When it comes time to say goodbye to outdated and old-fashioned flooring, homeowners find themselves with some important decisions to make for their space.
Now that it’s time to replace the floors you walk on daily in your home or business, what should you replace them with?
Most opt to find something evergreen that fits the rest of their modern decor and will remain popular and in style for many years.
But what is the most popular flooring choice right now? And how do you know it will still be popular twenty years from now?
If that question has you puzzling over the various types of flooring options available to you, then this blog will help you with your decision-making journey.
We’re going to take you through the most popular flooring trends throughout the 20th century and how they have shaped what flooring is in demand today.
Flooring Trends of the 20th Century
If you’ve been inside an older house or building, you have probably noticed just how much flooring can date a space.
Black and white tile conjures up images of the ‘50s and ‘60s, and shag carpeting and green and brown patterned linoleum can immediately take us back to the ‘70s.
These are just a few examples of popular flooring trends in the United States during the 20th century that many of us grew up with or still see in the homes we live in or visit.
Featured: Brenwick Signature from the Modin LVP Collection
How long did these flooring types remain stylish choices?
Let’s explore the trends by decade:
1900– 1920s
During this period, hardwood flooring, predominantly oak or pine, reigned supreme in countless residential properties and was valued for its versatility, beauty, and elegance.
While carpet was present, especially in wealthier homes, it was not nearly as common as hardwood.
These decades also saw the rise of synthetic flooring materials like vinyl and linoleum, which offered homeowners more flooring options than had ever been available before and at a price point many folks just couldn’t pass up.
Linoleum and ceramic tile were common in wet areas like entryways, kitchens, and bathrooms.
1930s–1940s
As the Great Depression ravaged the country, cheaper flooring materials like vinyl and linoleum began to rise in popularity.
In the ‘30s and ‘40s, linoleum, which had already been rising in popularity, took the crown from hardwood to become the country’s most popular flooring choice.
Homes all over the country favored linoleum for its durability, customizable styles, moisture resistance, and ease of maintenance.
1950s–1960s
Vinyl flooring climbed the ranks to bump out linoleum during the first few post-WWII years.
While vinyl had been relatively popular during previous decades, new manufacturing techniques during this time made it even more affordable and accessible to homeowners. Not only was it cheap, it was easy to install, easy to maintain, and available in various colors and patterns, allowing homeowners to customize it to their style.
That, combined with its durability and versatility, made vinyl the most popular flooring of these decades.
1970s–1990s
While carpet had always been around and still is today, it was in the ‘70s that carpet was truly in vogue.
Many homes featured (and continue to feature) wall-to-wall carpeting in various colors, piles, and textures. Even though laminate resurged in the ‘80s, carpet remained a prevalent choice.
It wasn’t until the ‘90s that hardwood, which had been common in homes for centuries, came full circle to become the number-one flooring choice once more.
Advances in manufacturing also made other wood-look options available, such as engineered hardwood and wood-patterned linoleum and vinyl, offering homeowners the classic look of hardwood without the hefty cost and difficulty of maintenance.
Most Popular Flooring for Modern Homes, 2000–Today
Looking back, it’s easy to see how flooring trends come and go.
Flooring in the United States has undergone a cyclical evolution from hardwood to linoleum to carpet to hardwood again.
As one of your home’s most prominent features, flooring can make a massive impact on your space’s overall aesthetic and style, so it’s no surprise that hardwood flooring has always been a popular choice.
Featured: Anza 7" from the Silvan Resilient Hardwood Collection
Today, home builders still opt for the classic and timeless look of hardwood flooring in new homes, especially in living rooms, dining rooms, and other areas meant to entertain guests.
In recent years, however, home builders have increasingly turned to materials like rigid LVP (luxury vinyl plank) as a more durable alternative to natural hardwood floors. Rigid LVP combines the elegance and timeless appeal of natural hardwood with the cost-effectiveness, durability, and ease of maintenance of vinyl, so it is not difficult to see why.
These features make LVP one of the most popular choices for flooring material today for new home builders and home and business owners all over the country.
LVP and Engineered Hardwood Flooring from Flooret
Since history has proven that wood-look floors have always been in style, it stands to reason that they always will be, making LVP or engineered hardwood flooring an excellent choice for a homeowner looking for popular and modern flooring options for their home that will truly stand the test of time.
Featured: Soho Signature from the Modin LVP Collection
Flooret is pleased to offer designer-curated collections of stylish rigid LVP and Engineered Resilient Hardwood floors in various shades and textures that will match and enhance your home's existing decor.
Check out the Modin LVP Collection for luxury vinyl plank flooring that is 100% waterproof, sustainably sourced, cost-effective, and stands up to anything life throws at it.
If a natural wood floor is more your style, our Silvan Resilient Engineered Hardwood floors give you all of the aesthetic beauty of hardwood with a super dense core, topically waterproof guarantee, and UV-cured acrylic protective coating that is made to last.
Whatever your style, Flooret has the perfect floor for you and your space.
Need help deciding? Our expert team can help put you on the path to a modern and beautiful floor that is sure to remain in style for generations to come.
