There was once a time when homes were finished with glossy hues of marble or granite—elevating a space to a high-end look and feel in an instant. Taking note from the Italians and French, with their stylish ceramics and stones, gloss finishes on bathroom, kitchen or various other floors were prominent for many years.
Enter matte refinishing. Slowly making its way into the spotlight, the subdued simplicity of a matte finish is becoming increasingly popular. Everywhere you look, from nail polish to flooring, matte finish is taking our culture and world of style by storm. Whether you’re installing custom wood flooring to your living room or you’re laying down tile in your kitchen, consider matte refinishing to give your space that extra touch of polish.
For hardwood, in particular, matte finish is steadily growing. This low-gloss or satin finish gives the wood the ability to showcase its true, natural beauty—allowing the characteristics such as the texture, grain and natural impurities to shine. For rustic spaces, a matte finish is ideal. Pairing a matte wood flooring with subdued tones of white and beige, along with natural elements throughout the room, really allows the wood to become the focal point and conversation piece.
But matte hardwood finish isn’t just for rustic living spaces. Those living in chic urban apartments can capitalize on the raw, untouched beauty of the natural wood through a matte finish. Pairing gorgeous textured wood with industrial and repurposed elements will give your space a feel that is unique and inspiring.
For ceramic or stones, matte refinishing is also a great way to showcase the natural beauty of the material. Whether your tile includes natural imperfections, such as flecks of shell from where it was queried, or the material is offered in a unique shade or hue, matte finishing allows every aspect of the tile to be on display, whereas gloss finishes tend to hide the best features.
Perfect for slick areas such as laundry rooms, bathrooms or even pool side areas, matte finished ceramics offer a more slip resistant surface. But, don’t worry about your ceramics being unprotected. Whether finished with a semi-gloss, satin or matte finish, each piece is still coated with a protective seal that ensures longevity of your flooring.
Not sure if matte finishing is for you? Most home improvement stores will offer samples of specific tile or flooring—enabling you to determine if it’s best for your home.
No matter the location or the style of your home or corporate space, matte finishing is a great alternative to putting that final polish on your tile or hardwood flooring. From natural woods to tile in vibrant red or terracotta hues, matte finishing is a simple, refined and classic way to bring a room together.
