The Beauty of Rustic Flooring

Rustic flooring is a classic that’s always in style, especially if you're partial to the modern farmhouse aesthetic. Interior design trends come and go, but the best design elements are timeless classics that are a sound investment. Hardwood flooring has proven its endurance and continues to be emulated in other flooring options like luxury vinyl and laminate, while carpet continues to carve its niche as a plush and inviting flooring choice, offering a comforting touch to living spaces.

Here's why rustic floors are an undeniable hit with homeowners looking to hone in on the modern farmhouse style.

Types of Rustic Farmhouse Flooring

When it comes to selecting the right farmhouse flooring for your home, there are many options to consider. Rustic, farmhouse-style flooring runs the gamut from hard surfaces like matte-finished porcelain tile and wide-plank hardwood to carpet in neutral colorways.

The Natural Beauty of Rustic Hardwood Floor

The term "rustic" evokes a sense of simplicity and rugged charm. Rustic hardwood floors are reminiscent of countryside barns and forests, completing finished rooms to create the feeling of a cozy retreat. These wood floor styles are carefully crafted to showcase the natural characteristics of wood, including grains, knots, rings, and subtle wormholes.

In the realm of rustic wood flooring, a diverse range of finishes plays a key role. From distressing and hand-scraping to stains, color washes, weathering, matte finishes, oiling, and waxing, each finish is chosen to enhance the wood's inherent character, appealing to enthusiasts of rustic wood flooring.

Natural wood embodies the essence of farmhouse chic, offering an earthy, straightforward aesthetic. Extending this charm throughout the home, including the kitchen, is a timeless choice. Opting for a wide-plank farmhouse-style hardwood as the main flooring choice brings character and warmth to the entire space. Consider a warm, brown-toned oak floor to emphasize the unique knots of white oak and create a cohesive and enduring ambiance in a modern farmhouse-style home.

The Timeless Allure of Rustic Carpeting

What is a modern farmhouse without some cozy, soft surfaces to sink your feet into? A wall-to-wall carpet will keep a bedroom feeling warm and cozy even in the coldest of winter months. In the modern farmhouse living room, stick to area rugs that allow you to combine the charm of rustic hardwood (or reclaimed wood-look floors!) with added warmth and texture underfoot.

Stick to a neutral palette to make the room appear fresh and open. Consider keeping patterns simple and adding depth to a neutral palette by incorporating a variety of textures in the carpet and other textiles throughout the space.

Faux Wood, Real Charm: Rustic Laminate Flooring

For those who love the look of wood but want durability, laminate products are an option to consider. Laminates have come a long way from the kitschy tiles you might remember from your grandma's kitchen way back when. Modern laminates are available in a range of looks and styles that give real hardwood a run for its money—and they're very affordable, too.

Despite the changes in laminate over the years, they've stayed true to the functional features that made them a popular choice in the first place. They're durable, affordable, and stylish, which is why they're a great go-to solution for a quick and easy floor update.

To get the classic farmhouse style with laminate flooring, try a lighter, vintage-washed wood look. Choosing a lightly distressed product fits the bill for a relaxed look with modern and vintage elements. The more saw marks, large knots, and flaws, the more character.

Rustic Charm Through Porcelain Tiles

Porcelain flooring is a great choice for homes of all styles because it's super durable, low-maintenance, and long-lasting. To complement—or inspire—your modern farmhouse design, check out an unpolished, wood-look porcelain tile. A matte finish is ideal for laid-back farmhouse decor, plus it's also practical since it's great at hiding your usual daily messes.

Or, try installing this farmhouse tile in a staggered brick pattern to achieve a cobblestone look. Consider contrasting the tile with a darker charcoal grout, which will make the farmhouse tile floor pop. Darker grout will also keep your floors looking fresher longer since lighter grout will stain over time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Curious about the mesmerizing world of rustic flooring? Delve into our Frequently Asked Questions to discover essential insights and expert advice on various aspects of this timeless and captivating design choice.

What is Patina? 

Patina is the natural aging process of solid hardwood flooring, creating a luster from the combined results of aging, wear, sun exposure, and oxidation. Rustic wood flooring options capture this brilliant phenomenon, and the timeworn patina is highly prized by hardwood lovers. In the same way that fine wine is aged to perfection, wood with a beautiful patina is achieved with time and loving wear.

Is Rustic Laminate Flooring Moisture Resistant?

Another hard surface style, laminate flooring is often water-resistant and offers a wood look appearance like vinyl. Rustic laminate flooring, including rustic barnwood laminate, is available in tons of wood looks, from deep, dark wood to the lightest of light, as well as styles that include natural-looking mineral streaks and knots. You can’t go wrong with rustic laminate flooring for any design, plus it's safe to use in bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms, and basements!

No matter what the design world champions as the hottest look on the market, investing in a timeless style is always a solid choice. Hardwood flooring will never go out of style, and rustic varieties will only improve as the years pass. If genuine hardwood exceeds your budget, explore additional hard surface flooring options like luxury vinyl and laminate that capture vintage beauty faithfully.

Are Solid or Engineered Hardwood Floors Better?

While many classic farmhouse-style homes opt for traditional solid hardwood floors, engineered hardwood is a safer bet for most environments because it is waterproof. It can be easily installed in places like your bathrooms, basements, and laundry rooms without fear of warping or water damage. Maybe you’re looking for a farmhouse kitchen floor that remains on trend with your shiplap walls but is also protected against spills and culinary mishaps.

In this case, engineered hardwood flooring is the top contender for your home. Thanks to multiple layers of laminated plywood, engineered hardwood is stronger and more moisture-resistant than original solid hardwood.

Finding the Perfect Rustic Flooring for Your Farmhouse-Style Home

Design by CHRISTA PIRL  Photography by LUCY CALL

The modern farmhouse look is easygoing, but don't misunderstand that for thoughtlessness. It is all about achieving natural character and charm, which is easy to do with rustic flooring. This aesthetic is less about location, despite the farm-inspired moniker. It's more suited to a particular lifestyle: pet people, busy families, and those who love relaxed living.

The goal is a home that feels welcoming and comforting. It features finishes that can keep up with the lifestyle. Rooted in history, this style is easy to modernize with the right elements, starting from the floor up!

Carpet One Floor & Home carries a wide selection of rustic, modern farmhouse flooring. Check out a local store near you, or browse through our selection of luxury vinyl, carpet, tile, or hardwood in our catalog to get started finding the perfect rustic farmhouse floors for your space.