Flooring in a narrow corridor – how to lay it?

Flooring in the corridor – is it a good idea?

The corridor is the place that is seen as the first one in your home space. Despite this, it is often neglected when making design decisions, because in such a frequently used place almost every piece of furnishing is prone to damage. For this reason, many people are wondering whether flooring in the corridor is a good idea. Dirt, sand or water brought on the soles of shoes, especially in winter, can damage the delicate flooring. However, if you choose the type of flooring carefully and install it properly, you can enjoy the beautiful appearance of your corridor for a long time.

Flooring in the corridor – make the right decision

In order for the flooring in the corridor to look good, it is worth taking a moment to choose the right model. You can choose from wood, laminate and vinyl flooring. The most important thing is that it is durable. You can achieve this by choosing the flooring with high abrasion and usage class. Thanks to this, frequent shuffling, walking in shoes with different soles or contact with dust particles will not do it any harm.

It is also very important that the flooring in the corridor is properly protected against water. Make sure the model you choose is waterproof. This option will ensure that the flooring will not swell even if it comes into prolonged contact with water dripping from a drying umbrella or wet shoes. Additional protection will be provided by impregnated bevel securing the edges.

When installing the flooring in a narrow corridor, it is also worth paying attention to its appearance. Nowadays, flooring materials come in many different colours and patterns. However, to prevent the space from appearing even smaller than it really is, go for light flooring. The best choice will be planks with a glossy texture, which will reflect light in an attractive way. Don’t choose flooring in dark colours and models with large patterns. They will visually reduce the corridor and make it seem narrower.

How to lay the flooring in a narrow corridor – practical tips

If you decide on the flooring in the corridor, make sure it is properly laid. Thanks to this, you will get the most attractive results and make sure that it will be durable. This will allow you to avoid the floor deteriorating too quickly and thus another renovation. Check out how to lay the flooring in a narrow corridor.

The right preparation

Once you have purchased the flooring that meets your requirements and stands out for its high technical performance, it’s a good idea to carry out a final test before the installation. Every detail has an influence on how the space will look: the layout of the flooring in relation to the walls, the appearance of joints or the angle of incidence of light. So lay the flooring on top of the old floor and make sure the whole thing looks good.

Flooring in a narrow corridor is usually installed in parallel, i.e., along the length of the room. This is above all a practical solution. The flooring in the corridor in a narrow shape installed widthwise would require cutting and adjusting to unusual sizes. This would be time consuming and would generate unnecessary dirt. Flooring installed along longer walls will also look much more aesthetically pleasing. If you choose the right colour and material, they can look confusingly similar to a wooden parquet.

An exception to this rule is the corridor, where the door is positioned against a long wall. In this case, you will optically enlarge the room if you choose to lay the flooring across, i.e., perpendicular to the door. This will make the corridor appear more spacious upon entering the room.

Gather the materials

In addition to the flooring, you will also need some tools that will allow you to properly install the floor. Use a tape measure before you buy your flooring. You will also need a jigsaw or guillotine to fit the individual planks to the dimensions of your corridor. Lay the foil and the underlay before laying the flooring. Special adhesive tape will help you to do this. Wall plugs, a wooden tapping block and a rubber mallet will facilitate the work when laying the flooring. To ensure an aesthetically pleasing floor finish and long-lasting results, also prepare wedge spacers and skirting boards matching the flooring.

Substrate preparation

As in any other room, proper substrate preparation is essential for the installation of flooring in the corridor. In this case, underlays that will improve the insulating properties of the floor and protect it against moisture will be the best choice. The underlay should be laid on a special film, which is placed on a dry, even, clean surface.

Laying the flooring

In a narrow corridor, start installing the flooring so that the tongue faces the wall. However, do not place it right at the edge, but use wedges to create an expansion gap. This will allow the floor to work. Connect the planks together using the tongue and grooves on the shorter sides. In this way, create strips that you lay along the longer walls. When a particular strip is ready, connect it with the others.

Finish

In order to make the floor in a narrow corridor look neat, it will be necessary to hide the expansion gaps. The easiest way to protect them is to install skirting boards in a colour similar to that of the floor. This will make the connection between the flooring and the wall look natural. Places where the flooring from the corridor meets with other types of flooring in other rooms should be protected with finishing strips. Any differences in levels between the rooms can be compensated for with the use of special threshold. In this way, the flooring in the entire flat will look consistent.

Take advantage of the help of specialists

If you know that you will not be able to properly install the flooring, instead of taking risks, you can use the help of specialists. They will advise you on which flooring will look best in a corridor of specific dimensions and will serve you best. During the installation process, they will carefully refine every detail of your new floor and you will be able to enjoy an attractive interior.

Now you know how to lay the flooring in a narrow corridor!

Although the flooring in the corridor may seem like a rather risky solution, if you choose the right model, you will be able to enjoy the attractive floor for a long time. If you’re having trouble designing a narrow corridor, choosing the flooring will also help you decorate it beautifully. The tips we have presented for laying the flooring in a narrow corridor will make it much easier for you to smartly install the floor. In this way, you will optically enlarge the space and make even the narrowest corridor seem spacious and light.