The Most Popular Flooring Trends of 2023

Looking for fresh flooring? A finish that wipes up easily and camouflages scratches is a good place to start. But when it comes to flooring trends, above all else, floors need to work for us. If you don’t have a flooring material that can stand up to the wear and tear of your family and lifestyle, it’s time to rethink your flooring goals.

flooring trends

PHOTO: RYAN GARVIN

“People expect more from their flooring in terms of scale, style, and performance,” says Ashley Biscan, senior editorial manager of Floor & Decor. For that reason, she says both performance flooring and wide-plank hardwood have become mainstays for homes across the country. But while resilient surfaces are a must, bringing style to the forefront is another important consideration.

“Personalization is everything and rather than overlooking the floor, homeowners start with a solid foundation so the whole space feels customized,” says Biscan. Whether that means selecting a porcelain tile that is both durable and available in a nearly endless array of styles, opting for an unlikely installation pattern, or even mixing tones and textures, your flooring can tell a lot about your home from the moment guests step inside. So, what do you want it to say? Consider these top flooring trends of 2023 to choose the right fit for your family.

flooring trends

PHOTO: LISA ROMEREIN

  1. Lighter, Brighter Wood Finishes

Wood flooring with character-rich, lighter stains shows no sign of waning in popularity, says Margaret Donaldson, founder of Margaret Donaldson Interiors. “Homeowners are primarily using white oak, but walnut is starting to surface more, especially with lighter finishes,” she says. For those on the coast, engineered wood products are a sound way to get the look, as this material doesn’t see the warping issues one might experience with natural products in a humid climate.

  1. Maximalist Installation

Floors aren’t taking the backseat these days. “More is more, and bigger is better,” says Biscan. “Large-format tile and stone are making a statement with ultra-dramatic natural looks that make your space appear seamless.”

To give your space a high-end finish, Biscan recommends taking large-format floor tile all the way up onto the kitchen backsplash or up a bathroom wall. It provides an unmatched level of luxury that is on trend not only for flooring but overall home design too.

flooring trends

PHOTO: DAVID TSAY

  1. Pattern and Color Play

When it comes to floor colors, muted shades are taking hold. Browns have become a popular alternative to black as they are better suited to play off the tones and materials that are sweeping the design world, like terracotta and shades of green. “Midcentury colors have taken to the West Coast’s sensibility with more sun-washed looks rather than primary palettes,” says Biscan.

While floor colors are taking a softer path, pattern play is still making a splash, particularly checkerboard. “Whether you prefer high contrast looks or a more subtle nod to the trend with lower contrast, the pattern is playful,” Biscan explains.

  1. Neutral Shades

While color trends come and go, neutrals will always have a place in design. But staying neutral doesn’t have to mean playing it safe or skipping character-rich details. Donaldson says the key to making neutrals work now is by utilizing a blend of tones throughout the flooring. “Finishes that are blended with warm and cool tones but also soft satin or matte [finishes] are currently the most popular,” says the designer.

flooring trends

PHOTO: JAMES NATHAN SCHRODER

  1. Textural Interest 

“Designers and dreamers alike crave the texture and uniqueness of natural stone,” says Biscan. “Matte and honed stone finishes and artisanal handmade looks enrich a space and tell a style story.” If you prefer the look of wood, you can still set the tone for an inviting space with mattified wood or hand-scraped wood textures. Donaldson also suggests wire brushing as a more popular wood finish. “[It] creates a unique grain and light texture versus smooth,” she explains. It’s all about layering details, whether it’s color, layout, or finish, to create a unique look for your space.

  1. Functionality at the Forefront

Floor trends aren’t all about looks. With so many material and finish options, floors can now meet our durability needs without sacrificing a bit of style. According to Biscan, these aren’t your grandmother’s vinyl and laminate floors. “Performance flooring has paved a new frontier with the most cutting-edge innovation,” she says. “Authentic textures, prints, and enhanced features like sound reduction, waterproof tech, and more keep homeowners coming back to performance flooring to withstand their busy households and lifestyles.”

By Patricia Shannon, Better Homes & Garden Blog; posted April 2023

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For high-end home design, build, and remodeling in the greater Phoenix area that reflects your vision, Tri-Lite Builders will help you love your home again. Start your project by calling us at (480) 895-3442 or emailing [email protected] to discuss your remodeling project. We offer no-obligation in-home consultation. Our NARI-certified award-winning designers and craftsmen are eager to work with you to make your vision for your home a reality!  See our portfolio here.

Actions to Avoid in the Care of Your Hardwood Floors

Most will agree that a well-maintained wood floor is a thing of beauty. If you take the time to learn all the things you need to do for your floor, shouldn’t you also know what you should try to avoid? Hardwood floor care is more than just cleaning and occasionally refinishing. A lot of it involves knowing how these surfaces can be easily damaged. Following is a list of actions to avoid in the care of your hardwood floors and how to protect the beauty of hardwood floors in your home.

Actions to Avoid in the Care of Your Hardwood Floor

Dragging heavy furniture.

Furniture can leave scratches and gouges in floors as you move them. Get some help lifting heavy pieces, or use felt pads. Sweep thoroughly before you move heavy furniture. Dirt that gets trapped under the furniture can leave scratches in your hardwood flooring.

Waiting too long to refinish

If your hardwood floor is beginning to look stale and the finish has worn off, it is time for a refinish. Putting this off will make the work harder and force you to spend more money restoring the surface or replacing the boards. Timely refinishing is especially important for high traffic areas.

Using chemicals

Cleaning a wood floor is easier than most people think. You do not need strong cleaners to do a good job. In fact, many cleaning products can damage the surface of hardwood floors. Purchase products made specifically for wood floors.

Steam cleaning

Steam mops are more suited to use on tiles. Aside from the moisture which is not good for wood floors, the heat from steam mops can cause the top layer of the wood to deteriorate over time. On that note, avoid using too much water when mopping up your floors.

Pet management

Dogs and cats can do a lot of damage to this type of floor in a relatively short time. Keep their nails or claws trimmed to protect the wood.

Welcome mat

Anything that gets tracked on your floors is slowly wearing away the surface. Make sure that you use a welcome mat to keep this to a minimum.

Tacking down rugs

Trying to keep rugs from shifting can be frustrating but tacking them is not always the best answer. When you have to move the rug, some of the adhesives may be left behind. You can also strip off some of the finish as well.

High heeled shoes

Your amazing stilettos might look great, but they are not so great for wood surfaces. They can leave impressions and marks on the wood. This can be even worse if the heel is damaged.

We regularly partner with homeowners to repair or replace hardwood floors during the remodeling process.  We have a historic home in the Willo where we will be replacing the 100-year-old hardwood floors during their remodel. Since these homeowners appreciate real hardwoods, we will be installing a new hardwood floor.  We will proceed that with a good termite treatment to keep them safe from that damage.

Preventing any type of damage to your hardwood floors will actually make maintenance much easier. You cannot possibly protect your floors from everything, but you can help that beauty to last longer by taking several precautions and preliminary measures. Call us at (480) 895-3442 if you are interested in installing hardwood flooring or restoring your existing hardwood floor; we can help!  Our premier, award-winning remodeling company serves those in Phoenix or the surrounding area.

Examples of some of our hardwood floors:

 

See all our award-winning designs in our portfolio here!

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