Homeowners are increasingly recognizing the value hardwood floors add to their home, both aesthetically and financially.
“They also offer what can be an overwhelming variety of possibilities and choices,”Linda Jovanovich from the American Hardwood Information Center says, www.hardwoodinfo.com. “Here’s a look at five top flooring trends that will help if you can’t see the wood for the trees.”
Made in America
“There’s a growing demand for American-produced hardwoods,”Michael Martin, President & CEO of the National Wood Flooring Association.
“It’s part of the general trend toward locally-sourced materials of all kinds in the U.S.”
If a hardwood is grown and milled in the United States, consumers have more options for addressing concerns about safety, sustainability, and other environmental issues. Additionally, there are a wide range of species available in the United States that can be used for flooring.
Stains and Finishes
Gray is a classic “neutral”This color is never out of fashion. It is currently one of the most sought-after colors. Available in a variety of shades, including pale smoke and deep charcoal, it can be found on hardwood floors.
“Whether light or dark, gray stains bring out any wood’s natural grain and texture,” says New York interior designer Laura Bohn. “Grays are versatile and timeless – quiet and soothing colors that recede into the background without losing personality or becoming faceless. They work in any style décor, yet always look modern.”
Species
For many years, woods that were distinctive like hickory were the norm. But, recently, white oak has taken the lead. White oak is a beautiful wood with aesthetic advantages. It has durability, abundance, and a reasonable price.
“It can be stained light, dark, or somewhere in between,”Emily Morrow Finkell is the CEO of Emily Morrow Home, an interior designer. “Many of the popular gray-brown shades look especially sophisticated applied to white oak. Consumers see and love it in magazines and websites, making it a perfect ‘attainable home upgrade.'”
The bigger, the better
“It’s all about wide, wider, widest!”Michael Martin from the NWFA says so. “Planks of up to 7 inches in width are considered normal now. Traditional strip flooring still remains popular, but wide-plank is the market leader.”
Melissa Morgan from M Interiors in San Antonio said it. “Wider floorboards can make a space look larger and more modern. The floor can be treated like a canvas: ebonized for a sleek, dark look; light-stained for an urban vibe; distressed for a rustic affect – the possibilities are endless.”
Popular Patterns
“One way to set your home interior apart is by tapping into the trend for herringbone-and- chevron-pattern hardwood floors, which show up increasingly in decorating magazines,”Morrow Finkell. Michael Martin says the opposite. “Since installing herringbone floors is a time-and labor-intensive process, they’re more common in high-end projects than in the average middle-class home.”These floors can be a beautiful addition to any room if you have the funds.
Visit www.hardwoodinfo.comFor more information on residential design trends, as well as other applications and products that use American hardwoods, visit www.AmericanHardwoods.com.
