Polka Dot Flooring – Home Decor Ideas Designed To Join The Dots

Nothing lifts the mood of a space like big, bold and bright coloured dots.
And we think Polka Dot flooring could just be the best way yet to get the look!

Effortlessly simplistic but oh so stylish, there is something about the humble dot that makes it a perennial favourite in the most fashionable of homes.
In the coolest bathrooms that demand a dash more colour and individuality, a splash of spots can transform a space into something rather special.

A brief history of the Polka Dot

Dot patterns have been around for centuries with examples in medieval times and in ceremonies across many cultures. Probably as soon as simple paints or dyes were available, someone went at it with the end of a brush!

The actual modern term ‘Polka Dot’ heralds back to the mid 19th century with the Polka dance craze that swept throughout Europe but you knew that. It may not yet be in Strictly but we know all the moves…

The opinion is divided about where the name Polka originated. Guesses include the Czech ‘pole’ which means field (?), the Czech name for a Polish woman, and the word ‘pulka’ meaning half in Czech in reference to the dance’s staccato steps.
I think we can safely assume its from the Czech language somewhere.

How the dance found itself combined with the dot (or the other way round) isn’t clear, but along with the dance craze came a fever for the spot that was matched only by the companies creating clobber that sold the style.
From hats to jackets, dresses to shoes, the polka dot found fame emblazoned across all manner of popular products.

And from these popular products, many decades later comes our own polka dot flooring.

Moving briskly along to 1857, and within the pages of an American magazine of the time – Godey’s Lady’s Book – was the first recorded use of the actual phrase ‘polka dots’.

As with most fashion, the polka dot’s time in the sun has come around and around like the circles within the design.
In the 1940s,  100 years after its first mention in print, the dance became hugely popular once again.
Frank Sinatra’s song from 1940, ‘Polka Dots & Moonbeams’ highlights its resurgence and Ol’ Blue Eyes captures perfectly the tone of the times polka dots and all.

During this era, the Polka Dot was everywhere.
From magazines to the catwalk, it seems that the only way was to accept being dotty and run with it!

In the 1960s with Brian Hyland’s hit song “Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini” and Minnie Mouse’s iconic dress, the dot was hot once again.

And from there, even though it may take a short pause from time to time, the Polka Dot just keeps coming back!

With our range of Polka Dot vinyl flooring patterns, they are totally transformable to fit your theme.
We have pastel Polka Dot flooring ideas:

Contrasting colours:

How To Use Polka Dot Flooring

Always cheerful and on-trend, little else makes the same statement of individuality than spotty Polka Dot flooring.
From kids bathrooms to en-suites, family rooms to utilities and kitchens, mix with either a more neutral colour or match with an accent from the dot (or the other way around) and let the rest of the room join the dots together.

If it’s all about the Polka Dots, then go feet first and all-in with a real splash and big beautiful spots that truly make for a stunner of a space.

Big and bold dot designs:

If you fancy something little less feature-full then shrink the dots down to create something perhaps a little more calming with a dash less drama.
Itsy bitsy teenie weenie two-tone pattern flooring:

And ideas in multi-coloured flooring:

Joining the Dots Together in Home Decor

Also, it doesn’t have to be all about uniformity – you’ve chosen the Polka Dot because you dare to be different. There are options in mixing it up a little – large dots coupled with smaller ones.

Most things are possible, you know.

Its why up there on the home page it says, vinyl flooring – your way!

For some of the information here on the polka dot, we used Wikipedia and this article. If you’re still hunting for history on its origins, it’s a great read.

Hankering for further inspiration, click for more patterned vinyl flooring, monochrome moodiness, or pastel prettiness!
Interested more in the Polka Dot vinyl flooring details? Check out our guide to ordering your new flooring.

Thanks for reading and I hope you’ve had your deep desire for dots somewhat satisfied.
Whatever you pick going forward as you make your home as unique as you are, you can’t go far wrong with a splash of the spots!

If you’re more stripes than spots, we’ve got a post all about ideas for striped vinyl flooring here.
Or maybe about stars than stripes – have a read through our post on star vinyl flooring for inspo!

Joe – (proud to be dotty but more like Goofy than Minnie Mouse…)

PS – all these patterns (except Millions) are custom prints. All of them are available and each would cost the same as any of our other floorcoverings.
We don’t charge any extra for something that reflects your individuality and as always, we can chop and change the colours to whatever suits your space. It is your home after all!