FIVE HOT TRENDS IN HARDWOOD FLOORING
More than ever, homeowners are appreciating the added
value that hardwood floors bring to a home.
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,” says Michael Martin, President and 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.” Consumer concerns about sustainability, quality, safety
and environmental factors are more easily addressed when
a hardwood is domestically grown and milled. Plus, the U.S.
offers an unrivaled range of readily available species suitable
for flooring.
Stains and Finishes
Gray is a classic “neutral” that’s never truly out of fashion. It’s
currently one of the most popular colors, ranging from pale
smoke to deep charcoal, showing up in hardwood flooring.
“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 several years, the trend was toward woods like hickory,
but recently white oak has moved to the front. Along with
abundance, durability and reasonable cost, white oak offers
aesthetic advantages. Many of the popular gray-brown shades
look especially sophisticated applied to white oak.
The Wider, The Better
It’s all about wide, wider, widest. 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.
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 effect—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. Since
installing herringbone floors is a time- and labor-intensive
process, they’re more common in high-end projects. Still, if
you can afford to splurge, these floors are a gorgeous addition
to any room.
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transformed into a workspace with the right planning, and
the whole office can be put away at day’s end by simply
closing the closet door.
If you have even less space to work with, try a wall-
mounted desk that can be extended when in use and
collapsed flush with the wall when it’s not. Cubby holes
built into the interior wall area can also provide places for
storage in a tight space. A creative builder can help you
make the most of your available space.
If your work area is not separated from the rest of your
home and building a wall is not an option, there are still
attractive ways to define your space. For example, tall
wooden shutters can be linked together with hinges and
painted any color to create a private area. Though not
soundproof, they can create an intimate atmosphere of
privacy when needed for oneself or seeing clients. Tall silk
plants, such as a series of ficus trees, can also be used to
divide the space.
Don’t skimp on your office chair! It’s likely a place
where you will be sitting for several hours every single
day. Make sure it’s comfortable and provides plenty of
lumbar support, in addition to being an attractive addition
to your office. Visit Spine-Health.com for some helpful
suggestions on choosing the right chair that will work best
for you.
BATHROOM BEAUTY
Though your bathroom may not spring to mind as
the place to hold your next cocktail party, with the right
accoutrements your bath can be a great place to hang out
and enjoy life. And if you live with family members, it may
be the only place in your house where you can truly be
alone for a bit.
Besides just being a place to “get ready” to meet the day,
it’s also a relaxing space to recharge your batteries after a
long week at work. Hydrotherapy is one of the best ways
to relieve stress and help tired, overworked muscles. With
tons of specialized showerheads, you can have everything
from the sprinkle of a gentle rain to an invigorating
massage to bring your body back to center. And a nice
relaxing bath in a soaker tub can make the world go away
for a while.
Does all of this sound like a fantasy? Maybe not.
According to designer Mary Laipple, Director of the
Kitchen and Bath Design Studio at 84 Lumber, you may