Yes, hickory is an exceptional choice for flooring if you value unmatched durability and a bold, rustic aesthetic. However, its extreme density requires professional installation and proper humidity control.
Hickory wood is celebrated for its incredible density, but this same trait makes it notoriously difficult to work with and prone to splintering. Its highly variable color and grain can also clash with modern design trends, while its high moisture sensitivity requires strict climate control to prevent warping.
Yes, hickory floors are highly in style. They are favored for their extreme durability, natural color variation, and unique grain patterns, making them a popular choice. While they have traditionally been used for rustic and farmhouse designs, modern styling has embraced them for their bold texture and warmth.
Hickory is not universally "better" than oak, but it is substantially harder and more rugged. Whether it fits your home best depends on how much traffic your floors receive and your preferred visual style.
10 Must-Know Hardwood Varieties for Stunning Floors
Flooring trends prioritize grounding warmth and natural beauty. Dominant styles include wide-plank light oak, intricate patterns like herringbone and chevron, low-sheen matte textures, and the practical durability of Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP).
The main challenge is choosing the best combination of materials for your purposes that suit your personal taste.
Hickory flooring delivers on both fronts, making it a standout choice for almost any home. It's one of those materials that just feels solid and timeless under your feet. Known for its incredible strength and striking appearance, hickory brings a unique personality to any room it's in.
The most timeless flooring colors are pale natural oak and medium neutral brown (such as walnut or standard oak). These natural wood tones bridge the gap between classic and contemporary and do not tie your space to a passing trend.
In 2026, flooring trends revolve around warmth and natural textures, with cool, flat grays officially on their way out. The most popular colors include:
Because hickory has a bold, distinct grain and spans a wide range of tones (from creamy whites to dark coffee browns), it is best to ground the space with earth-inspired hues and balanced, complementary temperatures.
Key Points. Busy checkerboard tiles and patterned vinyl are among the flooring trends to leave in 2025. Plain porcelain, glossy tiles, and builder-grade gray floors are also on the way out. Use natural finishes, warm wood, and stone-look tiles to complement 2026's home decor trends.
The 2026 wood color trends center on rich, natural warmth and deliberate contrast. As stark, ashy, and gray tones fade out, design focuses on honey-colored oak, espresso, and deep walnut to create layered, highly textured spaces rather than perfectly matched finishes.
Joanna Gaines is known for her signature "modern farmhouse" aesthetic, relying on light wide-plank wood, vintage checkerboard tile, patterned cement, and earthy volcanic ash. She frequently uses durable, high-quality flooring materials that blend old-world character with family-friendly functionality.
The healthiest flooring options for your home are those that are low-emitting, hypoallergenic, and free from volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and toxic adhesives. The absolute best choices for indoor air quality and chemical sensitivity are solid hardwood, ceramic or porcelain tile, and natural linoleum.
Hickory is one of the most scratch-resistant domestic hardwoods, thanks to its high 1820 Janka score. Hickory is tough to beat if you have pets, kids, or lots of foot traffic. Its density means it takes longer to show wear, making it an excellent choice for longevity in active households.
Gray-toned hardwood and laminate. Wide plank farmhouse-style wood. Painted floorboards. Artificial or fake-looking wood.
Dark Flooring
Dark-stained floors create a dramatic backdrop that allows furniture to stand out against the rich, velvety darkness. Additionally, the dark color absorbs and reflects light, adding depth and visual interest to the space throughout the home.
In the end, the best choice depends on the unique proportions of your home, the amount of natural light, and the atmosphere you want to create. Whether you choose dark floors to ground your space or lighter floors to lift it, color balance between walls and floors can completely transform how your home feels.
If you're wondering which colour floor shows the least dirt, the short answer is medium-tones like beige, taupe, and soft grey. These shades don't contrast sharply with dust, footprints, or pet hair, which makes floors look cleaner for longer in busy homes.
The wrong flooring choice can make a room look off and cause maintenance and cleaning issues. Designers say one of the worst flooring options is luxury vinyl planking for its upkeep and poor quality. Other flooring choices to avoid include mosaic tile, dark wood floors, and shiny wood flooring.
The most popular hardwood floor colors emphasize warmth, natural aesthetics, and versatility. The overarching trend leans away from cool, sterile grays and toward earthy, natural tones. Top trending and timeless choices include:
Yes, hickory floors are highly in style. They are favored for their extreme durability, natural color variation, and unique grain patterns, making them a popular choice. While they have traditionally been used for rustic and farmhouse designs, modern styling has embraced them for their bold texture and warmth.
Houses generally sell better with hardwood floors. They offer a much stronger return on investment (often 70%–80%), can increase a home's overall value by 2% to 5%, and are actively filtered for by buyers.
Installing 1,000 sq. ft. of hardwood flooring typically costs between $6,000 and $18,000 fully installed, with most projects averaging $10,000 to $16,000. This breaks down to $6 to $18+ per square foot, depending on your choice of materials, site prep, and labor rates.