2026 Residential Flooring Design Trends
New York, NY, September 30, 2025-YahooLife asked designers to shed light on 2026 residential design trends.
“According to Erika Dale, House Digest's interior design expert and founder of Erika Dale Interior Design, when you're starting from the ground up, it's important to pick the highest quality materials you can afford and focus on getting a look you really love. ‘Flooring is an expensive and inconvenient undertaking, so you really want to do it once and do it right,’ she said during her exclusive interview with House Digest. That's why Dale recommends homeowners think beyond what's trending on Instagram or TikTok. ‘Rather than opt for something trendy at the moment, remember you will likely be living with your selection for decades, so always pick something that truly makes your heart sing.’
2026 Trends
Natural Materials: “Natural materials have always been a popular way to bring a high-end look into any space, but according to Erika Dale, in 2026, they're set to take center stage. ‘With the massive popularity of organic, nature-focused design styles, it makes sense that people have the desire for materials that come from the earth,’ she explained during her exclusive interview with House Digest. One of the easiest ways to bring biophilic design into your home is to use natural materials that offer more than just beauty. They also bring a sense of authenticity and harmony. ‘This indoor/outdoor connection is grounded, elevated, timeless, and tranquil, which is a vibe so many homeowners gravitate toward,’ said Dale.”
Sustainable Materials: “Sustainability is more than just an interior design buzzword. According to Erika Dale, it's a major factor when it comes to flooring trends. "Today, more than ever before, homeowners are understanding and prioritizing their carbon footprint and environmental impact when it comes to choosing materials for their homes," she told House Digest during her exclusive interview. Although natural materials fit within this trend, it also includes materials like bamboo, reclaimed wood, recycled tile, and even linoleum made from renewable sources. Many of today's most sustainable options are just as durable and stylish as their traditional counterparts, with added benefits like lower emissions. ‘With so many incredible eco-friendly, sustainable material options on the market to choose from, going green has never looked better,’ Dale explained.”
Warm Earth Tones: “Color trends come and go, but after years of plain white, boring beige, and millennial gray, warmth is having a major comeback. ‘This is hardly a new trend, but even more so this year than any in the recent decade, warm tones are the 'it' choice for wood finishes,’ Erika Dale said during her exclusive interview with House Digest. ‘The days of gray-toned or -washed floors have been long gone, and every day that passes brings warmer shades to the table.’ The move away from cool, industrial-looking grays is great news for anyone who likes a little more color. It's reshaping interiors into more welcoming, personal, and lived-in spaces that feel far less sterile than in years past.”
Statement Patterns and Colors: “Speaking of leaving dull gray behind, Erika Dale revealed that 2026 will be the year homeowners are going to leap ahead with bold flooring choices. ‘With more color and pattern showing up on social media and magazine covers all over the place, it's no surprise that the floors of 2026 are no exception,’ she explained. ‘With incredible patterns like checkerboard, cross and star, geometrics, and mosaics, homeowners are letting their homes be the star of the show.’ Although bold floors once felt confined to historic or high-end houses, these looks are now showing up everywhere, from entryways to bathrooms in everyday homes.”