05/11/2025

How to Choose the Right Flooring for Your Historic Home Remodel

Preserve the past. Upgrade with intention. This is the guiding principle of any historic home remodel. Every design decision, especially the choice of flooring, should honor the home’s original character while enhancing its durability, safety, and comfort.

When restoring a historic home, every design decision matters—but few carry as much weight as your flooring choice. Floors are more than just surfaces we walk on. In a historical property, they’re part of the story. They carry echoes of decades—or even centuries- of life, style, and culture. At DreamWorx Renovations, we know the delicate balance of honoring a home’s original character while enhancing its durability, safety, and comfort.

If you’re preparing to remodel a historical property, here’s everything you need to know about selecting the right flooring, with craftsmanship, authenticity, and modern practicality in mind.

Why Flooring Matters in Historic Homes

Flooring is one of the largest visual and functional elements in any space. In historical homes, original flooring is often a defining feature—wide-plank pine from the early 1900s, intricate parquet patterns from the 1920s, or natural stone in a pre-war estate. Preserving or recreating these details can dramatically impact your remodel’s authenticity and value.

At DreamWorx, our expertise in historical renovations sets us apart. We’re uniquely qualified to guide you through decisions that respect your home’s origins while adapting it to today’s lifestyle. When it comes to flooring, we understand the perfect blend of beauty, function, and legacy.

Step 1: Assess What's Already There

Before choosing new flooring materials, deeply inspect what’s currently in your home. Many historical properties have original hardwood beneath carpets or layers of linoleum. In some cases, you can restore or refinish existing wood flooring, which maintains authenticity and reduces your renovation costs.

Our team at DreamWorx offers flooring evaluations to help determine what’s salvageable and whether restoration is a viable option. When preservation isn’t possible, we’ll help you source era-appropriate materials or modern alternatives that look historically accurate.

Step 2: Understand Your Home's Architectural Era

Understanding your home’s architectural era is crucial. Different periods in architecture reflect different flooring trends and materials. Choosing a style that complements your home’s era enhances its historic integrity and overall aesthetic. Here’s a quick guide:

Victorian homes (1837–1901): Expect to see intricate patterns, parquet flooring, and rich hardwoods like oak or mahogany.
Craftsman bungalows (1905–1930s): Think warm-toned oak or fir planks, often narrow and uniform.
Colonial homes: These may feature wide-plank pine, walnut, or chestnut.
Mid-century modern (1945–1965): Terrazzo, polished concrete, and narrow strip hardwoods were popular.

When original materials are no longer available or practical, DreamWorx helps homeowners recreate these looks using reclaimed wood, custom stains, or engineered products that echo the original feel.

Step 3: Choose the Right Material for Each Space

Not all rooms in a historic home require the same flooring solution. Here’s how we help clients balance historical accuracy with real-life function

Living & Dining Areas

These spaces often showcase original hardwood or decorative inlays. If the original wood is intact, refinishing is usually the best option. If not, engineered hardwood or luxury vinyl plank (LVP) can replicate the look with added moisture resistance and ease of maintenance.

Pro Tip: Consider using wood with a distressed or hand-scraped finish to mimic age while disguising wear over time.

Kitchens

Kitchens in historical homes weren’t always designed for modern cooking. That means you’ll want something both durable and historically appropriate. Porcelain tile in period-correct patterns (like hex or basketweave) is ideal. For a warmer touch, wood-look tile or waterproof LVP may be suitable.

We’ve even installed heated floors under vintage-style tile for added comfort without compromising style.

Bathrooms

Bathrooms typically benefit from non-slip, moisture-resistant tile. We often source encaustic or patterned cement tiles to reflect early 20th-century design while upgrading for today’s water standards.

Bedrooms

These are often quieter spaces where comfort and warmth matter. Carpet, wool rugs, over restored hardwood, or cork can all be appropriate, depending on your home’s style and your personal preferences.

Step 4: Don't Forget the Subfloor

Older homes often have hidden challenges—uneven subfloors, squeaky boards, or inadequate structural support. At DreamWorx Renovations, we perform detailed inspections before any flooring is installed. This ensures safety, smooth transitions between rooms, and longevity.

We also assess whether your subfloor can accommodate newer materials, especially if you want to add radiant heat or reduce allergens by removing carpet.

Step 5: Match Color & Finish Thoughtfully

Color and finish play a huge role in achieving a period-appropriate look. Historical homes rarely featured the ultra-light or grey-washed tones trending today. Instead, think rich walnut, warm amber, or deep espresso tones—especially in formal rooms.

Matte or satin finishes are better suited for preserving a natural look. Glossy finishes, while modern and sleek, can look out of place and highlight imperfections in older boards.

DreamWorx can color-match your original floors if you blend new materials into existing ones. This keeps the look cohesive and true to the home’s spirit.

Step 6: Source With Care

We strongly encourage sourcing sustainable, reclaimed, or FSC-certified wood when replacing original floors. Not only does this support environmentally responsible practices, but reclaimed wood also offers unmatched character and pre-worn patina that modern products can’t replicate.

We maintain relationships with trusted suppliers specializing in antique and reclaimed materials, ensuring your renovation supports the planet and your home’s story.

Step 7: Hire Professionals Who Understand Historical Renovations

Flooring installation in a historic home is not a standard remodel task. It requires deep knowledge of old construction methods, structural limitations, historical design, and reverence for what came before.

At DreamWorx Renovations, our certified historical renovation team approaches every project respectfully. We handle every aspect—from discovery and removal to sourcing and installation—with craftsmanship, care, and precision.

We also work with preservation societies, local guidelines, and permit authorities to ensure your remodel meets any required codes or historical district rules.

The DreamWorx Difference

We’re not just renovators—we’re caretakers of history. Every floor we restore or install becomes part of your home’s evolving story, and we treat that responsibility with reverence and pride.

When you work with DreamWorx Renovations, you can expect:

A seamless process from consultation to completion
High-end, custom recommendations for flooring solutions
Certified expertise in historic home remodeling
Transparent pricing and dedicated project timelines
Respect for your property, your preferences, and your home’s heritage

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right flooring for a historical home remodel isn’t just about style—it’s about integrity. Every board, tile, and plank should honor the home’s past while enhancing its present and future. Whether restoring a Victorian masterpiece or upgrading a 1940s craftsman, your flooring sets the stage.

Let DreamWorx Renovations help you lay the perfect foundation. Our team brings decades of experience, a deep appreciation for heritage design, and a commitment to transforming homes with elegance and strength.

Ready to begin your historical home remodel?

Contact DreamWorx Renovations today for a consultation and discover how we can bring your vision—and your floors—back to life.

References

–National Park Service – Preservation Brief 18: Rehabilitating Interiors in Historic Buildings Detailed guidelines on preserving or replicating original floors during renovation projects.

-National Trust for Historic Preservation – Floor Restoration Tips Offers practical guidance for selecting and maintaining historic flooring.(Search: “floor restoration”)

-The Spruce – Pros and Cons of Engineered Hardwood Flooring Explains why engineered hardwood is a solid alternative when authentic hardwood restoration isn’t possible.

-This Old House – Restoring Wood Floors Practical insight into refinishing and preserving original hardwood floors