6 Flooring Options That Are So Outdated, According to Designers

If a room is feeling off, there’s a chance that if you look down, you’ll pinpoint it. Outdated flooring options can make an entire space feel stale or unbalanced.

This is why designers recommend choosing timeless materials, colors, and finishes—particularly when it comes to something as permanent as the surface you walk on. The tricky part is parsing out which flooring styles feel out of place nowadays.

We spoke with two designers who gave their thoughts on outdated floors and what alternatives to try instead.

Thick, Plush Carpeting

Fluffy carpeting may feel nice underfoot, but architect and interior designer Priyanshi Jain of Pixels and Spaces notes that these floors have overstayed their welcome.

“These floors were stapled and glued into many homes over the last 10 years, but they now look bulky and are difficult to clean,” she says. Not only are they tricky to fully clean, but Jain notes they’re also magnets for allergens.

A better choice? Low-pile carpets are one such option she suggests, as well as area rugs on hardwood or laminate flooring, which provide versatility and ease of maintenance.

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Red-Toned Wood Floors

Sometimes an outdated floor comes to the choice of color. Gaia Guidi Filippi, owner of Gaia G Interiors, says that red-toned wood flooring appears badly dated in most cases.

“Its bold hue can overwhelm a space and I find that if left as-is, it really limits versatility in decor choices,” she says.

While it’s not always possible to fully redo a floor, she recommends re-staining it if you’re no longer enjoying the tone. Natural wood floors tend to be safest in terms of the trend cycle.

Linoleum Floors

Flooring can be expensive, which leads to alternatives that may seem like an affordable choice in the beginning but a not-so-worthy investment in the long run. That’s what’s happened with linoleum, according to Jain.

“It has fallen out of favor because of its tendency to turn yellow over time and it has a less modern look and feel,” she says.

That doesn’t mean you have to opt for wildly expensive choices instead. Jain points to luxury vinyl tile and planks, which are still durable but can mimic more expensive materials such as hardwood and stone.

Rustic Flooring

There’s nothing wrong with a farmhouse-style space or lodge-inspired home, but overly rustic flooring “can feel out of place in most modern homes,” according to Guidi Filippi. She notes this includes extra distressed and rough planks and flooring, like wire-brushed wood.

If rustic is your style, she says that even in these settings she’d recommend wood with a more uniform color. Flooring is difficult to change, so something slightly more subtle will be much more malleable in the future.

“You can bring in rustic charm in so many other ways!” she says.

High-Gloss Hardwood

Ultra-glossy floors have their place, but hardwood with this finish can feel over the top. Additionally, scratches, grime, and dust are much more visible on these floors, according to Jain.

Whether you prefer a cooler-toned wood or something warm, as an alternative Jain recommends trying wood in a matte and satin finish instead.

“They provide a contemporary look, are easier to maintain, and better conceal smudges and scratches,” she notes.

Gray-Toned Floors

Gray is a polarizing color, with many designers saying gray is on the way out. Guidi Filippi is in that camp.

“Gray-ish floors are definitely no exception to that part of our interior zeitgeist of the early aughts” and therefore feel outdated now, too,” she says.

Although this shade saw a boom in popularity in the last decade or so, it’s not as cozy as its warmer neutral counterparts. Even if you love having gray decor, your floors don’t necessarily have to match the color exactly.

“Lean into the warmer tones and your interiors will feel far fresher and be a better canvas to build on,” she adds.

Our Experts’ Tips for Choosing Modern Flooring

If you’re trying to choose flooring that won’t feel dated in a few years, there are several tips to guide you:

• Stick with tried-and-true colors: A bright, trendy hue can be tempting, but there’s a chance it’ll feel outdated in a few years if not months. Subtler colors and neutrals are always safer choices when it comes to something as set as a floor.
• Incorporate trends in other ways: Rather than using your floor as a chance to try out fresh ideas, choose a timeless material and color. Then you can test out trends in the form of decor, light fixtures, rugs, and even paint—all of which are easier to swap out later.
• Think about purpose: Jain notes that functionality should always be considered so the flooring feels like it’s in the right place. For instance, ceramic tiles and porcelain are great for high-moisture areas such as bathrooms and kitchens.