6 Outdated Flooring Options You Shouldn’t Be Using, According to Designers

If a room feels off, chances are you’ll be able to pinpoint it by looking down. Outdated flooring choices can make the entire space feel dated or unbalanced.

That’s why designers recommend choosing timeless materials, colors, and finishes—especially when it comes to something as permanent as the surfaces you walk on. The tricky part is figuring out which flooring styles don’t seem right today.

We spoke to two designers about their thoughts on outdated flooring and what alternatives to try.

Thick, luxurious carpet

Soft carpeting may feel nice underfoot, but architect and interior designer Priyanshi Jain of Pixels and Spaces notes that these floors are too old.

“These floors have been stapled and glued into many homes for the past 10 years, but now they look bulky and are difficult to clean,” she says. Not only are they difficult to clean completely, Jain notes that they are also a magnet for allergens.

Which is better? Short-pile carpeting is one option she suggests, as is carpeting over hardwood or laminate floors, which offers versatility and ease of maintenance.

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Red tone wooden floor

Sometimes, outdated flooring has to do with color choice. Gaia Guidi Filippi, owner of Gaia G Interiors, says red-toned wood floors look outdated in most cases.

“Its bold colour can overwhelm a space and I find that if left as is, it really limits the flexibility in choosing decorations,” she says.

While it’s not always possible to completely redo a floor, she recommends re-staining it if you no longer like the color. Hardwood floors tend to be the safest in terms of trend cycles.

Linoleum Flooring

Flooring can be expensive, leading to alternatives that may seem like affordable options at first but are not worth the investment in the long run. That’s what happened with linoleum, according to Jain.

“It’s not popular anymore because it turns yellow over time and looks less modern,” she said.

That doesn’t mean you have to go for expensive options. Jain points to luxury vinyl tile and plank flooring, which are still durable but can mimic more expensive materials like hardwood and stone.

Rustic Floor

There’s nothing wrong with a farmhouse-style space or a cottage-inspired home, but overly rough floors “can be off-putting in most modern homes,” says Guidi Filippi. She notes that this includes rough, old-looking planks and floors, like wire-brushed wood.

If rustic To be your style, she says that even in these settings, she still recommends going with a more uniform wood color. Floors are hard to change, so something a little more subtle will be much more malleable in the future.

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

High quality glossy hardwood

Super-gloss floors have their place, but hardwoods with this finish can feel overdone. Plus, Jain says, scratches, stains, and dirt are much more visible on these floors.

Whether you prefer cool or warm-toned woods, Jain recommends trying woods with matte and satin finishes.

“They offer a modern look, are easier to maintain, and hide stains and scratches better,” she notes.

Gray floor

Gray is a controversial color, many designers believe that gray is gradually going out of style. Guidi Filippi is among that group.

“Grey floors were certainly no exception to the spirit of the times in our interiors in the early 2000s,” and therefore seem dated now, she says.

While this color has been popular over the past decade, it’s not as cozy as warmer neutrals. Even if you like gray decor, your floors don’t have to match it exactly.

“Pay attention to warmer tones, your interior will feel much fresher and become a better foundation to build on,” she adds.

Expert advice for choosing modern flooring

If you are trying to choose flooring that won’t look dated in a few years, here are some helpful tips for you:

• Use tried and true colors: A bright, trendy color may be appealing, but it will likely look dated in a few years, if not months. More subtle, neutral colors are always a safer bet when it comes to something as permanent as flooring.
• Combine trends in other ways: Instead of using your floors as an opportunity to experiment with new ideas, choose timeless materials and colors. Then you can experiment with trends in the form of decor, lighting, rugs, and even paint—all of which can be easily changed later.
• Think about the purpose: Jain notes that function should always be considered to ensure that the floor feels like it’s in place. For example, ceramic and porcelain tiles are great for high-moisture areas like bathrooms and kitchens.