photos by: PETER COLIN MURRAY
Fostering community pride one beautiful design at a time, locally owned Westlake Flooring has been transforming Lake Norman homes and businesses with luxury floors and a neighborly touch for more than 20 years.
Step into Westlake Flooring’s Denver, NC showroom, and you’ll quickly realize this isn’t just a store, it’s a local institution built on community rooted relationships. Proudly independent and 100% community driven, the business has spent more than two decades becoming the “favorite neighbor” in home design.
“We’re your neighbors, and we genuinely care about delivering results that make our community proud,” said Sales Manager Ron Lawing.
Besides rows of beautiful flooring samples, you’ll soon realize the true centerpiece of this store isn’t the products, it’s the people and the passion behind them. That’s why every project starts with an in-home visit and personalized consultation. From product selection and measuring to expert installation and post-project follow up, Westlake ensures a smooth experience from start to finish.
Westlake Flooring recently welcomed Jane Travis to the team, whose years of experience in flooring sales and interior design brings a fresh perspective. Jane will be opening the showroom on Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m., offering flexibility for clients with busy weekday schedules.
While browsing at Westlake Flooring may feel like home, this team delivers big when it comes to selection and quality. Their showroom features an impressive lineup of flooring, from plush carpet and warm hardwood to sleek tile, modern laminate and waterproof luxury vinyl planks. Whether you’re outfitting a lakeside cottage or a sprawling estate, the expert staff helps you find flooring that blends style, comfort and longterm performance. They’ll emphasize quick turnarounds without sacrificing quality – a welcome combo for families eager to get back to their routines.
Westlake also collaborates with contractors in the area, including Planishek Properties, whose craftsmanship mirrors Westlake’s own commitment to quality. In fact, one of Planishek’s beautifully finished homes served as the setting for photos in this article!
Design Trends for Lake Norman Living
Westlake Flooring stays ahead of design trends, while customizing them to fit the Lake Norman lifestyle and seasonal impact – think humidity-resistant materials for our southern summers and cozier textures for cooler months.
Here are trend updates from the Westlake experts:
* Overall, the mood has shifted away from cool-gray toned floors toward warmer, more nature-inspired hues. For hardwoods, that means mid-tone browns, honey oak and “greige” (gray/beige) shades are in demand. Light-toned hardwoods like bleached oak and pale pine also evoke an airy lakehouse vibe while helping conceal dust and pet hair!
* Wide-plank hardwood is a major trend, with planks five to 10 inches wide creating a seamless look well suited to open floor plans. Wider planks and mixed-width installations add a custom feel and also use materials more efficiently.
* Low-sheen finishes highlighting the wood’s natural grain are popular and offer a casual low-maintenance look. In something of a “pattern revival,” you’ll find herringbone, chevron and parquet styles making a comeback as elegant options for entries, kitchens and hallways.
* Southern designers typically stress “timeless” over “trendy” when it comes to flooring, and clients prefer a look that feels authentic to the style of their home. Classic patterns, natural finishes and quality materials are winning out over fads. Builders and designers favor flooring that can handle the climate, and engineered hardwood is widely used in place of solid wood, since its layered construction resists warping in humidity.
* LVP is extremely popular with homeowners who want the warm look of oak or hickory floors without the worry of warping or scratches that come with a busy household. The Westlake team notes that families with kids or pets will continue to value durable, low-maintenance options on all fronts. For many, that means engineered wood or LVP instead of solid wood – options that offer scratch and water resistance while maintaining a wood look.
* Looking for eco-conscious options? There’s a growing demand for low-VOC, phthalate-free and recycled content vinyl. Several carpet manufacturers are now utilizing fibers made from recycled water bottles, helping to reduce plastic waste and prevent it from entering landfills and oceans.
* Soft carpets in pale tones are making a comeback in bedrooms, adding warmth and comfort, and wall-to-wall is also back in those bedrooms, along with media rooms and dens, where softness and quiet matter most! Patterns, including geometric designs and wool blends – are bringing visual interest to home offices and basements, and area rugs in beiges, taupes and natural tones are often mixed with moss green or navy for contrast. Stair runners, especially those made with Kane carpet, are also trending, offering a sophisticated touch with bold patterns and durable construction perfect for high-traffic areas. If a pet and stain-resistant product is a must for your home, waterproof backings and more durable fibers are making modern carpet more practical than ever.
* As for tiles, look for a checkerboard comeback of classic black-and-white, plus color variations. Oversized porcelain and terrazzo tiles are making spaces feel bigger, and travertine, limestone and honed marble are top picks for authenticity and texture.
Westlake Flooring’s motto of being “100% community driven” is also evident in their support for local initiatives and events. Whether it’s sponsoring a little league team, participating in a town fundraiser or quietly assisting a neighbor in need of new flooring, they strive to give back to the community that’s supported them for so long. The business has managed to do something truly special – make houses feel more like homes and make customers feel like family – thanks to keeping old-fashioned values of trust, quality and community at the core of what they do. That includes arriving on time and working late to ensure perfection!
The experts at Westlake Flooring are ready to guide you through every stage of selecting the right flooring for your home or commercial project. Request a detailed estimate online at westlakeflooringinc.com, and follow them on Instagram @westlake_flooring to watch trends and current projects. Westlake Flooring is located at 1252 North Highway 16 in Denver, 704.483.4242. Hours are Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., and Saturday 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
