Do you want patterned vinyl or linoleum flooring? I get a fair number of questions from readers asking where to find it — and the pickins are slim. Here’s an option new in 2018, though: The “Tapestry” design luxury vinyl sheet flooring by Mannington. The pattern very much reminds me of the sheet vinyl that was put into my kitchen when it was fashionably renovated in 1976. So I’d say: This design would be appropriate for a 1970s-style Retro Renovation.
It comes in four colorways, I prefer the ones with blue in them. Because color. My c. 1976 floor was very very blue.
Link love:
Mosaic tile flooring — in 12″ vinyl tiles — in 5 colors 
31 linoleum rugs from Armstrong, 1954 
Azrock Cortina Autumn Haze — discontinued — but fear not, there are proxies 
25 companies that make flooring — cork, linoleum and vinyl — suitable for a midcentury house 
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What I wouldn’t give to see this in green or orange colourways.
Sadly, the earthy colors of the 70s are almost universally despised. Harvest gold, avocado and burnt orange are practically a synonym for “ugly and outdated”, despite it being a very soothing palette.
This current 21st century trend of all white and gray everything and kitchens that look like they belong in a dental practice reception area will hopefully give way to something more colorful and optimistic.
I’m with you about this, Allison. I’m sorry that Mannington discontinued the warmer “Brass” color in its Filigree luxury sheet vinyl pattern. It was perfect in the laundry room of my old house (built in the ’70s), and I would have loved to have it in my new house (a 1960s time capsule) as well. Sigh.
Looking for a house, it’s SOOO unpleasant to realize grey has replaced the equally yukky “greige”… I walk in, and think…….great……gallons, and gallons of paint….hours, and hours of MY labor (what qualifies as a painter, in my area….ahem…is NOT my idea of a painter) then there’s the flooring, and carpet ALL in a cold grey…. it’s so disappointing….
Totally agree. Something with a little more life.
Honestly, I am grateful for some pattern at least! And hey, there are some blues!
I always say the hardest finds when creating a 70’s house are flooring and plastic plants. The colors in these vinyls might not be there, but it’s SOMETHING close to what they looked like. Lowes sells a spot on vinyl #16191. It’s lowbrow, but its authentic and it works.
Thanks for the tip! I love it and will do a separate story! https://www.lowes.com/pd/Armstrong-Flooring-Royelle-12-ft-W-x-Cut-to-Length-Rock-Hill-Stone-High-Gloss-Finish-Sheet-Vinyl/999978374
That rocky pattern is an excellent copy of what had just been laid in our living room when we moved into the house in 1969.
Which, incidentally, we thought was totally au courant and seriously cool.
Yes, indeed, Pam! The “Tweed” color featured in the top photo is especially nice.
Linoleum is different from vinyl, though sometimes people erroneously refer to vinyl as linoleum.
Linoleum is composed of cork, linseed and other renewable, non-off gassing ingredients, and is the original sheet flooring. Vinyl is from non-renewable petroleum and came along about a century later.
Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem linoleum is made in a true pattern yet, but maybe if demand keeps up, it will be.
Great info at greenbuildingsupply.com
Thanks for reminding folks about this, Cara. I’ve found that people (including real estate agents!) misidentify old vinyl as linoleum all the time.
Another thing to keep in mind about linoleum is that it does require more care and maintenance than LVT or sheet vinyl.
I had linoleum installed in my previous house, built in 1928, in a 3 color border pattern. I loved it. It required no special maintenance – just a damp mop. In times past, it was customary to apply a high-gloss wax shine. That required extra maintenance. I’ve heard that linoleum can develop a haze that can be easily buffed off with a microfiber cloth, but that never happened to me. In my current house, I have cork, which I also love. But linoleum comes in an incredible array of colors. Don’t hesitate to check it out.
I would love to see more ideas and articles about restoring 1970s homes. I have a 1975 home.
Mary, we too have a 1975 home and have kept everything pretty much original. I am very comfortable in my 70s house. It works for me.
We have something similar to the second one in our 1940s bathroom. The era may be off, but it looks great, and goes well with our gray and pastel blue tiles. After 40 years, it’s starting to show just a little bit of wear; I wonder how this new version would compare in quality?
I am so happy to see this coming back. I love to watch Desert Flippers and Fixer Upper. They are using patterned tile for flooring in kitchens and baths. I love the look but find the tile just too cold and unforgiving in real life. It is nice to see the vinyl manufactures paying attention. Plus vinyl is much easier to change out when styles change than tile. The colorway used in the kitchen photo is really very nice.
Does anyone know where I could get 9×9 black matte vinyl tiles, circa 1962? I have a beautiful dining room floor done in these with a large geometric (hexagon) pattern and the black border around it is buckling up and cracking. I would love to repair and then epoxy over the floor to seal it for good. Too nice to replace with something plain.
Hi Michele, I think this would be a tough find — a needle in a haystack to find old stock exactly like what you have. Perhaps you could buy them made new today 12X12 and have them cut to size?
Also be aware that old flooring (and other materials in our old houses) can contain vintage nastiness such as asbestos, lead, etc. Be sure to get with properly licensed professionals to assess what you have so you can make informed decisions about how to handle. For more info see my Be Safe/Renovate Safe page
I loved my 1960s orange/gold/brown floor in a similar pattern as above in one of my first homes. And, I am a’ blue’ person! My cupboards were white with the black wrought handles, and the counter tops were a sunny solid yellow/gold. My blue china plates looked stunning in there….as a few of them had yellow in the design. Wish I had that home again! ; )
Yipeee!!! Pattern in sheet vinyl!! Let’s hope there is lots more to come.
Come on, Mannington! Bring us an orange in this! Acid green! Come on….please?
I have a 1976 brick home. The original flooring is similar in pattern but is glazed ceramic tile. I love it.
When I special ordered my Marmoleum the sales lady kept calling it vinyl no matter how many times I corrected her and also told her the difference in composition. You’d think, working in the business…
A local flooring company went out of business leaving me in possession of a rainbow ring of Marmoleum samples. I LOVE all the colors on the ring, from infrared to ultraviolet. It was so hard to pick just one for my kitchen.
There are a few flooring artists around who can join together different colored sheets to create designs, but I haven’t done that since it wouldn’t be period appropriate for a residence.