Upcoming flooring trends
Floors set the tone of the room, and 2011 witnessed the hard surface floorings take the lead above the other options for the home, while carpets turned out softer, more luxurious forms to bring warmth to the room, both in the physical and the emotional sense. Hardwood floors, laminates, vinyl and linoleum have become the major trends of the year. Fiber Floor, in particular, became the best choice of the year because of its ease in installation, and since it requires no adhesive, people on the move could easily dismantle and reinstall it in their new locations.
So what should we expect from the coming year? What eco-friendly options do we look out for, and what kinds of flooring are expected to dominate in 2012? Designers are looking towards porcelain, hand-scraped wood and engineered wood for their answers.
Porcelain, with its durability, cost-effectiveness and its wide variety of finishes, sizes and colors, is the material that is able to provide the homeowners with the look they desire. The trend seems to be the seamless look, with tiles getting bigger and bigger and grout lines smaller and smaller. It won’t be impossible to see floors that seem to be carved out of a single slab of marble.
Hand-scraped wood flooring is also seen to become popular not only because of its charm and timeless character but also for its durability. Its sculpted contours can withstand the wear and tear of busy feet. Because of the traditional methods and the labors put into forming it, hand-scraped hardwood also lends a cultured finish to the home.
Engineered wood is made of 2 or more layers of wood combined together; the inner core provides the stable support for the outer visible layer. Engineered wood flooring can hold its own against moist environments, where solid wood floors become twisted. Kitchens and bathrooms will benefit from the refined look of wood without worrisome wetness warping it, because engineered wood is built to last.
People looking for earth friendly flooring options can look forward to green and good looking floors for 2012 as well. Rubber flooring recycled from old tires is becoming a hot trend. Wood can be salvaged from old floors and railroad ties. Cork is also a good eco-friendly choice, because it is made from the bark of the cork tree. And bamboo is a fast-growing, easily renewable material that can withstand harsh temperatures and humidity.