Let’s be honest, constantly adapting your home in line with new design trends can be a real pain, especially if on a tight budget. While many people want their flooring to always be in fashion and up-to-date, there are also many who would prefer their flooring to act as a reliable foundation for any number of different styles.
Some flooring designs are like fashion statements (cork, graphic tiles, terrazzo), some have a cyclical life-span and make comebacks every five years (parquet, whitewashed wood, shag carpet), while some will never become outmoded. Of course, none of these designs are more or less suitable than the other – it all comes down to your personal preferences and how often you are willing to renovate. In this post, though, we’re going to focus on the latter: timeless flooring options that are able to complement any kind of decor at any time.
Hardwood floors
Real hardwood flooring has been around all throughout history and right the way up until the present day, making it the most obvious choice for a timeless style of flooring. Wood will never look outdated in your home, so you don’t have to worry about its timelessness being restrictive in any way. On the contrary, it’s an incredibly versatile choice: available in a vast array of shapes and sizes, acceptable to use in any room of the house, and capable of being modified and refurbished in line with modern trends.
There are kinds of wooden flooring, however, which are susceptible to fluctuations in popularity. Distressed textures, intricate parquets, dark colours and reclaimed driftwoods have all dipped in and out of fashion over the years, making them less appropriate choices if you’re shooting for stability and timelessness. For hardwoods that stand the test of time look at classic materials such as oak, maple, ash and mahogany, and consider more natural mid-tone colours that aren’t too bright or too dark.
Carpets
For a carpet to be truly timeless it needs to have colours and patterns which aren’t likely to go out of fashion any time soon. Just look at houses that still have 60s-style retro carpets: deep piles with abstract patterns coloured in burnt orange or mustard yellow, you know the types! Well, despite being totally groovy at the time, they are now a bit too loud and garish for modern sensibilities.
Simplicity is the key to keeping carpets in vogue. Solid colours with neutral tones are able to complement almost anything, while gradients and multi-coloured palettes are more likely to clash with things over time (even if you can make it work perfectly with what you’ve got now, that may change too). You may find such colour schemes boring and stale, and if you feel the need for something more vibrant and out-there then perhaps the timeless choice isn’t for you. Just bear in mind that you can drastically change the aesthetic of a room without ripping up the floor and changing designs every couple of years: a lot can still be added by way of furniture, rugs, wallpapers and cushions. Just saying, it’s certainly a lot less effort!
Tiled floors
Having been used in floors from ancient Greece to medieval Europe, tile is guaranteed to give your home a timeless look and reduce the need for trendy updates in years to come. In more recent times, ceramic tile is often chosen for its physical and stylistic durability, making it a staple of bathrooms and kitchens the world over. In particular, rooms with large monochrome tiles can be adapted to a range of different interiors, whether traditional, rustic, urban or modern.
Generally speaking, it makes more sense to avoid complex blends of shapes, patterns, and colours when going for a timeless look as it’s a lot more difficult to match with. That said, you don’t have to limit yourself to familiar off-the-shelf options. Your home will always be a lot easier to adapt with classic tile flooring, even if its patterns and colourings are a little more unique.
Vinyl floors
Despite being the most modern option on this list, the beauty of vinyl is its ability to replicate and adapt to a great number of different styles. Whether you end up opting for a wood or stone effect, vinyl gives off a timeless feel with an up-to-date twist.
Make sure that whichever designs you choose are able to easily complement changes and additions elsewhere in the room. As with carpet design, a vinyl floor that looks cool and edgy in relation to the current aesthetic of your home might begin to stick out like a sore thumb as your interior evolves over time. Sit on an idea for a while if you’re in any doubt, just like you would with a tattoo or a career change.
Looking for the perfect timeless floor and feeling a bit lost? Feel free to get in touch with a member of the Hudson Flooring team and we’d be delighted to help you out.
FAQs
Hardwood floors work with almost any style — year in, year out. Given that flooring is the biggest expanse of product you'll see in your new space, designer Christina Fluegge of Greige Design recommends going with a high-quality hardwood that allows you to refinish as time goes by rather than having to replace.
What floor never goes out of style? ›
Hardwood floors work with almost any style — year in, year out. Given that flooring is the biggest expanse of product you'll see in your new space, designer Christina Fluegge of Greige Design recommends going with a high-quality hardwood that allows you to refinish as time goes by rather than having to replace.
What type of flooring is timeless? ›
Solid and engineered hardwoods are as classic as they come in the world of flooring. Hardwood flooring ages well and has maintained popularity over the centuries. Hardwood can be refinished which is a major plus if you do want to update your floors.
What Colour floor makes a room look bigger? ›
Light vs Dark Colours
Lighter Shades: Enhance natural light and give an open, airy feeling. Ideal for smaller rooms that need to feel more spacious. White: Perhaps the most effective colour for enlarging a space. White flooring options are versatile and can complement a variety of design styles.
What is trending in flooring now? ›
Patterned Floors
"My favorite flooring trend thats growing has to be large wood panels and geometric designs," says Elizabeth Vergara, founder of Vergara Homes. These types of designs are prevalent in historic homes, but more homeowners are requesting them in new designs.
What floor color is timeless? ›
Neutral tones, such as classic shades of beige, taupe, and light gray, stand out as timeless choices that effortlessly complement various design styles. These muted hues not only create a sense of openness and tranquility but also serve as an adaptable backdrop for evolving decor preferences.
What is the color of timeless flooring? ›
There are two classic and timeless colours that you should consider. Pale and medium brown. Basically, make sure there is no grey or taupe in the floors you're choosing. Which one you should choose, though, depends on the style of your home.
What color flooring never goes out of style? ›
Honey-Colored Hardwoods: The Everlasting Appeal
When it comes to hardwood floor colors that never go out of style, honey-colored hardwoods like oak make a strong case for their timeless appeal. This warm, honey-hued wood possesses a classic charm that transcends fleeting design trends.
What flooring adds the most value to a home? ›
The more expensive flooring upgrades yield the highest returns and appeal most to homebuyers. And hardwood is the clear winner, followed by engineered hardwood and tile. Carpet and luxury vinyl tiles add comparable value, though vinyl is the cheapest option.
Should floors be darker or lighter than walls? ›
In most cases, you'll want your floors to be darker than your wall color with a flat white ceiling. As a rule of thumb, go at least 3 shades lighter on the walls than the floors. However, there are instances when you can add accent wall colors or paint in darker shades.
A lighter sofa will make a room seem larger by commanding less visual space. To make a room seem as large as possible, a sofa the same color as lighter-colored walls will appear to open the entire space up.
What flooring makes a kitchen look bigger? ›
Install tile flooring
Parquet tiles, for example, laid in a wide herringbone, chevron, or basketweave pattern, will immediately give the impression of a longer and wider space thanks to the way the lines draw the eye outwards. Choose a design and colour that complements your kitchen's existing decor.
What is the floor trend in 2024? ›
Wide Plank Hardwood
Jessica Dorling, owner and principal designer of Dorling Design Studio, predicts that extra wide 10-inch plank flooring will become more popular in the New Year. “This contemporary design in hardwood draws inspiration from European design, adding a sense of freshness to interiors,” Dorling says.
What is the best flooring to last a long time? ›
“Tile is the highest-rated flooring among the categories we test,” says Enrique de Paz, who leads flooring testing at Consumer Reports. “It doesn't wear out, scratch, or stain. Its color doesn't fade, it's waterproof, and it is surprisingly slip-resistant, even when wet.
What is the tile flooring for 2024? ›
Warm Neutrals for Flooring: Neutral colors are timeless classics that never go out of style. In 2024, warm neutrals like beige, cream, and taupe will dominate flooring options. These colors create a cozy and inviting atmosphere, making them ideal for both residential and commercial spaces.
What is the most timeless wood floor? ›
White-washed wood floors are a popular choice among homeowners seeking to infuse their living spaces with a sense of elegance, tranquility, and light. This classic choice of wood floor color has a timeless appeal that can transform any room into a serene, airy sanctuary.
What wood floors won't go out of style? ›
White-Washed Wood Floors are Versatile
The delicate balance of white pigment and the wood's natural grain results in a modern and timeless floor. White wood flooring effortlessly brightens up spaces, making them appear larger and more inviting.
What flooring goes with everything? ›
Tan and Natural Hardwood Flooring
Their neutral tones go with anything and are perfect for creating a setting suited for any design.
