What is Herringbone Flooring?

Herringbone flooring is more than just a pattern—it’s a timeless flooring design that adds charm, visual movement, and a sense of craftsmanship to any space. So, what exactly is a herringbone floor? And why is it such a popular choice for architects, interior designers, and homeowners?

What Makes a Floor ‘Herringbone’?

Floor fitters create herringbone flooring by laying a pattern of rectangular wooden boards in a staggered formation, where each plank meets the end of another at a 90-degree angle. The result is a distinctive broken zig-zig parquet flooring pattern that creates rhythm, texture, and visual interest across the floor.

Why Choose Herringbone?

Herringbone floors instantly elevate the look of a room, giving it a luxurious aesthetic. Here’s why they’re an interior design favourite:

• Timeless premium look – From classic Georgian townhouses to modern minimalist interiors, herringbone works beautifully in all settings, and is seen as a premium flooring choice associated with high-end design.
• Sense of movement – The zigzag layout draws the eye, creating a visual flow, and can make smaller spaces feel larger and more dynamic.
• Versatile, sustainable designs – Herringbone is available in a wide range of sustainable timber species, finishes, and sizes to suit any project. Engineered herringbone options are ideal for projects with underfloor heating too.
  

Our mills machine our herringbone boards with precision-cut tongue-and-groove joints, ensuring a crisp, tight fit and an easy installation process—whether you choose traditional solid oak parquet blocks or engineered options.

The Origins of Herringbone

The herringbone pattern dates back to the Roman Empire, where it was first used in road paving. Over centuries, it found its way into textiles, tiling, and eventually wood flooring. Named for its resemblance to the bones of a herring fish, the pattern has stood the test of time as a symbol of elegance, style, and precision. Read our blog on the history of herringbone to find out more.

Your Herringbone Floor: Customisation and Finishes

Every Chaunceys herringbone floor can be tailored to suit your space. We pre-finish our engineered herringbone boards at our Bristol production facility. We offer a wide range of sustainable wood flooring options in an array of sizes, with a great selection of colours, from pale, Nordic-inspired hues to deep, smoked finishes. You can even add surface textures to make it uniquely yours.

Installation Considerations

Laying herringbone flooring requires precision and planning. That’s why we recommend using experienced fitters familiar with patterned flooring, ensuring a layout that complements the space. Thankfully, our expert fitting team provides an outstanding floor fitting service for customers across the UK. Our customer service team is always on hand to offer technical advice and guidance on creating the perfect herringbone floor for your project.

Herringbone vs. Chevron: What’s the Difference?

Herringbone and chevron are often confused—but they’re two distinct patterns, each with its own design impact.

The blocks that make up a herringbone floor are rectangular with the ends meeting at 90-degree angles. This parquet pattern has a more traditional, textured look.

With a chevron floor pattern, the boards are cut at 45-degree angles (sometimes 60-degree angles) and set against each other so that the ends join in a point. This forms a continuous ‘V’ shape to create a sleek, modern, directional aesthetic. Chevron flooring, with its clean arrow-like design, is often used to make a room look wider or longer.

Generally, herringbone is slightly easier, and more forgiving to install compared to chevron, which requires a high degree of precision in cutting and laying out.

Both can be stunning, and the right choice depends on the look you want to achieve. At Chaunceys, we supply both styles, with customisable finishes to match your design vision.

See It for Yourself

Visit our Bristol showroom to explore our showroom’s herringbone panels and take home free wood flooring samples. We’re here to help you find the perfect flooring option for your project.