Back when life was simpler, it hardly mattered what we walked on inside our houses. Surfaces were standard issue, so we tended to accept whatever the builder delivered. Simply put, flooring was boring.

Not so today. As homes have evolved, so have homeowners, and now we frequently focus on every detail—from floor to ceiling. As a result, what’s under foot has become as important as overall architecture, paint and woodwork.

It’s no wonder, considering the myriad of current, high-style flooring options.

Possibilities include carpet, porcelain tile, ceramic tile, exotic hardwoods, domestic hardwoods, laminates, granite, marble, stone and custom-designed area rugs. The list is long enough to make past generations swoon and possibly throw contemporary homeowners into panic mode as they consider the abundance of riches available in the marketplace.

Fortunately, there’s plenty of help out there, ranging from Internet information to assistance from interior design firms and experienced flooring experts. And let’s not forget common sense, perhaps with a touch of nostalgia thrown into the mix.

All those elements were responsible for the decisions made by Naples attorney John Garner and his wife, Sarah, when they decided to upgrade their Naples residence in Crown Pointe.

"We’re originally from Indiana and grew up with hardwood floors," John Garner says. "We wanted to [have the] same thing when we relocated here and had our home built 17 years ago."

But it wasn’t to be. During pre-construction consultations, the couple was told "you don’t do hardwood in South Florida," so they reluctantly went with standard-issue tile and carpeting until their recent renovation.

Design trends change, however, and this time around, they got just what they wanted: in this case, Brazilian cherry hardwood floors—an engineered-wood version featuring a veneer over plywood—throughout the first floor.

"It looks beautiful and is easy-care," Sarah says. Her husband calls the look "rich and lively, but still classic."

Rick Johnson, owner of Pelican Bay Floors who helped with their selection and handled the installation, isn’t surprised at their satisfaction. He’s seen various flooring choices go through ups and downs in his 40 years in the business and finds that hardwood is currently his top-seller. (By comparison, tile comes in No. 2, with wall-to-wall carpeting accounting for just 13 percent of revenues.)

Brazilian cherry deserves its popularity, Johnson adds. It’s one of the most controlled and regulated wood species harvested in the world and almost three times harder than pine and boasts double the hardness of oak and maple, so scars are minimal. It ages well, and its warm, reddish tone complements most any décor.

Steve Agius, vice president and general manager of Creative Tile and Hardwood Floors in Naples, sees the same trends as Johnson, although in reverse order when it comes to hardwood versus tile.
"Changes in recent years have been dramatic," Agius notes, drawing on his 22 years of expertise and certification as a wood flooring inspector with the National Wood Flooring Association.

Hardwood floors have become particularly hot in recent years, he says, going from zero on the must-have scale to second place in sales. (Tile remains king, particularly porcelain, which he recommends over ceramic, but wood flooring is coming up fast.)

"A lot of it is a bit of a feeling of nostalgia," Agius adds. People remember hardwood floors from childhood, but Southwest Floridians also want to be au courant. Locally, we use more exotic materials than most of the country, where oak is still preferred."

Fashion-conscious Southwest Floridians are opting for not just Brazilian cherry but also Brazilian walnut as well as Santos mahogany and lush Caribbean rosewood.

And no longer are floorboards the same old two-and-one-quarter inch width. The newest look calls for widths ranging from five to eight inches.

What other trend-centric flooring materials are proving to be the latest and greatest home décor options? When it comes to the top two picks, wood and tile, anything old is new again. Wood floors are being hand-scraped for a distressed look, as is tile and stone. Perfect is out; chipped edges, knots and natural grooves and dings are in.


Flooring 101
Not all floor coverings are created equal and some options work better than others in specific areas. Here are some pros and cons to consider before making the big decision.

• Keep the function of the flooring in mind. If it will receive daily use, consider solid hardwood flooring materials that are durable, come in a variety of styles and colors, and give rooms an upscale look. But beware: wood can discolor and is more difficult to install, thus making it more costly.
• Kitchens pose special problems and serious cooks who stand for long periods of time need to address the stress on their feet and legs. In this case, more resilient flooring is probably a better choice. Plastic laminates and vinyl are good choices and offer excellent stain resistance and a wide range of hues. Linoleum tends to be a bit pricier but is another viable option for busy areas, as is ceramic tile. But beware: vinyl usually looks synthetic and not as natural as ceramic tile. However, drop a platter or coffee can on ceramic and you’ll likely chip the tiles. In addition, grout requires TLC to remove stains and installation can be tricky, driving up the bottom line.
• Wall-to-wall carpet is comfortable to walk on, comes in a myriad of colors and textures, can be easily installed over most surfaces and is available at a variety of price points. But beware: it tends to add warmth to a room—something we decidedly don’t need most of the year in Southwest Florida—plus it absorbs odors and collects dust. It’s not recommended for people with allergies and often doesn’t mesh well with the typical tropical motifs we see in our part of the world.
• Laminates offer the look of hardwood or stone flooring but minus the expense and required maintenance. In addition, they work well in high-traffic areas and are pet-friendly. But beware: laminate flooring doesn’t absorb sound well. Walk on it, especially in high heels, and most likely, you’ll immediately note its limitations.