The Beautiful Flooring Trend That's Replacing Tile-Look Vinyl In 2026

First introduced to the public in 1933, luxury vinyl tile (LVT) flooring is one of the most affordable and durable options on the market. Driven by a rise in DIY enthusiasts, peel-and-stick vinyl varieties saw their heyday in the 2000s, and have remained a staple material ever since. However, vinyl is essentially plastic, so when interior design trends as a whole shift toward more earthy and touchable materials, it makes sense that some vinyl flooring is going out of style. Instead of vinyl with prints that mimic retro tile designs, flooring with a natural stone-like texture and appearance will be everywhere in 2026.

While handmade-looking patterns and retro designs are still one of the tile trends you can expect to see in 2026, it's difficult to make tile-look vinyl feel authentic. It often lacks depth and texture, especially when you can feel the smooth plastic coating underfoot. Statement tile patterns also command a lot of attention, so they simply don't fit into the calmer, more spa-like aesthetics many are envisioning in 2026. As patterned peel-and-stick fades out, more timeless, neutral surfaces are sweeping in.

Instead of tile-look vinyl, reach for soft and earthy surfaces like clay and stone-look porcelain. If you have a concrete foundation, you can even forgo the flooring altogether and opt for stained concrete or microcement. "Natural, neutral stones and organic materials like limestone, travertine, tadelakt, zellige tiles, and microcement will continue to dominate because they're beautiful and timeless," says interior designer Loren Kreiss (via TikTok).

You don't have to splurge on real tile to enjoy the stone look. Affordable vinyl options resembling marble, limestone, terrazzo, or concrete are readily available, and designs have improved greatly in their texture and appearance since vinyl was first popularized. When shopping for trendy stone-look flooring, stay away from hyper-glossy materials and instead opt for flooring with a lightly textured finish. Large format tiles and warmer colors like beige, sand, and taupe are the way to go in 2026 — great news for those who wonder why gray vinyl flooring feels so depressing.

There are other benefits to the stone-like flooring trend. Patterned tile-like vinyl tends to work best in small spaces, but more classic flooring options like porcelain can span large rooms — or the whole home — without making occupants feel dizzy. Interesting layouts like herringbone and basketweave are also trending, so you can use these designs and playful grout to add a unique edge to otherwise basic tile. Unlike tile-look vinyl, natural stone tiles are also appropriate to use on the surrounding walls, which could be an especially trendy and luxurious look for bathrooms in 2026.