2026 Flooring & Interior Trends - How Robert Malcolm Helps You Stay Ahead
At Robert Malcolm, we understand that flooring isn’t simply a surface — it sets the tone, anchors the space, and often determines the mood, flow and functionality of an entire project. As we look toward 2026, a number of strong design directions are emerging across Europe and globally, many of which are already resonating with New Zealand designers, architects and flooring retailers.
With our full suite of products — carpet, carpet tiles, laminate, luxury vinyl plank, and sheet vinyl — we’re well-placed to help you bring these trends to life.
Here’s what we’re seeing, and how we support you to stay ahead.
Warm Earthy Tones, Natural Textures & the Rise of “New Neutrals”
After years dominated by cool greys and pared-back minimalism, interiors are shifting toward warmer, more organic palettes. Think soft oaks, honey browns, greige, sandy beiges and natural wood tones. These “new neutrals” create calm, inviting environments that still feel timeless and refined.
Why it matters:
Flooring sets the baseline for a room’s colour story. Warm-toned or natural-look floors create harmony across the interior, helping spaces feel more connected, comfortable and cohesive.
The Robert Malcolm advantage:
With our locally based product development team, we stay closely connected to what New Zealand designers and flooring retailers want and need. This insight drives our global sourcing — ensuring we bring home products tailored specifically to the NZ aesthetic and environment.
Texture, Realism & Performance — Authenticity Over Gloss
What’s trending:
Texture is taking centre stage. Designers are leaning into matte or low-sheen finishes, embossed-in-register (EIR) wood grains, subtle distressing and authentic stone textures. The focus is on depth, tactility and realism — avoiding finishes that feel overly polished or artificial.
Why it matters:
Textured floors feel more natural underfoot, disguise day-to-day wear, and age gracefully — making them ideal for busy family homes, commercial settings and layered interiors. They pair beautifully with today’s materials: natural fabrics, plaster finishes and soft furnishings.
The Robert Malcolm advantage:
- Our luxury vinyl plank and laminate collections include realistic embossing and modern, low-sheen finishes for a natural look and long-lasting performance.
- Our carpet ranges offer tailored textures and acoustic benefits. From the barefoot comfort of premium Cromasoft solution dyed nylon to the natural warmth and indoor air benefits of New Zealand wool, there’s a solution for every setting.
- Sheet vinyl remains a go-to for practical, design-led spaces — offering moisture resistance, easy maintenance and an impressive array of patterns.
Wide Planks, Large Formats & Seamless Transitions
What’s trending:
Large-format planks and tiles continue to rise in popularity, especially in open-plan spaces. Long, wide boards minimise visual breaks and create a sense of flow and modern spaciousness.
Why it matters:
Wider formats expand the visual footprint of a room, helping interiors feel more open, calm and cohesive — an effect highly valued in contemporary NZ homes, apartments and commercial projects.
The Robert Malcolm advantage:
- Our LVP collections include wide-plank and large-format tile options such as Moduleo Impress XL and Oslo Rectangle Tiles for continuous, seamless design.
- New digital print technologies within our sheet vinyl ranges allow for larger pattern repeats and expanded design possibilities.
Pattern, Geometry & Statement Floors — When Flooring Becomes the Feature
What’s trending:
Influenced by Europe, patterned installations are making a strong comeback. Herringbone, chevron, geometric layouts and tile-inspired designs are being used not just as a finish, but as a genuine design feature.
Why it matters:
A thoughtfully patterned floor brings rhythm, interest and architectural character to a space. It defines zones, anchors key areas and elevates interiors from standard to standout.
The Robert Malcolm advantage:
- Our LVP products can be installed in a range of directional or patterned formats — achieving the effect of parquet or European-inspired layouts without the cost or maintenance of solid timber.
- LVT and sheet vinyl combinations allow designers to create durable, visually impactful floors for commercial and hospitality spaces.
- Carpet tiles offer endless zoning possibilities — ideal for offices, education and retail environments where contrast, texture and layering matter.
Practicality, Sustainability & Healthy Interiors
What’s trending:
Across residential and commercial applications, performance remains key — waterproofness, scratch resistance and low maintenance are more important than ever. At the same time, clients are seeking sustainable, low-VOC and responsibly manufactured materials.
Why it matters:
New Zealand’s varied climate and lifestyle demand flooring that can handle moisture, temperature changes, heavy traffic and everyday use. And with growing focus on wellbeing, sustainability and indoor air quality are now core to the specification process.
The Robert Malcolm advantage:
- Our LVP and sheet vinyl options offer exceptional water resistance, durability and easy cleaning — ideal for wet areas, rentals and busy homes.
- Our laminate ranges deliver realistic aesthetics, strong performance and excellent value for residential and commercial spaces.
- Carpet and carpet tiles remain the go-to where acoustic comfort, softness and warmth matter most.
- With a complete flooring portfolio under one roof, Robert Malcolm makes it easy for designers and retailers to meet aesthetic, functional and sustainability goals across any project.
Final Thoughts
2026 is shaping up to be a year where flooring plays a truly foundational role in defining interior character. With a comprehensive product offering — from carpet and carpet tiles to laminate, LVP and sheet vinyl — and a passionate team committed to solution-focused outcomes, Robert Malcolm is here to support New Zealand designers, architects and retailers in creating beautiful, practical and future-ready spaces.
