5 Flooring tips for a beach house

Most homes, regardless of whether they are located on the coast or not, benefit from flooring that is robust, hard-wearing and easy to care for. Flooring such as laminate flooring and vinyl flooring are incredibly tough, many with scratch and fade resistance built into their wear layer. Coming inside from the beach, sand is almost inevitable and having a tough floor will be more resilient to the damage the tiny particles can cause to flooring. There are also some waterproof laminate flooring styles which makes living near the water a breeze.

In the gorgeous, beachside home of the owners of Satara Lifestyle, a careful selection of hybrid flooring both looked the part but has been a low-maintenance and easy-case option too. With so many authentic timber-look products, the balance between aesthetics and practicality can be found. Beach house flooring should be something that both encapsulates the environment but also is a joy to live with! Take a tour of the Satara home.

Just like hard flooring, carpet that is able to stand up to busy family life is a winner in a coastal home (but let’s be honest, any home really!). Carpet that is easy to manage, fade resistant and repels stains are great options for coastal living. Spend more time enjoying where you live and far less time worrying about everyone traipsing the great outdoors back inside. So what is the best carpet for a beach house? Synthetic fibres such as solution dyed nylon (SDN), polypropene and Triexta are perfectly suited to applications where maintenance is low on the agenda. SDN fibres, for example, have anti-stain characteristics, anti-static, fade resistant and non-shedding. Everything you could need in a coastal home! With all of this said, wool carpet has many benefits that are right at home in a beach abode. Wool is naturally insulating, sustainably sourced, biodegradable and naturally fire resistant- it feels fantastic too!

Carpet pile is another consideration to make if you’re wanting to instal carpet in your coastal property. A relaxed and inviting design scheme can be elevated with the right carpet selection, with comfort, appearance and practicality addressed. Loop style piles are fantastic for high-traffic areas as they are hard-wearing (and hide dirt well!) while cut twist piles are wonderful in bedrooms, offering a softness to the eye and underfoot.

Nature often proves itself to be the finest form of inspiration and the coast is no exception. There are many styles that lend themselves to coastal living, with a palette taken from the beauty of the Australian landscape. Australian timber species are popular choices for homes and there’s no surprise why. Not only are they uniquely beautiful in their characteristics, colours and markings, but they are also a reflection of what Australians know and love. Coastal-inspired hardwoods and Australian species have also been authentically and realistically replicated into timber-look flooring as well, with many options across hybrid flooring, laminate flooring and luxury vinyl planks on offer.

Coastal flooring ideas can also be inspired by a colour palette of the outdoors. Sandy neutrals and tea tree greys can inform carpet colours while the greater palette can draw from nature to influence paint, fabric, tile and art choices. Sisal and natural weaves are perfect accompaniments to a coastal home too and perfectly applied with a rug.

Living by the beach, or perhaps a holiday home, often encourages indoor/outdoor living. An outdoor rug is a wonderful addition to an alfresco space to zone an area or just add some flair. They’re particularly hardy, waterproof and work well on flat spaces, such as decking. Pop one under an outdoor dining table or to connect an outdoor lounge with armchairs or a coffee table. There are lots of bright, fun patterns and styles for those homes calling out for some visual stimulation while the subtle stripes and patterns of the Seaside and Terrace ranges also work well.

In addition to being a fun accessory for an alfresco area, outdoor rugs also suit indoor spaces. Where hard-wearing is the absolute key selection criteria when making a rug selection, consider an outdoor rug. They can be wiped down, they can get damp and they can withstand all sorts of mess! Children’s rooms, play spaces, under a meals area, where pets like to hang out… an outdoor rug just might be the ultimate addition. What could be better than indoor-outdoor carpeting!

Like any home, regardless of where it is located or what product is installed, all flooring requires some level of maintenance. Yes, you must look after your flooring even if it’s as tough as nails! Regular maintenance will keep the house feeling clean, but it will also look after your flooring in the long term. Even with the most resilient of flooring, if dirt, sand, grit, or spills are left for prolonged periods, they can wear down into the flooring. For carpet, this might be loose dirt that will turn into stains. For hard flooring, it can lead to scratches and visible wear. For more information about caring for your flooring, you can read our carpet care guide , hard flooring care guide and vinyl care guide.

What is a pet-friendly rug style?

There are some great rug options for homes that have pets. Pet paws can get easily tangled in loop-style piles, so try a flat-weave or cut/ twist pile style to minimise pulling and damage. Stains from pets are also a consideration, so head towards a polypropylene, outdoor or washable rug for ease of cleaning and maintenance.

How durable is laminate flooring and would it work in a busy family home?

Laminate flooring is a great option for high-traffic areas and busy homes. Read our Laminate Guide to learn everything you need to know.

Is laminate flooring a good option for a kitchen? 

Yes! Laminate is a hard-wearing and low-maintenance material. There are also water-resistant options available, making it the perfect kitchen flooring option.

Disclaimer: In some states of Australia, the building regulations for Vinyl Planks, Vinyl Tiles and Hybrid flooring varies. Meaning they may not be suitable for areas requiring water resistance, such as bathrooms and toilets. We advise to always ask your local Flooring Xtra store for the correct advice regarding the local regulations. We also advise to follow the manufacturer’s recommended installation instructions and guidelines, not following the instructions could make the product not fit for purpose, for the area it’s being installed into and void your product warranty. To ensure you get the appropriate product for those areas, please contact your local Flooring Xtra store.