4 kitchen flooring trends designers say will be everywhere in 2026

Hint: they're classics.

Deciding what kind of flooring you should put in your kitchen is a big decision. "When I'm asked 'What’s the best flooring for a kitchen?' my answer is always the same—it depends on how you live in your home," says Tim Oswald, owner of Floor Coverings International of Coastal Rhode Island. "Your kitchen floor needs to work for your lifestyle first, and your style second. The good news is, you don’t have to compromise on either." To suss out which flooring trends will be prevalent in 2026, we spoke to a few experts and designers. Unsurprisingly, the answers were all familiar—classics are classics for a reason!

Terracotta

"We are seeing a meaningful resurgence of terracotta in kitchen flooring," says Kimberly Oxford of Kimberly Oxford Interiors. "Not as a rustic gesture, but as a sophisticated material choice that introduces warmth, depth, and history into contemporary spaces. Designers are embracing terracotta in varied shapes, from traditional square and rectangular formats to elongated planks and subtle herringbone patterns," she says. "The beauty lies in its tonal variation. No two tiles are exactly alike. Soft clay, burnt sienna, muted rose, and deep earthen reds blend organically across the floor, creating movement without pattern."

Ashley Biscan, design and trend lead at Floor & Decor, also sees terracotta coming back in a big way. "The kitchen is the heart of the home, from morning coffee to memorable meals. We’re seeing ingredient-inspired palettes, like paprika-shaded terracottas, for a cozy, lived-in feel."

Lighter Wood

Biscan says consumers are gravitating toward a nostalgic revival of mid-century and traditional styles, with layered wood textures like lighter white oak floors. "For kitchens in general, customers are favoring 'crème brulee kitchens' over the classic white kitchen, refreshed through toasted neutrals, with layers of vanilla, eggshell, and Swiss coffee bringing warmth and depth to the heart of the home without sacrificing brightness, with solid ash wood herringbone taking center stage."

"I’m a traditionalist when it comes to kitchen floors and always push for hardwood floors," says Jessica Hobson of the eponymous design firm. "I like the consistency of keeping the floors the same throughout the main living spaces in a home.  Plus, from a functionality standpoint, wood is the most gentle on the feet when standing over the stove!  Right now, we're definitely seeing a trend of lighter oak floors continue."

Boldly Colored Tiles

On the flip side, Biscan says bold colors and patterns are front and center for those who favor a little more spice. "Saturated hues create spaces that feel expressive yet intentional. Deep ambers, soft burgundies, and smoky neutrals pair with geometric patterns, curved silhouettes, and bold, harlequin tiled flooring that adds personality."

Oswald agrees. "Graphic tiles and patterned LVP will continue to be popular for adding a statement to smaller spaces like kitchens or bathrooms."

Dark Hardwood

"As smaller homes still embrace open-concept footprints, a continuous floor throughout the home is a strong design move for continuity," says Lindsay Thornton, designer and founder of Cornerstone Design Build. "However, as kitchen cabinets gravitate toward wooden rather than painted finishes, paying attention to the tone and species of the hardwood flooring becomes paramount," Thornton says. "It is important to ensure that the wood tones in your floors and your cabinetry share the same undertone and are ideally the same species of wood. Darker wood tones are emerging in 2026, adding more warmth and depth.”