The quickest way to do that is with new flooring. But with the flooring trends changing faster than ever, now is a great time to refresh your home’s floors.
The Problem…
Most people don’t know which flooring trends are worth investing in. They’ll see a trend online and rush out to get it installed before realising they hate it in six months’ time.
What You Should Know…
The flooring industry is one of the hottest markets right now. In fact, the global flooring market was valued at $335.91 billion in 2023 and is expected to continue to rise year after year.
But with so many options to choose from, how do you know what the right flooring options are for your home?
Here’s how…
What You’ll Learn
- The Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT) Flooring Trend
- Wood-Look Flooring That Isn’t Wood
- Statement Floors with Bold Patterns
- Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Flooring Options
The Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT) Flooring Trend
Let’s start by talking about the biggest flooring trend that is happening at the moment…
Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT) is by far the hottest trend right now.
LVT market share rose from 17% to 26% between 2022 and 2023 and it is continuing to be the fastest growing flooring option available on the market.
Here’s why people are choosing LVT:
Luxury vinyl tile is the perfect way to get the look of high-end hardwood or natural stone at a fraction of the price. It’s waterproof, scratch-resistant, and easier to install than ever before.
Plus, with the right installation company, a local flooring specialist can install LVT in most homes in just a day or two.
There’s no need for lengthy renovation jobs and weeks of disruption to your family’s daily life.
The quality of LVT has also improved by leaps and bounds in recent years. The best luxury vinyl tiles are so realistic that most people can’t tell the difference between them and genuine hardwood.
Wood-Look Flooring That Isn’t Wood
On the topic of realistic looking options…
Wood-look flooring is by far the most popular option at the moment. And it’s not always even real wood!
The trend is made up of the following options:
- Luxury vinyl planks that have ultra-realistic wood grain patterns
- Laminate flooring with the latest printing technology
- Engineered hardwood with unique finishing techniques
This wood-look flooring trend is so popular because it gives homeowners the look of natural wood with the modern durability and maintenance benefits.
Genius right?
By far, the most popular wood tones right now are natural warm colours. Think honey oak, natural maple, and deep walnut tones that warm up a space without being overly dark.
Statement Floors with Bold Patterns
And now for the interesting part…
Flooring as a statement piece is back in a big way. People aren’t just going for neutral colours any more.
Instead of opting for a beige carpet or light oak hardwood, homeowners are getting adventurous with flooring that becomes the focal point of a room.
Popular pattern trends include:
- Herringbone and chevron patterns in wood and tile
- Large format tiles with exaggerated veining
- Geometric patterns in luxury vinyl tile
- Mixed material combinations for interesting textures
The key to nailing bold patterns and designs is to keep the rest of the room relatively simple. Make the floor the statement piece in the room.
Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Flooring Options
Environmental friendliness is also a massive factor in changing flooring preferences.
These trends are currently on the rise:
- Reclaimed wood flooring which is more popular than ever before. These give floors character and history, while also reducing the environmental impact of flooring by reusing materials that already exist
- Bamboo flooring is also increasing in popularity because bamboo is a rapidly renewable resource that regenerates far faster than traditional hardwood trees
- Cork flooring is also on the rise due to its naturally antimicrobial properties, comfortable feel underfoot, and the fact it comes from a renewable resource that doesn’t damage the tree
Technology in Flooring Solutions
Smart home technology has even made its way to our floors…
The latest innovations in this category include:
- Heated floors which can be controlled remotely via smartphone apps
- Flooring with built-in LED accent lighting
- Sound dampening technologies for multi-story homes
- Antimicrobial surface treatments to help improve indoor air quality
This isn’t just gimmicks and fads. Technology enhanced flooring options provide real problem solving while also providing convenient features that add value to the home.
Tile Trends That Aren’t Going Anywhere
Tile flooring is having a mini revolution of its own.
Large format tiles are all the rage right now. These are the huge tiles that can be up to 24″ x 48″ or even larger. They have so few grout lines that they make spaces look bigger and more seamless.
The tile trends right now include:
- Terrazzo patterned tiles with pops of colourful chips and speckles
- Natural stone looks with slip-resistant finishes
- Textured surfaces for added interest
- Warm toned ceramics that complement wooden surfaces
The thing about modern tile options is that they work in so many rooms. Tile isn’t just for kitchens and bathrooms any more.
Choosing the Right Flooring for Your Home
With all these different trends, how do you know which ones are right for your home?
Asking yourself a few key questions will help you home in on the best solutions for your space.
How much foot traffic does the room see? If you have high-traffic areas then you need durable solutions like luxury vinyl tile or engineered hardwood.
Do you have pets or small children? Waterproof and scratch-resistant flooring options become very important in these cases.
What is your preference when it comes to maintenance? Some people love the process of looking after real hardwood floors. Others want the easy maintenance of low-maintenance options.
What is your budget? It’s not just the cost of the flooring materials that you need to factor in. Installation is often just as important.
The Installation Factor
This is one thing that most people completely overlook…
The quality of your installation matters more than the flooring material itself. The fanciest flooring in the world will look awful if it is poorly installed.
Professional installation will give you:
- Correct subfloor preparation
- The right moisture barriers where needed
- Precise cutting and seamless transitions
- Warranty protection for your investment
Never try to save money by skimping on installation. It always comes back to bite you in the end.
Mixing and Matching Flooring Materials
Mixing and matching materials throughout the home is another big trend at the moment.
Some of the most popular combinations are:
- Tile in wet areas that transition into hardwood in living areas
- Luxury vinyl in high-traffic zones and carpet in bedrooms
- Statement tile in entryways and consistent flooring elsewhere in the home
The trick is to choose materials that complement each other instead of vying for attention.
Wrapping It Up
Flooring trends are going in the direction of practical beauty. Homeowners are after floors that look amazing but can also handle the rigours of daily life.
Whether you opt for luxury vinyl tile for its durability, hardwood for its classic appeal, or bold patterns for personality, the most important thing is to choose flooring that suits your lifestyle.
Never before has the flooring industry offered so many options, such great technology, or such convincing alternatives to traditional materials.
To quickly recap the biggest trends:
- Luxury vinyl tile (LVT) dominance
- Ultra-realistic wood-look alternatives
- Statement patterns and floors
- Sustainable material choices
- Technology integration
- Large-format tiles
- Mixing and matching of materials
Take your time, do your research, and invest in a professional installer. Your floors are a foundation that impacts every day you spend in your home.
Make them count.