When we say timeless, we mean things that have and will continue to stand the test of time. Most of these types of timeless flooring I recommend because they have been used for many centuries and will continue to be a staple in new homes.
Not that you have to do timeless flooring in your home, but wood, tile and stone will always be timeless. They have been used for centuries and will continue to make any home beautiful. But, there are certain types and species to keep in mind for a timeless look.
Wood
Maple
Maple has a lovely, soft, even texture and is slightly more durable than oak. If you’re looking for a light natural wood tone, maple is a good option, as it looks beautiful with just a top coat of polyurethane. Maple pairs well with walnut and mahogany for creating inlays, at nod to the turn of the century when this style was popular.
Hickory
Hickory has lots of texture, and it’s incredibly strong. People say it’s best for rustic homes because of the variety of colors and textures, but while that’s correct, hickory really works in any home. It’s my favorite because the kids and dogs have not scratched it yet! If you want the durability but not big on the texture you can stain the flooring a medium tone to help quite down the variety.
Oak
Oak remains the most popular wood flooring in homes, but the 3″ honey oak of the 90s is gone. Oak has a nice texture, looks great in many different finishes, and works with many design styles. It’s been a popular choice for centuries and has gained even more popularity that last few years in a larger size and light to medium tone stains.
Pine
Pine is less durable but was prevalent in many colonial homes. And suppose you’re looking to do historically accurate flooring. In that case, you’ll need to figure out the species and size, like wide plank pine floors for colonial homes. You may even have these in your old colonial and there’s so much character and charm created by pine floors.
Color
Always go for a warm brown, in either a light or medium tone because we want the wood flooring to be a backdrop against which almost any color and style will look good. Avoid dark floors; they seem like they will hide dirt, but they make it show up more. And stay way from red or orange stains because they immediately date the home. Gray was never good. People might get offended by that, but if you like it, great! But we’re talking timeless here, and gray floors were trending for a bit and are not timeless.
Pattern
You can choose from many timeless patterns, like parquet, herringbone, or basketweave designs, which will always look great. It’s an extra expense but has such a rich, timeless look and is always worth it if you have the budget. You can go for a lighter color with no pattern for modern homes since mid-century modern is all about subtlety and more minimal.
Stone
Limestone
Limestone has been used for various applications, from the Pyramids of Giza to skyscrapers and kitchen floors. It’s perfect for rustic or modern interiors. It feels timeless because it’s natural and elegant, with soft gray and beige colors. You could add many timeless materials to a 1990s colonial; people will think you bought a 1770s home.
Marble
Marble is a beautiful stone used in famous sculptures and buildings and has long been renowned for its simple beauty. Marble flooring in entryways and hallways will continue to be a timeless look. Opt for a tile, the scale of the space, large for ample space, and so on, and a black and white diamond pattern is a bonus. I realize it’s a trending pattern right now, but we have seen those diamond shapes for many years and it always works to give your home a sophisticated element.
Sandstone
Similar to limestone, sandstone is a subtle stone with beige and warm undertones. It also has a more textured pattern and looks lovely in kitchens and hallways. Choosing warm colors for your flooring will ensure that you can mix and match any color or style into the home as cool colors can be challenging since they can make a space feel cold and uninviting.
Tile
Hexagon
Hexagon tile has been used in modern design styles, but it looks timeless using marble or porcelain. All white or black and white create a vintage look perfect for a powder room. Patterns that evoke nature or have patterns that exist in nature always look timeless. Hexagon tile also feels great on bare feet and is a good choice if you really like pebble tile. Pebble tile is annoying to install and tilers don’t really like to install it.
Penny
Penny rounds have been in vogue since the early 1990s and have remained popular for traditional and contemporary styles. They come in all colors now but are most timeless in white or with black accents like flower motifs or an edge border. I love using these tiles in small bathrooms or powder rooms, they create a nice pattern and feel luxurious.
Porcelain
Believe it or not, porcelain tile has existed for about 1,500 years. It’s an incredibly durable material with a lifespan of 50 years. And since it is made from natural materials, we can create any design we wish, like marble or wood. It’s perfect if you want a marble look and to incorporate universal design practices since marble is slippery when wet and not ideal for all.
Mosaic tile
This one can be tough; there are many options, and most will be dated quickly, but I wanted to include them on this list. It can be challenging to weed through all the pretty mosaics but look for historically accurate patterns if you want something like that.
Look for Victorian or Colonial patterns, which have stood the test of time. But be aware that these floors will look dated unless you have a Victorian-inspired design. If you choose an old moody paint, vintage tub, or lights, the mosaic will work; otherwise, it won’t look timeless.
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