3 Flooring Trends Losing Ground to New Favorites

Find out how flooring preferences are shifting in today’s homes.

By: Evelyn Long

Flooring makes a big style statement in a home, influencing comfort, maintenance and design. Knowing which flooring trends are gaining momentum—and which are fading—can help homeowners make smarter remodeling choices and help real estate professionals know what features to spotlight in listings.

On the Way Out: Gray Flooring

Many design experts say gray flooring is on the way out, even though it has maintained prolonged popularity. Instead, more homeowners lately are gravitating toward warmer tones inside their homes. Plus, gray floors can be similar to ultralight shades in that they make dirt more obvious.

If you need to show a home that features gray flooring, consider making it less prominent by using area rugs. Those accessories show potential buyers that they can still alter the room's look without undertaking major work.

On the Way Out: Luxury Vinyl Plank

​​Luxury vinyl flooring was once a big hit because it is waterproof. Homeowners still appreciate that characteristic, but many other features impact their design decisions beyond that. Today’s homes are full of activity, making residents prefer something more durable than even luxury vinyl planks.

Although luxury vinyl plank flooring has cost effectiveness in its favor, homeowners would rather pay more for a material with better scratch resistance that can hold up better over the long term.

On the Way Out: High-Gloss Finishes

Glossy floors look elegant in photographs, but many homeowners find they are not worth the effort to maintain. These finishes also have fallen out of favor for flooring because they can be slicker than their matte counterparts, increasing fall risks.

Other factors, ranging from poor lighting to cords snaking through walkways, can make them even riskier, although those factors are easier to change than ripping out the flooring.

If you need to show homes that feature high-gloss flooring, consider placing textiles like rugs to “break up” the shiny look in making the space feel warmer. That also can help add extra grip and traction in busy areas like hallways, entryways or kitchens.

Rising Flooring Trend: Carpet Patterns

Carpet is popular in homes because it adds style and comfort to a room—and patterned carpets are growing in popularity. For example, a honeycomb pattern adds aesthetic appeal and highlights the theme of bringing nature into design, an overarching trend in home design lately.

Also, you can add pattern without the wall-to-wall carpet look: Create a layered look with custom-cut rugs to add texture to a room.

Rising Flooring Trend: Decorative Entryway Flooring

Designers say it has become popular to treat the floor as a sixth wall, unifying spaces and making style statements. It’s also become like curb appeal for the entryway: Use standout flooring at the front door to set a first impression.

Some of the most elaborate updates include hand-painted tiles with floral or nature themes on each one. Or, choose a brightly colored or boldly patterned tile that visitors see as soon as they come inside.

Timeless Flooring Trend: Wood Flooring

Wood flooring is always appealing due to its wide range of colors and species. It also makes good financial sense: One study concluded that wood floors provide a 147% return on investment.

Although some people initially raise concerns about the care required with wood flooring, it is usually not as extensive as they thought. For example, most floors only need occasional mopping with soap and water to address typical dirt buildup. Some homeowners also budget for fresh finish coats every few years to combat normal wear and tear.