Hilary Farr says this feature is the 'linchpin of a great design' – and other experts agree

HGTV's Hilary Farr is famed for her work on clients' properties in Love It or List It, but no home showcases her favorite design quirks quite like her own. The Toronto-born designer is not afraid of documenting her beautifully designed rooms on Instagram – and this includes the feature that, she says, is the 'linchpin of a great design.' 

'In my opinion, the floors and design you choose sets the stage for and are the linchpin of a great design,' Hilary says alongside her statement herringbone floor, pictured below. 

When it comes to wood floor ideas for a living room, entryway, or an open-plan space such as Hilary's, it is hard to rival the timeless herringbone aesthetic. Hilary chose a light colorway (from Carolina In Home Flooring) but whatever the color, it's hard to go wrong with this enduring design. 

'The stars aligned when I met Mike and Jim at Carolina In Home Flooring (opens in new tab). Thank you for your tirelessness to create the extraordinary in my home,' Hilary says in the discussion of her statement flooring. 'It was a challenge from day one, and you met it head-on. The workmanship is beyond anything I was expecting. The result is this flawless Herringbone floor.'

And, in case you need any other reason to admire Hilary Farr's herringbone, you may be pleased (yet arguably unsurprised) to hear that it's at the top of interior design trends for 2023. 

Flooring powerhouse Amtico (opens in new tab) recently reported that their herringbone pattern was among their 'most popular forms' – saying that the pattern creates immediate impact while drawing the eye and allowing the floor to 'take the center stage' (mirroring Hilary Farr's exact sentiments). 

'Nothing beats the natural beauty of wood flooring ideas to bring character and a sense of heritage to a room,' says Sarah Escott, Amtico (opens in new tab) design manager. 

'Homes will always vary in their design, and these patterns add elegance, heritage, texture, and color to a floor. Be it modern or traditional, refined or rustic, large or small-scale, we consider [the pattern as] a classic surface for living spaces. '

Flooring specialists Kersaint Cobb (opens in new tab) have similarly seen a 70 percent uplift in homeowners searching for herringbone designs – suggesting that homeowners are looking to add visual interest via their floor this year more than ever. 

'Traditional wool floorings such as herringbone designs give a crisp, classic effect but can be brought more up to date by having a color running through the design,' adds their product manager, Jon Flannigan. 

'Herringbone will refresh the appearance of a room, enhancing its space and elegance with its traditional colors, perfectly matching whatever design that is decided throughout the home.'

The question of what flooring is best for a living room ends with the one with these experts' approval – and there is no better time to invest.