Engineered timber is the go to for most modern architectural builds, offering the look and feel of solid hardwood flooring but with more stability and less environmental strain, wide plank formats and matte finishes are currently favoured, particularly in oak tones that compliment both minimalist and coastal New Zealand architecture. 

For open-plan living spaces, timber helps achieve visual continually, allowing different zones to flow seamlessly without hard transitions and thanks to its compatibility with underfloor heating, it performs well in colder regions where warmth and texture are essential. Consider it for your living areas and kitchens, where natural tones are part of the interior concept. Engineered timber floors are also ideal for architecturally led interiors that use timber elsewhere, such as the ceiling beams, to create a cohesive sense of purpose. 

For bedrooms, snug lounges, or media rooms, well-chosen carpet flooring anchors the space and absorbs sound. These rooms immediately feel more relaxed and intimate, especially if you opt for cut-pile carpet in rich textures like wool or nylon. Tonal layering and acoustics matter here, as double -height spaces can present and intimidating challenge that can leave a room feeling cold and grey. Concrete element - which are also common in architectural homes - can overwhelm the wrong carpet choice, so finding the right carpet to soften reverb, bring warmth underfoot and invite colour into the space is vital. Doubly so in upper-storey bedrooms or transitional zones like hallways. 

Vinyl is often associated with budget builds or rentals but luxury vinyl tiles have their place in architectural builds. These tiles come with brilliant texture and a high-design look without the associated price tag, making them an increasingly popular option for architectural homes. With a realistic stone, ceramic or timber look and a warmer feel than all three, these tiles have a more forgiving maintenance profile in other words, they look fantastic and are easier to care for than most staple architectural looking choices.

The real draw for architectural home is using LVT in utility space, such as bathrooms and kitchens. Sleek and luxurious patterns can adorn these spaces just as well as any other, with careful consideration given to how many spills or scratches each respective space needs to endure.

For wet areas and great rooms alike, ceramic and porcelain tiles continue to be a standout in architectural homes. This is hardwood flooring option with a high-spec edge, appearing most often in bathrooms, entryways or kitchens, all of which demand something striking yet easy to clean. The right ceramic tiles will make an excellent visual impression with crisp lines and a reflective finish but will gracefully sidestep any cold or clinical feel usually brought on by the inclusion of tile. 

If tiles are not balanced with a warm tones or textures, things can get cold quickly. This is why large-format tiles in soft stone or matte finishes can help to bridge the gap in transitional spaces, not to mention they are much more durable than almost any other flooring option available. If you have an underfloor heating system or plan to install one in the future, tiles are ideal candidates for radiating said heat into your home. 

Hard flooring or soft carpeting aside, the most important choice you will make when it comes to choosing the right flooring is not what but how materials should never be chosen in isolation; it's about how the flooring you pick for each room relates to other rooms, other materials in the same room and then broader design of the home as a whole. A floor that runs uninterrupted between living spaces builds a sense of flow and these transitions should feel seamless, especially if you are using multiple flooring types. 

To select your final swatches and begin installation, you'll need the experts at Ian Hunt Flooring. We've been connecting kiwi home owners with the flooring option that meets their needs since 1972. 

Explore your options today and book a free measure & quote for your space.