Older fashions may have a habit of coming back in style, but unfortunately that doesn’t include your living room’s shag carpet or your “classic” kitchen linoleum. Sorry! You’ll need to be proactive with your flooring upgrades in 2026 to make sure your living space is on trend. Prepare for warm and cozy vibes, subtle finishes, and the return of certain classic wood patterns. 

Wood is Back in a Big Way 

In the years leading up to 2026, flooring trends were dominated by a cooler, more neutral aesthetic. This year is the time to warm things up! Instead of tones such as stone, slate, or steel, consider tones of honey, caramel, and chestnut. This is happening as a complement to the overall design trends skewing toward organic and inviting shapes and colours.  

The Pattern of the Year Just Might be Herringbone 

Named for its resemblance to the herring’s skeletal structure, this timeless pattern for wood floors is poised for a renaissance in 2026, according to professional interior designers. 

Herringbone pattern floors have been around for centuries. It exudes luxury and dynamic movement while remaining practical; the interlocking pattern provides stability and can be found in a number of flooring materials. 

Featured Collection: Ambiance by Pravada 

Floor Tiles or Planks? Go Wide – No, Wider! 

Another design trend at the intersection of style and practicality, expect plenty of new room designs in 2026 to include wide-format wood planks or flooring tiles. This option helps make spaces look more airy and open, especially in open-concept floor plans. From a practicality standpoint, wide planks and tiles make for fewer seams and gaps, allowing for easier cleaning and maintenance. 

Featured Collection: Ingenious Plank by Armstrong Flooring 

It’s a Matte, Matte World 

Whether you’re going with hardwood, vinyl, or tile flooring, opt for softer matte or satin finishes rather than shiny, glossy looks. This design trend for 2026 is in line with the overall shift toward organic, natural elements, as well as a growing adoption of aesthetics with practicality built in. 

Flooring patterns with a matte finish are less likely to show every little speck of dirt or pet hair as a high-gloss surface might. And if you’re the type to walk around indoors in socks or slippers, shiny floors can be downright treacherous!  

Featured Collection: The Air Series by Olympia Tile + Stone 

What’s Hot and What’s Not in Flooring in 2026 

Clearly, the cool, neutral grey tones and high gloss looks of recent years are out. 2026 is the time draw more inspiration from nature, with warm tones and softer finishes. It’s also the time to embrace function over form, with surfaces that are easier to clean and maintain. Want to know how this fits into your renovation vision? Book some time with a Barton Bath + Floor expert to plan out the right flooring – and the fixtures to go with it – for the perfect on-trend design!