Designing a home is never easy – every aspect of it requires special care and dedication. Take flooring for instance. The aim of a smooth and sturdy floor should be to stay intact for a very long time. Hence, the selection process is as tedious as they come, especially, with the market introducing a multitude of new options every now and then. But it’s always best to go with your instincts and expert advices rather than following trends. Here are a few flooring trends that are currently popular for their style and function.
Tile trend
One would imagine, tiles have taken a back seat after the arrival of the variety of new flooring materials in the market, but that’s not the case. Tiles are catching up with the trend and bringing out new designs and textures every year. Popular among them are wood-effect look tiles, large-format thin tiles, hexagon tiles, terracotta tiles and Herringbone tile pattern. Wood-effect tiles are predicted as the next big thing in the flooring world. These are glazed vitrified tiles developed with the latest technology. Terracotta is no different. Many tile experts predict that it’ll rule the tile world in the coming days.
Unbeatable bamboo
No, we are not talking about tree houses. Bamboo floors have taken the home circuit by storm decades ago with their unique textural quality and style. Latest products from the genre promise eclectic colours and durability. Strand-woven bamboo, made with inner fibres, is twice as strong as other bamboo floorings and hence, the current favourite of home buyers and builders. Thin banded styles have been replaced with wide-plank styles which look exactly like hardwood flooring. But it’s best to keep bamboo away from moisture prone areas such as kitchen and bathroom.
Antique marble
A visit to some of biggest architectural wonders in the world would tell you that marble has been around for centuries. In India, aside from tiles and granite, marble is the most popular material used for flooring. Antique marble designed like distressed wood is high in demand for its peculiar appearance and stability. It will go well with a classic design as well as a modern day home, if styled with care. People with minimalistic tastes pick marble for its finesse and simple designs.
Affordable vinyl
The newcomer in the vinyl department, which easily became the builders’ favourite, is luxury vinyl tile (LVT). It is as long lasting as vinyl and gives out the look of a fine hardwood floor. Unlike wood, it fights moisture and can be used everywhere including bathroom and kitchen. LVT also comes in different designs and patterns, other than wood. It even offers customisation options. It’s pocket-friendly as well as extremely effective as far as durable floorings are concerned.
