Picking Your Hardwood Pattern

So, you’ve made the decision to upgrade to hardwood flooring. We can hardly say we blame you. But, as you might have guessed, this is just the first of many choices to come your way. There’s wood type, hardwood finish, stain options and…well, the list goes on. And on that list is this consideration—what sort of pattern do you want out of your hardwood? Whatever you choose will help set the mood for the room, so be sure to give it some thought.

Not sure where to start? Your friends at Classic Wood Floor are here to help!

Straight Lay Hardwood Pattern

We’ll kick this off with, hands down, the most popular option for solid hardwood. What’s not to love? These straight, long lines are classic for a reason. Once you’ve settled on the straight lay, your next choice will be whether you want the lines to run parallel or perpendicular with the doorway. Perpendicular can help make a room seem a bit more inviting, whereas larger spaces are better suited for parallel planks.

Random Width Planks

If you’re going for a more rustic, old-world feel, you can’t go wrong with planks of varying width. Pairing wide-width planks with narrow strips allows for a truly unique flooring experience—your floor will truly be unlike anyone else’s, even if they choose the same style. This pattern has trended upward in popularity as well due to the rise of installing reclaimed hardwood. It provides more flexibility, leading to less waste.

Herringbone Hardwood

For smaller spaces, you might consider a Herringbone pattern. This pattern is made from rectangular planks that are cut to the same size. These planks are then placed at 90-degree angles, creating an asymmetrical zigzag pattern. The amount of visual movement can make a space feel larger than it is.

Diagonal Hardwood Pattern

It used to be standard practice to install hardwood flooring in a diagonal direction, strange as that may seem. Diagonal can definitely still work, but usually in truly vast spaces and on a grander scale. Benefits of this style include camouflaging the catawampus lines of walls that aren’t square with one another—something that actually happens quite a bit—and doing away that one random piece angled of flooring inevitable somewhere in the room. Additionally, diagonal flooring can provide the allusion of straighter walls.

Chevron Pattern

Chevron is very similar to Herringbone, with one noted distinction. The ends of the planks are angled so that they create an inverted V, which can make it look like a string of arrows across the floor. Like Herringbone, this pattern is energetic and can contribute to an overall feel of spaciousness even in rooms that are on the smaller side.

Whatever your pattern of choice, Classic Wood Floors can help bring your floors (and your space!) to life. Call or visit us to take a look at some of these patterns in action.