Herringbone flooring has a distinct pattern that brings instant sophistication to any space. The herringbone pattern features a distinct V shape or zig-zag pattern that bears a resemblance to the skeleton of the herringfish. Herringbone floors have a long history and can even be found in ancient Roman roads and medieval monastaries and castles.
Herringbone flooring features prominently in classy, historic Parisian apartments and the fancy living rooms of old houses. Even though herringbone is a historic flooring style, it is a pattern that is still prevalent today.
The herringbone has an archetypal V-shaped arrangement that is similar to another zig-zag pattern called the chevron. Yet, the herringbone pattern is slightly different. The herringbone arrangement features pieces with ends that are cut at 90 degrees, rather than the ends in the chevron pattern that are cut at a 45-degree angle.
Herringbone floors require precision and meticulous attention to detail, so they are associated with elegant and custom spaces.
Types of Herringbone Flooring
The oldest and most popular herringbone floors are made of wood. However, there are also beautiful examples of tile, laminate, brick, and marble herringbone.
Herringbone Wood Flooring
Herringbone wood floors are the most classic example of herringbone floors. It is part of a larger group of patterned wood floors known as parquet. Herringbone wood floors are made of solid wood, engineered wood, or laminate.
- Solid Wood Floor: It is difficult to replace the look and feel of wood floors. Oak is used to make most herringbone solid floors. They stain wood in finishes ranging from traditional to modern in color. Solid wood floors do not stand up well to liquid, so this is not a good option for bathrooms.
- Engineered Wood Floor: Engineered wood floor is a type of flooring. It has a solid wood top layer attached to a substrate like high-quality plywood.
- Parquet Floor: Parquet is a type of wood floor that consists of small wood pieces arranged in a geometric pattern. Herringbone is a popular parquet pattern.
Laminate Herringbone Floor
If you like the look of wood floors but don’t want to spend as much money as solid wood flooring will cost, there are laminate floor options. Laminate is synthetic, but it does have a core that is made from wood products.
Laminate has some advantages over solid wood flooring. Of course, it is less expensive than solid wood floors. Also, it comes with guarantees that it will stand up to household spills, scratches, and dents. Further, install it in places like basements or bathrooms where herringbone hardwood floors would be more problematic.
Tile Herringbone Floor
Tile herringbone floors are popular because this pattern elevates the look of standard tile. The two main types of tile used for herringbone floors are ceramic and porcelain. Ceramic floors offer durability and resistance to moisture. Porcelain is similar to ceramic, but it is even more dense. Thus, they are even more durable and impervious to water.
Luxury Vinyl Plank Herringbone Floor
Luxury vinyl plank (LVP) herringbone flooring is made from synthetic materials, but it is designed to mimic the look of hardwood. It is made to resist water and withstand heavy wear, making it a suitable option for many environments.
Bamboo Herringbone Floor
Bamboo flooring can be arranged in a herringbone pattern. Bamboo is an eco-friendly and sustainable flooring option with a unique, straight grain pattern. Bamboo floors are well known for their hardness and durability.
Natural Stone Herringbone Floor
Natural stone herringbone floors offer a luxurious and timeless aesthetic. There are many types of natural stone used for herringbone floors. Some popular types include marble, slate, travertine, limestone, granite, and sandstone. Natural stone floors require proper sealing and maintenance to preserve their natural beauty.
Herringbone Floor Inspiration
Let’s look through some examples of different types of herringbone floors and see if one doesn’t inspire you to try something new.
Solid Wood Herringbone
This transitional office from Found Associates has a medium-toned solid wood floor. The herringbone style works well with the modern traditional style, which blends the historic character of the room with modern elements like the chandelier.
Dark Herringbone Floor
Dark wood stained floors are one of the most dramatic looks on herringbone floors. Consider this kitchen from Breeze Giannasio. The classic look of the dark herringbone-patterned wood floors adds the perfect counterpoint to the modern design for the rest of the kitchen.
White Oak Herringbone Floor
In this project from Glickman Schlesinger Architects, they use white oak herringbone flooring to create a modern space. The white oak foundation pairs well with the soft gray paneling. The design draws the eye to the elements that should hold your attention in the room, the warm-colored banquette seating and the modernist gold pendant.
Herringbone Bamboo Flooring
Bamboo herringbone flooring offers a solid wood herringbone floor that is comparable to solid wood floors like oak. Bamboo floors have a beautiful deep color and a solid wood feel, but they are still less expensive than oak. The tight grain pattern of bamboo is also comparable to that of oak.
Herringbone Engineered Wood Flooring
This engineered herringbone has a washed wood finish that works well with modern design. The planks used are short and wide, which present a stylish appearance and complement the simple, textured walls.
Herringbone Laminate Flooring
This laminate flooring is a variegated greige that works well with the forest green cabinets. The color of the floor blends the warm wood elements and the cool black fixtures together.
Vinyl Herringbone Floor
This transitional kitchen from Kitchens by Eileen uses a vinyl herringbone pattern floor layout. The floor has a lovely textured finish that looks striking with the blue and white cabinets and the gold fixtures. Herringbone vinyl flooring is a good choice if you need a floor option that is water and heat resistant.
Herringbone Brick Floor
Brick is longer wearing than wood, so in areas with constant foot traffic, brick is an excellent flooring option compared to wood. Consider this entry from Carpenter & McNeil. They pair the herringbone brick floor with wide painted trim to create a classic look that is both beautiful and practical.
Black Tile Herringbone Floor
Herringbone tile is an excellent way to add a classic look with a more contemporary and long-lasting material. This entry foundation is a black slate herringbone tile. When this herringbone floor tile is combined with light neutral walls and the simple wooden stairway, it blends a traditional style with a modern choice into a seamless design.
Herringbone Marble Tile Floor
This herringbone marble floor tile gives the bathroom a classic design. This bathroom has an overall white tone; however, the light variegated colors of the marble herringbone tile bathroom floor balances the colors of the room and softens the stark white hues.
White Herringbone Tile Floor
The tile in this modern kitchen in Austin, TX, is a non-slip variety that has practical value in the kitchen.
Grey Herringbone Tile Floor
This bathroom from Rachel Savage Design Management LLC features a grey marble tile floor laid in a herringbone pattern. The pattern elevates the simple shape of the subway floor tile.
Modern Herringbone Floor
You can also use large tiles to create a herringbone pattern. The Kitchen Studio of Glen Ellyn creates a modern look with traditional design.
Herringbone Kitchen Floor
The kitchen is the ideal place to use a non-wood flooring option because of all the activity as well as potential spills. This floor is from an Italian collection. It is a volcanic basalt tile that provides the perfect counterbalance to the white kitchen design from David Armour Architecture.
Slate Herringbone Tile Floor
Slate is a fine-grained rock that has a soft black color with hints of green, blue, and purple. Black slate tiles are used in this mudroom from Hartley and Hill Design. A herringbone slate floor adds a lovely texture to any room.
