TRENDS IN HARDWOOD FLOORING
Want to give a room instant elegance? Install hardwood flooring.
Hardwood flooring is a beautiful, welcome detail that gives a room warmth and charm that can’t be matched by the likes of tile or carpet. Today’s prospective home buyers often put “hardwood floors” on their real estate wish lists.
Adding to their popularity, hardwoods require minimal maintenance to look gorgeous. And just like what’s popular in lighting and paint colors changes every year, the same goes for hardwood flooring. Here are some that continue to shine in 2022:
Dark brown tones:
“The pandemic has forever changed the way we perceive the need for safety, wellness, and health in our spaces,” says Lisa Kahn, CEO and founder of Finding Sanctuary by Lisa Kahn Designs in Naples, Florida. That holds true even when it comes to flooring. “Dark colors can give a cozier feeling to a room,” she says. “Darker flooring is also grounding in a space, and now more than ever, we look to our homes, our sanctuaries, for grounding and refuge.”
Oil finishes:
It may sound messy but it’s not: An oiled finish brings out a wood’s natural beauty while protecting it from damage. Unlike a polyurethane finish, an oil finish has a low-sheen and a natural, unfussy look that is a recurring theme in 2022. Maintenance is easy: If the floor gets scratched, simply buff the area until the mark is gone.
White oak:
Though dark floors are trending, don’t count out light stained floors! “The lighter oak flooring gives a luminous, glowing quality to a room,” says Kahn. “Light tones are here to stay as a design solution for spaces that want to be light and bright.”
Wide planks:
Though standard planks (about five inches) and narrow (two to three inches) will never go out of style, what’s trending now are wide planks (six inches or more). These larger wood pieces give a room a more relaxed vibe. “Wide planks are always more casual,” says Kahn, “while thinner planks have a more classic, formal look.” The general rule of thumb is the bigger the room, the bigger the plank size can be.
Distressed:
The distressed look isn’t just the domain of jeans in 2022: it’s popular with hardwood flooring too. This finish gives the wood a worn-yet-appealing look. You can use either reclaimed wood that’s been naturally distressed or try wood that’s been hand distressed. The style works well in interiors that have a rustic vibe.