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The Karndean story

Proudly family-owned. 50 years and counting.

We’ve been in the flooring business for over 50 years, but our commitment and craftsmanship has always been focused on a single product: beautifully designed luxury vinyl.

Karndean old van

Building from the ground up

It was 1973 when our founder, Mike Walker, started a small business from his family home. A flooring installer, his goal was to make the products more widely accessible. It wasn’t long before he recognised the immense potential of luxury vinyl, which would allow him to create beautifully designed flooring that was also durable and easy to maintain.

Craftsmanship

Bringing inspiration to life

Mike set out in his van with some samples and his faithful Great Dane, Smokey, to visit customers and carve a niche in the flooring market. He travelled the world for inspiration, seeking to bring the beauty of nature into people’s homes by pioneering the strikingly realistic replication of wood and stone – a defining quality of our designs to this day.

Auburn Story

The luxury vinyl leader

Today, Karndean Designflooring has more than 500 employees and offices around the globe. But while a lot has changed since 1973, innovation, bold thinking and a trailblazing spirit are embedded in our DNA. We proudly uphold Mike Walker’s vision and values, creating beautiful flooring you’ll love for a lifetime.

Smokey in colour

And Smokey?

He remains a constant presence, both as an unmistakable representative of our brand, and of our unwavering commitment to retailers and homeowners.

Designed for life

First, find your inspiration