Meet the Showroom: Karndean Designflooring

What brought Karndean to Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour?

We have always collaborated with interior designers, and opening at Design Centre is a big step in making our brand more accessible to the design community. It gives us a space right at the heart of design conversations, where creativity and collaboration can really flourish. Designers have always worked with us through our retail or contractor partners, but this showroom makes it much easier to explore our collections and collaborate with us.

What should we expect from the showroom?

Designed with Nick Leith-Smith Architecture + Design, the showroom feels like a beautifully curated apartment – warm, inviting and layered with detail. From the striking landing moment of an art deco-inspired floor at the entrance to the central collaboration space and colour-organised product library, every corner is designed to spark ideas and support the design process. Sample boards showcase every fine detail of our flooring.

Why should people visit in person as opposed to looking/buying online?

The variation in designs, the intricate details in individual designs, the patterns… everything is best appreciated up close. Our in-house design team work meticulously to bring natural materials to life, and that craftsmanship really needs to be seen and felt. Flooring is a tactile, visual element of design, and in the showroom, designers can explore large-format display boards and moodboards, and benefit from personalised advice from our showroom manager. It is a hands-on, collaborative experience you just cannot replicate online.

Is there a ‘hero’ product that encapsulates your brand, or that’s been a long-standing bestseller?

We have some classics with timeless appeal, like ‘Glacier Oak’ and ‘Spring Oak’ from our Art Select collection, and ‘Warm Brushed Oak’ and ‘French Oak’ from our Van Gogh collection. Our onyx designs [including ‘Rose Onyx’, pictured above] are a more recent standout: real onyx is not something you can put on a floor, but our luxury vinyl brings it to life in a way that is indulgent, elegant and unapologetically bold.

Are there broad trends in your sector of the design industry that you’re embracing?

Designers are increasingly looking for floors that combine natural authenticity with creative versatility. They want surfaces that replicate the beauty of wood and stone while letting them play with pattern and layout. Sustainability and longevity are front of mind too, and our lifetime residential warranty reflects that commitment.

Importantly, our products give designers the flexibility to create bespoke floors, with patterns and design strips that let every project feel personal and unique.

What can we expect from the latest collections? 

Our latest update introduces curated designs to the Knight Tile collection. This includes six new wood planks, four matching herringbones and three stone designs: ‘Lunar Limestone’, ‘Natural Limestone’ and ‘River Marble’. The wood options range from the soft grain of ‘Norfolk Acacia’ to the rich espresso of ‘Cocoa Limed Oak’ and the multi toned ‘Duxbury Acacia’.

Planks can be laid straight or in full plank herringbone, while the smaller coordinating herringbones allow for more intricate layouts or zoning. The stone-effect tiles capture the look of natural stone while adding warmth underfoot and easy maintenance, making them perfect for restorative, contemporary interiors.

What craftsmanship or innovation goes into your products?

Every Karndean design begins with a love of natural materials. Our design team meticulously captures the textures, grains and natural variation in wood and stone, translating them into stylish luxury vinyl flooring. Time and care are taken at every stage to ensure true craftsmanship, resulting in floors that look and feel authentic and support both the aesthetic and practical needs of residential spaces. This is the Karndean difference. We are also working towards a more sustainable future through our Karndean Evolve initiative, driving measurable progress in responsible design, wellbeing and resource use.

Is there anything else you’d like the Design Centre’s community know about your brand?

Karndean has been creating luxury vinyl flooring for over 50 years. Beautiful flooring is at the heart of what we do. The showroom is not just a place to showcase our designs: it reflects our ethos, our craftsmanship and our commitment to timeless, beautiful flooring that will last a lifetime.