The top two trends this year in hardwood flooring are hand-scraped floors and wide-width planks.

Through the 1800s, hardwood finished surfaces were commonly worked by hand with draw knives. The trend requires the pulling toward the craftsman (or woman) who could scrape thin layers of wood off a piece of lumber. This allowed the top surface to become smooth. However, the scrape marks were left behind, proving for generations to come that a piece of wood had been worked by hand. Now, what was once a flaw is now a treasured trend! Handscrape marks are commonly seen in flooring reclaimed from old structures. These "beauty marks" allow for a distinctive to walk on with your barefoot!

Another trend from the past is wide-width planks. Also from the 1800s, floors that range from 5 to 8 inches wide are making a come back. No longer are the 2-3 inch planks popular. The reason is easy to understand. The larger boards allow a more retro look, which can add value to a home.

Fabulous Floors can help you pick the right style and shade of wood for your home. You don't always have to go with a trend, but know that you do have options when it comes to installing or refinishing hardwood in your home!