Is herringbone/parquet flooring becoming dated?

[MotherofPufflings]

Just coming to the end of a long renovation and questioning all the decisions we made about styling over a year ago!

I still really like the look of herringbone flooring but it is absolutely all over insta/FB/in every new build on Rightmove.

Is it timeless as lots of people say or is it starting to look a bit dated and I'll regret not going for something else in a few years? And if not herringbone, then what?

IMO a timeless classic. If you like it, it's a no brainer.

I think it is, particularly the wider width versions. Original parquet is quite narrow and looks better.

We did a reno recently and I chose mixed with floorboards.

Original or properly installed block parquet - no, timeless. Engineered wood or LVT herringbone - yes, it’s a trend of its time. You have to do what you love though, who care what others think?

This might be an unpopular opinion but to me it has always looked old fashioned. The important thing is that you like how it looks in your house because everybody likes different things and trends come and go.

I think things like metro tiles and parquet floors are basic neutrals.

they never set the world on fire but are totally unobjectionable- the decorating equivalent of calling your kid Tom or Kate. I would do both by the way - and ‘jazz up’ with standout textiles and lovely things !

I have always hated parquet floors, both the darker original type and the modern pale herringbone patterned one.
But if you love it, go for it. It’s your home.

This constant house fashion change is hell on the environment.

Agree with this.

I didn't go for herringbone in my new kitchen for this reason.

It always reminds me of school halls!

This. Original parquet looks good but I don’t like herringbone as it reminds me of a school hall.

I agree with this.

This ^

I think proper parquet is a classic, definitely not dated, but LVT or other 'modern' version - particularly the really wide planks - are very much a current trend. If you love it though @MotherofPufflings, who cares!

I imagine many who've chosen it because it's on trend will soon be tiring of it/ripping it out. Whereas those who've bought/laid the reclaimed stuff (especially if they've had to strip all the hideous bitumen off the backs!) or purchased a property with original parquet will have done so because they love it, not for its fashionable, insta-worthy credentials.

I really miss the gorgeous original 1920s (herringbone) parquet across the ground floor of our last-but-one house and would love to lay reclaimed in the 1960s extension here. Sadly it wouldn't suit our Georgian cottage so we're going with terracotta pamment style tiles instead.

Slightly confused by the distinction between parquet and herringbone? Isn't most original parquet laid in a herringbone pattern, with the exception of the 60s/70s stuff?

Agreed, which is why I want to do it once and get it right!

Classic parquet is beautiful and timeless. It’ll be a one time thing. Go for it.

I know what you mean. When we replaced the carpet in our living room, in our old house 5 years ago, I really wanted herringbone but my DH wasn't convinced. Now we're looking to replace the flooring in our current house, he has been leaning towards herringbone but I feel it's peaked in popularity and, in time, will go the way of the grey trend. I wouldn't worry about following or not following trends if I really liked something, but how I feel about herringbone has changed in that time.

We've agreed to go with boards placed diagonally with a border for our current house. Not sure everyone is as convinced on it as us, but we wanted to go a little different. Hoping we like it long term!

I think herringbone in particular had a bit of a fashion boom and therefore it’s possibly going to appear faddy in a few years; but ultimately the most important thing is to go with what you like. We have pale oak mosaic block parquet, which I had put in when we renovated because it was there in my two previous homes and I liked it and there’s something very comforting about it. One of my friends purposely avoided renovating with the herringbone floors and style of bathroom metro tiles she really liked because she was worried about “dating” - and has slightly regretted it since - because she still likes them!

I like it. I always feel envious of people who buy houses with horrible fitted carpets and they rip them up and discover gorgeous parquet flooring.

Yes me too! I was very excited to find parquet under our carpet in one room when we moved in, but it was the 60s stuff and would have needed to find matching stuff to go in the extension.

I think the newer, ‘pretend’ stuff is starting to look dated, alongside navy kitchens, panelling everywhere and those pendant lights in 3s that hang over breakfast bars. Also black taps in bathrooms. If it’s original then fine, but everything else looks a bit 2021 and will look dated very soon - I would avoid!

Not sure it is possible for herringbone flooring to date.

worried about this with our extension. But I loved herringbone. Got a pale oak so not a big statement and I love it. I'm glad I didn't go for something I didn't like becuase I was worried about it dating. If It goes out of fashion I guess I will still love it! It's prob best to go for something you love whether it is fashionable or unfashionable and you'll be ok.

It’s practical because the pattern hides crumbs and other minor debris so I can see it enduring. It is very popular though so if you want timeless go plank.

It’s timeless if good quality and not some tacky grey wash :)

I always wondered if I was going to get sick of the zig zags but so far no! I thought it may be the ‘new grey’
I also chose a toned rather than a natural wood, but I still love it as I did day one.