Originating in 17th century France, and often referred to as "mosaic flooring," parquet hardwood flooring is highly recognized thanks to its decorative effect. It was the most popular option among the richest Frenchmen. At one time, having a genuine parquet hardwood floor was a sign of opulent wealth because of the craftsmanship involved in creating unique and artistic geometric patterns in the floor.

Parquet hardwood flooring differs from ordinary hardwood flooring as the pieces of wood used are much smaller and are arranged in decorative geometric patterns - the most commonly recognized are chevron and herringbone. However, there are many other patterns that can be created. Common species used in parquet floors include oak, maple, walnut, cherry, and sometimes other exotic hardwoods such as mahogany. Not only can the species or combination of wood species add dimension to the floor, but the specific cut of lumber (the part of the tree and the angle it is cut on) can change the appearance of the floor and add intrigue to traditional patterns.