The most popular flooring trends are warm, natural wood tones, wide planks, matte and low-sheen finishes, and texture that highlights real grain. Cool gray wood looks, high-gloss finishes, and heavy distressing are fading as homeowners choose floors that look like natural materials.
Key Takeaways
- Natural and warm oak tones, especially white oak, lead the most popular flooring colors.
- Wider, longer planks create calmer, more continuous floors in open spaces.
- Matte and low-sheen finishes are replacing high gloss because they look more natural and can show less everyday wear.
Trending Floor Colors: Warm and Natural
When people ask what color flooring is in style, the answer is warmer and more natural. USA Today pointed to natural oak, honey oak, light walnut, and other mid-tones as the shades replacing gray.* Industry professionals see the same shift: in the National Wood Flooring Association’s 2025 Industry Outlook, nearly 66% of members expected more demand for cleaner, more natural wood colors, with white oak remaining a dominant choice.**
These tones work because they’re adaptable. A natural or warm floor pairs with cream walls, muted greens, deep blues, and earthy accents, so you can change your paint and decor without replacing the largest surface in the room.
Mid-Tones Make a Comeback
Light floors aren’t going anywhere, but balanced medium browns are back. Mid-tones add warmth and depth without making a room feel as heavy as espresso flooring.
They’re also practical. Very dark floors can show dust and pet hair, and very pale floors can show dark debris. A varied medium tone can help everyday wear blend into the grain, which makes it a smart choice for busy households.
Wide Planks for Open, Calm Spaces
Wide-plank flooring remains popular. Wider planks show more natural grain and mean fewer seams across the room, which creates a calmer, more continuous look in open floor plans.
Why Matte Finishes Are So Popular
Matte and low-sheen finishes are becoming the go-to choice for new floors. High-gloss surfaces reflect light sharply, which can make footprints, dust, and fine scratches stand out. Matte finishes soften that reflection, so the floor looks more natural and can be more forgiving of daily life.
A lower sheen also lets the wood’s color and grain carry the design instead of the coating. Keep in mind that sheen describes how much light a floor reflects, not how durable the finish is, so check the product’s specifications and care instructions when comparing options.
Texture That Looks Natural
Texture is still popular, but it’s getting more refined. Instead of heavy hand scraping and artificial distressing, homeowners are choosing subtle textures that follow the wood’s natural grain.
Wire brushing is a good example since it brings out the grain, adds depth, and can help hide minor scratches.
Are Gray Floors Going Out of Style?
Cool gray and gray wood-look floors are fading. As one designer told USA Today, gray itself isn’t the problem; it’s gray “pretending to be wood.”
Gray still has a place, though. Warmer grays and greiges with natural variation can feel fresh, especially when paired with warm woods, creams, and natural textures. Gray also works well in high-traffic areas, where it can help hide dirt.
What Flooring Is Outdated?
As tastes shift toward natural materials, a few looks are starting to feel dated:
| Fading Out | Moving In | Landmark Interiors Match |
| Cool gray wood-look floors | Natural and warm oak tones | Country Oaks |
| Heavy hand-scraped distressing | Subtle wire-brushed texture | City of Oaks |
| Orange-toned honey oak with glossy finishes | Softer, less saturated warm tones | Elate |
| Narrow, busy planks in large rooms | Wider, longer planks | Backwoods |
An “outdated” floor doesn’t automatically need to be replaced. If it’s in good condition, updating paint, rugs, and furniture can help it feel current.
How to Choose an On-Trend Floor That Lasts
The safest choice is a floor that feels current without depending on a single trend. Start with a natural or warm-neutral tone, a low-sheen finish, and a plank width that suits the room. Then let paint, textiles, and furniture bring in more personality.
Before deciding, look at samples in your own space during morning, afternoon, and evening light. Preview styles in your room with the Floor Visualizer, or browse the Look book for inspiration. You can also find your nearest Landmark Interiors retailer to see samples in person.
*Source: USA Today
**Source: Hardwood Floors Magazine
The content provided is general advice only. Please contact the product manufacturer, refer to the product installation instructions, or consult a flooring professional for guidance specific to your installation situation.
*Source: CDC
The content provided is general advice only. Please contact the product manufacturer, refer to the product installation instructions, or consult a flooring professional for guidance specific to your installation situation.