The floor often gets overlooked when designing a home, and viewed as an accent to the wall color or core design features. However, the floor can make a significant impact on how the room looks and feels; it’s the piece that brings everything together in interior design.
In recent years, there has been a shift toward eye-catching, complementary flooring that stands apart from the rest of the room. Here are seven amazing flooring trends to consider for 2021.
Epoxy Flooring
The events of 2020 have altered how many people view the space in which they live. The need for an area for working from home or creating a traditional intergenerational dwelling has increased dramatically. As such, many homeowners are transforming garages and basements into liveable areas.
One of the popular trends that’s arisen from this paradigm shift is the use of epoxy flooring. This floor coating seals the concrete underneath, creating a comfortable, watertight, and aesthetically pleasing space. Whether you’re finishing the basement to create more room for your family or setting up a home gym in your garage, epoxy flooring is the way to go.
Herringbone Returns
One of the most exciting parts of being in the world of design is watching old trends get recycled and refreshed. Herringbone flooring was originally introduced in the 1600s, featured in palaces and royal mansions. Since then, it’s come and gone a few times. Now, it’s making a return once more.
Whether you choose herringbone or its sister style, the chevron, there are a few things to keep in mind when using this pattern. As herringbone is bold and eye-catching, you’ll need to consider the patterns and shapes you use for other aspects of your decor. The herringbone trend goes well with modern floor installations, including click tile and laminate.
Hexagon Tiles
Another burgeoning trend for 2021 is thinking outside the square or rectangle. Hexagon tiles are all the rage in kitchens and in bathrooms, as they add a unique contrast to the traditional shapes around them. Hexagon tiles also look fantastic when blended into wood flooring in an open concept home.
One caveat if you opt for hexagon tiles: like many bold trends of the past, this one has the potential to feel dated within a few years. Don’t invest in hexagon tiles unless you’re OK with the risk of it becoming the next shag carpet.
Distressed and Fumed Wood Flooring
The rustic-chic look is back in for home decor (just look at how popular shiplap and barn boards have become over the past year or so). Rather than a polished, perfect floor, many homeowners and designers are opting for distressed or fumed wood. The distressed wood looks well-loved without being too worn or dilapidated. It shows that a home is meant to be lived in.
Fumed wood flooring is a new twist on distressed flooring. Rather than a physical alteration to the product, fuming is a chemical treatment with ammonia that creates a color change. As a result, the wood has an imperfect, yet elegant look that brings out unique color and grain variations.
Cool and Blanched Tones
Once again, design trends are moving away from warm, welcoming tones to cool, crisp tones. Light gray and white flooring are consistent features in modern design, often blending with the fumed or distressed look. This flooring design trend speaks to a shift toward minimalism and makes rooms feel more spacious.
Traditionally, rustic trends such as barn boards, wide plank flooring and shiplap tended to have warmer tones. However, the modern twist on minimalist and cool tone design captures these tried-and-true features with lighter tones. Picture wide plank flooring, but in a light gray.
Black and White Tiles
Black and white tiles are another dated trend that’s making a modern comeback. These tiles aren’t necessarily the checkerboard linoleum tiles you had in your first apartment; this iteration is more chic and modern.
Many designers are using geometric floor designs, mismatched floral tiles, and graphic artistry to breathe new life into this resurrected trend. The look is both modern and vintage, for a unique blend that fits the overarching design themes popping up in recent years.
Painted Floors
Finally, many homeowners and designers are keeping things simple by painting existing floors. This trend is a fabulous way to change the look of your space without having to do extensive work or blow the budget.
With these seven flooring trends, you can breathe new life into your home in 2021. The hard part is choosing which one is right for you.
