Ask a Designer: How Can I Use Parquet Flooring?
Parquet flooring is making a huge comeback – and there are new and exciting options to choose from
Abigail Owens
31 October 2014
Houzz contributor and Design Director at Carolyn Parker Interior Design Ltd, which is based near York and specialises in luxury designs. Abigail, has been named one of the Daily Telegraph's Top 20 UK interior designers.
Houzz contributor and Design Director at Carolyn Parker Interior Design Ltd, which... More
For so long, when people thought about parquet flooring, they would picture a highly polished dark wood – the kind of floor you’d be more likely to see in a headmaster’s study than in your home. But that is no longer the case. With so many stunning finishes on the market, parquet can work anywhere, from the kitchen to bedroom.
Bring continuity to an open-plan space
The dark, ashy tones of this parquet design work so beautifully with all the leather and smooth greys in the kitchen. I love the polished finish and the beautiful tonal stripes running up and down the room. This looks fantastic in larger areas, and it’s a great way to visually connect open-plan living spaces.
The dark, ashy tones of this parquet design work so beautifully with all the leather and smooth greys in the kitchen. I love the polished finish and the beautiful tonal stripes running up and down the room. This looks fantastic in larger areas, and it’s a great way to visually connect open-plan living spaces.
Add a white wash
If you are slightly daunted by the darker polishes, this white oiled oak look could be a good compromise. It works really well with the driftwood-style kitchen and wooden wall cladding, creating a lovely coastal feel. The hearty Aga makes perfect sense and gives a traditional nod to the parquet flooring.
Browse 12 wonderful ways with wooden panelling
If you are slightly daunted by the darker polishes, this white oiled oak look could be a good compromise. It works really well with the driftwood-style kitchen and wooden wall cladding, creating a lovely coastal feel. The hearty Aga makes perfect sense and gives a traditional nod to the parquet flooring.
Browse 12 wonderful ways with wooden panelling
Take it into the bedroom
This image makes me want to rip out my bedroom carpet. I love the tone of the room – it’s so peaceful – and the colour of the wood floor goes perfectly. I would choose a bed on feet so I could see that beautiful wood continuing beneath it.
Wood flooring is a great option for a bedroom – it’s better than carpet if you suffer from allergies, and it’s still warm underfoot.
This image makes me want to rip out my bedroom carpet. I love the tone of the room – it’s so peaceful – and the colour of the wood floor goes perfectly. I would choose a bed on feet so I could see that beautiful wood continuing beneath it.
Wood flooring is a great option for a bedroom – it’s better than carpet if you suffer from allergies, and it’s still warm underfoot.
Consider a glossy painted finish
Don’t feel you have to go for exposed timber. This is a great example of a high-gloss painted finish, which adds a warmer feel to the bedroom. I love the way the colour turns into the panelling, giving it a seamless feel. I like to see the junction of two different materials and I admire how the designer has brought this look together.
Don’t feel you have to go for exposed timber. This is a great example of a high-gloss painted finish, which adds a warmer feel to the bedroom. I love the way the colour turns into the panelling, giving it a seamless feel. I like to see the junction of two different materials and I admire how the designer has brought this look together.
Be bold with a dark stain
This kitchen is fabulous – you just wouldn’t want to put anything in the middle of the room. If this were my house, I’d probably make everyone eat outside just so I could marvel at the beautiful floor and what an impact it creates.
Colour is used to great effect here. The bold greens of the garden come to life against the dark-stained wood and the emerald metro tiles on the splashback. This is bold, brave – and brilliant.
This kitchen is fabulous – you just wouldn’t want to put anything in the middle of the room. If this were my house, I’d probably make everyone eat outside just so I could marvel at the beautiful floor and what an impact it creates.
Colour is used to great effect here. The bold greens of the garden come to life against the dark-stained wood and the emerald metro tiles on the splashback. This is bold, brave – and brilliant.
Pair cool interiors with dark wood
It’s lovely to see parquet flooring make an appearance alongside beautiful classic furnishings in a period property. The cool and light interior works beautifully against the dark mahogany tones of the parquet floor.
It’s also good to see one of my most rigid rules in interiors in play here – making sure that if you have a rug, all the furniture sits on top of it and doesn’t hang off the edges!
It’s lovely to see parquet flooring make an appearance alongside beautiful classic furnishings in a period property. The cool and light interior works beautifully against the dark mahogany tones of the parquet floor.
It’s also good to see one of my most rigid rules in interiors in play here – making sure that if you have a rug, all the furniture sits on top of it and doesn’t hang off the edges!
Let the natural beauty of oiled oak shine
Sometimes, you just can’t beat a lovely oak floor, especially with a clear oil over it to bring out its rich, warm tones. This oak parquet really connects with the main focal point – the painting above the mantelpiece.
I sometimes feel a bit disappointed with oak, as if it needs something more – a brush of lime or a fumed treatment – but here the oiled finish is perfect alongside the other warm but light colours in the room. It’s just right in this setting, just as it is.
Sometimes, you just can’t beat a lovely oak floor, especially with a clear oil over it to bring out its rich, warm tones. This oak parquet really connects with the main focal point – the painting above the mantelpiece.
I sometimes feel a bit disappointed with oak, as if it needs something more – a brush of lime or a fumed treatment – but here the oiled finish is perfect alongside the other warm but light colours in the room. It’s just right in this setting, just as it is.
Balance colours for a minimal look
This fumed grey oak parquet just looks stunning as it draws the eye towards the grey painted kitchen. This is such a huge space, and I love the way the line of the parquet connects the dining table back to the kitchen.
The look is quite minimal in this room and you see a great deal of white on the ceilings and window wall, but the grey floor balances this out and brings a warmth that it otherwise might have lacked.
See modern centrepieces to bring your dining table into focus
This fumed grey oak parquet just looks stunning as it draws the eye towards the grey painted kitchen. This is such a huge space, and I love the way the line of the parquet connects the dining table back to the kitchen.
The look is quite minimal in this room and you see a great deal of white on the ceilings and window wall, but the grey floor balances this out and brings a warmth that it otherwise might have lacked.
See modern centrepieces to bring your dining table into focus
Supersize your parquet
Oversized parquet looks really quite different to the typical scale, but in the right setting it can feel subtle and quite calming. With darker pieces running through this parquet flooring, I can see why you would want to break it up a bit by increasing the size.
When it comes to interiors, if you are on a budget, as long as you get the floors right, then you can live with very little else until the time comes when you can add those other layers.
TELL US…
Are you a fan of parquet flooring? If you have it in your home, how have you used it? Share your thoughts and photos in the Comments below.
Oversized parquet looks really quite different to the typical scale, but in the right setting it can feel subtle and quite calming. With darker pieces running through this parquet flooring, I can see why you would want to break it up a bit by increasing the size.
When it comes to interiors, if you are on a budget, as long as you get the floors right, then you can live with very little else until the time comes when you can add those other layers.
TELL US…
Are you a fan of parquet flooring? If you have it in your home, how have you used it? Share your thoughts and photos in the Comments below.
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@mcslw and Lisa - we are moving next Monday to a house with exactly that kind of 60's block flooring. Like you, I like Parquet but not the block style. If anyone has any positive thoughts or ideas on block parquet, please say!