2024 Design Trend Predictions

Every year, we like to try our hand at predicting the new year's trends! After watching our customers and flooring manufacturers this year, we’ve come up with 5 trend predictions for 2024! 

1. Modern Western 
 

Maybe it’s because of popular shows like Yellowstone or maybe we’re having a renewed appreciation for our Western American roots, but the Western aesthetic is coming to 2024! We think we’ll see this trend in rugs, upholstery, woodwork, and art! This trend will stray away from a hokey cowboy aesthetic, but will pair western details with modern design! 

2. Brown Tones

The last design decade was practically characterized by white! Folks that still love neutrals but are looking for some warmth will utilize brown tones in 2024. We predict that we’ll be seeing paint with more brown undertones, gorgeous brown tiles, and of course brown in our wood flooring! We will also see brown couches in a fresh and modern way this year.  

3. Large Format Tile

We saw a shift to large format tiling last year, and this trend continues in 2024. The larger tiles give a luxurious look and minimize grout lines which makes cleanup a breeze! We will see this trend in bathrooms, laundry rooms, and even kitchens! 

4. Paint Colors!

More and more homeowners will be making bold choices with their paint colors this year. While most will go with tranquil and soft colors, it will still be a departure from the white walls of the last decade. Calming blues and greens will be popular choices in dining rooms, bathrooms, and offices! 

5. Real Craftsman Wood

We saw products like LVP and wood-look tile explode the last 5 years! When products like these blow up, we see the real material grow in desirability and we predict this will happen with wood flooring. Homeowners that may have not cared about having real wood will want their flooring to stand out from the rest! Though real wood carries a higher price tag than laminate or LVP, we’ll see more homeowners making the investment this year. This trend will also carry into furniture choices as homeowners pass on fake wood and opt for craftsman pieces. 

What are your thoughts on these 2024 trend predictions? Will you try your hand at any of them? If Flooring Direct Temecula can help you achieve any of your design goals this year, please give us a call or visit our Temecula showroom at your convenience! 

Long Live The Checkered Floor!

The checkered tile floor has been a staple look throughout many decades. Though it is timeless, there are particular ways it is showing up in modern home design. Here are three fresh ways you can try out checkered flooring in your own home! 
 

1. Aim for an Antique/Vintage Effect 

Choosing tiles that are meant to look aged can actually modernize the checkered trend! The ultra bold and shiny checkers can look a bit dated so some texture and imperfection can really soften the effect. This tile from Merola Tile is a great example of this antique checkered look! 

2. Consider A Softer Color Scheme

Black and white checkered floors are simply iconic, but to bring some softness and interest to your checkered floors, think outside of the box! Sage greens, light blues, and peach-toned neutrals are good places to start. These large format tiles from Bedrosians Tile are a perfect example of how a checkered floor can be both dynamic and soft at the same time.

3.  Lay The Checkers Diagonally

One of the benefits of checkered flooring is the freedom you have to design your layout. Our tip is to have your installer lay your tiles with the corners pointing with the flow of your room. The diagonal effect will elongate the room and dull the harshness that can commonly be associated with checkered floors.


What are your thoughts on checkered floors? Is there a place in your home that you would consider trying out this look? If we can assist you in any part of your flooring journey, give us a call!  

Flooring Inspired By Your Favorite Designers

  For homeowners who are still figuring out their personal design style, we love to ask them who their favorite designers are! Sometimes the designers we're drawn to have captured a look that reflects our own aesthetic tastes! Here are 5 popular designers and some flooring options we'd recommend to fans of their work. 

1. Joanna Gaines
Best known for her sensational show Fixer Upper, Joanna Gaines' design style took over the industry with her take on "modern farmhouse"! Her use of recycled materials, iron hardware features, and bright rustic spaces have created her signature Waco-based aesthetic.

If you're a fan of Joanna Gaines, we recommend a medium toned engineered wood like this one from Provenza's hardwood collection. This engineered hardwood will give you the same rustic look as traditional wood for $5.99 sq/ft instead of $11. These engineered floors have a great wear layer and can be refinished in future decades! 
 

2. Studio McGee

Taking over the Target Home section, Studio McGee has captured homeowners with her neutral colors, use of wicker and beachy woods, and modern furniture pieces. With nods to the beauty of the rustic west, many American families feel at home with her designs! 

If you're a fan of Studio McGee, we recommend a modern light-toned wood like this European White Oak from Bravada Hardwood. While this designer is a big fan of refinishing floors, we highly suggest a product like this that is treated in the factory prior to installation. It will last forever!
 

3.Property Brothers
 The Property Brothers specialize in that signature West Coast vibe that many of our California customers love! They specialize in light, bright, contemporary design. Hints of mid-century decor and pops of color bring balance and textural interest to their spaces!

If you're a fan of The Property Brothers, we recommend a bright contemporary bathroom tile with some subtle textural interest. This product from Emser Tile looks like custom hand-made artisan tile but can be purchased for under $7 sq/ft. 

4. Martha Stewart

 Martha Stewart’s aesthetic showcases elegant coastal elements with heavy inspiration from country cottage living. Fans of Pottery Barn and understated elegance love her unique style! 


For fans of Martha Stewart's style, we recommend a simple and chic tiled backsplash. Subway tile is a timeless and traditional option for kitchens, but choosing something with a bit more visual interest will emulate Stewart's signature high-end aesthetic! We love this product from Dal Tile.

5. Erin Napier 

Erin Napier and her husband have brought Mississippi beauty to America, showcasing a vibrant southern color palette, vintage accents, and cozy spaces with a lived-in feel. This care-free design is particularly popular among young families! 

If you're a fan of Erin Napier, we recommend a hand-treated hardwood like this product from Provenza's Antico collection. Napier is always looking to restore old hardwood floors, but for folks without existing hardwood, this product will give them that same antique look and finish! 

Which home designer is your personal favorite? If we can help you emulate any of your favorite styles and designs, please don't hesitate to call. We can help bring that on-screen magic into your very own home! 

Is Your Company Office Stuck In the 90's?

We recently finished a flooring update for a local company's office. The customer was looking for something that felt luxurious yet professional so they went with Timber Hickory wood from MSI. With how wonderful the finished product looked, we couldn't help but remember the less wonderful offices of the past! Take a trip with us down memory lane!

1. The 1980's
Though they may not appear fresh and fun through today's lens, offices in the 1980's were all about inspiration and modernity. Pops of color, geometric accents, and patterned carpet were popular with office design in this decade! Company's were looking to bring a bit of drama into their offices to set them apart from the competition! 


 
2. The 90's
In the 90's, some office spaces leaned towards cozy and inviting while more technology-focussed spaces focussed on neutral colors and simple design. Fake plants became quite popular in those more common office spaces along with that orange-toned wood furniture. In more technological offices, you might find a pop of color in the carpet, but the focus was on those "highly developed" computers!

3. The Early/Mid 2000's 
In the 2000's we see an emphasis on light and windows for the first time! Sleek white or black office furniture became a mark of a high-end office space, and there was a movement away from wooden office furniture. While cubicles were still popular, we began seeing less claustrophobic takes on the cubicles from decades past. 



3. The 2020's
Today's corporate offices are more communal than ever before. While higher-up employees may have their own office space, a majority of associates are often sharing a work area these days! We are also seeing an emphasis on luxury in the work place - wood floors, quartz countertops, and inviting furniture pieces are seen throughout many offices these days. We are even bringing in real plants to the workplace again to bring life and color!

Here's a peek at the local office we helped out this month.
You'll see quartz countertops in the corner, wood floors, and plenty of light! 

If you have a commercial space in need of a flooring update, we'd love to help you! Businesses are often the heart of local communities and caring for them is also a way of caring for the people they serve!

Tips For Beautiful Tile-Wood Transitions

Transitioning between two types flooring is a detail that many customers don't consider when choosing floors. We highly recommend that our customers consider how their various flooring materials will jive before selecting a product. One common transition we see is between a tiled bathroom, laundry room, or entryway and a wood, laminate or vinyl product. Here are some tips to make your flooring transition feel harmonious!

1. Keep It Simple! 
Some homeowners may be tempted to make a design statement with their transition piece and while we respect any decision a homeowner makes for their personal aesthetic, most of the time less is more! The point of a transition is to seamlessly draw attention to the beautiful floors you already have, so we usually recommend a transition piece that matches your wood, laminate, or vinyl flooring! Here's a photo of a tile transition that is distracting from the beautiful wood flooring beside it. 

2. Color-Coordinate Your Flooring Choices

If possible, we always recommend seeing samples of your flooring side-by-side before making selections. If you already have an existing floor that you're looking to transition to, bring home a sample and lay it beside your floor. If they seem to clash in a way you're unhappy with, a flooring professional can help you select something slightly different that will transition better. This photo is a perfect example of well coordinated materials. This tile, though light in tone has subtle hints of brown in it which makes it a great coupling with the darker wood!

3. In Some Cases, Consider Schluter!
Schluter is a durable transition material that is often used in commercial spaces. However, more and more we're noticing it used in residential projects. Schluter provides a long-lasting barrier between floors and it comes in multiple colors and sizes which makes it a popular option for folks looking to do something slightly out of the box! Here are three examples of different types of schluter!

4. Make Sure Your Transition Is Safe and Level!

Professional installers are trained to make transitions that are safe to walk on. Poorly executed transitions are a safety hazard, especially for handicapped individuals and senior citizens.  If you notice a poorly secured transition piece or one that is not level with the floor, call your installers immediately. 

If you’d like any additional info about flooring transitions or any other flooring endeavors, feel free to contact us at any time!

Is Vinyl Tile Right For You?

Vinyl tile seems to be growing in popularity and we thought we’d share some of its features and benefits! 

Vinyl tile is an alternative, budget-friendly option for folks who love the look of tiled floors! They are especially popular in mudrooms, bathrooms, kitchens, and entryways. 


One fact to note about this material is that these products all offer different features, warranties, and styles. For example, some vinyl tile can be grouted like real tile, while others are designed to be installed like vinyl plank. Experienced professionals will know which products are right for your home and its unique installation needs.

Vinyl tile is a great option for folks planning to rent their home, flip a property, or host airbnb guests. Vinyl tile may not offer the same long-term staying power as real tile, but it is durable and affordable — two words all property owners & realtors love to hear! 


DIYers have become big fans of vinyl tile for its seemingly straightforward installation. As you’ve likely heard us say many times before, running into uneven floors, insufficient tools, and inexperience can sabotage even the most seasoned DIYer. Our advice is to reach out for guidance from a knowledgable professional before diving in. At our company for example, we occasionally sell material straight to homeowners, and are happy to answer questions about their installation process! 

If you’d like any additional info about this flooring option, feel free to contact us at any time!

Pass On This Viral DIY Project!

Last week we came across a viral TikTok video of a DIY project that caused us some concern. In it, a woman encouraged home owners to purchase MuscleBound, a sticky tile adhesive, and to stick the tiles right onto it (without mastic) for a DIY backsplash. If you’ve been following our blog for a while, you know that we like to encourage DIY projects, as long as people are safe and informed. This DIY project however, was extremely misleading and we would not recommend this tiling method to anyone for the following reasons: 
 

1. Uneven Grout Joints 

Any experienced tile setter will tell you that achieving those straight and even grout lines takes finesse and experience! Because tile (even the Subway tile from the video) is never perfectly uniform, grout lines don’t naturally appear straight by simply stacking tile like the video insinuated. Thin set or mastic allows installers to make subtle adjustments to each tile, giving the appearance of perfection! This sticky adhesive will not allow the installer to make these slight changes. What you’ll end up seeing with this method is strange, wavy grout lines. If you look closely at the brief image this DIYer shared, you’ll see the beginnings of these wavy grout lines. Compare it with the photo below and you’ll see those straight grout lines we’re after!

2. Walls Aren’t Always Flush!

The other reason that professional tile setters use mastic is that walls and surfaces are often not flush and even. When an installer encounters uneven surfaces, they can use their mastic to cushion certain areas to help even everything out. Again, this sticky mat allows very little adjustment. 
 

3. Short Lived Success!

The beauty of tile is that it lasts and lasts…and lasts. We estimate that one of these MuscleBound backsplashes will only hold up for a handful of months. Soon, tiles will begin to crack due to natural movement, and eventually entire sections will begin falling off. For all of the time and effort it takes to tile a backsplash, we recommend making sure it lasts! Here is an unfortunate review from someone online who tried the “recommended” Musclebound method. 

4. Water and Steam Will Wear Down Backing

Tile is very popular in rooms of the home that hold moisture. The material holds up to splashes and steam if it is installed properly. With this DIY method, the only thing holding the tile to the wall is an adhesive that will eventually wear down with the presence of moisture. While it may seem like the grout she adds after will help the tile stay in place, that is not the case. Grout is not a bonding agent; It is just a filler. It will be of no help once that backing wears down.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

All in all, we don’t want any home owner spending considerable money to purchase DIY materials, only to need to call a professional to fix the job in the end. While we appreciate this woman’s tenacity and creativity, certain construction projects really do need to be done the right way!  It is important for us all to remember that influencers on social media are not always experts, and sometimes the old fashioned way is simply better!

Tips For Hosting An Unforgettable Thanksgiving!

It's early October and some of us are already excited for one of our favorite holidays; Thanksgiving! We love this holiday because it involves food, family and gratitude! However, if you're the one that will be doing the hosting this year, we know that the holiday can stir up some anxiety too. So we've compiled a list of some tips to encourage and excite you; and maybe even take away some of the stress that might be setting in this October!

1. Settle On Travel Plans Soon!

NOW is the time that family should be booking flights or setting time aside from work if they will travel over the long Thanksgiving week. So, have those conversations with loved ones as soon as possible so that you can plan your calendar, decide how many meals will need to be coordinated, and see whether you might need to take some days off of work yourself!

2. Start Tackling House Projects Now!

Most of us have cleaning and organizing projects that we want to tackle before company arrives. Perhaps we need to clean out a guest room, re-paint a bathroom, or finish some minor repairs in the home. Either way, giving yourself at least a month to complete some of these larger projects will save you from a pile-up of tasks and stress in November.

3. Simplify A Few Meals!

When visitors will be in your home for days in a row, food is a huge topic of consideration. With all of the planning and work involved in Thanksgiving dinner, give yourself a break and simplify meal plans for the days surrounding Thanksgiving! Our extended family likes to take turns preparing breakfast when we're all in the same house. You could also consider having a pizza night, or you could schedule to eat out for a meal at least once! Whatever you choose, don't be afraid to ask your family members for help! Together, the pressure of constant food preparation can be alleviated so there's more time to enjoy the quality time under one roof!

4. Consider Easy Welcome Gifts!

Make a fun "Welcome Basket" for the kiddos (or adults!) coming over! For kids, I love ordering festive Oriental Trading crafts in advance, to give the kids something to do immediately upon arrival. The Dollar store is a great place to find craft items and goodies for children too! For adults, (especially those who live out of state) we love buying inexpensive gift cards to In&Out Burger or our local coffee shops so guests can explore nearby! Welcome gifts are not about lavish gifts, but small tokens to make your guests feel loved!

5. Delegate Thanksgiving

Dinner Responsibilities! This may be our most important tip: Take your loved ones up on their offers to contribute to Thanksgiving dinner! Even for those traveling a long distance, you can delegate drinks, store-bought items, or simple side dishes like salads and simple veggie sides!

6. Plan Yourself A Break To Regroup!

Another important tip for the leader of hospitality in your home: Plan one family outing for everyone but the host during the weekend. Because our space can get messy FAST with a house full of people inside, we always plan an afternoon when one of us can stay behind to pick up, re-group, and maybe get a load of laundry done! You'd be surprised how valuable and rejuvenating just a few hours can be for the homeowner!

If you're hosting Thanksgiving this year, we hope you are able to let go of the pressure of perfectionism, and embrace the chance to love on family members in a way that brings you joy and gratitude. Flooring Direct Temecula wishes you a happy Fall and an even happier Thanksgiving!

"The greatest moments in life are not concerned with selfish achievements but rather with the things we do for the people we love and esteem." - Walt Disney

Where Did Gray Floors Come From?!

This week, we stumbled on a fantastic article in “The Atlantic” about the phenomenon of gray flooring in American homes over the last decade and a half. Having witnessed the beginning of this design trend and its gradual exit, we found a few things from the article that rang true and we wanted to pass them along.

The Influx of “House Flippers”
Over the last few decades, house flipping has grown in popularity, even with those who’ve had no prior industry experience. In recent years, as the market has become quite difficult for buyers, house flippers found ways to entice buyers to consider their properties. Isabel Fattal wrote in her article about some of the difficulties recent buyers have faced: “Housing is very expensive, and what you get for your money is worsening. Homes are old, and the buying or renting public is used to newness. If you can create a sense of newness inside these older homes, you can charge more.” She went on to explain that flippers who were looking to make a profit had to find ways to make a home look shiny and new, all while spending as little as possible. THIS is where gray floors came in!
Gray flooring, in particular, is a rather new flooring trend. Historically, homeowners have wanted more neutral and earthy tones on their floors - browns, creams, rich wood tones, etc. Gray represented something new and modern. It wasn’t that orange wood of the 90’s and early 2000’s or those overly warm tones our grandparents used in the 70’s with their shag carpets and terra-cotta. Gray represented unnatural, which at the time signified newness. Flippers were able to bring in gray tones with inexpensive laminate, tile, or carpet, and home buyers pounced! These homeowners, sometimes falsely believed that those gray tones symbolized a full renovation, which attracted them to neighborhoods and older homes that they normally wouldn’t consider. Flippers found that cool gray tones and fresh paint were keys to their success!

HGTV Targets The Working Class

We cannot overemphasize the profound effect HGTV has had on our culture in the last few decades! Though there were a few home-improvement shows before the 90’s, (“This Old House” for example) they weren’t featuring home design in the same consumeristic and accessible way that we see today. In the 2000’s, home design shows began to blow up and their job was to showcase simple and affordable ways to bring luxury to their lower middle class and middle class viewers. Brand new wood floors are not accessible to the average lower middle class family, so instead, they showcased alternatives like vinyl and laminate. Back then, imitation wood products were not as advanced as today’s products, so instead of using wood-like tones in their shows, HGTV home designers pushed gray-toned laminate and vinyl in their projects. In her article, Isabel Fattal also reminisced about the influx of “barn doors” and farmhouse decor we saw on these shows, which warned up their gray aesthetic.

It was fascinating to hear a writer’s reflections on what might be behind our cultures’s design trends and it even helped us to see our modern design trends in conversation with the past. Perhaps our return to more natural tones and materials is in response to our collective obsession with gray ten years ago! Either way, we must admit that we still see some homeowners who showcase gray tones beautifully in their spaces. There are not absolutes when it comes to personal design style, and there are certainly ways to work in gray tones that feel current and beautiful! What are you thoughts on the color gray in homes? We’d love to hear your feedback!

Renovating In The Name Of Love

More often than not, families are actually renovating their homes to better the lives of their family members -  not to simply increase the value of their homes. In the spirit of Valentine's Day, we thought we'd focus on the ways many of our customers have designed their homes with their loved ones in mind.

A Couple Finally Prioritizing Themselves
It's common for Mom and Dad to focus on perfecting the shared spaces of their home before treating the master bedroom with the attention it deserves. This selflessness is a wonderful quality and renovating major rooms in the house first makes a lot of sense. However, we love when an older couple tells us that it's finally time to rip up the old carper in their bedroom or upgrade the master bathroom into the oasis they've always dreamed of! Making the bedroom a restful and peaceful space is definitely an investment in the name of love!

A Grandchild's Happy Place
There are few loves in one's life as great as the love of grandchildren. Therefore living far away from your grandchildren can be incredibly difficult. One way we've tried to remedy this is to have frequent visits, with our kids and grandkids spending weeks at a time in our home. So what a pleasure it will be to transform an extra room  into a bedroom for our two granddaughters. We'll start with fresh paint and brand new carpet and then will happily comb through Pinterest for girly ideas, all while humming a familiar song! ". . . Rain drops on roses and whiskers on kittens, Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens. . .🎶"

A Spouse Rooting For Their Partner! 
Many of us know- Working from home can be incredibly difficult! It is so refreshing when a husband or wife is the one pushing for the renovation of their spouse's home office. One way of rooting for your partner's career or side hustle is by helping them turn their space into an inspiring place to focus on their work.  Sometimes it's as simple as installing a door and other times it might mean refreshing the flooring, paint, or office furniture. Whether it's a big or small investment, helping your partner with the function of their working space is incredibly kind! 

If we can help you tackle any hand surface needs in your home, please don't hesitate to reach out! You know us - We LOVE what we do!