LuxePlank Peel and Grip Vinyl Strip Flooring by Armstrong
The embossed wood-grain vinyl strips of this floating floor grabbed our attention for their mercifully easy install: They stick to one another rather than the floor. And that they go down like planks means no more uniformly obvious joint lines that reveal your preference for plastics. Beveled edges complete the ruse.
From $3.39 per square foot;
Nautical Timbers Veneered Flooring by Fontenay Woods
Up until the 1970s, the way to fix level platforms in the V-shaped hulls of cargo ships was to pad them out with hardwood posts. We were thrilled to find that a salvaged cache of this exotic lumber—including Spanish maple and Honduran mahogany—is being made into beautifully patinated flooring as veneers on birch planks. Talk about character.
From $14 per square foot;
Puzzle Floor by Brazfloor
Laying hardwood not challenging enough for you? Allow us to suggest this best-of pick from the brain-teaser category: a life-size wood jigsaw puzzle custom made for your floor. Call up with your room measurements, and the company will ship you numbered pieces—each roughly 1 foot or 2 feet square—along with a handy diagram. Bonus points for puzzling them together without peeking.
From $70 per square foot;
Shaker Collection Rugs by Dash & Albert
Inspired by textiles shown at Massachusetts' Hancock Shaker Museum, this line of cotton rugs inspired us. It spins classic American weaving techniques, patterns, and colors into fresh designs that add a bit of historical flair to any floor.
From $34;
Bioessenze Faux Wood Porcelain Tiles by Lea Ceramiche
Porcelain isn't a material we'd typically associate with faux wood, but this winner convinced us otherwise. Long tile planks printed with a wood grain make a very tough floor that looks as if it were made of hardwood. Great for areas where water might make caring for real wood a headache—and where guests can get a good look.
From $11.75 per square foot;
