Homeowners in Tippecanoe County who are looking to replace their floors are in for some fun this year. There are so many new and exciting options on the market today that span a wide range of colors, shapes, and materials. Here are 6 popular flooring trends we’re excited to share with you at Riverside Construction:

1. Wood Flooring Choices

Wood really never goes away as a durable, beautiful, lasting flooring option, so it’s no surprise that it’s still a homeowner favorite. What’s new are the colors, types of wood, patterns, and sizes that homeowners are choosing.‍

Fumed Wood—This flooring comes in rich, dark, natural and variable color tones that are achieved in a special chamber where ammonia vapor is released, changing the color of the wood without directly staining it. Source this one carefully; ammonia should never be applied directly to this product.

‍Bleached and Blanched Wood—Think sun-bleached, weather-worn, oceanside boardwalk-style flooring for the living room, kitchen or entryway. Woods of this type come in blond, gray and off-white natural tones that will brighten any room.

‍Distressed and Reclaimed Wood—That shabby chic look of distressed wood is becoming more and more popular, with homeowners able to choose the degree of distress applied to their flooring. It has character and a historical, rustic feel to the planks. Some distressed and reclaimed wood actually are historical; taken from older buildings and barns and re-purposed as flooring. This beautiful flooring option has less gloss and more wire brushing, hand-scraping, gnarls, knots and even mineral deposits left behind to add plenty of character.

‍Wider planks and pretty patterns—Homeowners are opting for plank widths between 5 and 8 inches this year, or they’re choosing to lay out smaller planks in interesting patterns.

2. Realistic "Wood-Look" Flooring

Homeowners can’t get enough of wood, even if they don’t actually use real wood. Wood-look ceramic tiles, laminate, and vinyl are on the rise, mostly because they’re so durable and look like actual wood, but don’t require the same kind of ongoing care and maintenance that real hardwood requires. This makes it possible to use “wood-look” flooring in bathrooms, for instance, to create the warmth and look of hardwood without worrying about water damage. This flooring option comes in all colors, textures, and styles and looks just like the real thing. This year’s go-to colors are lighter: grays, whites and cooler, natural wood shades.

3. Tantalizing New Tile Patterns and Sizes

Tile continues to be wildly popular, particularly for bathrooms and kitchens. However, newer large-format tiles (for example, 12 x 24) are working their way into living rooms and entryways as well. The materials can vary from ceramic and concrete slabs to natural stone, and stone or wood-look tiles. Also, a popular European style that’s hitting West Lafayette right now is tile with a wide footprint.

In addition to the new large-format craze, vintage black and white patterned tiles and tiles with exciting colors or textures that stand out from the norm are gaining popularity, as are hexagonal-shaped tiles.

4. Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT)

Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT) is a real star for 2019, as it was last year too. This flooring option comes in many designs—from wood-look to all kinds of natural stones like marble, granite, etc. It can even be engineered to look like concrete tiles. It’s got heavy-duty durability, so it’s excellent in high-traffic locations, yet it looks luxurious and resists scratches, dings, and nicks. It can also fit into a vast array of patterns and formats (think large-format tile again), giving designers a lot of creativity to come up with stunning, custom looks.

5. Mixed-Media Flooring Trends

Some adventurous homeowners here in Tippecanoe County have been trying out mixed-media flooring ideas where they may have tile sections cascade gradually into a hardwood (or wood-look) section. When this is done with design in mind, it can be an eye-catching conversation piece that lends drama and excitement to areas where you want some pizazz.

6. New Carpet Comforts

A carpeted bedroom is still a necessity for homeowners because it provides the cozy, sound-muffling character you want in a quiet room. Living rooms are also favorite locations for new carpet. In 2019, two-tone carpets are on the rise, and not just because they hide stains better, some of the patterns are truly beautiful and add character to whatever space they’re designed in.

Learn More about Flooring Trends

If you’re thinking of a remodeling project, but aren't quite sure where to go with the flooring yet, sign up for one of our free home remodeling seminars (space is limited, so make sure to sign up early).  Our newsletter also has excellent tips and insights for every aspect of remodeling, including flooring, so sign up for that as well. And if you’re ready to discuss your ideas with a professional designer, sign up for an on-site consultation or give us a call today: 765.838.1644. We’ll help you choose the right flooring for your project.