We're not about to rip out the hardwood in our house (my husband would kill me), but if we were starting from scratch we'd certainly reconsider our choices.
The versatility and durability of laminate flooring has come such a long way it's hard not to want it.
And we're not just talking floors that give you the look of hardwood without all the maintenance. We're talking floors that look like concrete, stainless steel, seagrass and whitewashed wood.
Tarkett, which has plants all over the world and more than 7,000 employees, must have them all working overtime, because the company seems to be leading the pack when it comes to laminate flooring options.
Here's what residential creative director Lise LeBreton says are the hot new trends in laminates:
❚ Industrial: Concrete, brushed aluminum and metallic floors are perfect choices for kitchens and laundry rooms. It gives them a cool, clean, urban industrial look.❚ Art Deco: The "mid-century" look is all the rage again, and that means vintage teak-like laminates circa the 1950s. Colours go from a yellow tan to dark brown tones, and the beauty is they work with both sleek teak and modern furnishings.
❚ Inside-Outside: We know everybody wants an outdoor living room these days, but now the outdoors is moving inside with flooring that looks like natural fibre and seagrass. Think rattan and wicker, and you've got an earthy ambience that works especially well in your home office.
❚ High Gloss: Remember the '80s? High-gloss cheeks, high-gloss lips? Well, high-gloss flooring is back, bringing with it the luxury and elegance of the era, says LeBreton, and the sheen makes a laminate floor look even more like real hardwood.
❚ Wide Plank: Six-inch planks are a big trend right now, replicating the look and feel of old, rich hardwood flooring. You'll have to do a double take to pick the imitator.
❚ Nautical: This is our favourite. How much easier can it get to create a seaside, coastal feel than by installing floors that already have the look of whitewashed wood or weathered paint?
Canwest News Service
