Ask Ken: I Like a Product that is Going Out of Style. Should I Avoid it?
Ken's Quick Answer:
"It's all about what you like and what's going to make you happy. Yes, we're happy to talk to you about what is 'in style' at the moment. But don't let the industry have the final say about which floor you choose."
Ken's In-Depth Answer:
Every once in a while I have a client who comes in and says: "Hmm... I don't know about this. Do you think this floor will look dated in a few years? Do you think it's going to go out of fashion?"
It's an interesting question. I've worked in the flooring industry for 40 years and I've certainly seen styles and colors go in and out of fashion. Personally, I'm still waiting for 'Dusty Rose' to make a comeback. (That was the hot new color when I started in the '80s.)
Today, as I look across a range of styles, I happen to think that the cement (or encaustic) tile look is a phase. I don't think it will be around 5 years from now.
I also think that the Arabesque design that we see in tile and carpet is not long for this world. I showcase some examples of the encaustic tile and the Arabesque design in the video above.
"If you're really concerned about a floor going out of style, your retailer can steer you towards a lot of safe choices."
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In short: It's possible to take a look at some of these products and say "I don't think that's going to be here for a while." But sometimes we're wrong! For instance, I thought sisal was going to be a fad, but it's been a rather durable style choice for the past 30 years or so. Yes, when it came to sisal carpet, I was wrong. (As I've been about so many things.)
Here's the key takeaway. If you're really concerned about something going out of style, your retailer can steer you towards a lot of safe choices. But if you really like something, don't worry about whether or not it's going to go out of style.
It's all about what you like and what's going to be a visual delight for you. Frankly, if you like Arabesque design on your carpet (or one of these turn-of-the-century encaustic tiles) go for it. There are industry trends, yes. But these trends shouldn't matter when we're talking about your personal taste. It's your floor and your opinion should always take precedence.
If you have any questions or want interior design advice, don't hesitate to give us a call at 401-214-0285 or visit our showroom.
About Ken: Ken Fain is the co-owner of Island Carpet in Middletown, RI and a floorcovering veteran of more than 40 years. His popular 'Ask Ken' video series answers common flooring questions on a variety of topics. It has reached thousands of viewers on both YouTube and Facebook.