It’s 2016, and that means new flooring trends. Yes, we know it’s only one year past 2015, but if there’s anything we learned in 2015, it’s that flooring trends change swiftly. So let’s take a quick look at some new trends we expect to see in the new year.
Keeping It Green
With a big push on everything being environmentally friendly, the flooring industry is right on board, especially with carpeting. Carpet manufacturers are finding new ways to keep carpeting eco-friendly all while giving it that cushy, soft feeling that customers are looking for. Carpeting manufacturers are also finding ways to recycle old material for new products, including using old nylon for new carpeting and melting down polyester to make new fiber over and over. We expect to see new strategies from some of the leading carpeting manufacturers this year.
Hardwood & Laminate In Kitchens
A big trend we’ve seen develop in the last few years is the creation of the “great room” which is basically the combination of the living room and the kitchen. More than ever, homes are now being built and renovated with an open kitchen to the living room in order to make it feel like one room. Long gone are the days when the chef was secluded by themselves to cook for everyone else. This means people are looking to have the same floor in the their kitchen that they have in their living room. This leads us to believe that we will start to see more and more hardwood and laminate floors being placed in kitchens.
Bigger the Better
As tile continues to grow in popularity, more and more different styles are hitting the market. We’ve noticed consumers are starting to look for bigger size tiles beyond that of the typical 12-by-12 inch tiles. Rectangular style tiles as big as 12-by-24 are becoming popular simply because tiles are able to now mimic other styles of flooring, such as hard wood, fabric and concrete.
As the new year progresses, new flooring trends will hit the market. Sometimes it’s predictable to see what consumers will start to use, and sometimes styles pop up out of the blue with little to no warning. So think outside the box a little this year and see if you can start your own new trends.
