Choosing the right engineered wooden floors for luxury homes – What to go for?

As an interior designer or luxury homeowner, it can get a bit overwhelming to choose the right wooden flooring for your space, given the variety of options available. While there are many considerations to factor in, let us look at these 3 here – shape of the flooring planks, color tone and grading in this blog. We will look at the different kinds of shapes, colors and wood gradings available and the effect each creates on the final look and feel of the space.

Straight Rectangular Planks

This is the most common format (shape) used in modern engineered wood floors. It can be installed in various ways, including horizontally, vertically, or diagonally, depending on the shape of the room and desired effect. As they come in various widths and lengths, each dimension creates a further different effect. In general, use straight planks when you want to keep things simple and straight lined. This will allow a greater flexibility in choosing the other furnishings and make it easier to incorporate changes a few years down the line as the floor acts a simple canvas on which to create with other things.

Engineered Wood Flooring in Straight Rectangular plank format!

Now let us look at the effect of wood grading (by grading we mean a sorting of wood into different categories – the higher grades having lesser variation, a cleaner look, a higher price and as we go lower, we see more and more variation in color with more and bigger wood knots, filled cracks with the price lowering).

As you can observe above, each creates a different look. There is no rule here that one is better over other – rather your choice should depend on the final effect that you like and goes with your overall scheme of things.

Now coming to color tone and it’s affect on a space. All other things remaining the same, using a mid to dark color toned woods will create a cozier space. And the reverse is true for lighter tones. Their effect is an open, airy feel. See pics below:

Herringbone Pattern

The herringbone patterned engineered wood flooring is a classic pattern that has had a massive resurgence in contemporary interior design. It is made of small rectangular planks laid in a zigzag pattern. This design catches attention due to its laying pattern and by using brushed open grain finished wood, adds texture and depth. There is an element of luxury to it since the pattern is more intricate than straight laid planks. Designers use this pattern where they want the floor to catch attention in a subtle, classy way. It is suitable for bedrooms, living areas, formal areas, activity rooms etc and once layered nicely with rugs and furniture, helps create a stunning effect. A case in point is this classy home where we installed herringbone engineered wooden flooring in a variety of colour tones:

Herringbone Pattern Engineered Wood Floors with brushed open grain finished wood!

Chevron Pattern

The chevron pattern is similar to the herringbone pattern, but instead of a zigzag, the planks are laid in a continuous V shape. This design is a personal favorite as it adds a touch of elegance and sophistication to any space, making it ideal for modern luxury homes. For example, if you want to create a chic, stylish and yet cozy atmosphere in your bedroom, you can install chevron patterned floors using dark-colored wood. If you would rather keep the bedroom light, airy and calm, go for lighter oak wood tones in pastels. Bordering it up with a perimeter of straight planks coupled with smart brass inlay can help take it a notch up!

Chevrons are the trendiest engineered wood floors at the moment and at Span Floors we offer a very large range in light to medium to dark tones to go with any kind of interior design.

Square Shaped Wood Floors

Square tile-shaped wood floors are a modern twist on traditional hardwood floors – Parquetry. Traditionally, wood floors have been straight as they were the simplest and easiest to make and hence had lower cost. But for the nobility, more intricately crafted wood floors were created to help them differentiate. These patterns involved more labor as well as installation intricacy making them more expensive. The wood floors at the palace of Versailles near Paris are a good example. These intricate designs still cost more but now come factory finished in large square formats and can be installed in various patterns, including a checkerboard or diagonal diamond pattern. This format is perfect for luxury homes as it adds a touch of classic sophistication and style. For example, if you want to create a plush look for your formal drawing rooms, you can install square tile-shaped wood floors in a dark colored wood such as this recent project we completed in Delhi:.

A Squared Tile Engineered Wood Floor
A Bedroom!

A Square Engineered Wood Flooring Tile in a diamond pattern in a very light colour tone – Stylish yet subtle.

Custom Patterned Shapes

If you want a truly personalized look for your floors, custom patterned shapes are the way to go. With custom patterns, the design possibilities are endless, and you can create a unique look that reflects your individual style and reels of luxury. Wood with wood, wood with brass, wood with stone – the options are endless. Here are a few examples to get your imagination going!

An Engineered Wood Floor in Herringbone and Plank with Brass Inlay Border!

Pic 2

In summary, by knowing more about these 3 things – Engineered wood flooring shapes (formats), color tone and wood grading, one can create a variety of effects to one’s liking. Choosing the right engineered floors for your space is essential to achieving the desired look and feel. By considering additional factors such as room size, lighting, budgets and overall desired ambiance, you can select the right wood floor that complements your interior style and creates a cohesive and inviting atmosphere in your luxury home.

At Span Floors, we offer a comprehensive collection in stock at our warehouse ready to be shipped to retailers and homeowners across India, Nepal, Bhutan and UAE. We work closely with luxury home owners and designers helping them select the right products which create stunning results. Reach out to our team today for detailed discussions and presentations.