As summer has come and gone, fall is finally here. With carpet that’s softer, wood that’s rougher, and tile that is textured, here are the hottest flooring fashions for fall:
Carpet
Red, oranges, yellows and browns may be the classic fall colours, but this season, carpet manufacturers are going green. The trend is in the direction of more environmentally friendly choices, with an emphasis on renewable resources. Shaw is recycling nylon into carpeting, and many other companies are melting down polyester to produce new carpet fibers. Beaulieu Canada has also introduced a growing assortment of fashionable carpet styles manufactured with solution-dyed nylon in order to significantly reduce the water, chemicals and energy required in the usual carpet dyeing process and decrease our greenhouse gas emissions. There has also been a big return to luxury, as manufacturers turn out some of the softest carpet they’ve ever produced. The hottest style at the moment is a broad genre called cut-and-loop. With this manufacturing technique, the pile is partly cut and looped to create a sculpted look, producing patterned carpets with personality. The plushier carpets help warm up the homes in preparation for the winter season.
Wood
As with carpeting, earth-friendly options are growing in popularity. Reclaimed woods – recovered from abandoned barns and factories – are the latest trend. Bamboo and cork are highly renewable flooring choices that are starting to become the latest trend. Composed of millions of tiny cellular air pockets, cork is an extraordinary insulator, quiet, warm and exceptionally comfortable to walk on. Cork reduces heat loss in rooms, helping to maintain a pleasant indoor temperature – never too hot or too cool. Indoor air quality actually improves with cork flooring. It is also hypo-allergenic and insect resistant.
As the “open concept” approach – marrying the kitchen and family rooms into a single larger space – has become more popular, we’re seeing the inclination of hardwoods in the kitchen. There’s a trend toward darker stains, with a growing interest in gray shades. Sizable planks from more unique woods, such as cherry and walnut, are also in demand. Floors that have been scraped and textured by hand are growing in popularity, providing a more natural, hand-finished look.
Tile
Tiles in formats larger than the standard 12×12 – such as 12×24 – are becoming more common. We’re also seeing more textured options that look like wood and fabric, providing a softer feel. Some examples are the Dolphin collection from Casa Roma (Shnier) and Wood Mood (Tierra Sol). Gray continues to be a popular tile color, along with clay, beige, and taupe. Mosaics add an extra “pop” of colour into any backsplash or bring that something extra into your room (Ledger Stone by Casa Roma). Another trend that is picking up is bringing nature into the house – with the stone look such as Pebbles into your custom showers or your bathrooms.
LVT Planks (Vinyl Planks)
Luxury Vinyl or Vinyl Planks are becoming more popular due to their durability, style and cost. Vinyl Planks are easy to clean, waterproof, and not easily torn or dented. Even if some damage does occur, your flooring specialist can easily replace a single plank instead of the whole floor. LVT Planks come in a variety of sizes, including the popular 12×24 and 18×18. The color and texture options range from slate and stone to textured hardwoods. LVT Planks can give you the look and feel of a warm hardwood with the price tag up to 40% less. With various options such as locking system (Shaw Floorte and Array), floating (Beaulieu Vinyl 2 Go and Metroflor Engage), and adhesive/glue down, you can find one that suits your preference.
Area Rugs
Rugs are the perfect way to bring the colors of the season inside. Textured area rugs add warmth, style, color, and comfort to your home. Layering them really warms up a room, providing the effect of thicker fabrics more suitable for fall. They came in various sizes such as 5 x 8 or 7 x 10 and in many different colours and designs. Neutral tones are popular, and mixing various textures adds character to soft browns and off-whites. If the rug is multicolored, you may wish to highlight predominantly orange tones by bringing some orange accessories into the room. Adding an area rug also protects your floors and adds warmth to the room during the cold season to come.
Fall flooring fashions bring home all of the warmth and glow of the season. Whether you’re looking for carpeting, wood, or tile, you’ll discover great new flooring options to choose from this year.
