What’s Trending in Flooring for 2022

The real estate market has been hot during the pandemic and so, too, have renovations. Unable to travel and forced to spend much of the past two years at home due to government COVID restrictions, property owners have been using their savings to tackle remodelling projects, many of which include updating existing flooring. As this trend is not expected to wane, here’s what’s in style for 2022.

Black and White
Black and white transcends time and styles, so it is no wonder it consistently comes back in fashion. This time around the nostalgic colour duo is playing prominently on floors in a range of designs, from maximalist to modern Mediterranean to minimalist, each of which makes a bold yet classy statement.

Antibacterial
When the pandemic hit, people became fanatical about wiping down every surface in their home. Residential flooring manufacturers picked up on this and they’re taking already wellness-friendly materials and adding antibacterial properties to make them even more appealing. Take Mannington Mills, which has pioneered a solution that offers a more effective systemic approach to cleaning. Metal-based antimicrobial technologies are built into the wear layer of its luxury vinyl tiles and planks to provide enhanced surface protection against the growth of troublesome microbes, mould and mildew. This helps to proactively maintain cleanliness and combat damage, odours and staining caused by the growth of microorganisms on the surface. The Microban technology is always active, working 24-7 for the expected lifetime of the flooring, and doesn’t wash off or wear away, functioning alongside regular disinfection and cleaning practices.

Patterns and Pizzazz
The past almost two years have allowed homeowners to really assess what they want their home to reflect. As a result, the overarching trend in home design is creative expression, individuality and design freedom. This is playing out on the floor in two-tone inlays, patterns — herringbone and chevron designs in kitchens, bathrooms and other spaces are particularly popular — and even different tones. Also, with supply chain interruptions and lumber prices soaring, upcycling of flea market finds of reclaimed wood is on the rise.

Japandi
A fusion of Scandinavian design and Japanese interiors, Japandi is an east-meets-west trend that combines relaxing, minimalist decor with a neutral palette and natural materials. When it comes to floors, nothing speaks Japandi more than hardwood. Interiors generally contain a contrasting mix of light and mid-to-dark woods, so both a pale white oak on the lighter side of the spectrum or dark walnut stain oak on the opposite end can achieve this aesthetic.

Weathered Effect
While the worn flooring trend has been around for a while, the number of consumers opting for the aged look continues to rise as it creates that homey feel. This antique appearance, created by artificially aging and styling the flooring, is not limited to wood but includes concrete, too. The material is dimensionally stable, which means it won’t size due to heat and humidity, unlike wood.

This article was originally published on CoveringsCanada.ca, the website for Canada’s floor covering magazine.