Hardwood Floors

Hardwood floors are a quintessential choice for traditional living rooms. Handsome wood floors with inlaid borders and medallions add warmth and enrich the traditional décor. Opt for wider planks in oak, maple or hickory for a stately appearance. Distressed and hand-scraped hardwoods also work well for a timeworn appeal. Arrange the pattern for visual interest.

Engineered Hardwood Flooring

Engineered hardwood offers the beauty of solid wood with greater stability. Made using real wood veneers adhered to a plywood core, it resists moisture better than solid wood. Engineered wood floors are ideal for the elegance of wood with less maintenance. Look for options mimicking oak, walnut and exotic woods for traditional flair.

Laminate Flooring

Laminate flooring has evolved into a very realistic alternative to hardwood, providing the look for a fraction of the cost. Many laminates accurately emulate wood grain and textures. Pergo and Armstrong make laminate “planks” in hues like Chestnut, Smoked Pine and Vintage Oak that convincingly achieve the hardwood aesthetic. Durable and affordable, laminates work for traditional style on a budget.

Marble or Stone Tile

For old-world grandeur, marble and stone tiles make a statement. Classic white Carrara marble with dramatic veining has an air of time-honored elegance perfect for traditional décor. Honed limestone, travertine or slate tiles also offer natural stone elegance. Lay the tiles in a repeating pattern for ornate decorative results typical of traditional interiors.

Patterned Tile

Intricately patterned floor tiles provide visual interest and add a sense of history to traditional rooms. Elaborate motifs reminiscent of vintage patterns found in ancient European villas suit this style. Scroll through tile designs to discover medallions, arabesques, mosaics and custom patterns that can elevate your floors from basic to boldly beautiful.

Distressed Wood Plank Tile

Wood-look tile provides the warmth and appeal of hardwood with the ease of ceramic or porcelain tile. Thanks to improving digital printing technology, many wood-look tiles appear convincingly like real hardwood. For a timeworn look, choose tiles replicating distressed, well-worn woods with visible knots, cracks and imperfections. The result has all the charm of reclaimed floorboards.

Geometric Floor Tiles

For a floor that steals the show, turn to the time-honored geometry of decorative floor tiles. Elegant mosaic parquet floors arranged in Versailles pattern, octagons, herringbone and tessellated shapes infuse tradition into the flooring. Modern tile technology makes custom intricate patterns surprisingly affordable. Geometric floor tiles lend spatial depth and visual liveliness to traditional living rooms.

Wool Rugs over Hardwoods

In traditional living rooms, hardwood floors often get topped with area rugs to impart color, softness and visual interest. Wool rugs are a smart choice, providing durability, sound dampening and comfort underfoot. Choose an ornate wool rug with traditional motifs like medallions, acanthus leaves, floral designs or oriental patterns layered over hardwoods for a posh and elegant traditional floor.

Natural Fiber Rugs

Seagrass, sisal, jute and coir rugs lend an earthy vibe while complementing traditional décor. Made from natural plant and grass fibers, these rugs are inherently casual-chic. Their natural colors and fibrous textures add warmth and a touch of texture over hardwood or tile floors. Try oval, round or runner sisal rugs underfoot for an approachable, inviting look in a formal traditional space.

In Summary

When designing a floor for a traditional living room, time-honored materials like hardwoods, marble, wool and natural fibers are your best bets. Distressing, carving and laying floors in ornate geometric or decorative patterns turn up the elegance. Play with different plank directions, borders and medallions for character underfoot. Ultimately, choose materials and patterns that provide visual interest and stand the test of time. With any of these tasteful flooring ideas, your traditional living room is sure to feel as impressive as it looks.

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