4 Flooring Trends on Their Way Out in 2026—and What to Use Instead

There are so many factors to consider in interior design, and we often forget what lies underfoot. In reality, the type of flooring you choose matters a great deal—it sets the tone for your space, adding warmth, refinement, and elegance.

Unfortunately, not all types of flooring can elevate your home. In fact, there are a few materials and finishes that design experts say have officially fallen out of favor in 2026. To help you avoid making an aesthetic faux pas, here, we spoke with these connoisseurs about the types of flooring you should definitely avoid.

Gray Floors

All of the experts we spoke to agree: Gray floors are a thing of the past. Once popular, this shade now feels cold and sterile—a reality that many had to face during the Covid-19 pandemic. "People were suddenly spending all their time at home surrounded by gray floors, gray walls, and white cabinets," says Jessica White, senior director of design strategy and channel at Mohawk.

Instead: People are now gravitating toward warm tones. Brown colors, honey tones, and soft neutrals make a space feel grounded, rather than clandestine. It gives the room a sense of comfort and ease.

High-Gloss Marble

It may sound luxurious, but not all marble finishes and formats will elevate your home. In particular, high-gloss options in 8-by-8 or 12-by-12 inch tiles are starting to look dated. "The application often lacks relevance to the architecture or soul of the home," says Arianne Bellizaire, founder and CEO of Arianne Bellizaire Interiors. "When these tiles are used in default grid layouts with stark-contrast grout, the look can come off as overly manufactured."

Instead: Bellizaire notes a shift toward larger-format tiles, as well as natural textures. "We might suggest a handmade clay tile laid in a herringbone pattern, or a wide-plank wood floor that picks up on regional or historical cues," she adds.

Luxury Vinyl Plank

They were once popular, but now there's a sense of fatigue around luxury vinyl plank floors. This material had one major advantage over its competitors: it's waterproof. "While that feature matters, it's no longer enough on its own," says White. "Especially at the entry level, where scratch resistance and overall durability can fall short."

Instead: White notes that today's homes are busy, and flooring needs to be especially durable. Kids, dogs, and other family members can cause wear and tear, so it's worth splurging on a material with higher scratch resistance and better overall performance.

Generic Flooring

Nobody wants their floor to look like everyone else's—especially this year, when curated, personal interiors are all the rage. "Clients want to express their style through their homes, and they want flooring that can be customized and tailored to fit each space," says Bailey Walton, vice president at Anderson Tuftex.

Instead: It might be a bit pricey, but consider using a custom carpet or something similarly bespoke. "New hardwood collections offer a kit of parts in which herringbone, plank, and decorative parquet components can be combined to accentuate the architecture and flow of a floor plan," adds Walton.