When it comes to your home’s interior, flooring plays a much bigger role than most people realise. It sets the tone for every room, ties your design together, and can either elevate your space, or unintentionally make it feel stuck in the past.

If your home isn’t looking as fresh as you’d like, your flooring could be the reason. Here are five common flooring mistakes that can make your home look dated, and what to do instead.

1. Choosing Cold Grey Tones Everywhere

For years, cool grey flooring dominated interiors. While it once felt modern, overuse has made it one of the quickest ways to date a home today. It can make spaces feel flat and lifeless whilst lacking warmth and character.

Opt for warmer, more natural tones such as oak, honey, or soft beige. These shades create a welcoming atmosphere and work beautifully with a wider range of decor styles. Here at Maltby’s we love a crucial trading herringbone in earthy colours to bring character and warmth to your home.

2. Using Different Flooring in Every Room

Switching flooring styles from room to room can break up your space visually, and not in a good way. Having too many types of flooring within your home can sometimes create a disjointed look as well as feeling smaller and interrupting the natural flow of your layout.

What to do:
Choose a consistent flooring style throughout key areas of your home. Seamless transitions help create a more modern, open feel and allow your interiors to flow naturally. Try not to have more than 2-3 flooring types per level of your home.

3. Holding Onto Worn or Dated Carpets

Carpets that are visibly worn, stained, or feature outdated patterns can instantly age a room. Holding on to this flooring can makes the space look tired and neglected whilst older patterns and colours can clash with modern decor.

What to do:
Upgrade to fresh, neutral carpets with subtle textures. Modern carpets are designed to be both stylish and durable, adding comfort without compromising on appearance.

Finishes are especially popular, offering a more natural and contemporary feel.

4. Ignoring How Flooring Works with Your Decor

Even great flooring can look wrong if it doesn’t complement the rest of your interior. Make sure your flooring doesn’t clash with wall colours or furniture as this throws off the balance of the room.

What to do instead:
Think of your flooring as the foundation of your design. Consider how it works with your walls, furniture, and lighting. Neutral, versatile flooring gives you more flexibility to update your decor over time.



Updating your flooring is one of the most effective ways to modernise your home. By avoiding these common mistakes, you can create a space that feels fresh, stylish, and built to last.

Visit our Chester showroom or get in touch with our team, we’re here to help you find the perfect fit for your home.