Most Popular Flooring Trends: Costs and Top Choices

The mid-2010s saw a shift toward durable, affordable, and visually versatile flooring options. This article examines the most popular flooring choices that homeowners favored during that period, focusing on cost ranges, installation considerations, maintenance, and how trends in color and texture influenced decision making. The discussion highlights practical insights for readers seeking to understand why certain materials dominated renovations and new builds in that era.

Most Popular Flooring Types In 2016: An Overview

In 2016, homeowners increasingly balanced aesthetics with durability and budget. Hardwood remained a premium favorite for its timeless look, while laminate and luxury vinyl planks offered compelling imitators at lower prices. Ceramic and porcelain tile continued to excel in moisture-prone areas, and engineered wood gained traction for combining stability with the look of solid hardwood. Bamboo and cork emerged as eco-friendly alternatives, though their adoption varied by region and climate. Understanding this mix helps explain why certain materials dominated showrooms and renovation projects during the period.

Solid Hardwood Flooring: Classic Appeal And Longevity

Popularity drivers: The perception of hardwood as a long-term investment and its ability to increase home value kept it highly desirable in 2016. Wide planks and natural finishes were particularly popular for a timeless, expansive look.

Pros: Superior durability, easy refinishing, and high resale appeal. Wood tones range from warm browns to cool grays, aligning with evolving design palettes.

Cons: Higher upfront cost and susceptibility to moisture, which can complicate installation in kitchens and basements without proper acclimation and underlayment.

Cost snapshot: Materials typically ranged from $5 to $12 per square foot for mid-range species, with total installed costs often between $8 and $15 per square foot depending on species and finish.

Laminate And Luxury Vinyl Plank: The Value Wave Of 2016

Popularity drivers: The combination of convincing realism, rugged durability, and rapid installation made laminate and luxury vinyl plank (LVP) very attractive for busy households and renovation budgets.

Laminate: Known for wood-like visuals, easy maintenance, and budget-friendly pricing. It gained ground in living areas and basements where seen as a practical alternative to hardwood.

LVP: A step up in water resistance and texture realism, LVP became a go-to for kitchens and bathrooms, often featuring attached underlayment and click-lock installation.

Cost snapshot: Laminate generally ranged from $2 to $5 per square foot, with installed costs around $3 to $8 per square foot. Luxury vinyl plank typically fell in the $3 to $7 per square foot installed range, with variations based on wear layer and brand.

Ceramic And Porcelain Tile: Durable And Design-Driven

Popularity drivers: Tile remained the top choice for moisture-prone areas, radiant heat compatibility, and a wide array of colors, patterns, and textures. Porcelain offered higher durability and lower porosity than standard ceramic, which appealed to high-traffic spaces.

Pros: Excellent water resistance, hard surface that resists scratches, and long lifespan with proper installation. A modern aesthetic can be achieved with large-format tiles or intricate patterns like herringbone.

Cons: Hard underfoot, cooler surface in winter, and higher installation costs due to cutting and substrate preparation.

Cost snapshot: Ceramic tile typically costs $1 to $5 per square foot for material, with installed ranges of $8 to $15 per square foot, while porcelain tile often sits at $3 to $8 per square foot material and $9 to $18 per square foot installed.

Engineered Wood And Bamboo: Stability Meets Style

Engineered wood: Engineered wood gained attention for its layered construction, which provides better stability in climates with moisture fluctuations and for installations over concrete slabs. It offered many hardwood visuals at a lower price point.

Bamboo: Bamboo appealed to eco-conscious buyers due to its rapid renewability and distinctive grain patterns. It’s generally more dimensionally stable than traditional hardwood, though product quality varies by brand and manufacturing methods.

Cost snapshot: Engineered wood typically ranges from $4 to $9 per square foot installed, depending on thickness, finish, and brand. Bamboo flooring usually costs $3 to $8 per square foot installed, with variations due to species and wear layer on engineered options.

Trends Shaping 2016 Flooring Choices

Several trends influenced material selection in 2016. Neutral color palettes, including grays and light browns, gained traction, as did wider plank widths and matte or satin surface finishes. The preference for authentic-looking textures encouraged blended looks that mimic natural materials. Eco-consciousness slowly grew, steering some homeowners toward bamboo and responsibly sourced hardwood. In busy homes, durability and ease of maintenance drove interest in laminate and LVP. The overall effect was a diverse market with clear leaders in different segments.

Color, Texture, And Finish: Design Considerations

Color choices in 2016 leaned toward lighter hues in living spaces to create an airy atmosphere, while darker wood tones remained popular for traditional or formal rooms. Texture played a key role, with wire-brushed and hand-scraped finishes adding character. Finishes like matte and low-sheen levels became more common as homeowners preferred a natural, less showroom-ready look. Plank width also influenced room perception; wider planks could make spaces feel larger and more contemporary.

Installation, Maintenance, And Longevity

Material selection depended on room function and lifestyle. Hardwood requires a stable environment and regular maintenance, including refinish cycles, to maximize lifespan. Laminate and LVP offer easier maintenance and water resistance, but may not recapture resale value as strongly as genuine hardwood. Tile offers superior durability in kitchens and baths but requires more substantial upfront labor. Engineered wood provides a compromise between aesthetics and resilience, while bamboo provides sustainability with varying performance depending on construction. Routine cleaning and preventative measures extend the life of any flooring type.

Costs And Value Implications In 2016

Total project cost varied by material, room size, and local labor rates. Hardwood remained the premium option, with installed costs often in the mid-to-high range. Laminate and LVP delivered significant savings without a dramatic drop in perceived quality for many buyers. Tile offered long-term durability, particularly in moisture-prone spaces, but required skilled installation. Engineered wood presented a balanced choice for those seeking hardwood appeal with improved stability. Homeowners weighed upfront cost against maintenance, climate, and potential resale value when selecting flooring in 2016.

Conclusion: Why 2016 Flooring Choices Still Inform Today’s Decisions

Understanding the most popular flooring options of 2016 helps explain current market dynamics, including why some materials remain enduring favorites for certain spaces. The era underscored the importance of balancing aesthetics with practicality, durability with cost, and design trends with long-term value. For readers evaluating historical trends or planning renovations with comparable constraints, the lessons from 2016—prioritizing resilience, maintenance, and clear alignment of material properties with room use—remain highly relevant.