These 4 Flooring Trends Are Set To Dominate In 2026, According To A Design Expert

Flooring is one of those design updates that instantly transforms any space. Whether you're cozying things up with carpet, keeping it timeless with wood, or prioritizing low maintenance with vinyl, today's flooring options are practically endless. Swapping outdated floors for new ones can give your home an entirely new vibe that feels fresh, especially if you opt for the earthy or patterned trends that are set to dominate in 2026.

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."

Looking ahead, the interior design expert said she expects to see a rise in organic, eco-friendly materials and bold statement floors in 2026. Both types of flooring often come with higher price tags. "Typically, the 'cheap' materials tend to prove that you get what you pay for," Dale cautioned. "It's better to save up and get exactly what you want." New floors don't just finish a room. They offer a significant return on investment while setting the tone for your entire home.

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.

The interior design expert added that you should expect to see a wide variety of natural flooring materials, from hardwood and cork to travertine and marble, trending next year. Hardwood floors are a perennial favorite because they combine immediate warmth with durability that can last for generations. Cork is ideal if you're looking for an eco-friendly product that feels great underfoot. Stone materials also fit into the movement, adding a heightened sense of luxury that manufactured flooring simply can't replicate.

If you decide to embrace the natural material flooring trend, there are some tradeoffs to keep in mind. They tend to be more expensive, installation is more involved, and you'll need to prioritize maintenance to protect your investment. But the long-term value generally outweighs these challenges, especially if you're looking for a flooring solution that makes your home feel both stylish and connected to the natural world.

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.

For homeowners who care about both aesthetics and environmental impact, choosing a sustainable material makes it easier to align their overall values with their design decisions. Again, the higher upfront investment can be a sticking point, especially when you're on a budget. Opting for domestically produced flooring is one of the most affordable and sustainable approaches, because it avoids tariff-driven price hikes while simultaneously lowering transportation impact. But no matter which sustainable flooring material you choose, Dale said the cost is generally worth it. "Though sometimes these materials can cost more upfront, many homeowners feel that it is a small price to pay for protecting the environment for ourselves and generations to come." Along with being a lifestyle statement, sustainable materials tend to last longer, require less frequent replacements, and in some cases, may even increase a home's resale appeal as buyers become more environmentally conscious.

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.

Honey, caramel, and chestnut stains are making hardwoods feel current, while deeper walnut and even rich amber tones can add drama that stands up to deeper color-drenched rooms, which will remain popular in 2026. "This trend toward cozy, inviting hues isn't just reserved for wood, as tiles and other flooring options are also gravitating toward warm undertones," Dale added. Porcelain and ceramic tile manufacturers are rolling out collections that mimic natural stones with warmer undertones, and even concrete is being tinted with warmer pigments that soften it from stark gray into something far more soothing. Along with pairing well with either neutrals or bold accent colors, warm floors don't lock you into a single aesthetic quite like that fading gray trend. Instead, their versatility feels at home in classic, eclectic, or modern spaces, making earth-toned floors an investment that's likely to pay off for years to come.

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.

From checkerboard marble kitchens to colorful geometric vinyl, the rising popularity of trendy and timeless patterned flooring isn't just fueled by our feeds. It's also more accessible and affordable thanks to manufacturing method improvements. Durable and easy-to-install products make bolder motifs feel a little less intimidating, giving homeowners more confidence when they want to make their floor the focal point of an entire room. Patterned floors still take a little bravery, but according to Dale, they can instantly energize a space and showcase personality in a way that neutral flooring materials never will. If you're not quite ready for pattern but still want to make bold color moves, she said 2026 is still your year. "There are incredibly chic, interesting color options saturating the market, meaning choosing an unexpected flooring has never been more fun or full of personality!"