Wood Flooring Designs That Will Brighten Any Space
Wood is a classic flooring material, but classic definitely does not mean frumpy or boring. Today's wood flooring trends are exciting and stylish. Innovative technologies and individualized applications celebrate the use of this most organic and eco-friendly of materials, and new wood flooring materials and designs are giving architects, designers and homeowners more options than ever before.
Leading manufacturers and retailers now offer materials in a virtually unlimited palette of colors, textures, patterns and finishes. Many of today's popular layouts and patterns feature unconventional widths and irregular patterns. For hardwood flooring enthusiasts, the current trend favors wide and elongated planks, as well as mixed width planks which give a more bespoke feel. Some designers are exploring vertical applications of flooring materials to clad walls and ceilings or to create a canopy.
The market is becoming more open to new products, according to Luxia Hong, managing director North America for Amaz Floors, especially things that are environmentally friendly. "Manufacturers are innovating in various segments of the market in order to help builders achieve LEED certification," she said.
What's trending: While dark wood floors remain a classic choice, many homeowners are embracing a light, airy feel, thus sparking a resurgence in light wood floors. Whitewashed flooring imparts a casual "beachy" feel or an upscale contemporary feel, depending on the context, while blonde woods, such as Bamboo, Maple, White Oak, Red Oak and Ash, particularly applications using large planks, make a space seem larger and more open yet still timeless.
Gray is the new beige and flooring colors are showcasing the trend. Gray tones are chic, sophisticated and cool, and gray provides a neutral backdrop for virtually any color or design scheme. Sleek gray flooring complements red, aqua or green tones, bright bold hues or even black and white. Hardwood in deep and medium tones are very popular as well as gray floors that have a driftwood appearance.
Greige (gray + beige) is the newest addition to the wood flooring color palette. This blend of brown, beige and gray conveys the minimalist feel of gray with the warmth of beige and has a calm, understated yet chic appeal. A greige wood floor harmonizes well with modern white looks, country browns and all bold colors.
In nature no two pieces of wood are identical, and with today's flooring technology it is easier than ever to replicate a natural, unprocessed, organic look, and homeowners are embracing this trend. Techniques such as handscraping, wirebrushing and
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Frequently asked questions
What wood flooring colors are trending now?+
Light wood floors are experiencing a resurgence, including whitewashed flooring and blonde woods like Bamboo, Maple, White Oak, Red Oak and Ash. Gray tones are also highly popular, along with the newer 'greige' blend of gray and beige, while hardwoods in deep and medium tones remain in demand.
What is greige wood flooring?+
Greige is a blend of brown, beige and gray that combines the minimalist feel of gray with the warmth of beige. It conveys a calm, understated yet chic appeal and harmonizes well with modern white looks, country browns and bold colors.
What plank widths and patterns are popular in hardwood flooring?+
Current trends favor wide and elongated planks, as well as mixed-width planks that give a more bespoke feel. Many popular layouts feature unconventional widths and irregular patterns.
How is wood flooring being used beyond floors?+
Some designers are exploring vertical applications of flooring materials, using them to clad walls and ceilings or to create a canopy.
How does wood flooring support LEED certification?+
According to Luxia Hong of Amaz Floors, the market is opening to more environmentally friendly products, and manufacturers are innovating across market segments specifically to help builders achieve LEED certification.
What techniques create a natural, organic look in wood flooring?+
Techniques such as handscraping and wirebrushing help replicate a natural, unprocessed, organic look, making it easier than ever to mimic the variation found in nature where no two pieces of wood are identical.