5 Popular Types of Flooring for Australian Modern House Designs

Flooring plays a huge role in how your home looks, feels, and functions, especially here in Queensland where climate, lifestyle, and indoor-outdoor flow matter.

In modern house designs, flooring is more than just a practical choice; it’s one of the biggest interior decisions you’ll make (literally and figuratively). Whether you’re building from scratch or planning a knockdown rebuild, choosing the right material sets the tone and feel for everything else.

At your National Tiles appointment, the expert team will help you explore the best types of flooring for your needs, block, budget and design style, from breezy coastal vibes to modern architectural builds. Here are six popular options we see clients choosing again and again in Australian homes.

1. Engineered Timber Flooring

Perfect for Queensland’s warm climate, engineered timber gives you the look and feel of real hardwood with added durability and moisture resistance. It’s made from multiple layers of timber with a natural timber top layer, ideal for homes that want the warmth of wood without the upkeep.

It’s especially popular in open-plan living spaces and suits everything from minimalist modern homes to relaxed Hamptons styling. At Neptune Homes, we often recommend wide boards in pale oak or honey tones for that soft, beachy elegance, and dark wood for added ambience and sophistication. A word of warning, though: darker timber tends to show up dust and dog hair, so if you have a fluffy white dog who sheds a lot, you might want to opt for lighter flooring!

Best for: Living areas, hallways, bedrooms
Neptune tip: Choose a matte finish to reduce glare and keep it looking newer for longer in sunny spaces.

2. Hybrid Flooring

Hybrid flooring is a favourite for Queensland families, and for good reason. It’s 100% waterproof, scratch-resistant, and can handle everything from sandy feet to pet paws and everyday wear and tear.

It combines the durability of vinyl with the look of real timber or stone, making it perfect for consistent flooring across open-plan layouts. We often use it in our modern house designs for its versatility and great value.

Best for: Kitchens, living spaces, hallways, and even bathrooms.
Neptune tip: If you mix and match flooring, try to stick to a single tone throughout to keep your style cohesive.

3. Porcelain or Ceramic Tiles

Tiles are a staple in Queensland homes. They’re cool underfoot, easy to clean, and ideal for our lifestyle. Porcelain and ceramic options are perfect for both wet areas and living zones, with finishes that range from smooth and sleek to textured and natural.

At Neptune Homes, we help clients choose tiles through our National Tiles Builders Design Centre, whether you’re going for a polished modern aesthetic, traditional Hamptons styling with soft greys or whites, or a modern organic or Mediterranean vibe with terracotta or stone-look patterns.

Best for: Bathrooms, kitchens, laundries, alfresco areas.
Neptune tip: While small and mosaic tiles can look incredible, go for large-format tiles to reduce grout lines (and hence, your scrubbing time) and create a more timeless finish.

4. Timber-Look Vinyl Planks

Do you love the look of timber but need something low-maintenance? Vinyl planks are a great choice for busy households. They’re soft underfoot, affordable, and surprisingly realistic, available in a huge range of colours and woodgrain textures.

We often recommend these for first-home buyers or families who want style without sacrificing durability. They work beautifully in homes with kids, pets, and lots of foot traffic.

Best for: Bedrooms, playrooms, secondary living areas.
Neptune tip: Choose vinyl in similar tones to your cabinetry or wall colours for a soft, seamless flow.

5. Carpet (Yes, It Still Has a Place)

While hard flooring rules the main areas, carpet is still a go-to for creating comfort, warmth, and quiet, especially in bedrooms, media rooms, and upper floors. In 2025 and onwards, we’re seeing a move toward wool-blend carpets in soft, natural tones like stone, oatmeal and charcoal.

Carpet can add contrast to timber floors and enhance that sense of luxury and relaxation, particularly with plush finishes and elegant colours.

Best for: Bedrooms, upstairs, media rooms.
Neptune tip: Add underlay for extra cushioning and to protect against mildew, mould and dustmites. You’ll notice the difference.

See and Feel the Difference at the National Tiles Design Centre

When you build with Neptune Homes, you’ll explore all your flooring options at National Tiles. Their Design Centre allows you to see and feel different flooring materials in person, with expert support to help you match your selections to your chosen design style.

We stay ahead of flooring trends to help Queensland families bring their dream homes to life with confidence.

Ready to Find the Right Type of Flooring for Your Home?

At Neptune Homes, we design with Queensland living in mind. That means flooring options that suit your climate, your lifestyle, and your personal style. Whether you’re drawn to low-maintenance finishes or dreaming of Hamptons styling, we’ll help you find the perfect flooring combination to bring it all together.

Explore our home designs, visit a display home, or get in touch to start your journey today.

Need more styling inspo or design tips? Check out our articles on how to design a family home that suits your needs, and the top design trends for 2025.