Five Timeless Flooring Trends to Consider
It’s an exciting time for every homeowner when you finally renovate your space. But, with so many flooring options available, from hardwood to natural stone and flooring designs like herringbone, it can be overwhelming to figure out which flooring to choose.
As experienced flooring contractors, we’re here to help you narrow down your search with the top five timeless flooring trends that will never fall out of style.
Five Truly Timeless Flooring Trends
As flooring contractors, we can appreciate why many of our clients want our insights into which flooring looks the best in their space and whether the flooring trend will remain in style for years to come. This makes perfect sense, as no one wants to go through the hassle of redoing their floors because they hopped on a soon-to-be outdated flooring trend.
So what are the top five flooring trends that will last for years to come?
Flooring Materials
Here are three types of flooring materials that will always generate a return on investment and last you for years to come.
Hardwood
The gold standard of timeless flooring is none other than hardwood. If you talk to any homeowner, they likely have or want hardwood. And why not? The knots and twists infuse your space with character, while the colour of the hardwood you choose helps to set the ambiance.
Plus, according to the National Association of Realtors, a homeowner’s return on investment (ROI) for installing hardwood flooring is 106%, which means they make back their installation costs and then some! Another reason homeowners choose hardwood is the ability to hire a flooring contractor to refinish it, giving your floor new life.
Engineered Hardwood
Engineered hardwood is ideal for homeowners who want the look of hardwood at a lower cost. What sets hardwood and engineered hardwood apart is the latter uses layers of solid wood veneers. The veneer layers give engineered wood a few advantages over cut and milled hardwood, including the fact that it’s more durable, more resistant to moisture (the boards won’t warp easily), and it’s more affordable than hardwood.
In addition, homeowners love engineered hardwood because it’s real wood, so it looks and feels like real hardwood. In fact, most homeowners cannot tell the difference, which means the ROI for engineered hardwood is comparable to hardwood.
Natural Stone Tile
Just as hardwood is the quintessential timeless floor, we would be remiss if we didn’t mention the everlasting beauty of natural stone tiles like marble. However, the closer to nature you get (like hardwood or stone), the higher the cost. Not to mention, if you’re laying expensive tiles, you’re always better off hiring a professional flooring contractor to do it right the first time.
With cost being the only drawback, natural stone tiles are the perfect focal point for your kitchen, bathroom, dining room, or anywhere you want to add charm to your space. Natural stone is also waterproof, so it’s great for any moisture-rich space!
Flooring Patterns
Floor patterns are one of those things you want to be careful about. Fortunately, there are some patterns that stand the test of time after the fad fades away. We’ve curated a list of the most timeless layouts, but keep in mind that these patterns are for hardwood. Natural stone typically is not patterned, as it’s eye-catching enough the way it is.
Chevron
Chevron is a hardwood flooring pattern that dates back as far as 16th-century England, making it as timeless as they come! Part of the allure of chevron is that it’s almost a status symbol, as it was only found in the homes of nobility. So you can have a house fit for royalty by hiring a flooring contractor to install a chevron flooring design.
Herringbone
Chevron isn’t the only style fit for royalty; herringbone also dates back to 16th-century France. However, it didn’t appear in European castles until the 17-18th century. Both chevron and herringbone have a beautiful zig-zagging appearance. The main difference is how the end boards are cut. Chevron boards come to a point, so they’re more arrowlike, while herringbone is cut at a 90-degree angle, so the boards don’t meet at a point. Both are gorgeous options that transform your space and never go out of style.
Flooring Colours
Flooring materials and patterns aren’t the only way to get creative with your space. You can also play around with different hues, but certain colours will stay in style longer than others.
Mid-Tones
Grey hardwood flooring is currently trending but there’s no guarantee that it’ll stand the test of time. However, it’s not just grey that you’ll want to avoid if you’re looking for timeless flooring; you should also steer clear of whitewashed or very dark hardwood, as these have been trending at various points too. We have no reason to believe these neutrals are as timeless as traditional mid-tone hardwoods. Your best option will always be mid-toned, natural-hued hardwood varieties, like walnut or maple finishes. They compliment any style and never fall out of favour.
Timeless Stone Colours
As for natural stone tiles, they are timeless, no matter their colour. However, as experienced flooring contractors, we’ve come across a few stone tile trends that are particularly worth considering.
For instance, white-toned tiles will never fall out of style, like you would find in a relaxing bathroom with white flooring or backsplash. Alternatively, you can add pizzazz to a bathroom or hallway by creating a checkerboard look with light and dark stone tile. While no colour is off-limits when it comes to stone, you want to be sure that natural stone complements the space it’s in, as it can be one of the costlier flooring options.
Flooring Shapes
When selecting the best natural stone tile for your space, you may also need to consider flooring shapes. As for hardwood flooring shapes, stick to traditional floorboard planks as they will always be popular with homeowners.
Think “Inside” The Box
Many natural stone tile companies offer trendy new natural stone tiles in shapes like hexagons or pickets, but will these shapes lose their popularity? Even as experienced flooring contractors, we cannot predict the trend lifecycle for these novel shapes.
If you want your natural stone floor, backsplash, or shower to retain its popularity for years to come, stick with the tried and true square or rectangular shapes. If you have a small restroom, opt for large-format rectangular tiles as a rule; after all, the fewer grout lines, the bigger the space feels. Otherwise, square or rectangle are both stylish tile shapes.
Flooring Size
The last timeless flooring trend you’ll want to consider before having your flooring contractor lay your new floor is the size of your flooring. As for natural stone tile, there is no wrong size!
Stick to Mid-Sized
Yes, we agree wide plank flooring is stunning. It adds drama and opens up a room. But, we’re not entirely sure that wide plank flooring is as timeless as the smaller widths. Some might believe that small widths (2-3 inches) is too traditional or outdated. Perhaps the small-width planks aren’t as desirable as the trending 8-inch or larger widths, but they have stood the test of time, so we shouldn’t discount their charm.
We recommend sticking with mid-sized hardwood planks from 4 to 6 inches in width. If you want wider boards, 6 inches can help make your oversized room feel cozier. In contrast, if you’re charmed by smaller planks, 4-inch floorboards complement any space.
The Five Flooring Trends That Will Last a Lifetime
This list will help you discover the best timeless flooring for your space. From the top materials to the best tile shapes and plank sizes, these looks are everlasting, so you simply can’t go wrong selecting from our top five timeless flooring trend list.
If you’re still unsure which is best to have a flooring contractor install in your room, give the Brothers Flooring a call today! We offer free consultations and with 20+ years as flooring contractors, we’re confident we can help you find the best timeless flooring for your home renovation.
