Today we’re looking at how to get a luxury wood aesthetic into your home without having to splash out on real timber. There are so many excellent options around, and of course, Luxury Vinyl Tiles (LVT) are more than suitable for potentially wet areas, such as kitchens and bathrooms. Here, we tackle some big questions about LVT and how it stacks up against real wood..
Are Luxury Vinyl Tiles suitable for loft conversions and attic rooms?
Yes, they absolutely are! Ease of installation is a huge consideration and it’s best to consider a floor covering that will be completely water resistant if you’re designing a brand new bathroom in the attic. Not only are our tiles or planks extremely straight forward to cut and manoeuvre into place, they’re installed as a floating floor using a no-adhesive click and drop-into-place system, they are splash proof too, whilst having the texture and appearance of natural grained oak. Order a sample of Huntsville Oak to get your creative thoughts flowing, using our Sample Service.
Are Luxury Vinyl Tiles suitable for a busy multi-purpose room used as a home office and dining space?
Indeed they are – may we suggest you take a look at our Cleveland Oak Luxury Vinyl Tiles. These are £19.99 per sq m at the moment, so are far, far, less costly than real wood – but offer the same luxury look. You’ll also be saving on installation costs (versus real timber, stone or tiles), and these can also be used with underfloor heating if you want to add a cosy feel; partner with our Ezemat electric mat underfloor heating system.
We’re considering using LVT for our large living-dining room, after having priced up real timber; would it also be suitable to run it through to the kitchen and utility too?
Yes it would! Have a look at our Amarillo Oak Luxury Vinyl Tiles, these come in plank format, with a matt finish and a natural beige colourway. A very good choice for larger spaces, as LVT needs no maintenance, no adhesive, no complicated installation (just simple floating floor/click and drop) and can also be installed with underlay to provide improved sound insulation, and to smooth out any slightly uneven spots in the subfloor – which sometimes become apparent when you’re tackling big, open plan rooms. Try Xtrafloor, which will actually make the installation easier…
Can you suggest any unusual LVT colours and designs that will work with a pale timber kitchen? We want it to look striking and interesting enough to contrast with plain cabinets; it needs to be budget-friendly as well!
We think that our Norfolk Walnut LVT will hit the spot for you! It’s a very eye-catching design, with strong colours from pale to dark, plus interesting markings and knot details too – a lovely contrast to pale timber cabinets. And of course, our LVT are suitable for kitchens and bathrooms as they are moisture resistant and good value too if you’re watching the budget. As with all our LVT designs they can be installed easily, as it’s a click and drop system, and can be used with underlay and underfloor heating for a very professional look and feel.
Stood Table Lamp from Lime Lace | Stanford Reclaimed Wood Table from Modish Living | Marvin Fir Wood Tables from Perch & Parrow
And the perfect timber accessories are…
From left; A table lamp with a timber shade would add a great finishing touch, try the Stood Table Lamp from Lime Lace. The Stanford Reclaimed Wood Table is just part of a fabulous range from Modish Living, any of their timber pieces could pair with some of our LVT suggestions. These Marvin Fir Wood Tables from Perch & Parrow come as a pair and can be stacked, so they are space-saving, stylish and practical too!
What other alternatives are there to real timber that can withstand the hammering of everyday life in a very busy family kitchen?
Well, since you are asking we can also point you in the direction of another budget-friendly and very hardwearing choice – porcelain tiles that are digitally printed and textured to replicate parquet flooring. This is our Kanna option, also available in two other colourways, and another solution to the large space conundrum… these are ideal for a ground floor installation and can run through from front porch to back door, taking in the living and dining spaces, as well as kitchen, cloakroom and utility spaces too.
Dover Grey Wood-Effect Blinds from Blinds2Go | Reclaimed Wood Paste-The-Wall Wallpaper from Woodchip & Magnolia
Any suggestions for other accessories and decor items to compliment wood-look LVT?
Faux wood blinds are actually far more practical in the bathroom, as they are slightly easier to clean than real wood; we think Dover Grey, available with tapes or cords, looks super stylish and blends beautifully with some of the LVT suggestions we’ve made; they’re from Blinds2Go. And if you fancy wood on the walls as well, for an all-encompassing timber theme, have a peek at this amazing Reclaimed Wood paste-the-wall wallpaper from Woodchip & Magnolia. Love, love, love the idea of mixing faux wood effects with real stone and/or real wood. If you have any interesting combinations of materials in your home, do send us some pics -hit us up @TileMountainUK or tag us on Instagram!
So, that little lot should have answered most of your burning questions about the benefits of LVT over real timber, but if that’s not enough, be sure to check out our full range of Luxury Vinyl Tiles and remember you can try before you buy with our free cut sample service!
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Linda has worked as a freelance interiors writer and blogger for many years; she has written for most of the major home and design magazines, including KBB Magazine, Grand Designs, Homes & Gardens, House Beautiful, Period Homes and Good Homes. She made the break and moved from London back to her home town of Shrewsbury three years ago and has just finished renovating her house. She also works in an interior design studio, produces copy for brochures and website, tries to tame her garden, aims to finish all the home furnishing projects she has on the go … and loves walking.