The Top 10 Flooring Trends for 2022

What are the hottest, most sought-after flooring options? Interior designers and other pros share what their clients are currently choosing.

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Empty kitchen in contemporary house
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Hardwood

According to Joe Ferguson from Skirting R Us (skirting = baseboard), hardwood still rules in customer flooring demands if budget allows. Durable and beautiful, hardwood can also be tailored to your home design because there are many wood species available.

“Oak, maple and cherry are all great choices if you are looking to invest in lasting and quality flooring,” Ferguson says.

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Light Oak Hardwood

One particular hardwood choice remains tops on many people’s list. Michelle Harrison-McAllister, interior designer for Michelle Harrison Design, says “light oak is still the queen of the household” for light interiors or the Scandinavian boho vibe.

Harrison-McAllister says it’s a versatile choice that creates a relaxed home vibe whether you live near the beach or in a downtown high-rise.

“If you [want] a modern, fresh and airy approach to set the tone for the interior styling in any room in your home,” she says, “try keeping the same flooring throughout to trick the eye to an infinite space, making your home feel larger and less cluttered.”

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Old brown rustic wood wall paneling. hardwood floor texture. wooden timber background.
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Reclaimed Hardwood

Not all homeowners put in new hardwood, however.

Thanks to a surging interest in sustainable, environmentally friendly practices, Ferguson says that many homeowners are going with reclaimed wood flooring salvaged from elsewhere and refitted for the new floor.

“People are focusing on recycling more and making the most of materials that are already there, ready to be used,” he says.

Another plus: Depending on the vintage, homeowners can score higher-quality old-growth wood that isn’t available on the regular market anymore. Why? Because regulations have changed, so cutting down these source trees is no longer allowed.

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Loft studio apartment in a classic style
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Parquet

Harrison-McAllister says choosing a parquet-style floor — that is, wood strips arranged in a geometric pattern, such as herringbone — is a classy choice.

Parquet floors can be natural wood or engineered. Harrison-McAllister says sometimes engineered planks are easier to install, and both options provide an elegant look in the dining room, living room and/or kitchen.

“Parquet will elevate your home credibility immediately,” she says.

It’s worth noting that parquet-style floors can be created from marble, porcelain, ceramic and recycled glass tiles. If you like the patterns but want a tile floor, you have options.

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Modern dining room interior
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Natural Concrete

People who own lofts or mid-century-style homes are increasingly opting for natural concrete flooring, Harrison-McAllister says. Concrete comes in honed and polished finishes. It’s also available in lots of colors and textures, which Harrison-McAllister says lend a distinct aesthetic to every floor.

It’s cheaper than hardwood, typically low-VOC, highly durable and low-maintenance. If you build on grade, weight shouldn’t be a concern. If you’re installing on an upper floor, consult a structural engineer. Also, you can consider lightweight concrete.

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Modern Bathroom
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Marble

Harrison-McAllister says classic marble is making a big comeback for entryways and bathrooms, due to its sophistication and elegance.

“These spaces typically get overlooked, and now we are embracing a new style of flooring to elevate the space and give it a spa-like feel,” she says. “Pattern play in black and white give a modern approach to a vintage-style space.”

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wooden parquet texture, Wood texture for design and decoration
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Waterproof SPC Rigid-Core Vinyl

Sean Chapman, a professional carpenter and founder of Tools’n’Goods, says stone plastic or polymer composite (SPC) rigid-core vinyl is the most popular option he’s currently seeing, because it’s super-durable and affordable. Prices range from $2.50 to $5.00/sq. ft., he says. It’s also available in various natural-looking styles and traditional shapes like planks and tiles.

“If you compare this material to older vinyl flooring options, you will notice that it has significantly more advanced texture and printing technology,” Chapman says. It’s also waterproof, and cleaning is a snap. “This material is very easy to install, so any DIYer can tackle the job,” he says.

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Interior Decoration
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Luxury Vinyl Tile

David Mason, an interior designer and owner of The Knobs Company, says he still gets lots of requests for luxury vinyl tile (LVT). While LVT has been gaining popularity as a hardwood substitute, it’s also moved into the tile realm, especially for high-moisture rooms like bathrooms and home gyms.

“There are so many styles and finishes available now, it’s easy to find something that will match any décor,” Mason says. “Plus, vinyl is a really durable material that can withstand a lot of wear and tear.”

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Modern apartment living room with large TV over wooden cabinet Orchid, cork floorboards and door to corridor. Real room of real estate residential house.
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Cork

Along with the movement toward more natural, warmer, earthier tones in homes comes the sentiment behind it: Being more friendly to the environment. Mason says that homeowners are increasingly choosing cork floors as a result.

But it’s not just sustainability and a warm feel that motivates the choice. It turns out cork has excellent acoustic and thermal properties; it feels warm and soft underfoot. It’s also water-resistant (which helps keep bugs away) and lightweight, and holds up like hardwood.

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Bamboo wood texture background in natural light yellow cream color
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Bamboo

If cork isn’t your thing, you still have other eco-friendly options. Bamboo flooring is a trendy contender, Mason says. Strong, durable and made from one of the fastest-growing plants on the planet, it can be sustainably harvested.

Strand-woven bamboo is twice as strong as oak and can be used for flooring in climates with wild temperature fluctuation. It’s available in different colors, grains and plank sizes, including parquet!.


Katie Dohman
Katie Dohman is an award-winning freelance writer who has written about various lifestyle topics for more than 15 years. She’s reported on spa bathroom designs, decor trends from every decade, pendant light fixtures and more for Family Handyman. Additionally, Katie’s work has appeared in Artful Living, Midwest Home, Star Tribune and Teen Vogue. She and her husband are currently working on a complete gut remodel of their 1921 home.