Flooring plays a vital role in the overall aesthetic of any home. It reflects personal style and creates a foundation that speaks to your interior design theme.
New flooring trends reflect current aesthetic preferences as well as advancements in material technology and a focus on sustainability. Wide plank hardwood and light wood finishes make rooms appear larger while luxurious stains add rich character.
Hardwood
A staple in many homes, hardwood floors can be a beautiful and functional addition to any space. The options available to homeowners are limitless, with countless colors, stain hues, plank widths, surface treatments, and more. This flooring type offers timeless beauty that can stand the test of time.
Light natural hardwoods are a popular option that pairs beautifully with most design styles, from modern to traditional. The natural wood tones and blonde edges provide a bright, open look that enhances the clean lines of most home furnishings. Dark hardwoods are also a great choice for contemporary interiors, especially when paired with monochromatic color schemes and sleek furniture.
Textured hardwoods offer a rich, earthy look that complements rustic and bohemian aesthetics. The surface treatments, like wire-brushing and hand-scraping, allow the nuances of natural wood grain to shine, combining rustic charm with refined sophistication.
Innovative design trends often include geometric motifs and contrasts to add interest and visual intrigue to spaces. Hardwood floors offer endless opportunities to explore these creative design ideas, whether in herringbone patterns or a chevron layout. Using mixed species and stain colors can create visual interest, as well. Experimenting with different plank widths, such as wide plank boards, can add depth to a room.
With its enduring beauty and durability, solid hardwood is one of the best flooring choices for any home. It is a timeless choice that can be sanded and refinished several times, providing years of long-lasting value. Other hardwood alternatives that are also long-lasting and versatile include engineered hardwood, wood-look vinyl planks, and bamboo floors.
Laminate
As a modern flooring option, laminate provides a great fit for a variety of design aesthetics. From classic wood looks to trendy options like distressed wood and gray finishes, there is a laminate for every space. And, unlike real hardwood and stone, most laminate floors require minimal maintenance with regular sweeping, mopping, or wiping down with a damp cloth.
For those seeking alternative flooring options, professional epoxy flooring contractors can provide tailored solutions to meet specific needs. One of the best aspects about laminate is that it is extremely durable, which is why it’s used in commercial spaces and doctor’s offices where foot traffic is heavy. It stands up well to moisture and is able to resist the effects of light, heat and staining. And, because of its construction, it can withstand heavy furniture and appliances without damage.
Generally speaking, when you shop for a laminate floor, it is important to choose a brand that has been endorsed by a reputable organization such as the National Association of Laminate Flooring Manufacturers (NALFA). NALFA applies a strict set of criteria that includes testing each floor in 10 different quality control categories including wear, water resistance, static load, surface bond, and thickness swell. If you’re interested in exploring epoxy flooring options for your space, get in touch with them.
Tile
Flooring has a major impact on the aesthetic and ambiance of your living spaces. From classic and timeless choices to cutting-edge trends, there are numerous flooring options for you to explore.
Tile flooring has long been a go-to choice for homeowners who want the beauty and durability of natural materials. With a wide range of styles and designs, tile floors are ideal for both traditional and contemporary interiors.
For example, stone tiles evoke an elegant, sophisticated ambiance while adding a textural contrast to a room’s design scheme. Mosaic tiles are another flooring option that bridge the gap between artistic expression and practical functionality. They’re available in a variety of material compositions, from glass and ceramic to marble and stone, giving you countless options for your floor’s overall appearance.
Another timeless tile flooring choice is slate, a trend that continues to gain popularity. These floors feature a darker color palette and plenty of variation within each tile, creating an eye-catching and unique aesthetic. But if you’re not ready to invest in real slate, there are several porcelain and vinyl flooring options that mimic the look of slate and offer durability and low maintenance for a budget-conscious remodel.
Modern-style homes often feature large format tiles that create a clean and sleek appearance in the floor’s layout. These large, square tiles are ideal for kitchens and create a striking visual element that sets modern-inspired homes apart.
Another flooring option that can help you achieve a modern style is luxury vinyl tile (LVT). This type of flooring is typically used in the bathroom and offers a wood look or stone look, which is ideal for mid-century modern homes. Plus, LVT has click-lock designs that make it easier for do-it-yourselfers to install.
Concrete
Concrete’s neutral color palette provides a versatile backdrop for a wide range of interior styles. Its durability and low maintenance also align with modern commercial aesthetics. Concrete floors can be textured, contrasted or painted to create a custom style.
Polished concrete has become increasingly popular as a modern flooring material. Its sleek appearance offers a refined surface that is highly resistant to stains and scratches. Homeowners are embracing this concrete flooring trend as it adds sophistication to their living spaces and complements various design elements in their homes.
Other concrete flooring options include concrete that is ground down to reveal materials floating in the mix, offering a speckled finish similar to traditional terrazzo. This type of decorative concrete floor can be stained with different hues of waxes to make it stand out from its gray, utilitarian roots.
Another option is concrete that has been exposed to moisture over time, resulting in a unique patina. This type of concrete is durable and low maintenance, requiring only periodic mopping with pH-neutral cleaning products.
Homeowners are seeking green flooring options that have a low environmental impact, and concrete naturally aligns with these preferences. This is especially true when it is sourced and sealed with environmentally friendly chemicals.
In addition, concrete is a durable material that resists changes in temperature and humidity. However, homeowners should be aware that concrete can feel cold underfoot and may require the use of a thermal underlay. It is also recommended that homeowners refinish their concrete floors on a regular basis to protect and maintain them. This helps to reduce the risk of deterioration and promotes longer lifespan. Additionally, a quality waterproof sealer is important to maintain the concrete’s resilience and durability against water damage.
Carpet
The soft, textured look of carpet flooring adds visual warmth to rooms and complements any decor style, from traditional to modern. It can also help tie together different elements of a home’s layout, creating a sense of flow between spaces. Carpets are available in a range of colors, tones and hues that can complement or contrast with other flooring materials, including hardwood, tile and laminate.
The type of carpet you choose and the thickness of padding will determine how soft the floor feels underfoot. If comfort is your primary concern, or you have young children who play on the floor, a thick, plush carpet may be best for your home.
Carpets offer the added benefit of noise absorption, making them a great choice for living rooms and bedrooms. This feature is especially helpful in homes with open floor plans, as it can reduce the impact of footsteps and sound from one room to another.
When it comes to mixing and matching flooring, the most important thing is to stick with one overarching style. Whether you want your home to be modern, farmhouse or traditional, you need to ensure that all of your flooring options match up well and create a cohesive look. To do this, you can use contrasting textures and colors, or rely on transition pieces like area rugs to connect different styles.
If you are looking for a new flooring option that is durable and affordable, consider engineered wood or luxury vinyl tile (LVT) as an alternative to hardwood and carpet. Both options are less prone to scratches, water damage and other common issues that can affect hard-surface floors. They also come in a variety of designs and patterns that can create the same look and feel as natural-looking hardwood, and are easier to maintain than many other types of flooring.
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