California renters are chafing at a popular and “soulless” real estate trend: gray floors.
The trend of the floor, which has been going on for some time, is now over in the eyes of some tenants and now resembles an object that belongs in a doctor’s waiting room.
Sarah Warner, 26, thought she’d found her dream home when she visited an Echo Park bungalow for rent — until she saw the gray floors.
“When I saw them, I knew it wasn’t going to work. Gray floors are my only deal breaker,” Warner told the LA Times.
Several X users have also voiced their negative opinions about the trend. What was once a non-deal-breaking feature is now something that homeowners “hate” or find “soulless.”
California renters strongly dislike gray floors in apartments, despite it being a trend for almost a decade
Several X users have also voiced their harsh opinions on the trend, and what was once a non-deal-breaking feature is now something homeowners “hate” or find “soulless”
Residents have been asking for gray floors in their homes for nearly 10 years, after the trend started on the West Coast of the US.
According to experts from Woodpecker floors.
But according to Warner, gray floors could actually ruin a “super charming” home.
“It’s so sad to see a home with so much character being stripped down to suit a trend that already feels outdated,” Warner said.
Marissa Lackey, 31, has also shown disdain for the gray laminate floors in the West Hollywood apartment she moved into last year.
“I just try to hide it. I bought so many rugs,” Lackey told the LA Times.
The tenant, who was already unhappy with the apartment, moved there because it was cheaper than most other places in West Hollywood.
“Hardwood floors were out of my budget. Anything with any character was out of my budget,” Lackey said.
Lackey pays $2,300 a month, which is just below the average monthly rent for an apartment in West Hollywood, according to Apartments.com.
Lackey likes the landlord, but he’s convinced he “doesn’t care about the decor.”
A California resident rented her West Hollywood apartment for financial reasons despite hating the gray floors
Some people find it difficult to combine a gray floor with traditional wooden furniture or decorations made of the same material.
‘Gray floors are more of a transitional style and can look odd when paired with heavy, traditionally styled furniture,’ Valentini Floors wrote in 2019.
“If you want to go gray, make sure the colors of your accessories match the new style.”
Gray floors are difficult to combine with traditional wooden furniture or decorations of the same material, but go well with bright colors
According to Warner, the presence of gray floors is the best argument for the need for women in real estate. But realtor Fallon Dobrisky doesn’t think it’s a problem when it comes to finding tenants.
Dobrisky, a real estate agent with Rental Girl, told the LA Times that whenever she shows an affordable apartment, she always finds a tenant.
“Gray floors get more negative feedback, but it’s L.A. Someone will rent it,” Dobrisky said.
“Anyone who installs a gray floor in a home will not experience any negative financial consequences because the homes are still being rented out,” Dobrisky said.
“Gray floors get more negative feedback, but it’s LA. Someone will rent it.”
One of Dobrisky’s newest Los Angeles mentions is a newly built two-bedroom guest house with gray-brown laminate floors in almost every room.
Despite the negative feedback from the floor, the agent claimed she had been able to arrange five viewings in just a few days.
Rental company GLB Properties has occasionally taken over grey buildings and converted them into homes with character.
Gene, Louise and Ivana Bramson are engaged in restoring and renting out properties, including Hollywood Regency style homes.
Realtor Fallon Dobrisky told the LA Times that she generally gets “negative feedback” from clients who dislike gray floors
Dobrisky claimed she scheduled five tours for one of her newest Los Angeles listings, which features gray floors in nearly every room
“We stay away from trends. White marble, subway tile. It’s predictable and safe, but it gets boring and dated quickly,” Gene said.
The California-based company has over 40,000 followers and Iva claims the DMs are “always full.”
