Hardwood flooring is one of the most popular flooring types among homeowners and property owners. In fact, many types of flooring are actually starting to use materials that imitate hardwood flooring for a reduced cost to the homeowner. Hardwood flooring is stylish, natural, long-lasting, and comfortable.
There is no ‘one size fits all’ for hardwood flooring. People have different preferences depending on their taste and their home specifically. Below is an outline that discusses 2020 trends for hardwood flooring stains, colors, finishes, textures, materials and styles.
Stains and Colors
While most homeowners tend to lean toward darker colors for their hardwood flooring, there are those that prefer lighter shades. Check out some of the varying trends for hardwood flooring stains and colors for this year.
Darker, Cooler Tones
Those searching for darker and cooler tones for their hardwood floors typically are separated into two groups of people – those that can afford ongoing maintenance and those that want darker floors, but they do want to spend a ton on maintenance.
Those that do not mind spending money on ongoing maintenance usually do not have kids, pets, or their kids have already moved out of the house. These darker tones require more maintenance to keep the beauty of the floors up to standards.
The other group tends to go with a lighter tone, so the floors are easier to clean and maintain.
Many homeowners will use a consistent cooler tone for both their floors and their walls to give their home a more luxurious, modern look and feel.
A Range of Grays
Gray flooring is growing more and more popular by the day. However, if you are looking to refinish your current flooring to add a gray tone, it is important that you hire a specialist to assist because it can be a daunting process that is not considered an easy do-it-yourself project.
Another popular trend that we are seeing with gray tones is mixing in this color with darker colors, like a dark brown or ebony.
Lighter, Natural Tones
Lighter, natural tones are the second most sought-after flooring option after darker hardwood flooring. The reason for this is because lighter hardwood floors portray a natural look and feel. Lighter tones give a more contemporary feel over the darker tones and are fairly easier to clean and maintain.
Whitewashed Flooring
While whitewashes were popular in the past and started to fall off a bit, they are back again and quickly gaining popularity again. The good news is that whitewashes are now much more modernized than they were previously. They are much more subtle and are typically used on lighter backgrounds, like white oak, for example.
Finishes and Textures
Not only do you need to consider tones and colors for your flooring, you also need to take a look at hardwood floor finishes and textures when installing new floors or replacing current floors.
Natural
Homeowners are turning toward natural look finishes, with matte and satin being the two most popular choices. This is because of the low luster that comes with these types of finishes. Back in the day, homeowners would turn to semi-gloss and glossy finishes, but these would require a ton of ongoing and costly maintenance and were susceptible to scratches, dents, and other forms of damages.
Eco-Friendly
Waterborne polyurethane is a great option for a finish that is both durable and eco-friendly. While it may cost more, it will save you costs on maintenance in the long-term because of how reliable and long-lasting it is.
Onsite Refinishing
Previously, consumers usually bought pre-finished wood that is made in the factory and then shipped to stores or directly shipped to homeowners. However, onsite refinishing is becoming the go-to option as of lately. This is because onsite refinishing allows the wood to have cleaner lines and a more contemporary look and feel. This type of finishing is easier to maintain, quick to clean, and comfortable to walk on.
On the other hand, you can typically see the underlying color of the wood underneath when you purchase pre-finished wood.
In addition, you can customize your flooring much more easily when you go with onsite refinishing.
Wire Brushed & Textured
Another common finishing for hardwood floors is wire brushed floors. Wire brushed floors are designed to improve the graining of the wood. Think of it as a more modern option than distressed wood. Homeowners looking for a vintage appeal for their floors usually go with wire brushed flooring.
Because wire brushing must be completed by hand, it usually only comes in pre-finished form. This type of finish helps to hide any normal wear-and-tear like dirt or debris.
Materials and Styles
On top of the above two categories for your flooring, you also must consider the type of material and style that you want for your home’s flooring.
Farmhouse
There are dozens of farmhouse-style flooring out there to choose from, from cooler tones to pale tones and whitewashed flooring.
Consumers are drawn to this type of flooring because of the natural and authentic look that the farmhouse style provides.
Simple Layouts
Simple flooring layouts are becoming increasingly popular over intricate and complex layouts. Patterns, different widths, borders, and diagonals can be distracting to the eye and can even make your space look smaller than it really is.
White Oak
Red oak grows wider than white oak overall, but homeowners are actually turning toward white oak because of the smooth texture and contemporary look. White oak is also more resistant to water than red oak, so it’s an ideal choice for homeowners looking to install flooring kitchens, bathrooms, or basements.
Hardwood Flooring In Kitchens (and Everywhere Else)
Hardwood was rarely used in kitchens or other rooms prone to spills and leaks in the past. However, in the last few years, hardwood flooring has been used in kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms, and pretty much everywhere else.
Most homeowners with open-floor plans choose to go with hardwood flooring to give their rooms a natural, luxurious, and spacious feeling.