Make A Change: Flooring Trends

Floors are now considered a fifth wall of a room, and with all the options and innovative materials available to homeowners, it gives new meaning to thinking outside the box.

Flooring materials are becoming more exotic than ever before with everything from leather to banana leaves. But there is also demand for period carpet and floors that were once considered gauche.

Who knew shag carpet or even linoleum would make a comeback?

In 2005, $24.15 billion was spent on floor coverings, according to data from Catalina Research and FCW Research.

"Everybody wants to create their own individual space," said D. Christopher Davis, president of the World Floor Covering Association.

Floors More Important For Design

Davis said it's really intriguing to see a shift from floors being thought of as functional, thus being replaced because they had become "uglied out" or frayed, to floors being replaced for design and fashion purposes.

"It really is sort of the fifth wall," he said.

Floors have moved from neutral backdrops to being one of the highlights of a room.

"Now, people are actually starting with the floor and wanting to make a statement," he said.

Rebecca Cole, host of the Discovery Channel's "Surprise by Design," said that for a long time, neutral colors for flooring were commonly used, but now extremes of one color or another are being used.

Cole said she thinks floors have become so important because people's homes are a lot less cluttered, rooms are huge and there's a lot of floor space.

"Floors have become a huge, huge element in design, in personality and in resale of a home," she said.

Davis said the biggest overall trend is the move to hard surfaces such as ceramic tile. He said the two biggest markets now are stone tile and wood.

"There's no fear anymore in using different material in different rooms," he said.

Throw Down A Rug

Data show that carpeting has lost the biggest chunk of market share. But area rugs are becoming more than room accessories.

Davis said area rugs are increasing in popularity for two reasons: An area rug can divide a room or define a space within a larger room and computerized looms can create extremely intricate patterns repeatedly.

With area rugs, a customer can make a design statement and six months later, change it out.

Davis said that within 48 hours after putting in floor, consumers are typically in the market for a rug because natural materials such as tile or hardwood flooring tend to be cold and can carry noise.

"I think area rugs are a really easy way to make a huge statement. There are so many different styles now," Cole said.

She said rugs are going down in price.

Cole said that carpet squares are a cool way to make a smaller statement, a design statement or a personalized statement.

"People are being particular about flooring. They're realizing they can use specific materials to make a dramatic impact," Davis said.

New Options

New materials are continuing to enter the marketplace.

Cole said rugs are being made out of banana leaves and it looks like silk.

She said the hottest new thing is leather flooring. It looks different a year later and naturally absorbs sound.

Homeowners are also concerned with using environmentally friendly materials or green flooring.

Cork is no longer just for bulletin boards. The organic, soft and lightweight material is hitting floors.

Bamboo continues to grow as a popular hardwood flooring option. Cole added that it also fits into a trend towards light-colored flooring.

Cole said bamboo is resistant to water, so it can be used in kitchens and bathrooms. Bamboo strips are typically narrower than their wood counterparts.

"We didn't even see it in the market five years ago. Now, it's everywhere," Davis said. "It's one of those things where quality can vary a great deal."

At the same time, there's interest in sustainable and obscure kinds of wood.

Davis said there's probably 100 kinds of Brazilian cherry that all have different looks and patterns.

Back To Basics

The marketplace continues to broaden with floor types. Exotic flooring is not the only trend. Several older floor types are making a comeback.

Cole said there are companies that sell vintage linoleum, which is a natural product. Flooring companies are also copying and reissuing old linoleum patterns.

Carpet is also being reinvented, taking on bold new colors, textures and looks.

"I think carpet is on its way back," Cole said.

She said tight weaves, shag and textured carpets are popular. She added that colors are much bolder than once were and new fibers make them easier to clean.

Manufacturers are also producing less expensive alternatives to pricey Italian tile, marble granite and wood. Consumers can also buy vinyl that looks like wood.

"Everybody is copying everybody else and the benefits are great," Davis said.

Manufacturers started making tile that looks like marble, granite and other more expensive stone tile.

"Give it another glance because they're much better now," Cole said.

Time To Buy

When it comes it buying flooring, experts recommend knowing what you want before heading to the store to buy it.

Davis said the two biggest considerations are how you live and in what kind of style you're interested.

Davis also said to ask how much maintenance you want to do, and do you want something you have to keep looking good?

"We want people to go into the store being well-versed on the types of products there are and what choices there are," Davis said.

The World Floor Covering Association Web site offers tools such as the virtual room designer and the "What I like quiz" to help consumers decide.

Cole suggested thinking about the traffic that the room gets, whether you will be sitting in the room and whether the room has water in it, such as a kitchen or bathroom.

She said if the room is more comfort and not about traffic, then consumers have everything available to them and they can go into look and feel with flooring choices.

Cole recommended leaving the installation up to professionals. She said any buckling or space where pattern does not meet can make entire room look like it was not done properly.

"The one place you don't want to do it yourself is the floor. It's a lot harder than you think," she said.