Trend Report: What’s in Store for Floors in 2026

A home’s flooring isn’t just a surface to walk on; it’s an expression of the occupants’ personality. Given this, Bona surveyed 1,000 homeowners to glean their flooring preferences, which will shape their shopping decisions this year. The findings were released in the floor care company’s first-ever ‘floorcast,’ a report that also includes trends and other consumer insights. Here are the top takeaways.

1. Nearly two-thirds (61 per cent) of homeowners say wood flooring is a priority when deciding to design or purchase a home. While younger generations are leading the charge, more than half of seniors (baby boomers and older) share the same sentiment, emphasizing wood’s versatility and timeless appeal.

2. Across all hard surface options — from wood to vinyl, laminate and tile — practicality plays a powerful role in purchase decisions. Homeowners cite ease of maintenance, cost, visual appeal or overall design look, and scratch resistance or durability as their top priorities. (Eco-friendliness ranks the lowest in terms of influence on purchasing decisions.) This points to a new generation of homeowners who expect their floors to not only look beautiful but also stand the test of time for the perfect balance of resilient and refined.

3. Homeowners are increasingly looking to social media to turn their flooring dreams into reality. Platforms like Pinterest, Instagram and TikTok have become modern mood boards for homeowners — where endless inspiration for colour palettes, textures and flooring finishes are at their fingertips. Younger generations are leading this shift toward visually driven design, with two-thirds of Gen Z (67 per cent) and more than half of millennials (57 per cent) reporting that social media influences their flooring design decisions, compared to just 24 per cent of Gen X and 12 per cent of baby boomers and older.

4. Homeowners are still gravitating toward the ‘natural’ look for hardwood, opting for clear, low-lustre (matte to satin) finishes, sealers and stains with no pigment that highlight the wood’s natural texture and colour, creating a ‘just sanded,’ organic look that feels both timeless and contemporary, and complements a wide range of interior styles.

5. Mid-level tones remain the leading choice for most homeowners (51 per cent) compared to deep and rich, darker tones (27 per cent) or more light, white tones (21 per cent). Yet social media is beginning to subtly shift the palette. Among homeowners influenced by social media, mid-level tones are slightly less preferred in favour of a larger percentage gravitating toward darker shades.

6. From herringbone to chevron and intricate inlays, patterned wood floors are making a major comeback. Homeowners are increasingly gravitating toward these designs that showcase craftsmanship and add character, transforming flooring from a background element into a focal point of personal style.

7. Three-quarters of homeowners say they would rather restore their existing wood floors than replace them, with refinishing offering a more environmentally responsible and cost-effective way to preserve a floor’s natural beauty and extend longevity.