Seven Outdated Flooring Fashions to Bid Farewell to by 2025
Upgrade your floors for a lasting impression! Beware of the past's pitfalls. Scratched hardwood, chipped tile, or worn-out carpet aren't the only issues. Sometimes, outdated flooring can negatively impact your home's interior design, even if it's in excellent condition. If you're renovating floors in 2025 or planning a new home, design experts advise avoiding these seven flooring fads.
Thin grout lines
In tile design, the trend is shifting from broad grout lines to slimmer, near-minimal ones. Holly Badertscher, executive vice president of merchandising at Empire Today, warns, "Big grout lines are out, and the trend is toward more narrow grout lines for spaces like kitchens and bathrooms because they create a more seamless and clean look."
Affordable yet synthetic laminate flooring
Synthetic-looking flooring, such as laminate, has been losing popularity. Although it's affordable and durable, the mimicked hardwood appearance—especially grey-toned laminate—is no longer in fashion. Instead, consider investing in long-lasting, genuine hardwood. As long as it's waxed and protected, real wood can stand the test of time.
Intricate tile and plank designs
Highly detailed tiles and busy planks are not as appealing as simpler, more streamlined designs. They can lead to an overwhelming appearance that becomes stale over time. Designers are opting for flooring with consistent and cleaner styles to avoid the monotony of excessive visual elements.
Wall-to-wall carpeting
For years, wall-to-wall carpeting has been criticized for trapping odors, staining, and the accumulation of pests. Despite its warmth and practicality for bedrooms, many people are instead choosing tile, luxury vinyl, or wood as more versatile, long-lasting alternatives. However, rugs and runners provide versatility, allowing homeowners to update their interiors without the permanent commitment to flooring choices.
Over-lacquered hardwood floors
Super-glossy finishes on hardwood floors can make them look pristine, but they may reveal wear and damage more easily than anticipated. Additionally, they require considerable maintenance. Design experts recommend matte and satin finishes for a natural, low-maintenance look.
Dark hardwood flooring
The trend is moving away from extremely dark—even black—hardwood flooring. Designers are favoring lighter, warm brown-toned hardwoods, such as walnut and mahogany, that create a more inviting atmosphere.
Cool-tone flooring
Grey has been a popular choice for hardwood floors due to its versatility and easy adaptability. However, many designers feel that grey-washed floors can make spaces feel cold and sterile. Instead, they suggest embracing warmer, more inviting tones.
Check out the Enrichment section below for a deeper dive into 2025 flooring trends!
Enrichment Data:
- Overall:In 2025, design experts predict that the following flooring trends will become outdated:
- Glossy and high-maintenance finishes
- Standard wood-look flooring
- Complicated tile and plank designs
- Traditional wall-to-wall carpeting
- Excessively dark hardwood floors
- Cool-toned floors that promote a sterile environment
- Detailed Analysis:
- Glossy and high-maintenance finishes:Matte and textured finishes in tile and timber are becoming more popular as they provide a natural look and easier maintenance over high-gloss, over-lacquered surfaces.
- Standard wood-look flooring:Natural materials are in vogue, and synthetic materials like laminate flooring are gradually falling out of favor. Designers recommend choosing genuine hardwood for its longevity and potential to withstand multiple generations.
- Complicated tile and plank designs:Detailed tile and plank designs can contribute to maximumist styles but may become monotonous over time. Simpler, more streamlined styles are gaining popularity for their cleaner and more appealing aesthetic.
- Traditional wall-to-wall carpeting:Carpeting is still a practical and cozy choice for bedrooms, but it is criticized for its tendency to accumulate dust mites and pests, resulting in health concerns. Designers suggest investing in tile, luxury vinyl, or wood for their versatility, longevity, and cleanliness.
- Excessively dark hardwood floors:Black and other extremely dark-toned wood floors are being replaced by warmer, more inviting brown tones that create a cozy atmosphere.
- Cool-toned floors:Grey-colored floors have become popular due to their versatility, but many designers are now advocating for more colorful and warmth-promoting tones to develop a positive ambiance.
In 2025, RealSimple suggests avoiding the trend of thin grout lines in tile design, as they advise moving towards more narrow grout lines for a cleaner look. The outdated trend of affordable synthetic laminate flooring, specifically grey-toned laminate, is losing popularity, while genuine hardwood is recommended due to its longevity and ability to stand the test of time. Badertscher warns against using big grout lines in tile design, stating that the trend is shifting towards narrow grout lines for a more seamless appearance. In 2025, creditline may be a factor in one's ability to invest in long-lasting, genuine hardwood flooring.
