What is Parquet Flooring?

Flooring trends come and go, but parquet has managed to find its way back into home interiors since the 1600s. This style, which was originally laid in the palaces of France to protect grand rooms from damp stone, has since appeared in Victorian townhouses, mid-century semis, and now finds itself in contemporary homes all over the world.

The striking zig-zags have been capturing homeowner interest for centuries, and if this is a flooring design you’d like to introduce into your own space, we can advise on whether it’s an achievable and practical choice.

What is parquet flooring?

Let’s start with the basics, and also what many people misunderstand. Parquet is a pattern, not a type of flooring material. Rather than being laid as long, continuous planks, parquet flooring is made up of smaller blocks or strips of wood, arranged into geometric designs.

The most recognisable of these is herringbone, where rectangular blocks are laid in a staggered zig-zag that resembles the bones of a fish. Chevron creates a similar effect but with the block ends cut at an angle, forming a continuous, sharper V-shape. Basket weave and Versailles patterns take geometrics a step further still, arranging blocks into woven or diamond-based motifs that resemble artwork more than flooring.

It’s traditionally made using solid wood blocks, often oak, walnut, or ash, individually cut and laid by hand. It’s a skilled and time-consuming job, partly why it still carries a certain prestige.

Solid wood isn’t the only option

Possibly the biggest change in parquet flooring has been in the materials used to create it. Solid wood is still available and remains the most authentic option, but it comes with the usual caveats of any natural wood floor. It’s sensitive to moisture and needs more care, as well as carrying a higher price tag.

Engineered wood parquet offers a middle ground. It’s built from a real wood veneer on top of layered, high-density board, which makes it more dimensionally stable and better suited to homes with underfloor heating or fluctuating humidity.

Then there’s parquet-effect LVT (luxury vinyl tile) and laminate, which recreate the pattern and texture of wood using more resilient materials. It’s this that has drawn parquet into a much wider range of homes.

Modern LVT technology can achieve the intricate herringbone or chevron design in a floor that’s water-resistant and easy to maintain. It works comfortably in kitchens, hallways, and bathrooms, all of which are spaces where traditional wood might struggle with moisture.

Amtico has the solution, and as an Amtico One Premium Partner, our showroom features the full Amtico range. The Amtico Spacia collection is particularly suited to parquet lovers, offering an impressive choice of natural wood textures in versatile Small and Large Parquet options. It delivers the warmth and geometric style of traditional wood flooring alongside practical performance: a hardwearing 0.55mm wear layer, water resistance, and a 25-year guarantee. It’s a range we frequently recommend to homeowners who want a classic herringbone aesthetic that effortlessly copes with busy living spaces, kitchens, and bathrooms.

Who does parquet flooring suit?

More people than you think is the answer. If you live in a period property, a Victorian or Edwardian home with high ceilings and original features, parquet feels like a natural fit, continuing the kind of flooring that would have been fitted in earlier times.

But it works just as well in contemporary, open-plan new builds. A herringbone or chevron floor can make a striking statement, adding warmth and texture to a space that could otherwise feel minimalistic.

It also suits anyone who wants their flooring to work visually harder. Laid running parallel to the longest wall in a room, herringbone and chevron patterns can elongate and enlarge an area, a useful trick used in hallways, dining rooms, and smaller living spaces to make it feel more spacious.

The range of materials available today allows parquet to fit a wider range of budgets and lifestyles than its grand history might suggest. Families with children or pets, for example, can achieve the same look through hardwearing LVT, without worrying as much about scuffs or spills.

Why buyers keep coming back

There is substance behind parquet’s popularity. Solid and engineered wood parquet can be sanded and refinished multiple times, creating a well-fitted floor that can last decades and add value to the home. It’s also a floor with individuality. The natural variation in wood grain means every parquet floor, particularly in solid wood, has its own character.

For those choosing between LVT or laminate parquet, the benefits shift slightly but remain compelling. It’s water resistant, low maintenance, compatible with underfloor heating, and a considerably gentler price tag, with the same distinctive design.

Bring the look home

Choosing the right flooring requires a lot of thought and comparison of patterns and materials. Parquet isn’t usually chosen by accident, and in most cases needs more budget because it has to be crafted with such precision.

Our flooring and interiors showroom has the full Amtico range on display, along with room visualisation technology so you can see how the parquet patterns and laying directions would look in your own space. Drop in for a chat with the team or get in touch on 0121 308 8998 to arrange a home visit.