Flooring can make a dramatic impact in the look and feel of a home, not to mention add value to it. But, like any other design element, styles in flooring change with the times.
Here’s a rundown of what’s hot right now if you're looking to make some renovations before putting your home on the market:
Plank tile: Tile is always a good choice in Scottsdale because it helps keep your home cool in the summer, is easy to maintain, and is durable. Now, thanks to plank tiles it’s also one of the most popular flooring options on the market.
Plank tile offers the look of real wood without the work often associated with it, and it can be used in areas where wood normally shouldn’t be installed due to moisture: the kitchen, laundry room, and bathrooms. It’s also easy to clean and stain resistant. Plus, if you ever break a tile, you won’t have a problem replacing it whereas, if you need to replace a plank, it can be a challenge finding a piece that matches the others.
Dark hardwood floors: Whether you decide to go with tile or real wood, dark is the way to go. Think ebony or Jacobean, a very dark brown, for a contemporary yet classic look. Dark wood is particularly popular when used as a contrast for white design elements. The downside: it shows dust and scratches.
Also worth noting: size matters. Five inch planks have been the standard for years, but there’s a trend towards six and seven inch planks, with some as wide as 12 inches.
Gray hardwood floors: Dark floors may be a timeless classic, but if you want a hip, chic look, go gray. Gray hardwood floors create drama; they are unexpected. They can also be a bit more expensive because it’s tricky to get the right balance, so be sure to hire a professional who has experience staining wood floors gray.
An offshoot of the gray hardwood flooring trend are white washed floors, which are making somewhat of a comeback. It’s also difficult to get the right balance, so again, be careful to hire a professional with experience.
Bamboo in colors and styles: Until recently, if you wanted bamboo, you had few options to choose from when it came to the final look of your floor.
Now, you’ll find bamboo floors that replicate everything from beach wood to barn wood and reclaimed oak. It also comes in a variety of colors, and yes, you can even get ebony and gray.
Patterned and textured carpet: You’ve probably heard that neutral, in particular shades of gray and taupe, is the only way to go if you are planning on installing carpet. Bold doesn’t sell.
That doesn’t mean your carpet has to be boring. In fact, carpets with textured loops or striations are popular because they minimize vacuum marks and reduce the appearance of dirt. Two-toned carpets and carpets with geometric patterns also liven up a space.
Luxury vinyl tile: You probably weren’t expecting to see vinyl tile on a list of trendy flooring options, but today’s vinyl tile isn’t that peel-and-stick stuff from the 50s. It’s designed to mimic the look of natural stone, including slate, travertine, and marble as well as woods like maple, oak, walnut, and pine. Luxury vinyl tile that replicates wood typically comes as planks instead of squares, giving it even an even more authentic look.
Flooring is just one piece of a bigger, more valuable puzzle when it comes to renovating your home to sell. Give us a call today for more tips on easy upgrades or to take a look at some houses in the area with amazing upgrades.
