Choosing new flooring is a significant investment, and you want to adore your selection for years to come. To guide you through the plethora of options, we’ve consulted design and flooring specialists to uncover the most anticipated flooring trends for 2024.
Sustainability, inclusivity, and a touch of nostalgia, according to the experts, will significantly influence our flooring choices in the coming year. While the enduring popularity of farmhouse flooring comes as no surprise, the unexpected return of retro carpets may surprise you. Get ready to explore the most exciting flooring trends set to take center stage in your home this year.
Embrace Warmth and Depth with Trending Tiles
The tile world is embracing warmth in 2024, with Jordana Moche, managing director of Porcelanosa NYC, highlighting a shift towards “warmer tones in cream, beige, and grey.” These colors are utilized in “large formats and tonalities to create patterns,” adding a touch of visual intrigue. Furthermore, Moche notes a growing preference for “medium and darker wood-effect tile ranges and brown earth-toned flooring.” This trend creates a “warm yet moody design” that evokes a “hospitality-like feeling” within the home.
Step Back in Time with the Retro Carpet Revival
Get ready to dust off your love for all things retro! According to Audra Keiber, Mohawk’s director of design and development for soft surfaces, carpets are undergoing a major comeback in 2024, drawing inspiration from the past. Whether you’re seeking sustainable alternatives or simply want to embrace the charm of yesteryear, this trend is sure to add a touch of personality to your space.
Keiber explains, “Carpet trends for 2024 are echoing the renewed demand for vintage furnishings and colorways seen in other soft goods like upholstery and fabrics.” This translates into a move away from bland, gray carpets and towards more captivating options. “Our upcoming release for Karastan, Stitchery, exemplifies this retro revolution,” she adds. “It features a classic herringbone pattern with a twist, softening the linear repetition and creating a unique finish. Traditional colorways like warm golden browns, beiges, and taupe are accented with deeper shades of blue, gray, and black for a touch of timeless elegance.” So ditch the boring and embrace the exciting! This nostalgic revival offers a far more inspiring way to dress your floors.
The Enduring Appeal of Farmhouse Floors with a Modern Twist
The warm and inviting farmhouse style remains a dominant force in 2024, and flooring trends are no exception. Adam Vester, Mohawk’s senior director of design for wood and laminate, observes a growing desire for “living spaces to evolve into soft-spoken retreats, a place to recharge from our daily lives.” He further explains that “farmhouse style continues to be a stable decorating trend that is evolving towards warm minimalism with Scandinavian design influences.”
This evolution translates to a refined take on farmhouse flooring. The signature raw textures and organic forms are still present, but with a lighter touch. Expect to see lighter-hued wood with smoother surfaces and fewer knots, creating a clean and calming aesthetic that seamlessly blends the warmth of farmhouse style with Scandinavian minimalism. This updated approach offers a timeless and versatile foundation for your home.
Stepping Into a Sustainable Future with Innovative Flooring
The growing focus on eco-conscious living is reshaping our floorscapes. Consumers and design professionals are increasingly seeking clean, renewable, and sustainable materials for their homes and projects, leading to a surge in innovative bio-based flooring alternatives.
“At Mohawk,” says Audra Keiber, director of design and development for soft surfaces, “sustainability is a core value. We are committed to helping make this planet a better place by innovating with fibers made from recycled and renewable content.” This commitment is evident in the exciting new options emerging in the flooring industry. With a focus on bio-based materials and recycled content, these advancements offer a path towards a more sustainable future for our homes and the environment. As this trend continues to gain momentum, we can expect to see even more innovative and eco-friendly flooring solutions coming to market in the coming year.
Timeless Appeal: Hardwood Reigns Supreme in Kitchens
Hardwood flooring continues to hold the crown in kitchen design for 2024. The 2023 U.S. Houzz Kitchen Trends Report reveals that a quarter of renovating homeowners opted for stained or unstained hardwood, solidifying its enduring popularity. While resilient vinyl follows closely behind at 22%, Mitchell Parker, senior editor at Houzz, also notes a rising interest in engineered wood, which has climbed steadily from 14% in 2021 and 2022 to 15% in 2023. This trend is expected to continue in the coming year.
The aesthetic focus in 2024 leans towards smooth surfaces, raw wood tones, and wide planks. While lighter hues are gaining traction, the earthy charm of rustic wood, complete with its natural imperfections, remains a popular choice. For those seeking a touch of timeless elegance, the classic herringbone pattern takes center stage, adding visual movement, texture, and a sophisticated touch to the space.
A Modern Nod to the Past: Hard Surfaces Embrace Mid-Century Flair
The embrace of nostalgia extends beyond carpets in 2024, reaching into the realm of hard surfaces as well. Adam Vester, Mohawk’s senior director of design for wood and laminate, describes this trend as “characterized by clean, simple lines and a pared-back aesthetic.” He elaborates, “In our wood, laminate, and resilient flooring categories, we are focusing on visually enhanced wood looks with smaller character knots.”
This minimalist approach creates the perfect foundation for the resurgent mid-century modern style. Vester notes, “We are seeing interior styles that mix retro seventies vibes with futuristic elements. This fusion creates an environment that blurs the lines between past, present, and future, offering a sense of timelessness.” So, expect to see clean lines, subtle woodgrain textures, and a touch of the past woven into the modern hard surface landscape.
Timeless Tranquility: Neutral Reigns Supreme in Bathroom Tile
When it comes to bathroom flooring, porcelain and ceramic tiles remain the go-to choice, with a staggering 60% of homeowners opting for them, according to the 2023 U.S. Houzz Bathroom Trends Report. This trend is expected to continue well into 2024. The enduring popularity of these materials can be attributed to their durability, versatility, and affordability. As Mitchell Parker, senior editor at Houzz, points out, “porcelain is a durable material that allows you to have the look of natural stone or even wood without the maintenance or the high price tag.”
The color palette in bathroom tile leans towards soothing and timeless neutrals. Gray continues to be the most popular choice, accounting for 25% of selections, followed closely by white (21%) and beige (15%). Notably, beige has seen a slight increase in preference compared to the previous year, indicating a growing appreciation for its warm and inviting character.
This enduring appeal of neutral tones reflects the desire to create a relaxing and spa-like atmosphere in the bathroom. Neutral tiles provide a perfect canvas for homeowners to personalize their space with pops of color, unique textures, or statement fixtures, while ensuring a sense of timeless elegance and tranquility.
Embracing Inclusivity: Universal Design Takes Center Stage in Bathrooms
Homeowners are increasingly embracing the concept of universal design, which prioritizes creating accessible, convenient, and usable spaces for everyone. This forward-thinking approach not only benefits individuals with specific needs but also future-proofs the home for all residents. Houzz research reveals a significant shift in this direction, with two-thirds of homeowners now incorporating universal design principles during bathroom renovations, compared to just over half in 2021.
Addressing the needs of aging family members remains a top priority, accounting for 38% of current renovations and 50% of planned future renovations. As Mitchell Parker, senior editor at Houzz, points out, “features like nonslip flooring are being incorporated to improve safety and accessibility in bathrooms.” This focus on inclusivity translates to a wider range of thoughtful features being implemented, creating bathrooms that are truly designed for everyone, regardless of age or ability.
