Interior Designer’s Guide to the Top Flooring Choices for Remodels

A stunning floor sets the foundation for every beautifully designed room. It’s the surface you live on, the first thing you feel underfoot, and a key detail that ties a space together. In luxury remodels, choosing the right flooring is both an art and a science, balancing design aesthetics, functionality, and longevity. 

In this guide, Kanika Design, an award-winning interior design firm in the San Francisco Bay Area, shares expert insights into the top flooring choices for remodels, 2025 flooring trends, and how to select timeless flooring solutions that create spaces built to last.

Understanding the Role of Flooring in Luxury Remodels  

Flooring is not merely a background element; it defines the mood, flow, and texture of a space. According to Kanika Bakshi Khurana, Founder and Principal Designer of Kanika Design, “Every flooring decision shapes the visual harmony and storytelling of your home.” Whether you prefer natural finishes or modern textures, selecting the right material ensures your remodel looks polished and performs beautifully for years.

Comparing the Top Flooring Types  

Kanika Design approaches each remodel with a designer’s eye, balancing beauty with performance. Here’s how hardwood, engineered wood, tile, stone, and luxury vinyl compare on durability, design, and maintenance.

Each choice offers distinct advantages depending on the space and desired ambiance. Kanika often curates flooring combinations, like pairing natural stone in bathrooms with wide-plank oak in adjacent spaces, to maintain design fluidity while optimizing functionality.

2025 Flooring Trends: What’s Influencing Modern Remodels 

The 2025 flooring trends reflect a return to authenticity and sustainability while celebrating craftsmanship. Kanika Design integrates these subtle evolutions thoughtfully into remodels to ensure each design feels fresh yet timeless.

• Wide Plank Floors: Broader board widths help rooms appear more open and grounded. Oak and walnut are the designer’s favorites for their character and texture.
• Natural Tones and Muted Finishes: Homeowners are moving toward soft beiges, greys, and honey browns that blend harmoniously with minimalist and organic styling.
• Sustainable Materials: Eco-conscious clients are choosing reclaimed wood and responsibly sourced stone. Kanika Design ensures that every choice aligns with both performance and environmental mindfulness.
• Matte and Brushed Finishes: These finishes enhance the tactile feel of wood and stone, offering understated elegance perfect for high-end remodels.

While trends evolve, Kanika Design encourages clients to balance trend-forward materials with classic design principles, ensuring spaces remain relevant for the next decade, not just the next season.

Choosing the Right Flooring for Each Room   

Every room serves a unique purpose, and the flooring should reflect that. Kanika Design’s approach begins with understanding how each space will be used and how the materials interact under different lighting, moisture, and foot traffic conditions.

Kitchens

• Best Options: Porcelain tile, engineered wood, or luxury vinyl plank.
• Why: These materials handle moisture and spills gracefully while maintaining visual elegance. Engineered wood offers a continuous flow with adjacent living areas.

Bathrooms

• Best Options: Natural stone or porcelain tiles with textured finishes.
• Why: Water resistance, slip prevention, and timeless appeal make these ideal. Kanika’s remodels often feature marble tile floors paired with radiant heating for added comfort.

Living Rooms & Bedrooms

• Best Options: Hardwood or engineered wood in warm, natural tones.
• Why: These options create continuity and visual warmth, enhancing comfort and sophistication. Under area rugs, they deliver a layered and luxurious feel that defines modern living spaces.

Entryways and Hallways

• Best Options: Stone or porcelain tile.
• Why: These welcome guests with a sense of grandeur and withstand heavy traffic beautifully.

Installation, Underlayment & Maintenance Tips for Luxury Finishes  

Luxury flooring requires expert planning and meticulous execution. Kanika Design’s full-service remodels ensure that each layer, from underlayment to top finish, is chosen to complement the overall design intent.

Installation Essentials:

• Always acclimate wood flooring to the room for at least 48 hours before installation.
• Use moisture barriers or underlayments appropriate for your climate, especially in Bay Area coastal homes prone to humidity.
• Align the plank direction with the longest wall to visually elongate the space.

Underlayment & Comfort:

• Acoustic underlayment adds sound insulation, essential for multi-level homes.
• Cork and foam underlayment options provide a comfortable feel underfoot, especially for luxury vinyl and engineered floors.

Maintenance Guidance:

• Use pH-neutral cleaners designed for specific surfaces (wood, tile, or stone).
• Avoid excessive moisture on natural materials like hardwood or marble.
• Refinish, reseal, or polish surfaces periodically to preserve the sheen and color depth of luxury flooring.

Each Kanika Design remodel includes detailed care guides for long-term performance, ensuring your flooring continues to complement your interiors year after year.

Classic Over Trend: Kanika’s Design Philosophy   

One of the hallmarks of Kanika Design’s work is its enduring aesthetic. Rather than chasing temporary trends, the firm focuses on classic patterns and timeless layouts. Traditional herringbone wooden flooring, checkerboard marble, and mosaic inlays are just a few design signatures Kanika has reinterpreted for modern spaces.

In a recent Bay Area remodel featured on Design Hopping with Kanika, a Laurel Heights residence combined white oak parquet floors with black marble borders, creating a seamless blend of history and modern formality. The outcome was a floor that felt both current and heirloom-worthy, a central principle of Kanika’s design approach.

Case Study: Los Altos Home Remodel 

One highlight project from Kanika Design is the Los Altos Home Remodel in California. The home was focused on openness, light, and timeless detail.

• Walls were removed in the kitchen and dining to create a free-flowing layout.
• A checkerboard tile floor gave a strong design base that will not lose appeal after a few years.
• Natural light was maximized with a large window overlooking the garden.
• Terracotta flooring from old sections was repurposed, showing sustainable practice.
• A custom oak built-in added warmth in the dining room with stylish hardware.

This remodel displayed how classic design choices outlast quick trends. The flooring in particular tied every design element together, bridging modern tones and traditional touches.

About Kanika Design  

Kanika Design is an award-winning interior design firm in the San Francisco Bay Area, continues to redefine timeless living through bold creativity, meticulous craftsmanship, and end-to-end remodel solutions. Under the vision of Kanika Bakshi Khurana, every detail, from the foundation to the finishing sheen, is beautifully considered, proving that the best floors aren’t just walked on; they are lived in, admired, and cherished for years to come.

For more inspiration on modern flooring ideas, watch Kanika share insights from Milan Design Week’s Bergamo section here:  https://www.youtube.com/watchv=mcN0hG8SPII&list=PLiftsO7m1i0hZHc47NejmA3yjSX6mEuaR&index=3

Also Read: Guide to Refinishing Hardwood Floors & How to Repair Them

Conclusion 

The right flooring anchors not only your interior’s style but also its soul. It is where luxury meets function, where design excellence turns into daily comfort. With Kanika Design’s seasoned guidance, each remodel becomes a masterpiece crafted to endure, celebrating thoughtful design rather than fleeting trends. Whether it’s the warmth of oak, the grandeur of marble, or the innovation of luxury vinyl, every surface tells your home’s story.

FAQs 

Q1. Which flooring type offers the longest lifespan in a remodel?

Natural hardwood and stone offer unmatched durability when maintained correctly. They age beautifully and can last decades, making them ideal for luxury remodels emphasizing longevity.

Q2. How do I maintain natural stone floors?

Regular sealing is key. Stone should be resealed every 1–2 years to prevent staining and maintain its luster. Avoid acidic cleaners and use soft microfiber mops to protect the surface.

Q3. Are luxury vinyl planks suitable for high-end interiors?

Yes, modern luxury vinyl mimics natural textures remarkably well. Kanika Design uses it strategically in high-traffic or moisture-prone areas, complementing premium materials elsewhere for a cohesive look.

Q4. Should all rooms have the same flooring?

Not necessarily. Continuity is important, but texture variation defines zones gracefully. Kanika Design often combines materials within one palette to create an elegant flow without visual monotony.

Q5. How do wide planks influence a room’s feel?

Wide planks widen the visual plane, making rooms appear more expansive and serene. They also showcase grain patterns beautifully, elevating the sense of craftsmanship in every room.