considerations when it comes to selecting the perfect floor for your renovation.
Adobe
It pays to be practical
“It’s easy to get swept up by Pinterest-worthy patterns or on-trend flooring designs, but the starting point should always be thinking about how the space will be used. Is it a high-traffic area? Will there be muddy feet, pets, or regular spills? These practical factors should guide your choice of material as a starting point.
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“Natural light is another big consideration. If your extension is south-facing or features floor-to-ceiling windows or bi-folds, remember that strong sunlight can fade or warp certain floors. In bright rooms, opt for UV-resistant materials and lighter-toned finishes, which are less likely to show signs of sun exposure.”
Seamless style
“Unless you’re renovating your entire home at once, think about how your new flooring will connect with the existing rooms. This is especially important in period properties, where preserving original features and keeping that timeless charm is top priority. The best way to create cohesion throughout your home is to use wood or wood-effect flooring with a grain or undertone that complements your existing floors. This way, you maintain character and charm without jarring transitions between old and new.
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“While solid wood flooring remains a firm favourite for its timeless appeal, there are also cost-effective alternatives. Engineered wood and luxury vinyl tiles (LVT) like those in Flooring Superstore’s Asenso collection offer the look of real timber with extra durability and lower maintenance.”
Floor zoning in open plan spaces
“Open-plan extensions often serve multiple functions, such as cooking, dining, relaxing, and working. One of the most effective ways to define these areas is with thoughtful flooring design. Using different flooring types to ‘zone’ a space is both practical and visually appealing. You might opt for tiles in the kitchen area, where spillages are more likely, and transition to wood or wood-effect LVT in the living space to create a softer, more relaxed feel.
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“A great way to achieve this is with flooring products like the Asenso Symphony Hex Tile in Italian Marble priced at £54.99 per square metre, which pairs beautifully with wood-effect tiles in the same range. It’s fully waterproof, incredibly durable, and ideal for modern kitchens, especially when you want to add a touch of luxury.”
Alex Heslop, Trend Expert
