CHICAGO > CHICAGO TRENDS
What’s hot in hardwood flooring for Chicago?
Discover which materials, styles, and flooring options are trending in the Chicago area.
Custom White Oak | ID#10423
Architect: Lucien Lagrange
Builder: Stratum Builders
Designer: Leigh Bolger Design
Engineered hardwood planks
A growing number of Chicagoland customers are choosing engineered wide plank floors over solid hardwood options. Engineered boards are made with a veneer of hardwood that is adhered to multiple layers of backing material. This structure is designed to withstand changes in relative humidity more successfully than solid wood planks. In Chicago and the surrounding areas, engineered floors appear in kitchens, bathrooms, basements, and over concrete or radiant heating systems where solid wood flooring may not be appropriate.
Beach Pathway | ID #12749
Versatile Plank Widths
Chicago designers and homeowners are embracing a mix of plank widths to bring personality and proportion to their spaces. Whether it’s the bold statement of 10” planks in expansive great rooms, like those used in a recent Fort Wayne project with Traditional Collection: Aquila, or the understated elegance of narrower widths, Carlisle offers options to suit every aesthetic. This variety in plank widths not only enhances the natural beauty of the wood but also lets homeowners and designers create a bespoke, custom feel tailored to their space.
Custom Birch | ID#10800
Builder: Eighty-Eight Design & Construction
Designer: PROjECT Interiors
Photographer: A.Vision | Arturo Yepez
Hickory floors
Hickory continues to be a favorite for Chicago homes and businesses, prized for its strength, natural beauty, and rich grain patterns. Recently, Hickory in the Earthen Collection: Argil was featured in high-profile projects like the Schumacher designer showroom in Evanston and the Ventas office in the Loop, specified by the Lamar Johnson Collective (LJC). With warm, versatile tones that complement a range of interior styles, Hickory creates a natural, grounded look while offering durability that can stand the test of time. It’s a flooring choice that feels as at home in a cozy bungalow as it does in a sleek urban office.
Smooth and brushed texture
Apart from smooth or untextured floors, more Chicagoland customers choose brushed flooring over other texture choices. Texturing the floor recreates the less-than-perfect look of older or antique floors, adding character and authenticity to any room. Our brushed textured planks take inspiration from old wood floors where everyday use has worn down the soft grains and allowed the denser grains to stand proud. Carlisle craftsmen use brushes with uniquely developed and multilayered bristles to achieve the same worn look and beautiful grain patterns in each plank.
Designer: Tracy Kurc Interiors + Styling
Custom Brushed White Oak
Builder: Smallwood Design & Construction
Designer: Tammy Stroud Design
Architect: JLG Design
Photographer: Miranda Estes
Builder: Eighty-Eight Design & Construction
Designer: PROjECT Interiors
Photographer: A.Vision | Arturo Yepez
Heirloom Grade
Each plank that is cut and fashioned by our artisan woodworkers is graded for the clarity and character of grain. Recently, our Heirloom Grade floors have been trending with Chicago area customers. Heirloom is considered a more formal or refined grade – the planks will have only occasional knots and color variation. Heirloom grade floors are usually installed in contemporary/modern settings or more refined/formal traditional settings. We don’t just offer Heirloom Grade—our selection also includes Signature and Original Grades, so you can choose the perfect fit for your home.
Seventh Heaven | ID#11052
Builder: Agra Construction
Photographer: Gabriel Volpi
Patterned Floors
Patterned floors, also known as parquet floors, are making a big impact in Chicago, turning functional flooring into a design feature. Whether it’s the timeless charm of herringbone, as seen in the Shumaker showroom, or the custom basketweave that elevates the Ventas office elevator lobbies, these intricate designs add depth, contrast, and a sense of artistry to any room. Pattern floors are perfect for creating a striking focal point or adding dimension to smaller spaces, offering endless possibilities to make your floors uniquely yours.
Builder: Cerrata Builders
Custom Herringbone | ID#12871
Picture Frame Herringbone & Plank ID#12008
