Yes, laminate flooring is making a massive comeback. After losing market share to Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP), laminate has surged in popularity thanks to major technological upgrades. Modern laminate is stronger, more water-resistant, and visually indistinguishable from real hardwood at a fraction of the cost.
Is Laminate Flooring Going Out of Style? Absolutely not! In fact, laminate's comeback is stronger than ever thanks to its incredible versatility, affordability, and advancements in water resistance. For homeowners seeking a stylish and functional solution that doesn't compromise on looks, laminate is here to stay.
In 2026, the most popular flooring material is White Oak hardwood (and high-end wood-look alternatives). It is celebrated for its clean grain, durability, and versatility. Cool gray tones are out, and warm, natural wood hues are in.
Yes, laminate countertops are still very popular and are actually experiencing a massive comeback. Driven by incredible affordability and major advancements in technology, younger homeowners and designers are actively choosing them to save money while achieving modern, high-end aesthetics.
Does Laminate Flooring Increase Home Value? To go easy on the budget, laminate flooring is another option. It may have a lower resale value than solid or engineered wood, but high-quality laminate flooring can bring a higher resale value than cheaper vinyl flooring or leaving bad flooring in place.
Things that devalue a house the most fall into two categories: unchangeable location issues and costly structural or legal defects. While cosmetic updates can be easily fixed, severe devaluation is driven by factors that shrink your buyer pool or require massive investments to correct.
Interior designers point to cool gray tones, artificial wood, and high-gloss finishes as the most outdated flooring trends. Today’s modern aesthetics prioritize warmth, texture, and natural materials over sterile, mass-produced styles.
Kitchens in 2026 are shifting away from stark whites and cold grays toward warmth and personality. Top designers are leaning into nature-inspired greens, warm earthy neutrals, moody jewel tones, and classic two-tone combinations to create inviting, bespoke spaces.
An outdated kitchen usually gives itself away through a few telltale signs: heavily patterned "builder-grade" granite, short or multi-level upper cabinets, poor or overly harsh fluorescent lighting, and outdated built-in appliances (like over-the-range microwaves).
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.
For 2026, the biggest wood color trends are defined by organic warmth and natural authenticity. Instead of the stark, bleached whites or gray-washed tones of previous years, the most popular wood colors embrace rich earthy browns, timeless natural hues, and vintage-inspired mid-tones.
Natural and medium-brown wood floors are the ultimate timeless choices. Shades like light oak, honey, or soft walnut consistently outlast passing trends because they highlight organic wood grain and blend seamlessly with virtually any interior design style.
Currently, over-speckled, multi-toned granite, overly dramatic or artificial quartz veining, flat gray, and saturated primary colors are considered outdated. Modern kitchen designs prioritize softer, natural aesthetics and earth tones over these high-contrast or flat artificial surfaces.
Flooring colors in 2026 are all about warmth, earthiness, and organic textures, leaving behind the cool-toned, builder-grade grays of the past.
Houses sell better with hardwood floors. In real estate, hardwood is a major selling point that often yields a 70% to 80% return on investment. Buyers generally view it as more hygienic, durable, and timeless than carpet.
Cool gray is being replaced by "mushroom" neutrals (warm taupes and greys with subtle green or violet undertones), warm earthy khakis, and soft, natural sages.
Stark white, cool gray, and yellow-toned honey oak cabinets are currently considered outdated. Designers are moving away from these shades, as they often look sterile or overly trend-specific, favoring warmer, nature-inspired tones instead.
Countertop trends in 2026 focus on warm neutrals, statement-making natural movement, and low-maintenance materials like high-performance quartz. The stark, minimalist gray-and-white look is fading in favor of earthy, inviting palettes and tactile, non-glossy finishes that bring organic warmth into the kitchen.
Marble and Other Stones
"They can become a source of frustration in busy areas of the home," Marie Cloud, the founder of Indigo Pruitt, says. "These surfaces can easily show wear, scratches, and stains, and without rigorous upkeep, they lose their luster quickly."
There is no single right answer, as both create different vibes. A general design rule is that floors should be slightly darker than the walls to ground the space and provide a solid visual foundation. However, your choice depends on the atmosphere and proportions you want to achieve.
The newest thing in flooring centers on innovative, high-performance materials that combine the hyper-realistic look of natural wood or stone with advanced sustainability and waterproof engineering.
The factor that devalues a house the most is an undesirable or deteriorating location. While you can remodel a home, you cannot change its surroundings. Other massive value killers include structural damage, unpermitted work, and poor renovations.
Flooring Choices That Make Your Home Look More Expensive
To boost your home's value by $50,000, focus on a mix of high-ROI cosmetic upgrades, essential system repairs, and expanding usable square footage. Because high-end remodels can have diminishing returns, strategic improvements that appeal to modern buyers yield the best financial outcomes.