8 Outdated Flooring Trends to Skip in 2025 (And What to Choose Instead)

Does your floor make your home look stuck in 2015? You're not alone. Millions of homeowners realize too late that their flooring choice already looks dated.

This guide shows you exactly which flooring trends to skip—so your next trip to a flooring store leads to a choice you'll love for years. We'll walk through eight outdated flooring styles designers are leaving behind. Plus, you'll get simple swaps that look fresh and modern today.

At our Spokane showroom, we've seen customers come in frustrated with gray floors they picked just a few years ago. What felt cool and modern back then now feels cold and overdone. We help people avoid that same regret every day.

What flooring is outdated in 2025?

These eight flooring trends are considered outdated by interior designers in 2025:

1. Gray-toned hardwood and laminate
2. Wide plank farmhouse-style wood
3. Painted floorboards
4. Artificial or fake-looking wood
5. Wall-to-wall carpet in high-traffic rooms
6. Busy patterned floor tiles
7. Tiles that imitate natural stone or wood poorly
8. Thick, plain area rugs

Warmer wood tones, natural textures, and timeless neutrals are trending instead.

Why Some Flooring Styles Go Out of Date

Design trends can cycle quickly. Some last just a year or two, while others fade within months. What looks fresh today can feel tired tomorrow. Social media speeds this up even more. A style goes viral, everyone installs it, and suddenly it feels generic.

Builder-grade flooring is a big example. Builders often pick the same gray laminate or basic carpet for hundreds of homes. Within a few years, that look is everywhere. It stops feeling special.

Dated floors can also hurt your home's resale value. Buyers notice when a floor looks old. They may ask for a price cut or skip your listing altogether.

The good news? Timeless materials outlast trendy finishes. Choosing classic tones and quality textures helps your floor look good for decades, not just a few years.

We often hear customers say their gray floors felt modern five years ago but now feel cold and lifeless. That's why we guide shoppers toward options with staying power.

8 Outdated Flooring Trends Designers Are Skipping in 2025

Here are the styles designers say to leave behind this year.

1. Gray-Toned Hardwood and Laminate Gray floors were everywhere from 2015 to 2020. Now they feel overdone and cold. Many homeowners are swapping them for warmer tones.
2. Wide Plank Farmhouse-Style Wood This rustic look peaked around 2018. It still works in some country homes. But in most spaces, it now feels dated.
3. Painted Floorboards Painted wood chips easily and shows wear fast. It needs constant touch-ups. Most designers now skip this high-maintenance trend.
4. Artificial or Fake-Looking Wood Cheap laminate with a plastic sheen looks obvious. Repeating patterns make it worse. Today's buyers expect realistic textures.
5. Wall-to-Wall Carpet in High-Traffic Rooms Carpet in living rooms and hallways traps dirt and allergens. The American Lung Association notes that carpets can harbor dust mites, pet dander, mold spores, and other pollutants. Hard surfaces with accent rugs work better for busy households.
6. Busy Patterned Floor Tiles Bold patterns date fast. They also limit your decorating choices. Simple tiles give you more flexibility over time.
7. Tiles That Imitate Natural Stone or Wood Poorly Older faux stone and wood tiles look off. The technology has improved a lot. But early versions still fill many homes.
8. Thick, Plain Area Rugs Heavy, solid-color rugs feel bulky and outdated. Lighter rugs with subtle texture look more modern.

What to Choose Instead (Modern Flooring Options)

Now that you know which floors to avoid, here's what to pick instead.

Warm Wood Tones Honey, oak, and walnut tones are back. They add warmth and feel timeless. These colors work with almost any decor style.

Medium-Width Planks with Natural Texture Skip the super-wide farmhouse boards. Medium-width planks look balanced and modern. A matte finish with real wood grain adds character without trying too hard.

Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) Today's LVP looks and feels like real wood. Realistic embossing and varied patterns fool most eyes. It also handles water, pets, and heavy foot traffic well.

Hard-Surface Floors with Accent Rugs Ditch wall-to-wall carpet in busy rooms. Use hardwood, tile, or LVP as your base. Add smaller area rugs for softness and style.

Simple, Large-Format Tiles Big tiles in neutral tones look clean and open. Fewer grout lines mean less cleaning. They work great in kitchens, bathrooms, and entryways.

Natural Stone or Quality Porcelain Real stone adds lasting value. Quality porcelain with subtle veining gives you the look for less. Both options stay stylish for decades.

→ Browse modern wood and laminate flooring options

Try Our Flooring Visualizer Before You Buy

Our flooring visualizer takes out the guesswork. You can see your space changed right away.

Upload a photo of your room. Pick a product from our collection. Watch what happens instantly. The realistic picture shows you exactly how different floors will look in your actual space.

Step 1: Upload your photo. | Step 2: Pick a product. | Step 3: See the change right away!

Use the visualizer to pick your favorites online. Then ask for those specific samples to test in person. This gives you both online ease and hands-on proof.

→ Try the Pro Floors and Blinds Flooring Visualizer today!

How to Shop Smart at a Flooring Store

Feeling ready to shop? These tips help you choose with confidence.

Bring Photos of Your Space Snap pictures of your room's lighting, wall color, and furniture. This helps you match floors to what you already have. Colors look different in store lighting than at home.

Ask for Large Samples Small swatches don't tell the whole story. Request bigger samples to take home. Live with them for a day or two before deciding.

Compare Durability Ratings Think about your daily life. Do you have kids? Pets? High foot traffic? Ask about wear ratings and scratch resistance for each option.

Ask About Warranties and Timelines Get clear answers on what's covered and for how long. Also ask how soon installation can happen. Planning ahead saves stress later.

Request a Free Estimate Most flooring stores offer free quotes. This gives you a real number to work with. No surprises when it's time to buy.

Our team always recommends taking samples home first. That gray you loved under showroom lights might look different in your Spokane living room. A quick test saves you from buyer's regret.

Ready to Update Your Floors?

Let's make your next flooring choice one you'll love for years.

Avoiding dated trends saves you money and regret. You won't be stuck replacing floors again in five years. A smart pick now pays off later.

Shopping at a local flooring store gives you real advantages. You can see and touch samples in person. You get expert advice from people who know flooring. And you have local warranty support if anything goes wrong.

At Profloors & Blinds in Spokane, we offer free consultations by appointment. Our team walks you through options that fit your style, budget, and lifestyle. No pressure. Just honest guidance.

Stop by our showroom at 6018 E Broadway Ave Suite #1. Or call us at (509) 866-6776 to schedule your visit. We're here to help you find a floor you'll love.