Prepare to be Floored

Eight trends that are sure to influence sales in 2022

By Bryan Sebring

Flooring trends change as customers acquire new tastes, and technology allows a larger variety of flooring designs for remodelling projects. Of late, medium brown tones have struck the right note with homeowners, and so have finishes ranging from ebony to driftwood. Imperfect floors with mineral streaks and knots have also proven popular, adding both character and a natural feel to interior spaces. And then there is faux flooring, with tile that looks like wood especially favoured. This year is bound to bring with it new and perhaps even more exciting trends. Here are eight that are forecasted for 2022.

FUMED FLOORING

Almost all types of wood flooring undergo some kind of staining to give it the desired final finish. But fumed wood floors get their rich colour and strong grain without staining. The wood is put through a process called fuming. This involves placing the wood in a chamber where airborne ammonia is re-

Photos courtesy Sebring Design Build

leased. The wood reacts with the ammonia and undergoes a colour change. How long the planks are exposed to the ammonia determines the different colours within a collection. There may even be variation from dark to light shades between similar pieces of wood. The patina achieved depends on the type of wood, outside environment and the atmosphere in the chamber itself. The final result is natural-looking floors with enhanced colour and contrasts of the wood planks.

Airborne fuming is not to be confused with the surface application of liquid ammonia to wood planks. This process risks damaging the fibre of the wood and may weaken its structure. It also does not provide the soft patina that is attained with airborne ammonia.

These shapes are also proving popular in ‘smaller’ sizes when used in a trickling pattern, which blends together separate materials like tile and wood to create a beautiful flow from one area to the next.

BLEACHED AND BLANCHED WOODS

Not everyone likes the glossy brown stains of most wood floors. For some, the softer look of a bleached floor is more their taste. This kind of flooring consists of wood that has undergone a bleaching process, also called blanching. It involves applying a chemical solution onto the surface of the wood to get rid of the ‘colour’ — the artificial dye or stain coating the wood. Blanching gives the wood an ashy white-washed appearance with the natural wood grain still clearly visible underneath.

There are two options to achieve this look, which will be especially popular in seaside retreats and characteristically country/farmhouse homes, though it is expected to transcend all house styles. The first is to bleach existing wood floors. However, this is often expensive and tedious work. The alternative is to replace with readymade blanched flooring.

FEELING DISTRESSED

The distressed floor trend has been around for some time but it has become progressively popular in recent years. Going forward, expect to see more homeowners opt for that luxury aged look in their flooring to create the rustic look that’s so desired.

Distressed wood flooring undergoes artificial aging and styling processes that give it a slightly worn finish. Various actions are taken depending on the degree and style of ‘distress’ desired. The edges of each wood plank are hand scraped, swirl and kerf markings are added to imitate historic wood, and planks are brushed to remove glossing and give them a soft worn texture.

The distressed look is also increasingly being seen on concrete flooring, as homeowners seek out alternatives to traditional wood. Like its wood counterpart, distressed concrete goes through artificial processes to minimize the highly polished appearance and produce an enhanced worn-out patina. Distressed concrete flooring can be integrated into most types of decors but works best in industrial and contemporary home styles.

PRETTY PATTERNS

For a twist on standard hardwood flooring, homeowners continue to turn to geometric designs like chevron and herringbone, especially in kitchens, bathrooms and entryways. These patterns create visual interest within a space and offer a luxurious European feel. Herringbone pieces are rectangular and cut at a 90-degree angle, while chevrons are cut at a 45-degree angle at the end and fitted together at a point, creating a zigzag pattern. For this reason, chevron patterns often impart a modern feel, whereas herringbone can give a more traditional and heritage effect in a space.

\\ Bold black and white patterned tiles add interest to this residential dual-purpose space, which functions as the family’s a mudroom and laundry room.

bringing back the warmth and memories of decades’ past. In 2022, black and white tiles are making a strong comeback. These aren’t the same old black and white tiles that adorn historic homes. Instead, they’re bold, graphic and more luxurious, offered in both large format and smaller tile sizes to create the perfect blend of vintage and contemporary style.

VINYL RENAISSANCE

Vinyl will maintain its status as the fastest growing flooring material. It is soft (and quiet) underfoot, making it pleasant to stand on for extended periods, and warmer to the touch than hard surfaces like tile. What’s more, vinyl withstands water and does not easily dent, stain or fade, making it a good choice for rooms with a lot of foot traffic. It’s available in a wide variety of colours, levels of gloss and designs, including those that mimic wood and tile, and is easy to install.

Vinyl flooring can be purchased in sheets, planks and tiles. Vinyl sheets are usually available in six and sometimes 12-foot-wide rolls. Vinyl composition tile (VCT) is mainly produced from limestone and costs less. Solid vinyl tile (SVT) and luxury vinyl tile (LVT) are commonly made from multiple layers of vinyl. Some products can even be ‘grouted’ for a more realistic look. Vinyl planks are designed to strongly resemble hardwood, boasting a realistic texture and bevelled edges, and are even available in similar sized planks to timber.

OVERSIZED SHAPES

Bigger is better is the opinion of many homeowners who have been increasingly drawn to large format porcelain tiles for kitchen and bathroom renovations. Now they’re looking for non-standard shapes like hexagons, triangles, diamonds and parallelograms to create patterns underfoot.

These shapes are also proving popular in ‘smaller’ sizes when used in a trickling pattern, which blends together separate materials like tile and wood to create a beautiful flow from one area to the next. This look is generally best suited to larger rooms that call for bold concepts. Pairing materials in contrasting colours creates additional interest.

NATURAL HUES

Bringing everything back to basics and keeping it simple will be a fundamental aspect of the next decade. With an increasing focus on sustainability and ways to bring the outdoors inside, neutral colours will remain in vogue for some time. The simplicity, tranquility and coziness of natural woods go a long way to creating that soothing luxury so many people are looking to attain.

Bryan Sebring is president and founder of Sebring Design Build located in both Naperville, Ill., and Nashville, Tenn. With more than 25 years of experience, Bryan has won numerous design awards, both nationally and locally, and is a certified graduate remodeller, which is a National Association of Home Builders designation. He can be reached at bryan@sebringdesignbuild.com.