The Year of Extremes and Expansive Style: Key Hardwood Flooring Trends for 2017
As we step into 2017, homeowners and designers are embracing bold new directions in wood flooring, moving away from traditional, mid-tone browns and toward statement-making styles. This year’s trends are dominated by two major themes: striking contrasts in color and expansive, textured surfaces. If you’re considering a renovation or new construction, here is a complete and extensive breakdown of the hardwood flooring trends that are taking center stage.
1. The Color Revolution: Embracing Extremes (Light, Dark, and Gray)
The days of medium, reddish-brown floors are waning. 2017 is characterized by floors that sit at the far ends of the color spectrum—or the chic neutral right in the middle:
The Bold and the Dark: Ebony, Espresso, and Jacobean
Dark wood floors continue their reign, offering a dramatic, sophisticated, and high-contrast look. These deep shades—like ebony, Jacobean, dark walnut, and espresso (a deep blend of light and dark)—create a striking foundation, especially when paired with bright white walls or light furniture.
- Why it works: Dark colors lend a sense of luxury and easily hide natural flaws or knots in the wood. They create a beautiful contrast that makes other design elements in the room pop.
- A Note on Maintenance: Keep in mind that while elegant, very dark floors tend to show dust and scratches more quickly than lighter options.
The Trendy Blondes: Light and Whitewashed Woods
On the opposite end, very light wood floors, often referred to as blonde or whitewashed, are enjoying immense popularity. These bright, airy hues are a perfect match for modern, Scandinavian, or coastal-inspired aesthetics.
- Why it works: Light floors instantly make a space feel larger, brighter, and more open. They reflect natural light and are excellent for small spaces. Furthermore, lighter woods like Ash or White Oak, or those treated with a very light stain, are very forgiving, as they hide dirt and minor scratches better than their dark counterparts.
The Reign of Gray
Gray floors, once considered a passing fad, have proven their staying power and are now an established trend. Offering a cool, modern neutral, gray floors provide a calming backdrop for nearly any décor scheme.
- Why it works: Gray is versatile, sitting perfectly between light and dark. It is a stylish neutral that pairs well with both warm and cool color palettes. These floors often show less dirt and wear, offering a low-maintenance, high-style solution.
2. The Power of Planks: Wider is Better
For years, the standard 2.25-inch strip flooring dominated homes. In 2017, the shift toward a more custom, luxurious feel has pushed wide plank flooring to the top of the wish list.
- Wide Planks (5″ to 8″+): Wide planks—typically defined as anything 5 inches and up—are becoming the new standard. Architecturally, they make a room look more expansive and less busy by reducing the number of seams. This style is closely associated with modern elegance and the rustic, farmhouse aesthetic popularized by designers.
- Mixed-Width Hardwood: For those seeking a unique, artisanal look, mixed-width flooring (using planks of varying widths, perhaps 2”, 3”, and 5” together) adds a custom, handcrafted dimension to the room, creating visual interest and elegance.
3. Texture and Finish: Embracing the Matte and Distressed Look
Homeowners are ditching the mirror-like sheen of high-gloss finishes in favor of finishes that feel more authentic, natural, and low-key.
Matte and Low-Sheen Finishes
High-gloss floors are out. Low-sheen and matte finishes are strongly in. A matte finish gives the hardwood a beautiful, natural, oiled look that lets the wood’s grain shine through without being overly reflective.
- Practical Benefits: Matte finishes are highly practical as they significantly minimize the visibility of dust, smudges, and minor scratches compared to glossy surfaces.
Textures for Character
The desire for “character” in design has fueled the popularity of textured wood surfaces that give the floor a lived-in, rustic, or artisanal feel.
- Hand-Scraped: This technique mimics the look of a floor scraped by hand centuries ago, resulting in a slightly wavy surface. It is perfect for a traditional or rustic home.
- Wire-Brushed: This technique pulls out the soft grain of the wood, leaving the hard grain exposed. The result is a subtle, linear texture that is popular in contemporary and industrial designs.
- Distressed/Reclaimed Look: Floors that look like they’ve been sourced from an old barn or factory—complete with natural distressing, knots, and imperfections—continue to be highly sought after for adding authenticity and warmth.
4. Creative Patterns and Inlays
While straight-lay installation remains common, homeowners are getting creative with laying patterns to add a distinctive architectural element:
- Herringbone: Similar to parquet but utilizing longer planks, the classic herringbone pattern is seeing a resurgence. It adds a sophisticated, tailored look that works well in formal living areas and entryways.
- Wood Migration: In a nod to farmhouse trends, wood is migrating from the floor to the walls in the form of shiplap or wood paneling, creating a cohesive, modern rustic look.
In 2017, the hardwood floor is not just a sub-surface—it’s a major design element. By choosing one of the trendy extreme colors, embracing wider planks, or opting for a beautiful matte finish, you can ensure your home’s look is both current and timeless.
