Should I Choose Parquet for My Kitchen Floor?
Classic, characterful parquet can work in both modern and trad settings. Browse these rooms to see if it’s right for you
Amanda Pollard
1 September 2021
Senior Editor at Houzz UK and Ireland. Journalist and editor specialising in interiors and architecture.
Senior Editor at Houzz UK and Ireland. Journalist and editor specialising in interiors... More
Whether you go for a herringbone or chevron pattern, parquet flooring is a classic option that looks great in a kitchen. Check out these gorgeous schemes to find inspiration for how a parquet floor could look in your home.
More in this series: Should I Choose Polished Concrete for my Kitchen Floor? l Should I Choose Limestone for my Kitchen Floor? l Should I Choose Patterned Tiles for my Kitchen Floor? l Should I Choose Slate for my Kitchen Floor?
More in this series: Should I Choose Polished Concrete for my Kitchen Floor? l Should I Choose Limestone for my Kitchen Floor? l Should I Choose Patterned Tiles for my Kitchen Floor? l Should I Choose Slate for my Kitchen Floor?
Tone down the shine
There are quite a few high-shine surfaces in this kitchen – white cabinets and worktop, stainless-steel appliances, and a marble splashback. The effect is contemporary and luxurious, but the wooden floor ensures it doesn’t feel too cold.
The simple chevron pattern is sleek and modern like the rest of the kitchen, but the timber boards bring some warm texture to the space.
There are quite a few high-shine surfaces in this kitchen – white cabinets and worktop, stainless-steel appliances, and a marble splashback. The effect is contemporary and luxurious, but the wooden floor ensures it doesn’t feel too cold.
The simple chevron pattern is sleek and modern like the rest of the kitchen, but the timber boards bring some warm texture to the space.
Lighten up
The pale wood cabinets and wall panelling in this kitchen give it a cool, Scandi feel. A honey-toned floor would have broken the mood, so the designers have gone for a whitewashed herringbone parquet instead.
The bleached-out surfaces are strikingly bright, but the pattern in the wood softens the look.
Need some help with your kitchen? Find flooring fitters in your area.
The pale wood cabinets and wall panelling in this kitchen give it a cool, Scandi feel. A honey-toned floor would have broken the mood, so the designers have gone for a whitewashed herringbone parquet instead.
The bleached-out surfaces are strikingly bright, but the pattern in the wood softens the look.
Need some help with your kitchen? Find flooring fitters in your area.
Go for gold
Tone your parquet flooring with another surface to make a feature of both. Here, the designers have chosen a copper splashback with the same warm hues and mottled texture as the timber floor.
The surfaces work well together and look striking next to the bright white units, which almost fade into the background.
Tone your parquet flooring with another surface to make a feature of both. Here, the designers have chosen a copper splashback with the same warm hues and mottled texture as the timber floor.
The surfaces work well together and look striking next to the bright white units, which almost fade into the background.
Work in some warmth
The practical kitchen here is smart and neat, with hardly any distracting embellishments. So to add some interest, the designers have teamed it with a richly coloured parquet floor. It instantly warms up the room, adding pattern and character.
To ensure your parquet floor stays in good condition, make sure there are no gaps between the boards and seal it with a water-resistant top coat
The practical kitchen here is smart and neat, with hardly any distracting embellishments. So to add some interest, the designers have teamed it with a richly coloured parquet floor. It instantly warms up the room, adding pattern and character.
To ensure your parquet floor stays in good condition, make sure there are no gaps between the boards and seal it with a water-resistant top coat
Fake it
Don’t fancy wood on your kitchen floor? Go for wood-effect porcelain tiles instead. There are many good ones on the market, in a number of different shades, finishes and sizes, so you should be able to find the ideal match for your scheme.
These long, grey ones have been laid in a herringbone pattern, with white grout in between to amplify the design.
Don’t fancy wood on your kitchen floor? Go for wood-effect porcelain tiles instead. There are many good ones on the market, in a number of different shades, finishes and sizes, so you should be able to find the ideal match for your scheme.
These long, grey ones have been laid in a herringbone pattern, with white grout in between to amplify the design.
Bring in balance
For a harmonious look in your cookspace, try toning the floor with the units. The grained wood fronts of the wall cabinets in this kitchen have the same soft brown hue as the parquet floor.
With the sage green base units and brushed-steel surfaces in between, the effect is gentle and calm.
For a harmonious look in your cookspace, try toning the floor with the units. The grained wood fronts of the wall cabinets in this kitchen have the same soft brown hue as the parquet floor.
With the sage green base units and brushed-steel surfaces in between, the effect is gentle and calm.
Tie in with trad
In this classic-style kitchen, the owners could have gone with a few traditional floor options, including natural stone. Instead, they’ve chosen a softer look, with pale wood boards laid in a herringbone pattern.
The long lines of the pattern are a modern take on the standard parquet design, which adds a contemporary twist to this trad cookspace.
In this classic-style kitchen, the owners could have gone with a few traditional floor options, including natural stone. Instead, they’ve chosen a softer look, with pale wood boards laid in a herringbone pattern.
The long lines of the pattern are a modern take on the standard parquet design, which adds a contemporary twist to this trad cookspace.
Get dramatic
If you’d like your parquet flooring to make a statement, think about the shades of timber you choose. Opt for a range of hues from light to dark, as the designers have done here.
The contrast between the colours makes more of a statement than a more uniform collection of boards, so the pattern appears striking and dramatic.
Tell us…
Are you trying to decide which kitchen flooring to go for? Would you choose parquet, or a different type of material? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
If you’d like your parquet flooring to make a statement, think about the shades of timber you choose. Opt for a range of hues from light to dark, as the designers have done here.
The contrast between the colours makes more of a statement than a more uniform collection of boards, so the pattern appears striking and dramatic.
Tell us…
Are you trying to decide which kitchen flooring to go for? Would you choose parquet, or a different type of material? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
Related Stories
Kitchen Inspiration
10 Smart Storage Tips for Your Kitchen Bins
Keep kitchen rubbish stylishly tucked away with these clever solutions
Full Story
Kitchen Design
Which Kitchen Worktop Colour Should You Choose?
By tidgboutique
Consider these popular colours and styles to get the look you want, no matter which material you use
Full Story
Kitchen Inspiration
5 Inspiring Before and After Kitchen Transformations
Whether you want to boost storage, incorporate original features or maximise your space, take ideas from these designs
Full Story
Kitchen Inspiration
5 Ideas for Kitchen Extension Layouts in Victorian Homes
By Kate Burt
Embarking on a rear extension project? Need layout ideas? Look no further...
Full Story
Kitchen Inspiration
16 Kitchens With Vertically Stacked Tiles
Looking for kitchen tiling inspiration? Browse this gallery of beautiful designs
Full Story
Renovating
Should I Live On-site During My Kitchen Renovation?
By Kate Burt
If you’re weighing up whether to stay put or ship out during your project, this expert guide is a must-read
Full Story
Bedrooms
What to Expect at the Biggest Kitchen, Bedroom and Bathroom Show
Plan ahead with our rundown of what’s in store at the kbb Birmingham event this March
Full Story
Kitchen Design
Which of These Kitchen Renovation Trends Would You Choose?
By Kate Burt
The 2024 Houzz Kitchen Trends Report is out. Dive into the highlights to see what’s topping your choices
Full Story
Kitchen Inspiration
24 Beautiful Bare Wood Kitchens
By Kate Burt
From pale and pared back to warm and textured, unpainted cabinets are suddenly everywhere. Which look do you like best?
Full Story
Kitchen Planning
How to Design a Multigenerational Kitchen
A space that successfully meets the needs of all those who use it is not only inclusive, it’s futureproof
Full Story
We have porcelain timber look on our patio, and everyone ia surprised when I tell them it is not wood. I don’t understand the comment about grout not standing up to wear. It has stood up to the weather for 6 years. Conversely, the engineered wood inside looks dreadful, worn and stained in the same amount of time. If I could do it over I would have the porcelain inside throughout the downstairs, or just in the kitchen at the very least.
I have a pale limestone look tile in my kitchen, utility, hall and dining room. It’s been down about 18 years and is now beginning to show signs of wear especially in the kitchen. I went for a pale grout which has not been easy to keep clean. Considering a wood effect Karndean to replace it?
Can you fit parquet over under floor heating systems?
We had engineered oak boards in our last kitchen and they were brilliant, looked the part and wore very well despite being in a ‘high traffic’ area..