Interested In Patterned Floors? Here’s What You Should Know

One of the easiest and most economical ways to infuse character into your flooring is by patterning your tiles or floorboards. This means you can uplevel any space just by rethinking how you lay flooring.

Here are some creative floors to help you determine if installing patterned flooring is right for you.

Which Flooring Materials Work Best?

The flooring industry is a crowded market, so it’s useful to know which flooring materials are best when you want to work a pattern into your space. Here are the top flooring types for patterning your room:

• Hardwood
• Tiles (porcelain or ceramic)
• Natural stone tiles

Other flooring types can work as well, but you’d be better off exploring them with an experienced flooring contractor to be safe.

Hardwood Flooring Patterns

When it comes to every homeowner’s ideal flooring, hardwood is second to none, so here are some trendy patterns to create flooring interest.

• Chevron: Chevron is a classic flooring design that gives a contemporary look to your space thanks to its zig-zagging design. Fortunately, manufacturers are now milling floorboards in chevron shapes to drive down the installation cost.

• Random-Plank: Random-plank is the most common way experienced flooring contractors install hardwood flooring. Essentially, random-plank means the flooring is linearly installed but the initial floorboard alternates between a full-length board or a cut (shortened) board to randomize the look of the floors.
• Diagonal: If you are trying to covertly cover up crooked walls or make a small space feel larger, you may want to consider the cost of hiring a flooring contractor—this is no DIY job—to install diagonal floors. Due to the increased technicality of installation, as flooring contractors must measure precisely, the cost to install is higher but the result is a remarkably buzzworthy floor.

• Parquet: You can’t talk about patterned floors without mentioning parquet flooring. For those new to parquet flooring, it refers to compartments (or square tiles) of alternating boards to create a dramatic effect.

• Herringbone: Create a timeless traditional look by getting your flooring contractor to install patterned herringbone flooring. Herringbone looks similar to chevron floors, apart from how the boards join at the v-section.

Want more flooring pattern ideas? Keep reading.

Tile Flooring Patterns

If you’re looking to upgrade the look of your tile by laying a tile pattern, here are some of the most sought-after looks. 

• Offset: Forget the garden-variety “grid” tile laying pattern; instead, try offsetting the tiles. The tiles mimic a brick wall: the first row forms a line, and the second-row tile corner is in the middle of the row beneath it. Homeowners that should consider this pattern are those working with wood-look tiles as this application mimics the look of wood floorboards better. In addition, offsetting tiles make your space more comfortable thanks to their soft lines, so it’s an excellent choice for your kitchen or living space.
• Chevron or Herringbone: Chevron and herringbone are no longer just for hardwood flooring! Both tile designs are now becoming popular options for tiles as well.

• Harlequin: Fancy name aside, harlequin design means having your flooring contractor install square tiles on a 45-degree diagonal line for a polished look. This design makes your room feel bigger and can hide an oddly shaped room.
• Basketweave: If your sights are set on rectangular tile, why not get your flooring contractor to lay a basketweave pattern? To create this effect, your flooring contractor will lay two vertical tiles together, forming a square, then install two contrasting horizontal tiles to create a weave pattern. The basketweave flooring gives your space texture, which makes your room feel elegant.
• Pinwheel: Otherwise known as the hopscotch pattern, this look is very classy. Flooring installers surround a small square tile with larger ones to create a pinwheel effect. If you want an eye-catching pinwheel look, try using a feature tile such as a different colour or pattern.

• Windmill: You cannot get any more visually striking than having your flooring contractor put in a windmill-patterned tile floor. The idea is that you encase a square “feature” tile like a Mexican Talavera tile with plain rectangular ones. To lower installation costs, manufacturers now offer windmill tile patterns on mesh so that anyone can achieve this effect!

Sold on installing tile or hardwood floor patterns? Let’s explore a few other considerations you should take into account before making your final decision.

Which Spaces Would Benefit From a Pattern?

If you’re looking to put a stamp on a room with patterned flooring, which rooms are the best candidates? As much as we would like to say every space could benefit from patterned flooring, that would definitely drive the cost of flooring installation up. Not to mention, not every room truly needs to showcase its floors. So, here are the best rooms for patterned floors:

• Front Entry/Foyer
• Kitchen
• Bathroom
• Living Room
• Dining Room

If you want to keep costs down, use it in a smaller space like a bathroom. You’ll still get the “wow” effect but with a lower price tag.

Which Patterned Floor Suits My Space?

The truth is, it depends. Even though diagonal plank flooring can cover up uneven walls, if you don’t like the look, it’s a moot point to consider this option. The best thing you can do is to decide on your flooring material (wood or tile), buy the material you want for the space, and arrange the board/tile into the patterns you’re considering so you can decide which effect you prefer.

If you’re looking for a second opinion on which patterned flooring you should use to complete the space, give the ECOWOOD Flooring a call today for a risk-free consultation. Let us help you discover the best patterned floor design for your space, while exploring all costs and considerations you should take into account.