Do you want to give your floors a new look, and are you—literally —floored by the options available?! We bring you the lowdown on stylish and durable floors that will give your interior a touch of class! Here are the new styles in the market in 2021 that are on the top of interior designers’ wish lists.
Wood-look Floors
Flooring that looks like wood has been around for a long time, and this style is not going away anytime soon. Ranging from hyper-realistic textured or distressed wood laminate flooring to wood-lookalikes in ceramic or vitrified tile and vinyl, this trend is number one on the popularity list.
The ceramic wood tile in the picture below has been laid in a symmetrical herringbone pattern and is hard to tell apart from real wood, except for the feel of it underfoot; it feels cold and does not have the ‘spring’ or warmth of wooden floors.
Ceramic wooden Tiles Flooring
The ceramic wood tile in the picture below has been laid in a symmetrical herringbone pattern and is hard to tell apart from real wood, except for the feel of it underfoot; it feels cold and does not have the ‘spring’ or warmth of wooden floors.
Engineered Wood Floors
Real wood floors are expensive and not really eco-friendly. A good substitute is flooring made of engineered wood that comes with a thin slice of hardwood on top of a plywood core. Engineered wood floors are affordable options for those who do not like the unnatural feel of laminate below their feet.
As they are made of real wood veneer, they come with natural burls and knots that are a part of the wooden surface and have the same feel as actual wood. These floors can be re-polished just like real wood. However, unlike laminated floors or ceramic tiled floors which can be very easily wiped clean, engineered wood floors are harder to maintain The longer and wider the planks, the more in vogue they are.
Recycled Flooring
With green living being a high priority now, flooring that is environmentally responsible, such as recycled wood from old building materials, is the way to go! Homeowners feel good about using materials that can reduce their carbon footprint. They also want to know what is behind the materials they choose.
Reclaimed wood is usually not perfect, it may have bruises and scratches. That, perhaps, is part of its charm!
Stone Tiles
The natural look is very much these days! Large slabs of stone, as large as 24 x 48 inches (2 x 4 feet) are trending right now. Marble and granite continue to top the list, largely because of their easy availability, but Jaisalmer stone, Kota, limestone, travertine and less expensive stones like cuddapah are very popular too. While smooth and polished stone used to be in vogue till recently, the look that’s the talk of the town now is rough-hewn finishes. A word of caution: rough floors look great but are not very easy to keep clean unless your home is dust-free.
Vitrified Tiles
An engineered floor tile that is manufactured using clay and silica, vitrified tiles continue to rank high on the popularity charts largely due to their ease of maintenance and durability. These tiles are available in a variety of sizes, finishes and colours to suit any décor theme. Vitrified tiles are scratch proof, colour resistant and completely waterproof. They are also very easy to lay, unlike natural stone floors, and do not need any sealing or polishing.
Terracotta Flooring
Today’s latest flooring trends are moving back to the warmth and timeless appeal of terracotta, and this is a trend we absolutely love! It seems like homeowners just cannot get enough of this earthy and completely natural flooring tile, and this style blends right in with ethnic Indian homes. Terracotta floors take on a gorgeous sheen as they get older, and regular mopping with plain water brings out a lovely patina to regular baked terracotta tiles. Be warned, though; terracotta gets scratched easily and should be handled with care. If improperly laid, it can crack close to the edges.
Tips on Choosing the Best Flooring Materials for Your Home
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This past year, the pandemic has put hygiene at the top of home owner’s priorities. Waterproof flooring and tiles that are non-porous and can be easily cleaned are preferred to all other options. With daily mopping and sanitizing a mandate in homes today, waterproof laminate flooring, ceramic tiles, or vitrified tiles are trending this year. For those who prefer the natural look, marble, granite, Jaisalmer, and Kota stone floors offer lovely, sustainable options.
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While carpets are generally not preferred because they collect dust and are not easy to sanitize, if you can’t do without them, opt for casual carpets or rugs in synthetic materials that are lightweight, withstand spills and can be washed easily.
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Choose flooring colors that match your décor and color schemes. Vitrified tiles run the gamut of all possible colors, patterns, and finishes. Floor textures are very popular this year, with rough-hewn natural stone floors being very popular.
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Sustainable wooden flooring that is sourced from easily renewable wood resources (look for wood that has the FSC certificate) is popular. The natural tone of wood that highlights the grains blends beautifully well with all décor themes, ranging from minimalism to maximalism!
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Recycled or reclaimed wood acquires a lovely patina over the years, with color tones that can never be matched by new wood. What’s more, reusing wood saves our forest resources and helps save the environment!
To sum up…longer and wider slabs or planks in wood-look laminate, engineered or recycled wood, and natural finishes like stone or terracotta are what’s hot and happening right now in the flooring market. Look for materials that are easy to keep clean, are long-lasting and suit your décor sensibilities. What does your floor look like? Do tell us in the comments below!
For more flooring ideas, do connect with the HomeLane team.
