Do you ever walk into your living room and just wish it felt bigger? We can relate.

Many of us in Australia are working with cosy spaces that could use a little breathing room.

We all know the classic tricks: hanging a big mirror or painting the walls a light colour. They help, for sure. But what if you could make a huge impact by changing just one thing? What if the secret to a more spacious home is actually right under your feet?

It all comes down to your flooring. And more specifically, the size of your flooring planks.

Oversized planks are a game-changer. They make the room feel more open. And when you combine this smart design trend with modern hybrid flooring, you get a perfect match for any home.

In this article, we’ll show you exactly how these larger planks make your room look bigger and why hybrid flooring is the best choice to make it happen. You will discover how to get a durable surface that’s easy to install for a stunning, long-lasting result.

Ready to see how it all comes together? Let’s dive in.

How Oversized Planks Create the Illusion of Space

So, how exactly does a simple floor change how big your room feels? There are a few clever visual tricks that our brains naturally pick up on.

Fewer Lines, Less Clutter

Take a floor covered with lots of small tiles, for example. You’ll see a grid of grout lines everywhere, and your eye has to jump over all these lines, which makes the space feel busy and, well, a bit chopped up.

Oversized planks change everything because they create far fewer seams.

With fewer lines breaking up the floor, your eye slides smoothly from one side of the room to the other. This uninterrupted flow makes the entire area feel more open and expansive. It’s a cleaner, calmer look that gives your room a sense of continuous space.

Use Direction to Your Advantage

Here’s a pro tip: the direction you lay your planks plays a huge role.

• To make a room feel longer: Run the planks parallel to the longest wall. The long, continuous lines draw your eye along the length of the room, visually stretching it. Here’s a visual example of parallel lines: ||| (This guides your eye down the room).
• To make a narrow room feel wider: Run the planks across the shortest wall. This directs the eye from side to side, effectively pushing the walls out. Like this: === (This guides your eye across the room).

Which way does your room need to grow?

Add a Touch of Luxury and Intention

This effect goes beyond just square footage. Oversized planks fundamentally change the room’s character. We often see this style in high-end design because it communicates careful planning and sophistication.

Why does it feel so luxurious? It’s all about simplicity and scale.

A floor with fewer, larger elements feels less busy and more deliberate. It creates a calm, unified foundation that makes everything in the room feel more settled and intentional. You’re not just getting a new floor, you’re upgrading your entire décor.

See how a simple change can do so much?

Why Hybrid Flooring is the Smart Choice for Your Home

What good is a beautiful floor if it can’t handle the real-life tension of a footpath? You need a floor that looks stunning but also stands up to whatever your family throws at it.

Build a Floor That Lasts

Hybrid flooring is a tough, multi-layer core. This rigid construction resists the dents, scratches, and daily wear that can ruin other floors. It’s specifically engineered to be a durable surface that’s easy to install and even easier to live with.

What does this mean for your Australian home?

• It’s family-proof. Kids, pets, and moving furniture are no match for its tough surface. It resists scratches from claws and scuffs from heavy traffic.
• It’s 100% waterproof. Spills in the kitchen, splashes from the dog’s bowl, or humidity on a hot day won’t damage it. This makes it perfect for our climate and open-plan living areas.
• It fights fading. Many of our options have a special UV-resistant wear layer. This protects your floor’s colour from the harsh Australian sun, so your spacious new look stays beautiful for longer.

Get Your New Floor Down Without the Hassle

Does the idea of installing large planks feel a bit daunting? We get it. But with the right product, the process is surprisingly straightforward.

Hybrid flooring uses a brilliant click-lock system, where each plank has smart edges that simply snap together, like puzzle pieces. This “floating floor” method creates a solid, unified surface directly over your existing floor.

What does this simplicity get you?

• You save time and money. Forget about messy glues or special tools. The click-system means a faster installation and lower labour costs.
• It works almost anywhere. You can install it over most existing subfloors—concrete, timber, or even old tiles.

Colour and Finish Tips to Maximise Space

The right colour and finish can make your room feel brighter, bigger, and more seamless. Here’s how to get that effect:

Consider light and bright colours: Lighter colours like light oak, beige, or soft grey make a room feel more open because they reflect light around the space instead of absorbing it.

But what if you love dark, moody floors?

You can still make that work. Just keep in mind, they tend to make a room feel cosier and more intimate. They’re a great choice if you have a very large room you want to make feel warmer and more inviting.

Now, let’s talk about the finish on the floor. Here’s a quick tip: go for a matte or low-sheen finish.

Why?

• They reduce glare, so you won’t have bright spots of light bouncing off the floor. This creates a calmer, more uniform look.
• They are masters at hiding imperfections. Dust, minor scratches, and everyday wear are much less noticeable on a matte surface compared to a glossy one.

Finally, consider the pattern on the planks. For the most spacious feel, look for designs with simpler, minimalistic grain patterns . A floor with a lot of busy, contrasting grains can feel a bit chaotic and can actually make the space feel smaller. A quieter pattern supports that clean, smooth look you’re going for.

How to Choose a Quality Oversized Plank

It’s not just about how it looks. It’s about what’s inside that counts. For oversized planks to stay flat and beautiful for years, their construction is key.

1. First up is the core.

You need a rock-solid foundation. A rigid SPC (Stone Plastic Composite) core is your best friend here. This core is made from combining limestone and stabilisers, making it incredibly dense and stable.

A rigid core prevents the planks from expanding, contracting, or warping. This stability is especially important for large planks, as they have more surface area and are more susceptible to movement if the core isn’t strong enough.

2. Next, protect your investment with a tough wear layer.

This is the clear, protective coating that covers your floor. For long-term performance, especially in a busy home, you need a thick, durable wear layer.

• Look for a wear layer of at least 0.5mm (approximately 20 mils).
• This thicker layer acts as a shield against scratches, stains, and fading from sunlight, ensuring your beautiful, spacious floor stays that way for years to come.

3. Don’t forget about the installation system.

Most quality hybrid and SPC floors feature a click-lock, floating floor system. This means the planks simply snap together over your existing subfloor without the need for glue or nails. This makes for a quicker, easier installation, whether you’re a confident DIYer or hiring a pro.

Bring It All Together

Choosing oversized hybrid flooring planks is a really smart design move. You get a beautiful, spacious-looking floor that also stands up to the demands of a real Australian home.

With hybrid floors, your rooms feel larger and more luxurious, and your floors are also 100% waterproof and tough enough for pets and kids. It’s that perfect combination of stunning style and practical, easy-to-live-with durability.

And the best part? You get a durable surface that’s easy to install, often with a simple click-lock system.

Ready to see how this can work in your home?

Browse our extensive collection of hybrid flooring featuring a wide range of oversized plank styles and colours. With 45 years of industry expertise behind us, the Online Flooring Store team is here to help you find the perfect floor.