50 Years of Flooring Trends: Then, Now, and What’s Next for Wisconsin Homes
For more than five decades, Carpets Plus Wisconsin has helped homeowners across Wisconsin update, refresh, and reimagine their spaces. As one of the most trusted flooring stores in the region, we’ve watched every major flooring trend arrive, evolve, and return in some form — from high-pile 1970s shag to today’s sleek, durable plank flooring.
What hasn’t changed is what Wisconsin families look for: flooring that is comfortable, long-lasting, visually appealing, and practical for real-life living in a four-season climate.
A Look Back at Flooring Through the Decades
1970s: Shag and Bold Color
The 1970s embraced thick, high-pile shag carpets in warm oranges, greens, and earth tones. Homes were expressive, textured, and cozy — part of the early boom of the U.S. carpet industry.
1980s: Plush Comfort and Patterned Runners
Softer, more luxurious carpets became the norm. Pastel tones, sculpted textures, and formal stair runners added elegance to family homes statewide.
1990s: Neutral and Comfortable Spaces
Warm neutrals — beige, cream, taupe — dominated this decade. Wall-to-wall comfort was a priority for growing families across Wisconsin.
2000s: Berber and Durable Textures
As households became busier, homeowners looked for flooring that could stand up to traffic, pets, and everyday wear. Berber styles and looped carpets became popular choices.
2010s: Gray, Greige, and Minimalism
Neutral modern tones took over. Gray and greige became the foundation for open-concept homes, paired with clean lines and simple textures.
Today: Modern Performance Meets Timeless Style
Today’s trends offer the best of every era. Homeowners are choosing:
Plank flooring with natural wood tones
Water-resistant and scratch-resistant materials
Vintage-inspired carpets with modern performance
Textured, cozy carpet that elevates stairs and bedrooms
Floors now blend design, comfort, and durability, supported by advancements in modern materials.
Updating Your Floors Without Losing Your Home’s Character
Many Wisconsin homes — from early-1900s builds to mid-century layouts — have architectural character worth preserving. Today’s flooring options make it easy to maintain that charm while upgrading to materials that handle Wisconsin’s seasonal humidity, temperature changes, and daily foot traffic.
Modern flooring technology allows homeowners to:
Keep vintage-inspired patterns with improved durability
Choose modern, clean designs without sacrificing warmth
Install waterproof or scratch-resistant plank flooring for busy households
Create cohesive transitions between older and newer parts of the home
Whether your style is classic, contemporary, or somewhere in between, today’s flooring options make it possible to refresh your space without losing the details that make your home recognizable and inviting. Choose Carpets Plus for your modern home makeover.
Why Wisconsin Homeowners Choose Carpets Plus Wisconsin
For more than 50 years, families throughout Wisconsin have trusted us with flooring selection, installation, and long-term home updates. As a local flooring showroom with locations in Madison, Janesville, Plover, and Stevens Point, we understand the needs, preferences, and architectural styles of Wisconsin homes.
Homeowners choose us because we offer:
Flooring guided by specialists who understand local home styles and climate needs
Quality materials built for durability, moisture control, and long-term comfort
Professional measuring and installation
A local, relationship-driven service experience
From carpet installation to LVP, luxury vinyl, hardwood alternatives, and performance flooring, we’ve helped homeowners across the state navigate every major trend — and we’re here for the next ones, too.
Explore Flooring for the Next 50 Years
Visit our flooring showrooms in Madison, Janesville, Plover, and Stevens Point or explore inspiration anytime at carpetspluswi.com.
Whether you’re updating a historic home, refreshing a mid-century layout, or finishing a new build, we offer flooring options designed specifically for Wisconsin living. From modern, low-maintenance materials to vintage-inspired designs built with today’s technology, we can help you select flooring that feels timeless, durable, and right at home.
