If you believe that the flooring in a home makes little difference—think again! The National Association of Realtors 2019 Remodeling Impact Report found that 78 percent of homeowners that had new wood flooring installed reported a significantly greater desire to be in their home once the project was completed. Further, among all the interior projects evaluated, new wood flooring had the highest percentage of cost recovered at resale. Not only has the quality of flooring—along with the technology involved in manufacturing flooring—improved significantly, flooring trends have also evolved.
For instance, the traditional mixed flooring (carpet in the living room and bedroom, linoleum in the kitchen, and tile in the bathrooms) often seen in homes is less fashionable today. Home designers now believe mixed flooring does little more than “chop up” a home. The newest trend is flooring that is clean and natural—from materials, to colors, to patterns. When a single, simple flooring is used throughout the home, the resulting aesthetics are pleasing to the eye, using simplicity to achieve a clean, harmonious atmosphere.
More and more consumers are choosing hard floorings throughout their home rather than the more traditional carpet. In fact, although carpet still has the largest flooring segment at 52.9 percent, its popularity is waning. Not only is carpet throughout a home less appealing to buyers, old-style shag carpeting can literally be the kiss of death when selling a home. The most popular flooring and “look” in 2021 include:
- “Lived-in” wood flooring is at the top of the list, although there are many ways to achieve the look. Since not everyone can afford real wood flooring, an embossed-in-register finish on vinyl or laminate flooring can mimic the look of a natural wood plank. Hardwood remains a top flooring choice, with homes that have hardwood floors selling for as much as 10 percent more than an identical home without wood floors. Unfortunately, hardwood wears and few people want to go through the process of sanding and refinishing. So, for the look of real wood minus the maintenance, luxury vinyl plank flooring is a great solution.
- Faux wood tiles, used in bathrooms and kitchens, bring durability, longevity, and warm beauty to a home—just like hardwood, but without the high cost and maintenance.
- While the trend was once rich mahogany and deep chestnut flooring, today’s homeowners are leaning toward natural, neutral wood tones—light and bright. Lighter colors in flooring make rooms look and feel larger, brighter, and airier. “Blonde” wood tones are more natural and can convey many different home styles, from rustic to contemporary.
- Accent flooring in small rooms is the exception to the same flooring throughout the home, allowing a homeowner to express their own brand of creativity. Using prints and patterns, including artisan tile and patterned woods, can create a look of luxury in smaller areas.
California Flooring and Design has built a reputation as being a “cut above” in the industry. We understand that reliability, productivity, and responsiveness are essential in today’s flooring industry. Our trade and design professionals are the best in the flooring industry; we are ready to help you create a home that is warm and inviting for you, your family, and your guests.