We all want to do our bit to help the environment and that is feeding into our choices when it comes to home design. Sourcing natural and sustainable materials has become a lot more accessible in recent years as manufacturers and suppliers put more emphasis on finding greener methods and materials.
Natural fibre flooring is not a new thing, it’s been around for years, but it is increasing in popularity and versatility, with more manufacturers embracing natural plant materials and creating collections full of design flair and heaps of style choices.
Whether you choose to have a natural fibre carpet, runner or rug, what this material offers, beyond its impressive green qualities, is a floor finish full of texture, warmth and character. These natural fibres are also incredibly durable and can stand the test of time even in extremely high footfall homes – whilst maintaining a nice soft feel underfoot.
We have so many fantastic natural fibre carpets and rugs to choose from in our showroom, but before we bring you a selection to showcase the variety available, let us give you a brief explanation of some of the differences between the choice of fibres available to you.
Sisal
Derived from a succulent plant called Agave, Sisal is one of the most durable natural fibre carpets available, and one of the most popular. Its durability makes it ideal for stairs and hallways, and its high insulation properties mean it also works just as well in family living areas and bedrooms. Sisal also delivers in term of flexibility with the ever increasing array of colours and textures being made available to find something that will fit into any interior style.
Jute
Spun from vegetable fibres jute carpets are still a strong fibre, but they have a naturally softer feel. Other natural fibres may be a better choice for extremely high footfall spaces, but that softer edge makes jute a wonderful choice in a lounge or bedroom. 100% biodegradable and recyclable, Jute is also durable, chemical-free and reusable making it one of the most eco-friendly natural fibre options.
Seagrass
The seagrass used for flooring is typically sourced from the wetlands of Asia where it is collected, dried and spun into yarn for weaving. Due to its varied texture seagrass delivers an incredibly natural and organic feel. Seagrass is also less susceptible to water-marking than other natural carpets and as it is a relatively thin carpet, it can help keep a home cool in warm temperatures. A natural fibre that is also very easy to clean, it makes a good choice for pet owners, families and people with allergies.
Coir
Coir carpets are synonymous for their warm golden tones and textures. Made from fibres extracted from the coconut shell husk, coir flooring is incredibly tough with a distinctive look and feel. It offers warmth and solid insulating qualities and a natural aesthetic and rustic texture perfect for adding interest into your home design. It’s a great choice for spaces like hallways where the interior meets the exterior, with its natural dirt and water-resistant properties.
So there you have our brief low-down on natural fibre flooring, now to the designs, as we pick out a selection of natural fibre carpets you will find in our showroom, giving you just a small taste of the array of styles available to you when you choose natural plant flooring.
Crucial Trading Coir Luxury Panama
The luxurious and latticed weave of this coir carpet works wonderfully to bring a warm, timeless texture into a space. On the benefits side it is also naturally noise-insulating and easy to maintain along with possessing hypoallergenic properties.
Alternative Flooring Sisal Herringbone Hockley
Natural carpet design collides with on-trend herringbone patterning with this sisal design from Alternative Flooring. Durable, striking, soft underfoot, if you like the design you are spoilt for choice with 11 natural shades to choose from.
Crucial Trading Seagrass Basketweave Natural
The chunky chequered basketweave of this seagrass carpet offers an enchanting aesthetic akin to the charm of handmade wicker homewares. With a durable waxy coating for extra protection, this style works especially well in the hallway, playroom, or living room.
Alternative Flooring Bubbleweave Desert Sisal
Alternative Flooring’s Sisal Bubblewrap design delivers a hard-wearing and chunky texture which gets even more playful in different lights. These textures work really well on the stairs as a runner, or to add some character as a rug to finish hard-flooring.
Crucial Trading Seagrass Herringbone Accents Red
This stylish seagrass herringbone weave offers a distinctly heritage aesthetic that wouldn’t look out of place in the hallways of an English stately home, offering a smart chevron design with a sophisticated scarlet weft that accentuates its natural textures and tones.
Alternative Flooring Jute Chevron Natural
This Jute Chevron design has a stunning jacquard pattern in a beautifully natural tone. Soft underfoot, it is the perfect choice to complement a natural and calming interior like a bedroom and is just dreamy to wake-up to underfoot.
Alternative Flooring Jute Big Boucle in Toast
Alternatively go big on texture with your jute design with the Big Boucle finish which is rich in chunky textures and a warm toast like glow. Hallways, dining spaces and stairs can all be enhanced by its natural rustic charm.
Crucial Trading Sisal Ogee Rhythmic Play
The light shade of Rhythmic Play brightens and opens up the home. The warm neutral tone is both elegant and inviting, with the interlocked weave creating a distinctive texture that really draws the eye and gives the carpet a trendsetting design.
Kersaint Cobb Seagrass Basketweave
A fine basketweave design on a more lightweight carpet brings a natural delicateness and softness to this seagrass carpet. Its light tones will open up and enhance any space in the home to bring an effortless natural elegance.
Crucial Trading Sisal Oriental Copper
Inspired by the buttery bronze of a mineral-rich metal, Oriental Copper delights the eyes from every perspective giving a natural shimmer which changes in the light. It’s a perfect entrance hallway choice to create a warm welcome.
If this selection has got you curious about natural plant fibre floor design, head to our showroom to view even more eco-friendly designs, many available to have as wall-to-wall carpet or created to bespoke runner and rug sizes.
