A Hamptons style house feels like a luxurious coastal retreat in one timeless design. But the element that defines its style is the floor. This guide breaks down how you can design a Hamptons style house in Australia, and how to select the floor that will hold up as long as your home.

What Is a Hamptons Style House?

A Hamptons style house is a coastal-inspired home design known for its light, open interiors, neutral colour palettes, natural materials (timber and linen), and strong indoor-outdoor connection

Originally from Long Island, the style has been adapted across Australia to suit warmer climates and modern family living.

Why Australians Are Obsessed With Hamptons Style

For most homeowners, the Hamptons style is about more than just the beautiful aesthetic. It’s about the feeling of living inside.

Many Australian’s want:

• A home that feels calm and open
• Something that won’t date in five years
• A space people notice (without knowing why)

As some of Lifewood’s past customers have stated:

• “I’m extremely pleased with the end result”
• “Everyone who visits comments on how good it is”

That outcome depends heavily on one decision most people leave too late.

The Most Important (and most Overlooked) Feature:

Many Hampton’s guides focus on colours and furniture.

But homeowners consistently say:

| “The first thing I ever do… is rip the carpets out.”

Why flooring matters

1. It sets the tone of the entire home

Light timber floors reflect natural light and create the airy feel the Hamptons homes are known for.

2. It affects daily living

• Kids
• Pets
• Sand, dirt, wear

“We have small children so durability is a consideration.”

3. It drives long-term satisfaction

• “Absolutely love our new wooden floor”
• “So glad I changed from carpet”

A Hamptons home without the right flooring feels unfinished.

Best Flooring for a Hamptons Style House

1. Timber Flooring (Essential)

Timber is the standard for Hamptons interiors because it:

• Adds warmth without heaviness
• Reflects light naturally
• Ages well over time

Carpet, tiles, and hybrid options rarely achieve the same effect.

2. Engineered vs Solid Timber

Most modern Hamptons homes in Australia use engineered timber, but the quality will vary significantly.

| “There are so many variations… some really great, some really bad.”

3. Best Timber Species

“So much variation and character… I absolutely love it.”

Choosing the Right Colour Palette

A Hamptons home typically follows a restrained palette:

The key is consistency.

| “I’ve always loved consistent flooring throughout.”

How to Design a Hamptons Style House

Step 1: Start with flooring (not finishes)

This avoids mismatched tones later.

Step 2: Choose an open layout

• Kitchen, dining, living connected
• Clear sightlines

Step 3: Maximise natural light

• Large windows
• Glass doors

Step 4: Use natural materials

• Timber
• Linen
• Stone

Step 5: Focus on durability

Because this is where many homeowners hesitate:

• “I don’t want boards to damage and replace them later”

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Choosing flooring last

Leads to mismatched finishes

Relying on small samples

• “Showroom looked completely different”

Going too cheap

Often results in:

• Early wear
• Replacement costs

Ignoring installation quality

• “Attention to detail… especially on the stairs” matters

Why Lifewood Is Built for Hamptons Homes

Lifewood has been manufacturing and installing timber flooring since 2002, with a focus on long-term performance rather than short-term trends.

What matters in practice

From real buyers:

• Seamless process from start to finish
• High standard of service
• Floors that still look good years later

How Lifewood approaches it

• Controlled quality across batches
• Installation handled by an experienced, in-house teams

Industry recognition:

• ATFA Innovative Product of the Year (2023)
• ATFA Retailer of the Year (2025)

The focus is simple: a floor you choose once.