Trending Now: Cork Flooring

Crafted from sustainable materials and available in a wide array of patterns and colors, cork flooring is an attractive alternative to wood, stone, and tile. At left, cork tiles with bold striations form a lively wood-tone pattern.

When it comes to cork floors, myriad color options offer homeowners seemingly endless design possibilities. At GreenHome.com, for example, click-and-lock tiles are available in shades ranging from pale cream to deep blue-black.  

Cork’s acoustical properties make it an optimal choice for music rooms and homes prone to echoing. In this installation, cork floors stained deep gray resemble natural stone. Compared to stone, cork is much more comfortable beneath bare feet.

Traditional or contemporary, cork tiles can be arranged into almost any pattern. Here white, brown, and tan tiles form a playful, tumbling-block design. If you have a creative idea in mind, manufacturers and retail sources can help you make it a reality.

Cork’s pliancy makes it a good choice for kitchens and other workspaces—any place you might stand for sustained periods. The gray-and-white checkerboard pattern of these tiles (from Cork Concepts) mirrors the kitchen’s modern, rectilinear aesthetic.

Cork’s patterning can sometimes resemble other materials, such as wood or striated stone. “Marble Black” cork tiles, which cost far less than natural stone flooring products, recall luxurious marble.

Light-colored flooring amplifies the airy feeling of this loft living room. Although the color bears a resemblance to hardwood, the intricate patterning of the cork helps the material claim its own identity.

Soft yet durable, cork flooring is a sensible choice for nurseries and older kids’ spaces. At left, a “Fruit Stripes” pattern adds a further dimension of fun to a children’s playroom. 

If you are interested in more about flooring, consider:

Cork Flooring 101

Eco-Friendly Flooring: 5 Ways to Go Green from the Bottom Up

Linoleum Flooring: It’s Green & Gorgeous