California renters are aggravated about a popular and 'soul-sucking' property trend -gray floors.
The longtime floor trend has passed its prime in the eyes of some renters and has become a feature that feels like it could be in a 'doctor's waiting room.'
Sarah Warner, 26, thought she had found her dream home when she visited an Echo Park bungalow available for rent until she spotted the gray-colored floors.
'As soon as I saw them, I knew it wouldn’t work. Gray floors are my one dealbreaker,' Warner told the LA Times.
Various X users have also expressed harsh opinions on the trend, and what was a non-deal-breaking feature is now something property owners 'hate' or find 'soulless.'
California renters are strongly disliking gray floors in apartments, despite it being a trend for nearly a decade
Various X users have also expressed harsh opinions on the trend, and what was a non-deal-breaking feature is now something property owners 'hate' or find 'soulless'
Residents have requested gray-colored floors in their homes for nearly 10 years after the trend started on the west coast of the US.
Gray floors represent 'calmness and neutrality,' according to experts at Woodpecker Flooring.
However, in Warner's mind, gray floors could potentially ruin a 'super charming' home.
'It's so sad to see a house with so much character gutted for the sake of a trend that already feels super outdated,' Warner said.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 cover it up. I’ve bought so many rugs,' Lackey told the LA Times.
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The renter, who was already unhappy with taking the apartment, moved in because it was cheaper than most places in West Hollywood.
'Hardwood floors were out of my price range. Anything with any character at all was out of my price range,' Lackey said.
Lackey pays $2,300 a month, which is just below the average monthly rent for a West Hollywood apartment, according to Apartments.com.
Lackey likes the landlord but believes he 'doesn't care about interior design.'
A California resident rented her West Hollywood apartment for financial reasons despite hating its gray-colored floors
Some find gray floors difficult to pair with traditional wooden furniture or decorations made up of the same material.
'Gray floors are more of a transitional style, and can look odd when paired with heavy traditionally styled furniture,' Valentini Flooringwrote in 2019.
'If you want to go gray, you need to make sure your trim colors will complement the new style.'
Gray floors are difficult to pair with traditional wooden furniture or decorations made up of the same material, but go well with bright colors
Warner claimed the best argument for why women need to be in real estate is the presence of gray floors, but listing agent Fallon Dobrisky doesn't think it's a problem when it comes to finding residents.
Dobrisky, a real estate agent with Rental Girl, told the LA Times that she always finds a renter when she shows an affordable apartment.
'Gray floors get more negative feedback, but it’s LA. Someone will rent it,' Dobrisky said.
'Anyone putting gray floors into a home isn’t seeing a negative financial impact because the units are still being rented,' Dobrisky said.
'Gray floors get more negative feedback, but it’s LA. Someone will rent it.'
One of Dobrisky's newest Los Angeles listingsis a newly constructed two-bedroom guesthouse with gray-brown laminate floors in nearly every room.
Despite the negative floor feedback, the real estate agent claimed that she managed to set up five tours in just a few days.
Rental company GLB Properties has occasionally taken control of gray-colored-floor properties and turned them into homes with character.
Gene, Louise, and Ivana Bramson work to restore and rent out properties, including Hollywood Regency-style homes.
Real estate agentFallon Dobrisky told the LA Times that she generally receives 'negative feedback' from clients who dislike gray-colored floors
Dobrisky claimed that she scheduled five tours for one of her newest Los Angeles listings with gray floors in nearly every room
'We stay away from the trends. White marble, subway tile. It’s predictable and safe, but it’ll get boring and dated soon,' Gene said.
The California-based company has over 40,000 followers, and Iva claims that its DMs are 'always full.'
