2018 Flooring Trends

Introduction

Whether you are building or planning to remodel your home, you will need to consider several integral factors such as aesthetics and functionality when working with ﬂoors. The best part is that today, homeowners are presented with different designs that will satisfy their needs. Although the process of choosing can be exciting, many find it overwhelming. As a result, it is challenging in choosing a ﬂoor that looks trendy and that can withstand daily abuse from frictional wear and tear. If you ﬁnd yourself stuck in the limbo, that is totally fine. We are here to help guide you through this strenuous process!

Color

Humans are visual beings, and the ﬁrst thing that hits our eyes is color. Therefore, it only makes sense that color is the ﬁrst thing homeowners look at when shopping for ﬂoor designs. In 2018, homeowners are going for ﬂoor colors that are on the extremes of the spectrum such as ultra-dark, ultra-light, and even a little bit of the hues found in between.

Gray ﬂooring

Although Gray ﬂooring has been around for quite some time, this type of flooring is becoming increasingly popular with homeowners. It offers a clean look that offers uniqueness, especially to modern houses. Since gray is a neutral color, gray on ﬂooring blends with just about anything and, as such, livens up any room.

You, however, have to be careful when choosing a ﬂooring contractor when deciding to install gray ﬂooring. The color is not the easiest to work with; choosing a guru in the ﬁeld is critical. The last thing you want to happen with your remodeling or building project is to realize midway through that the contractor is subpar. On another note, make sure that your contractor brings samples with them so that you can see how the ﬂoor harmonizes with your house’s natural light.

Dark and cool ﬂooring

If you are looking for aesthetics rather than maintenance, dark ﬂoors are the best choice. You can optimize darkly stained ﬂoors visually by pairing them with light colored walls or cabinets. The color contrast heightens the interior beauty by giving the room an elegant and lavish feel.

Dark ﬂooring, however, makes a room feel smaller and should be used in smaller rooms such as the kitchen. Additionally, care must be taken when dealing with dark ﬂoors because the tiniest of scratches will be visible from afar. Some of the darker tones that are trending among homeowners include espresso, Jacobean and dark walnut.

Homeowners are also moving away from warm tones on their ﬂoors and are instead opting for cool tones because of its visual versatility. The combination creates depth, an attribute that elevates the interiors of modern homes.

Light, natural and muted ﬂooring

Although the popularity of dark ﬂoors is rising, homeowners and designers continually strive for lighter and more muted ﬂooring. This can be attributed to the versatility that comes with light colored wood. When installed in conﬁned spaces, natural colored ﬂoors create an illusion of expanding a space and are best for smaller spaces such as bathrooms. This is achieved by reﬂecting natural light thereby lightening up a room especially if the interior decor has a touch of white or whitewash.

Light or natural colored ﬂoors – especially on wood – complement an environmentally conscious homeowner. This occurs because there is little to no volatile organic compounds used to improve the appearance of the ﬂoors which means less chemical odors.

Style

In terms of styling, there is no limit to a homeowner’s designing imagination. From wider planks to simple layouts, preference becomes the only limiting factor.

Wider plank

While wide plank ﬂooring – especially in darker tones – is well suited for the traditional style home, they are slowly making their presence felt in contemporary style homes. This is also true for wide plank ﬂooring in lighter color tones. If you are looking for ﬂoor style that will last for decades, then the wide plank ﬂoor is your best bet.

Even though wide plank ﬂooring is not cheap, several beneﬁts have made it a favorite ﬂooring style in 2018. First, there are very few seams between the boards and therefore less interruption to the aesthetics which entail a balanced space with a harmonious feel. Second, wide plank ﬂooring increases the value of a home because of the scarcity of wood planks that span several feet in width and length. Lastly, wider planks allow for easy sanding and reﬁnishing, especially for remodeling projects.

Great care must, however, be taken if you decide to choose wider plank ﬂooring. If there is water damage or gouged marks, you may have to replace the entire plank. This can become an expensive burden.

Farmhouse Style

More homeowners, especially those that prefer a more authentic and natural look, are increasingly accepting the farmhouse ﬂoor design. Depending on taste, it is easy to decide the level of rustiness you want for your pace. You can achieve the farmhouse ﬂooring style by using distressed wood planks. Reclaimed wood serves this purpose very well, and they are cheaper compared to other sources. The trend appears to be leaning towards wood that has stronger and more visible grains and knots. These features give the ﬂoor a truly natural appearance.

Do not feel restrained to the only reclaimed hardwood. Engineered hardwood, hand-scraped hardwood, or even natural hardwoods are all viable options you can use to create a farmhouse ﬂoor.

Simpler Layouts

Not everyone loves a busy looking interior for their homes, and some homeowners today would rather opt for minimalism. Planks or tiles vary in size, shape, and direction which provides a clean and simple look.

The preference for simpler ﬂoor layouts such as single directional planks has been fuelled by homeowners‘ desire to experiment with patterns. For instance, using a bold geometric rug on a plain ﬂoor adds a wow-factor without necessarily making the space appear too busy.

Type & Finishes

Smooth sheens have traditionally been the standard type of ﬁnishes for ﬂoors. Not anymore. Flooring contractors are coming up with ingenious ﬂooring ﬁnishes that appeal to the modern day homeowners.

Wire Brushed and Textured Floors

These types of ﬁnishes are considered the modern day version of rustic wood. Rather than concealing the grains and knots, wire brushing the wood enhances their appearance whereby giving the ﬂoor a more textured feel. Most importantly, wire brushed and textured ﬂoors are not exclusive to wood. 2018 ushers in porcelain wood grain tile that resembles textured wood in both appearance and in feel.

You do not have to worry about wear and tear as the brushing easily conceals any visible wear. For this reason, textured ﬂoors are low maintenance and are best for high trafﬁc regions such as hallways.

High grade and more environmentally friendly ﬁnishes

Homeowners are always on the lookout for ﬂoor ﬁnishes that are environmentally friendly.

Oiled ﬂoors have no volatile organic compounds that pose a risk to the dwellers which enables homeowners to be more environmentally conscientious. The most common oils used today are organic and include linseed or natural resins such as beeswax. Once applied, these oils penetrate deep into the wood and provides the ﬂoor long-lasting protection.

These environmentally friendly ﬁnishes, however, require painstaking maintenance. Ultimately, it is vital that you maintain a regular oiling routine.

Conclusion

Flooring has been and will continue to lean towards more natural and cooler colors as well as textures and oiled ﬁnishes. However, the versatility of these trends makes it possible for homeowners with varying tastes to achieve the look they want for their interiors. While some of these trends are only beginning to gain popularity, others have been around for quite some time. It is fair to conclude that most will remain in fashion for quite a while.