Bamboo flooring has declined in popularity due to its moisture sensitivity, high susceptibility to scratching and denting, and concerns over toxic off-gassing from adhesives. While heavily marketed as an eco-friendly grass, the heavy use of resins limits its refinishing lifespan compared to traditional hardwood.
Bamboo flooring is sensitive to moisture and humidity fluctuations, which can lead to warping, swelling, or shrinkage. This makes it less suitable for areas prone to moisture, such as bathrooms, kitchens, and basements. Proper sealing and regular maintenance are essential to mitigate moisture-related issues.
The main challenge is choosing the best combination of materials for your purposes that suit your personal taste.
Wooden flooring – a fresh take on natural beauty
The year 2026 marks a time when wood regains its true power. Naturalness becomes the central theme in interior design, and wood tones – particularly warm, honey-coloured shades – will reign supreme in modern spaces.
Options like hardwood, tile, and luxury vinyl are built for durability, but their real beauty lies in their versatility. With classic patterns and neutral tones, they create a perfect canvas that complements any décor, ensuring your floors won't go out of fashion.
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).
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.
Gray-toned hardwood and laminate. Wide plank farmhouse-style wood. Painted floorboards. Artificial or fake-looking wood.
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.
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.
What Is the Most Popular Flooring Right Now?
#1 Common grade hardwood flooring is the most popular and widely used grade in the US market. This grade of wood has more visible knots, mineral streaks, and color variations than clear or select grade, giving it a more natural and slightly rustic look.
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.
First, it's not recommended to use Swiffer WetJet on bamboo floors, as it may leave a film or brush marks. Bamboo is a durable flooring option that can last up to 50 years if well maintained. It's also important to seal bamboo floors in the same way as hardwood floors, but never wax them as it can make them slippery.
The best bamboo flooring combines ultra-durable strand-woven construction, low-VOC manufacturing, and high-density cores. Top brands like Ambient Bamboo Floors and Green Building Supply stand out for their exceptional scratch-resistance, pet-friendliness, and eco-conscious, sustainably harvested Moso bamboo.
1) Light and dark flooring
Think cream carpets, natural and neutral toned tiles and whitewashed wood flooring. These attractive, light and neutral colours give a room an open and airy feel, making it appear larger, whilst also drawing in the natural sunlight from outside.
Not at all. In fact, carpet is making a major comeback in 2026. While hard surfaces like hardwood and LVP remain popular in open-concept spaces, interior designers are heavily utilizing carpet to add warmth, acoustic dampening, and custom textures to homes.
Warm, nature-inspired off-whites and "greiges" (a balance of gray and beige) are the most popular wall colors right now. Homeowners are moving away from stark, cold grays in favor of soft, inviting tones that make spaces feel cozy and bright.
Sustainability is central to flooring choices in 2026. The trend emphasises materials that are both stylish and environmentally responsible: – Wood & vinyl: Reclaimed or responsibly sourced. – Carpet: Wool and recycled‑fibre carpets are gaining popularity for their natural feel and eco‑credentials.
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.
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).
Joanna Gaines has not been diagnosed with a life-threatening or terminal illness; her primary health struggles involve a chronic back injury from high school that required two major microdiscectomy surgeries, most recently in December 2022 to treat herniated discs.
Luxury vinyl plank (LVP) and hardwood are the most popular flooring choices right now. LVP leads for its water resistance, durability, and realistic wood-look designs at a lower price point. Hardwood remains a top pick for homeowners who want timeless elegance and long-term home value.
Joanna and Chip Gaines' eldest son, Drake, is now a college junior, balancing life as a baseball player at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor. Drake has developed a passion for cooking protein-packed meals with his girlfriend.