Parquet Flooring – Your New Love

A brief review of the past few years in the wood flooring industry summarizes that parquet is back on the peak of its popularity. With many homeowners and interior designers choosing this artistic approach to the good old floor. Parquetry and patterned ones are winning the hearts of many people and there is no chance that the geometric wooden assemble under our feet are going to leave the spotlight anytime soon.

Dominating the current trend wave, parquetry is nothing but a piece of art that offers a lot of functionality and durability as well. Bringing the best from both worlds together, the patterned floors are hard to resist, conquering even the most beautiful art pieces. Even they become the statement piece of every room, complementing any interior, and guaranteeing the long-lasting and hard-wearing power of a real wood matched with an easy-to-maintain and hygienic nature.

Since the parquet flooring is making its huge comeback and will continue growing in popularity, today we would like to introduce you to the brief history of this amazing piece of art and help you consider the pros and cons related to your own home renovation project. Sustainable design and choice for the younger customers, a classic favourite for the traditionalists, and a product continuing reaching a top position in sales in a sturdy manner, parquetry is here to entertain you, impress you, make you fall in love!

A Brief History Of Parquet Flooring – Noticeable Events

At the beginning of the 17th-century, parquet was introduced to the world of the wealthy and royal ones. The birthplace of this design approach to the simple wood flooring back then is considered France, the Versailles palace more specifically.

In a search of an alternative to the hard-to-maintain marble floors of the ball halls and with an equally magnificent design in mind, the royal architects of the castle have decided that parquetry would be the perfect match. Despite the difficult to recreate nature of the installation, this flooring option became worldwide popular soon enough. It remains on the peak for many years to the beginning of the 1930’s when the carpet was introduced to the world as a cheaper alternative.

So here started the dramatic decrease of parquet sells. Considering the competitive environment of the flooring industry the designers were pressured to come up with an idea of new and improved parquet floorboards while not transforming the classic and beautiful appearance everyone does love. Finally, during the 90s of the previous century was noticed an increased interest in this option. However, even that was not quite as satisfying as the total popularity of patterned floors in the past. This is the reason why parquet flooring is still evolving and being improved constantly, remaining inspired by the old and classic world and designs at the same time.

Many customers consider the purchase of this option but are put down by the idea of how much of a hassle and stress the installation and maintenance would cost. In fact, parquetry requires craftsmanship and skills to this day but there is not a second thought that thanks to the progress of the industry, this type of flooring is a perfect choice for everyone, even for the most impatient ones, even for home renovators on a budget. Benefiting from the advantages of contemporary installation methods, modern and better materials and methods, skilled and advanced fitters, and significantly lower price compared to the past, patterned wooden floors are making a major step forward.

Old Parquet Goes Modern Engineered

It is completely understandable why more and more customers prefer the engineered timber option. Unlike the traditional solid woodcut from one single piece of timber, the engineered one is a man-made product designed to be significantly less prone to the common issues that are results of moisture, temperature and humidity fluctuations, etc.

Often misunderstood, engineered lumber is not laminate since the product is made from wood and lumber products from head to toe. Every plank or board consists of layers of softwood, ply or hardwood that is glued together crisscrossed, finally topped with a layer of hardwood called lamella. Thanks to this specific design, engineered floorboards are more flexible when it comes to contracting and shrinking due to humidity and temperature fluctuations which means that common issues and problems are totally minimised.

More hard-wearing and long-lasting, engineered wood is a common product used for parquet flooring as well. Combining the classic and breath-taking beauty of parquetry along with the durability and functionality of engineered wood, you practically get the best! Easier installation, easier maintenance, and the opportunity to have your floor re-sanded and refinished are just a few aspects of the long list of engineered benefits.

Forget about the Scandinavian-inspired minimalistic style that is just not in anymore. Nowadays, wooden floors are going spicier, more interesting and engaging, more attractive and eye-catching. Parquet flooring is by now, the only option able to conquer the high expectations of progressive and modern clients and customers. The simple look is going out of trend while patterns become the perfect twist to change the whole atmosphere of the house and add a bit of fun. Do not be afraid of their bold statement, dare to add excitement to a completely personalized space. Parquet flooring is the best solution when it comes to expressing your own signature style in a bold manner. The variety of parquetry patterns are going to help you out in creating a distinctive signature style. Talking about patterns, here are…

The Most Popular Parquet Flooring Patterns

• Herringbone Pattern
• Chevron Pattern
• Random Pattern
• Brick Wall Pattern
• Basket Weave Pattern

In a nutshell, there is a parquet pattern, colour, and texture that meets everyone’s expectations and preferences. In fact, the variety is so impressive that even the pickiest customer can find something to fancy and covet. However, parquetry could not be everyone’s cup of tea and there is nothing wrong with that. We assume that there are not many people don`t like it and those of you who do not fancy this wood flooring style are most probably misled by incorrect planning and designing they have experienced in the past or struggle with to this date. In fact, when not designed properly for the specific room, patterned floors could be way too intimidating, not enhancing the beauty and the specifics of the space. You can avoid such situations by taking your time to properly plan your next project.

How To Properly Style Parquet Flooring

• Small and middle-sized rooms – A more engaging and complex pattern can visually make every space look smaller, cluttered, and overcrowded. In this case, choose a more simple and effortless pattern that will work in favour of the smaller space. In addition, go for light coloured wood.

• Shabby chic style – Shabby chic interiors are simply created for a parquet floor. However, as this interior style is very engaging and detailed, go for a simple pattern. In order to spice up the interior and add some contrast to the airy, powdery, and natural tones of the shabby chic style, you can select a more “edgier” wood in a rustic grade.

• Traditional Style – As you may guess, parquet flooring fits into its right place when matched to a room in traditional style. Being a natural habitat, you can play around with all patterns but herringbone is the most classic one.

• Contemporary Style – Just because parquet flooring is associated with the old culture and vintage inspiration this does not mean that you are limited in using it in contemporary spaces. In a contrast, you can create an eye-catching and interesting contrast mixing and matching both worlds.

Current Parquetry Trends For 2018

• Herringbone – Surprising or not, the herringbone pattern is old but gold and it will ever be a top trend no matter what. In fact, herringbone flooring is a perfect solution whenever you want to add a lot of class, elegance, even a luxury touch to space. Offering the ultimate sass and class, herringbone is perfectly playing along with the idea of experimenting and mixing and matching different styles.

• Artistic – When you think that parquet flooring cannot go more artistic than this, interior designers unleash their imagination and come up with even more creative ideas. Mixing of materials, patterns, colours, and creating unique new assembles, whenever you feel like splurging on a wooden floor, this is a solution worth trying.

• Grey finish – Taking the simplicity of the minimalistic Scandinavian style to a whole new level, the grey finish added to a classic parquet pattern is one more unique way to express your style in an unexpected way.

• Dark wooden species – Whenever you are aiming to the ultimate drama and sass, a classic pattern built from dark wood is right up your alley. This bold combination will help you enjoy a floor with a lot of individuality and character.

• White-washed – Why not mixing two of the most popular trends right now – white-washed wood and parquet patterns? The white-washed technique will additionally highlight and boost the vintage-like appearance of parquetry.