When it comes to keeping your home up to date, staying trendy is a must. And as for 2021, the year brought about some pretty stunning flooring styles. In honor of all the gorgeous floor trends, we’re taking a look back on some of the best designs. If you want to spark some inspiration for the new year, don’t worry. These floors are flawless enough to stay in style for years to come.
For years, laminated hardwood floors have been an ongoing trend. However, waterproof flooring is growing increasingly popular thanks to more water-resistant vinyl available on the market. The thing is, regular laminate floors aren’t the best option, especially if you live in an area prone to flooding. Or even if you have small children who constantly make spills.
The other downside to laminate is that it tends to warp and puff up if liquids aren’t cleaned in a timely manner. This was a huge problem for most homeowners until the invention of waterproof laminate flooring. It’s a great option for installing in the kitchen and bathroom and alleviates the worry of ruining the floor due to water damage. Plus the good news is, you don’t have to sacrifice the sleek look of traditional hardwood when you make the switch to waterproof laminate.
Next up on this trendy list is dark-stained wooden floors. This type of flooring is ideal for people who want style as opposed to maintenance. Unfortunately, heavily pigmented surfaces show dust and dirt easily. However, the deep luscious color makes the extra clean-up worth it. The primary colors for this type of flooring are coffee brown, ebony, dark walnut or a basic black color, which pairs well with white walls or furniture. It's also a fantastic option for large, open spaces which lends a sleek look to the room. Dark flooring has such a smooth, classic design that will definitely be around for a while.
A lot of modern trends have steered away from carpet; however, it’s made a comeback thanks to new technology. Manufacturers are using a technique called cut-and-loop which makes the patterns very versatile. Not to mention the carpets nowadays are crafted with ultra-soft fibers and have denser pads underneath. Therefore, the overall texture of the rug feels luxurious and is great for living rooms and home offices–plus, they’re easier to vacuum.
Light-colored floors haven't always been a favorite in the interior design department, but things changed in 2018. As the light, crisp style becomes more popular, blonde wood will be more of a top choice for homeowners. Not only does it bring an openness to the room, but the neutral color also blends well with different types of hues and decorating styles. You can use this flooring for a chic look, rustic design or country-style decor. No matter what you choose, the blonde color will give it a contemporary yet cozy feel that’s perfect for any home.
Gray floors have been making their mark in the remodeling business for quite some time, and 2018 was no different. The soft hue of the flooring provides the room with a chic look that blends great with contemporary decor. One of the things that stands out about gray flooring is its adaptability. You can use almost any pigment you want with it and it’ll look amazing, especially with bright colors.
Laminate has come a long way, and many manufacturers are diversifying its design. In 2021, laminate flooring offered more than just wood styles and started mimicking the look of stone and tile. This was wonderful for people who prefer laminate because it provides more options. And luckily, it seems as if the makers of this type of flooring will continue to produce different kinds of looks in order to stay current and trendy.
More people are beginning to appreciate the natural look of wood and are incorporating it into their homes. If you’ve ever seen wood in its organic state, no two pieces are alike, and floor manufacturers have begun to mimic those details within their designs. This particular style was available in many home interior stores during the year, and it was a hit! Although the wooden pieces are different, they’re still within the same color scheme, which gives your floors a smooth look while adding originality.
This trend might be shocking for some, but concrete made its mark in 2021 as well. It began to become stylish a few years ago, but now it has more to offer. Not only does it pair well with different kinds of decor, but it’s available in various colors. It’s sustainable and doesn't require a lot of upkeep. A quick sweep or a light vacuum job here and there works just fine. The only downside is that it’s not very comfortable to walk on and it gets cold during fall and winter months.
Satin finish floors offer the best of both worlds when it comes to glossy and matte designs. It provides just enough luster without making the flooring look too shiny. This perfect blend of sparkle and matte has become a favorite amongst homeowners and a top choice in 2021.
A slippery image might come to mind when you think of oiled wood, but it’s not what you think. Oil finishes make wood firm and increases its durability over time. Not to mention, it provides that matte look that everyone was crazy about during 2021. Plus, all you have to do is refinish the floor with more oil to keep it looking pretty. On the other hand, oiled wood floors tend to scratch easily and are prone to water damage, which makes them harder to maintain.
Wide plank floors make your room appear larger, which is why it will continue to be a popular flooring style. However, a lot of homeowners still prefer the short, slim planks but with the increase of wide wood floors, that look might soon become outdated. The openness that large planks provide is unmatched and this year most certainly proved that!
Bamboo is one of the most durable floors on the market, and it provides a unique style unlike anything else out there. It infuses a different blend of colors that gives any room an exotic look, and it's perfect for contemporary decor. However, it’s not the easiest floor to maintain. Because of its tropical nature, it works best in a dry climate. Too much humidity can cause damage to the floor. Therefore, it’s best to speak with a professional before installing bamboo floors.
Waterproof carpet might seem impossible, but it’s most definitely real and homeowners absolutely loved it this year. Until recently, water-resistant carpet for the indoors was virtually unheard of–but things have changed. Lifeguard technology allows liquid to sit on top of the rug fibers without making a mess. So, you can clean up spills without worrying about them absorbing into the carpet. It’s incredible!
This trend was originally very popular on the West Coast and has slowly begun to become a favorite everywhere. The white-washed style gives homes a beach house look that brings a unique style to living rooms and kitchens. These laminates are designed to replicate the look of “wear and tear” that slightly shows a darker shade underneath the white paint. It’s the aged style everyone has started to fall in love with.
White-washed laminates make your home appear brighter and more open. It pairs well with other light tones and wooden or wicker furniture. If you want to turn your everyday home into a vacation home, white-washed floors are the way to go!
This style of carpet is a pet owner's dream. Unlike traditional carpet, this design consists of removable tiles that are easily replaceable. If you damage a spot, switch it out and you’re good to go. You can rest easy if your pet has an accident or your kids spills something on the floor.
Also, there's no need to worry about replacing big, bulky carpet every few years or spending hours doing a shampoo job. And what’s even more incredible about carpet tiles is the many options they have. You can choose waterproof tiles if you’d like, or peel and stick tiles for easy installation and removal. Plus, there are tons of patterns and colors options available.
The year 2018 showed us just how conscious consumers were about the environment and recycling. Eco-friendly flooring is a huge trend nowadays and most carpet brands are starting to use recycled materials. Green flooring has been a trend for a while now, but carpet has taken the movement by storm. And the great part is that manufacturers are taking notice and making changes that will help the landfills and ultimately preserve the Earth.
It seems that the homeowners of today feel the need to be a bit more daring with their interior style. What was once considered taboo is now the new norm. Bright-colored carpets have become the go-to design when consumers want to make a statement. And since carpet doesn’t have to cover the entire floor of your home, it’s easy to make one room stand out and the others look more traditional.
The distressed look was so popular this year simply because people love the organic look. Natural wood has patterns and scrapes within it that show how it has weathered over time. And, well, flooring designers began mimicking that look to give homeowners a real forest feel. There are a couple of options you can choose from to get distressed wood floors.
You can buy it with the blemishes made by the manufacturer or you can do it yourself. If you already have a wooden floor, just sand it down and use your own method of adding cuts and dents into the wood. Once you’re done, add a stain or polish to the floor to give it the look you desire.
Once upon a time, the decor was catered around the color of the carpet, but nowadays it’s done just the opposite. This daunting new trend made a huge impact this year and will most likely continue to make a mark on future designs as well.
Other Popular 2021 Trends
One thing that really stood out this year was the rustic look. This list showcased a variety of designs, but overall the worn and natural look took the cake. What seems to be most appealing to consumers is how low maintenance aged and distressed flooring is. Think about it. If you have a floor that’s supposed to look vintage, it easily hides the wear and tear. Unlike smooth and polished hardwood, it’s okay if you scratch or puncture rustic-style flooring. Below are the two different types of worn designs that were a hit in 2021:
Hand Scraping: This flooring design is achieved by putting dents and holes into each plank in order to replicate the natural look of wood. This method works best for people who already have hardwood floors and want to remodel them to have the distressed style.
Wire brushing: This technique requires scratching a plank with a hard-bristled wire brush to create rips in the flooring. The tough bristles pull apart the grains which creates the aged, distressed look everyone loves. The design is best achieved as a DIY project, but you can also buy floors with a similar style.
2021 and Beyond
Well, it looks as if 2021 brought about some pretty awesome flooring styles. Truthfully, several of the floors on this list are so stunning that they deserve to be on the hit list year after year. If your decorative wheels are spinning after reading this article, then your home is in for a fabulous makeover. They say that trends come and go; however, gorgeous flooring never goes out of style.
