What is the top selling flooring?

Where Will the Flooring Be Installed?
The type of flooring you choose will be determined in part by where you plan to install it, and over what type of surface. Solid wood flooring, for example, cannot be installed directly over concrete and is a poor choice for humid areas such as basements and baths. Ceramic or porcelain tile requires a stiff, flat surface underneath to prevent cracking.

How Will the Floor Be Installed?
Different types of flooring are installed in different ways, some of which are DIY-friendly. For example, “floating” floors—typically laminate—consist of interlocking floorboards that use no adhesives; this easy-to-install design is popular with DIYers. But ceramic or porcelain tile is bound to the subfloor with thinset, and the gaps between the tiles are filled with grout. Solid wood flooring is typically nailed down or glued. Installation of either is better left to professionals. Consumer Reports flooring ratings show which installation options are available for each rated product.

Will the Flooring I Choose Need an Underlayment?
Underlayment materials include foam, cork, rubber, felt, and specialized soundproofing mats. The different function that each type performs will affect your choice—as will the type of flooring you’ve chosen and the existing subfloor. “If you’re installing hardwood flooring over a concrete subfloor, use an underlayment that offers moisture protection,” says Stefan Bucur, founder of Rhythm of the Home, a website specializing in home improvement. “Similarly, if you’re installing laminate or engineered flooring over an uneven subfloor, consider an underlayment that provides additional cushioning and helps to even out the surface.” Some luxury vinyl floors in CR’s ratings have thin foam pads attached to their bottom surfaces, replacing the underlayment. Thicker underlayments generally are more expensive, Bucur says.

How Important Is a Flooring Material’s Thickness?
Thin vinyl flooring is more likely to split or break during installation. That could mean you’ll have to buy more flooring to cover those accidents. Focus on vinyl flooring with a thickness of 7 mm or more; you can find thickness information on the product’s label or online product page. Thickness can be a factor in the durability of other flooring materials—and for solid wood, its ability to be refinished. (New solid wood planks are typically ¾ inch thick, enough to withstand multiple refinishes.) Check Consumer Reports’ flooring ratings for our test-based durability judgments of dozens of flooring models. 

Does the Thickness of a Floor’s Wear Layer Matter?
The wear layer is the clear protective coating applied to the top surface of a manufactured floorboard. Home Depot lets you search flooring by wear-layer thickness, shown in mil (thousandths of an inch). A thick wear layer sounds like it would protect better against foot traffic. But in Consumer Reports’ tests, we found that wasn’t necessarily so. For instance, between two vinyl flooring products with 20-mil wear layers, one earned an excellent score for foot traffic resistance while the other ranked below the middle. Bottom line: Don’t depend on the reported thickness of the wear layer alone. Consult reviews and Consumer Reports’ flooring ratings for the full picture on wear resistance.

What Should I Know About Surface Textures and Edge Styles?
The type of edge on the tile or planks you choose will have a bearing on how your floor looks—and how easy it is to clean. Prefinished wood and some laminate planks have beveled edges, which makes for a more forgiving installation but can trap dirt and grit later. Tile edges may be pressed (traditional) or rectified—meaning they’re mechanically cut to fit precisely together, which allows for thinner grout lines and an appearance that’s almost seamless, and a floor that’s easier to clean. Flooring with a textured surface can also trap dirt over time, but some texture is advisable in bathrooms and other wet areas to prevent slips and falls. Consumer Reports’ flooring ratings indicate which products are smooth, very textured, and in-between. Both texture and edge styles can influence floor care.

2023 is bringing in a whole new era of floor trends. Some will carry over from 2022, while others gain in popularity, and together they’ll form a unique set of flooring trends that will embody the new year.

People are now investing time, money and attention in their living spaces more than ever. With the rise of remote work, they’re spending more time where they live and want their space to be as open and inviting as possible. Simplicity and subtle elegance are the main themes that will continue in the new year.

Here are the top flooring trends and most popular flooring for new homes in 2023.

Popular Flooring Must-Haves

50 Floor researched the most popular flooring trends of the year, and we found that homeowners are choosing dark wood, light wood and grey wood flooring color options.

Many flooring options, such as luxury vinyl and hardwood, give a classic and traditional look that is functional and aesthetically pleasing. These floors can adapt to your changing tastes over time, allowing you to coordinate new designs and colors seamlessly.

Recently, engineered hardwood flooring has also been growing in popularity. This flooring is made from a combination of durable wood and high-grade plywood that are compressed and layered in a criss-cross design, allowing the flooring to stand up well to humidity and moisture. It’s great for those looking to put hardwood in their bathrooms, kitchens or basements. 

For those who love the appearance of hardwood but want a cost-effective option, luxury vinyl plank flooring is an ideal alternative. 

Vinyl’s natural look has broad appeal, and it also offers several benefits, including:

• Elegance: A vinyl floor gives an added layer of elegance to a home. It can make a room appear warmer and more open, and it’s a great way to add some aesthetic value.
• Durability: Vinyl floors are also highly durable. With the proper care, they can last a very long time. Luxury vinyl is great for areas with high foot traffic and can withstand a lot of wear. If parts of the flooring need repair or replacement, you can remove the boards in question while the rest of the floor remains in place.
• Versatility: One of the best aspects of vinyl flooring is its ability to coordinate with a wide range of themes, looks and color schemes. Its simple, natural look easily fits with existing accessories and decor. There is also plenty of variety to choose from when it comes to luxury vinly floors, so if you’re looking to coordinate with a current design, you’re sure to find a great option. You can choose from colors, textures and designs to find the floor that works for you.
• Low maintenance: Though many people think of new floors as high-maintenance, they’re remarkably easy to clean. While carpeting requires involved, constant care, vinyl floors are simple — sweep up once in a while to remove dirt, and they’ll look as good as new. Since vinyl is so durable, it’s also much easier to clean up spills, and you’ll have less to worry about.

Vinyl has been increasing in popularity as a flooring option, with more than 200,000 users searching for it on Google in 2022. Whatever variation you prefer, it’s clear that hardwood and vinyl are both here to stay in 2023.

Finish

In recent years, homeowners have shown marked preferences for floors that have been treated with finishes. Traditional flooring options with little additional detail are becoming outdated — now many are looking for something that adds some personality and modernity to their home. These finishes will likely become popular in 2023:

• Smoked: This unique wood finish results in a shadowy, greyish tone that reflects the popular use of grey in modern home décor. You can usually still see the warmer undertones of the wood beneath the finish, making this a popular choice that will suit a variety of designs in 2023.
• Bleached/whitewashed: A bleached or whitewashed floor opts for lightness instead of darkness. It’s a great way to open up a room, emphasize natural light and create an airy space. This look produces a versatile, minimalist wood that works great for busy, bustling rooms and quiet, contemporary spaces alike.
• Flooring designs: Typical floor layouts will still appear in 2023, but innovative layouts are gaining popularity. Blending materials, such as tile and wood flooring, can make a significant impression on interior design and create unique looks that add visual interest to spaces. Additionally, hardwood flooring patterns like Chevron and herringbone are on the rise.

These are two very different finishes that will be popular choices in 2023. Both finishes create a natural, versatile look that reflects the design trends of the modern era.

Texture

The top textures of 2023 will likely reflect the popular look of rustic, worn designs. These designs are calming and call nature and natural textures to mind. You can create this rustic look in many ways, but three common types are hand-scraped, distressed and brushed:

• Hand-scraped: This type of floor is scraped by hand, meaning that no one plank will be the same. It adds some unique character to your floors with a one-of-a-kind texture.
• Distressed: Distressed wood is designed to look almost historic, with burns, scratches and marks that give the impression it has been around a very long time. Many people love this weathered, ancient look. Distressed wood floors are the perfect addition if you’re going for a rustic theme in your home.
• Brushed: A brushed texture is another way to achieve this weathered look. Brushed surfaces are great for people with an irregular cleaning schedule, as this texture hides dirt very well.

Rustic textures like these add a weathered, natural look to your floors. They add depth, as well, and can match many different themes of interior design.

Width

Flooring with wide wood planks is a new trend that’s growing more popular with every passing day. Narrow planks are becoming outdated, while wider and longer individual planks are taking over. But why?

• Visibility: One of the most straightforward reasons wide planks are gaining in popularity is because they allow you to see the grain of the wood. Gone are the days of bending down and squinting to see your floor’s unique finish. With wide planks, just glancing down allows you to marvel at the design and the character and uniqueness they bring to a room.
• Open feel: Wide planks offer openness and airiness that narrow planks don’t have. Because fewer lines are cutting through the floor, a wide plank design emphasizes simplicity and caters to the currently popular minimalist wave. 
• Rustic: Since you can see the imperfections and grain of the wood, wide planks also cater perfectly to the popular rustic trend, which is all about weathered designs.

Wide planks embody simplicity and a rustic feel, making them one of the top flooring trends of 2023.

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Going Classic

2023 will also see a return to classic designs that have been around for centuries. A notable design recently rising in popularity is parquet, a wooden floor arranged in a geometric pattern.

This classic design began in France in the 17th century. The unique, shapely design has caught on in America and is increasing in popularity. The classic parquet trend will likely be a popular trend in 2023 as an elegant addition to a home.

Colors

Colors are a great way to impact your home’s interior design. The flooring colors your choose set the tone for the rest of your room, so lay your base with purpose. Looking at designer and consumer trends can help you find a direction when selecting a floor color.

Designers’ Color Trends

Many of the most prolific designers are advocating for natural and modern colors in 2023. We’re beginning to see subtle shades that coordinate well with other accent colors become more prominent, and the trend is only going to grow.

Simplistic elegance is set to continue as a central theme, and you’ll likely see these colors show up in trending flooring options:

• White: If you want a room to feel bigger or add a light, airy feel to your home, white flooring is an excellent choice. Bleached flooring visible underneath whitewashed decor reflects the beachy, weathered theme that’s becoming so popular. Almost anything goes with white, so you can always look for fresh interior designs with this versatile color.
• Grey: Grey has been around for a while, and it seems like it’s here to stay. It’s a versatile color that gives a home a modern, sleek feel that is simple and detailed. Grey floors will add depth and substance to a room.
• Beige: Floors with beige coloring have a natural and elegant look. Beige is also very flexible and can take on a vast array of shades.
• Greige: Another recently popular trend is mixing beige with grey, creating a color referred to as greige. It blends the modern aesthetic of grey with the natural, earthy tones of beige to create a shade that caters to many different tastes. Greige will likely become a top floor trend in 2023.
• Cool tones: Subtle blends such as blues and greens offer a varied design without becoming too overwhelming. These cooler tones add a sense of space and calmness to a home, as well as some personality.
• Honey: Honey colors can blend into your background while retaining cheery, energizing characteristics. Layering multiple honey types can add a tonal feeling to your home that’s inviting and warm.

View Vinyl Flooring Buying Guide

Customer Color Trends

The lighter colors above are trending with designers, and customers seem to be following suit in 2023. Compared to 2022, this is a great move in the industry.

50 Floor completed a survey in 2022, where survey takers chose their favorite options out of dark, medium, light, grey and white shades. In 2022, the top responses were medium and dark, with medium capturing roughly 35% of the vote, while nearly 25% of survey takers prefer dark floors.

Outside of medium and dark, the next highest colors were light and grey. These colors were in a tight race with light coming in at 17.85% and grey finishing with 17.66% of the vote. The lowest-rated survey response was white. Only 5.48% of homeowners preferred white floors.

However, 2023 shows more promise for designers and customers moving together. Dark colors are facing a downward trend, and many homeowners are searching for white oak flooring options. White oak provides a more uniform look that homeowners love, and more and more people are considering this elegant switch.

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Trendy vs. Classic Colors

Designers and homeowners are split on color preferences in 2023, highlighting a division between trendy and classic colors. We asked homeowners whether they prefer trendy or classic colors and why. Over 76% of homeowners prefer classic floor color while a little more than 23% prefer trendy.

Classic Floor Colors

The 76.84% of homeowners who preferred classic floor colors site longevity as their primary reason. These homeowners wanted to choose a flooring color that would stand the test of time rather than go out of style. Installing flooring is an investment of money and time, so many homeowners prefer making a one-time decision that will last for years. Medium and dark flooring has been popular for a long time, so it’s a safe choice for most homes.

Trendy Floor Colors

While classic floor colors were more popular with homeowners, 23.16% still prefer to go with the trends. As mentioned above, designers see numerous benefits in lighter floors, and some homeowners find those benefits to be worth the nontraditional decision.

Going with the trends allows homeowners to keep their homes looking stylish and modern, which can boost confidence in your home while also impressing when it’s time to sell. Trend followers may need to update their floors more frequently, but some homeowners find the end result worth the investment.

Sustainability

Together with Gen Xers, Millennials now make up the largest share of U.S. homebuyers. This generation actively seeks out sustainable products and eco-friendly alternatives to their home. Recycled materials and sustainable options will highlight 2023 trends and continue to become more prevalent.

Millennials have shown that they value sustainable materials even if they come at a higher price, and the market will reflect this. You’ll start to see more flooring options that cater to this sustainable theme. While untreated wood and sustainable materials will be at the forefront, another rising trend in 2023 will likely be reclaimed wood.

Reclaimed wood is taken from removed or demolished structures — factories, old barns, wine casks or retired ships. The lumber is recovered and recycled for use in someone’s home. It’s a sustainable practice that also brings additional benefits:

• Rich history: With reclaimed wood, you could be getting lumber that was once a bridge or old sea vessel. Reclaimed wood is the perfect product for history lovers, as it carries a long and authentic story along with it. Reclaiming wood is a way to honor those who helped shape our history and preserve the materials they used.
• Durability: Old wood is strong wood. Today, our wood typically comes from young trees. The older the wood is, the greater the odds that it came from older, stronger, and more durable trees. Trees from older forests had decades to grow firm and solid, and the timber they produced maintained those qualities. Reclaimed wood often makes extremely durable flooring.
• Community investment: In order to use this wood, the material first needs to be reclaimed. When old houses are removed to make way for new construction, deconstruction creates 6-8 times more jobs than demolition.

Instead of adding a finish that tries to echo the designs of old wood, you can have the authentic version in your own home, along with the long, rich history that comes with it. The sustainable aspects of reclaimed wood plus its unique added character will likely continue to make it a top choice for homeowners.

Making Statements

Creating unique looks that reflect your style and personality is the way to go this year. Statement pieces have a place in the home this year, and homeowners are choosing to reflect their taste in a variety of ways. Carpets, stone looks and large tiles are surfacing in new ways.

Carpets

Luscious carpets help create relaxation and coziness. Low-pile options are excellent for integrating sleek looks, and embossed patterns or bold prints are surefire ways to transform a space.

50 Floor found that textured carpets were among the top Google searches for carpets last year, and we expect the trend to carry into 2023. Additionally, white and black were the top searched color options for this flooring type, staying on trend with the rest of 2023’s tone.

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Stone Looks

Stone flooring is making a resurgence in flooring trends, incorporating historical elements and modern taste to create chic spaces. Luxury vinyl tiles can create this look, and you can add character to your spaces with white or black colors to stay on trend while upgrading your room.

50 Floor has found that kitchens and bathrooms remain at the top of the list for popular rooms to get new flooring in 2023, and these areas are perfect for flooring that resembles stone. These styles add a stunning foundation to any space.

Large Tile

Large tiles are another 2023 flooring trend. Expansive tiles can make your space seem bigger. Tiles come in an array of sizes, so you can always find a way to create a space you love. Tile can also mimic other flooring materials.

White and black tiles are the top Google searches for this flooring option. Large tiles can enhance many aesthetics, as well. Sleek and neutral tiles can complement modern spaces, while organic-styled tiles can add to the soft feel of a rustic room. Additionally, you can extend your tile use to backsplashes for a cohesive look.

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Contact 50 Floor for Your 2023 Remodeling Project

With all of the new trends hitting the market in 2023, you could be looking to buy a new floor for your home. 50 Floor is the company you need to bring all of your flooring desires to life. We’re a trusted, reliable flooring company that offers our customers simple ways to make their buying experience exceptional:

• Convenience: Our trained professionals are dedicated to making every step of your buying process as easy as possible. We work with vetted installers and handle all of the tedious details like moving furniture and cleaning up. We can thoroughly answer any and all of your questions and make sure we get the right floors for you.
• Shop-at-home: You won’t have to drive to different locations to find the flooring you want — at 50 Floor, we bring the floor to you. You can see how it will look in the actual space and see how the room’s lighting and colors interact with it. We want to make sure when you buy your floor, you’re getting exactly what you want — that’s why we make sure to let you test out the flooring in your own home.
• Reliability: Our Gold Star One-Year Installation shows that we put pride in our work and ensure that we do a good job every time. Our professional team sets customer service as a priority and is committed to helping you through the process every step of the way.

With more than four decades of combined experience, 50 Floor has the knowledge and the service you need to find your new flooring. We are committed to creating an experience that offers cost-effective flooring paired with excellent customer service. 

Your flooring is an expression of yourself — it defines the character of your home and adds to the ambiance of a room. Our team at 50 Floor is committed to guiding you to the perfect choice. Just schedule an appointment that’s convenient for you. We’ll send out a representative to come to your home and show you a wide selection of flooring options. Once you find the one you like, we’ll schedule the installation, and you could have your new floor in within a day. Contact us today!

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