California is a beautiful place to live, with its warm climate, fabulous beaches, diverse communities, and strong economy. It’s no wonder that a lot of people are looking to move here and driving prices up in the housing market.
If you’re lucky enough to own a house in California, you might want to consider standing pat as the economy continues to grow and property further appreciates. Investing in a simple home improvement project in the meantime can raise the value of your home, starting with the floor itself. Here are some flooring trends to get you inspired:
Trending now: vinyl wood lookalikes
Luxury vinyl planks and tiles drove a $3 billion business in 2018, and this was considered the top trend in 2019. Advances in technology and production have made the material remarkably realistic, similar to wood visually and in its tactile properties. It’s durable, waterproof, and scratch-resistant at a price point that’s much more affordable than real wood.
Throw in the versatility to scale and fit on any flat, preexisting surface material, and this becomes a real winner for most DIY homeowners. With the industry projected to continue growing, you can also be assured that your floor won’t look dated anytime soon.
Forward-thinking: go green
Concern for the future need not be limited to practicing recycling and safe disposal at home. You can extend these considerations to your choice of materials for home improvement projects and ensure that your next undertaking has minimal impact on the environment.
Sustainable materials such as reclaimed or engineered wood create a rustic aesthetic. Bamboo is an excellent green alternative, with the bamboo industry helping to absorb atmospheric carbon and generate more oxygen than most trees. And cork, made from the bark of trees, is renewable and creates a unique floor look.
A retro comeback: terrazzo
Terrazzo, an Italian-inspired composite of marble, quartz, and other types of stone layered off with resin is a 1970s trend that has recently made a comeback. Full of imperfections and irregularities that make it unique, terrazzo is a bold material that can work with neutral furniture and walls.
Thanks to the resin, terrazzo is also sturdy and resistant while requiring little maintenance. If you’re interested in making a design statement and bringing a bit of 70’s edge to your interior, terrazzo can be the perfect choice for your new floor.
The timeless classic
Hardwood flooring remains the standard for a good reason. The material has a timeless authenticity and offers the appeal of stability; California homeowners won’t need to worry about their homes looking dated in a few years. And if you live in areas like Orange County with a premium real estate market, sticking with the trusted classics in design will do more to raise your property’s value in the long term.
There are several ways to create variation and customization with wooden floors. The material itself can vary in color and shade. Finishing techniques can also create a unique look: bleaching for ash white wood and ammonia fuming for deep dark tones. Changing the size and pattern of wood tiles will yield distinctive results.
There are many other sources you can turn to for inspiration. Explore past trends and the latest ideas from experts and innovators, and you’ll find the option that’s best for your home.
