The 101: Flooring Trends, Warm Woods and Expert Tips

Choosing the hardwood, tile, vinyl or concrete for your next reno? Get in at the ground level.

The Trend: Buttered-Toast Warmth

Grey had its day. But the cool tones present in so many vinyl and whitewashed wood floors can feel rather gloomy, and now designers are noticing a movement toward warmer, more natural woods—sometimes going as far as the orange-y pre-2000s pines. Golden oak, deep walnut, honey pine and dark chestnut bring a cozier vibe to modern homes. Good riddance, greige.

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The Expert Advice

Three foundational tips from Natalie Fu, creative director of Studio Fu.

Width to the Wise

Not sure what size material to go with? Every space is different, but in general Fu suggests choosing six- to seven-inch-wide hardwood or vinyl planks: “Typically, the wider the board, the more luxurious it looks and feels,” she says. But large-format planks or tiles also leave much less room for error when it comes to installation. Fu warns that a flat surface is mandatory if you’re choosing a substantial material, so make sure a meticulously level base is achievable before making your selection.

Research the Elements

Hardwood is usually as pricey as it is gorgeous, and Fu points out that choosing a cost-saving option doesn’t mean cheaping out on material. “Technology has improved so much; we are far from the rolled vinyl flooring from the ’70s,” she says. Modern vinyl is very durable and can look virtually identical to natural wood. Other popular materials, like concrete, are sleek but very hard, which can lead to injury (“it may not be the best surface for aging in place,” says Fu). Microtopping—a thin cement coating—can create the same effect with a softer landing.

Go Barefoot

Flooring is a long-term commitment, so don’t be afraid to really test out the materials. Fu recommends bringing samples home with you instead of just looking at them in the warehouse or store. That way, you can place them on the floor to see how they look in different lighting and at different times of day. “Also, take off your shoes and socks and feel it with your feet,” she adds—it might feel silly, but on-the-ground research pays off.

Tips

1. Treat Wood Like a Neutral

Wood, obviously, is not black or white, but in a design context, it behaves the same way: natural tones will pair well with just about any hue in the rainbow, so add pops of colour to keep your space bright.

2. Mix and Match

Not all warm woods in your home need to be exactly the same temperature (in fact, having identical materials can look too matchy-matchy). Your tawny teak media unit can absolutely look chic with black walnut hardwood; choose a few different tones for a lively look.

3. Roll It Out

Keeping flooring consistent throughout your home can make your space feel more cohesive: if you can, use the same material in your kitchen, living room, hallways and bedrooms. That said, the toasty wood floors don’t need to be the star of every room. Using area rugs will add to the warm mood. Plus, rugs dampen sound and can be easily rotated, swapped or changed seasonally.

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