STEP INSIDE KITCHEN Standing the Heat


Stella Coyle, National Sales Manager of Karndean Designflooring, explains how homeowners can create all kinds of desired effects in their kitchen with LVT.


For most homeowners, the kitchen is one of the most popular rooms; the central hub where they spend a lot of time cooking and socialising with family and friends. There are many things to consider when designing a kitchen that is both functional and suits the homeowner’s taste, and while it can be overwhelming thinking about appliances and countertops, the floor should not be overlooked. Luxury vinyl tile (LVT) performs on many levels but function doesn’t have to take precedence over design – Karndean Designflooring is durable, easy to clean and look after, and- whether the chosen style is traditional, classic or contemporary- it can look great for years to come.


With heavy foot-traffic, food and drink spills, and pet bowls, the kitchen can be hectic and tends to wear quicker than other less frequently-used rooms in the home. Karndean’s durability makes it ideal for a kitchen environment – the enhanced, clear-wear layer acts as a surface barrier and protects it from everyday scuffs and spills, and our K-Guard+ protective PU coating is a non-porous surface, meaning germs, dirt and bacteria won’t be able to find any cracks to seep into, so it’s very hygienic. As well as this, Karndean is perfect for busy families because it’s low maintenance – it doesn’t need sanding, staining or any other frequent floor treatment to keep its appearance. Instead, all it requires is a simple sweep and mop.


“For added charm, suggest mustard yellows to brighten


up the room without being over the top”


Natural stone has been a popular flooring choice for kitchens, but what puts many people off selecting it for their home is how it feels underfoot – it can be hard to walk on, cold in winter, and generally not the most comfortable option. It can also be unforgiving if any dishes or mugs are dropped and, because of its rigid structure, the


28 | Tomorrow’s Retail Floors


tiles are notorious for cracking and chipping. With Karndean, homeowners can now have all the aesthetic appeal of natural stone with a warmer, more resilient surface. In the unlikely event a tile or plank from our gluedown or LooseLay ranges is damaged, they can be individually lifted and replaced. As an added bonus, all of our products are suitable for use with underfloor heating- a popular choice now in the home.


Next to consider are the colour combinations the homeowner would like to use, as these can make a big difference to the overall feel of the room. Karndean has an extensive collection of designs, from rustic woods to smooth classic marble – retailers won’t be short of ideas and suggestions when it comes to advising their customers.


For a contemporary look, the ashy grey tones of our latest Art Select product, Storm Oak, work really well with various shades of green to create a fresh, modern botanical vibe. This design is also ideal for open-plan kitchens, dining and living room spaces, as it’s available in matching full-length plank, parquet, and basketweave; so homeowners can achieve the same colour floor throughout with alternative formats to break up individual spaces.


Suggest combining steel, copper and gold with our striking Van Gogh Charred Oak floor to bring an industrial character into your customer’s kitchen. Radiating warmth and boasting dark golden amber tones, this flooring also features authentic textures, knots and grains.


Those who are more inclined towards a rustic feel can look to our subtly limed, mid tone Baltic Mistral Oak from our Korlok collection. Korlok can be installed over most existing hard surface floors without exposing imperfections, and it comes with a pre-attached acoustic foam backing so it’ll be even quieter underfoot. For added charm, suggest mustard yellows to brighten up the room without being over the top, and your customer will be on their way to a warm, homely kitchen.


Retailers can demonstrate various designs in a kitchen setting using our Floorstyle Floor Designer tool, and our Augmented Reality (AR) app allows users to see what their favourite floors will look like in their very own home.


www.karndean.com www.tomorrowsretailfloors.com


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