Herringbone floors have seen a huge rise in popularity in recent years, rivalling traditional plank styles in many modern homes.
Rooted in 16th-century design, herringbone parquet has stood the test of time, remaining a firm favourite in contemporary interiors, offering timeless elegance with a modern feel.
One question we often get asked, especially from those considering herringbone flooring for the first time, is “Will it suit my room?”
It’s a fair question, with concerns ranging from whether it might make a room feel smaller, to whether it’s suitable for kitchens or high-traffic areas.
We think there is hardly a room in the home that doesn’t suit herringbone flooring. And here are some of the reasons why.
Is herringbone suitable for a small room?
For small spaces you might think that the detailed pattern of herringbone may make a space feel even smaller, but the opposite is often true.
The formation of the wood blocks draw the eye naturally down and across the room, which promotes a feeling of space in a room.
Pair that pattern with a lighter toned herringbone, and you’ll also naturally lift the feeling of light in the room too, so that small room starts to feel a whole lot bigger.
Small spaces with herringbone inspiration
Tundra Misty Grey in a dressing-room design
The elongating effect of the slender proportions of our Tundra herringbone floors make this modern walk-in wardrobe space feel light and spacious. The room features our Misty Grey, which is finished with light grey oils to give the floor its contemporary feel. The addition of block border detailing, created with the same oak blocks, adds a further lengthening element into the space.
Deco Frozen Umber in a cloakroom design
It may be the smallest room in the home, but your cloakroom is also a space that suits herringbone. This panelled cloakroom is narrow, but with the addition of herringbone laid to accentuate the width of the room, the flooring gives the feeling of a wider space. The warm mid-tone oak surface of our Frozen Umber from our Deco Herringbone Collection is a perfect mix with the green panelling and decadent wallpaper.
Deco Natural Oak in a small bedroom used as a home office space
This small bedroom, used as a home office, features our Natural Oak herringbone from the Deco collection. The generous block size makes the flooring a standout feature in the space, without overpowering the room.
Can I have herringbone floors in my kitchen?
Engineered herringbone floors are a great choice in kitchen design. Your kitchen demands floors that are durable, water-resistant, and easy to clean, and engineered wood flooring is a top choice for all of these needs. Yes, there are things you need to consider when installing any wood floor in a space like kitchens, because they are more prone to come into contact with moisture and spills, but follow some basic care and maintenance steps, and your floors can stand-up to kitchen life no problem.
Kitchens with herringbone inspiration
Deco Frozen Umber in a white kitchen design
This kitchen design features a striking tonal contrast, pairing white kitchen cabinetry with our Deco Frozen Umber. The oak blocks have been expertly installed to run seamlessly around the kitchen breakfast bar, and into the casual dining area, promoting an effortless flow to the space.
White Smoked Oak in colourful kitchen design
Colour, colour and more colour was the order of the day for this open plan kitchen design in London. With the wonderful layers of colour and texture they were introducing into the design, they wanted a wood floor that would add a natural finish into the design. Our White Smoked Oak floors, which are darkened in a smoking chamber then finished with white oils, give the room a calm and natural backdrop.
Smoked Oak in wood themed kitchen design
Stored in a smoking chamber to naturally darken the oak surface, our Smoked Oak herringbone gives this beautiful wood kitchen an extra layer of wooden charm. The herringbone blocks weave around the kitchen, creating a seamless design, working its way around the island and into the open dining space, for a room that feels spacious and connected.
Is herringbone a good choice for bedrooms?
Yes, engineered herringbone floors are ideal for bedrooms, and there are lots of benefits to choosing them.
Real wood floors are naturally warm underfoot, visually calming, and timeless in style.
From a practical perspective, they’re easier to clean than carpets, and a healthier option for allergy sufferers as carpets can collect dust, pollen, and other particles that cause irritation. A regular sweep, or vacuum, and a wood floor surface is clear of any dirt.
They are also a great choice if you have wood flooring downstairs and want to maintain the same style of floor throughout the home, creating a seamless and connected flow to your home.
Bedrooms with herringbone inspiration
Deco Natural Oak in blush pink bedroom design
The beautiful blush pink tones in this bedroom design are a perfect pairing with our Deco Natural Oak blocks. The surface of this rustic herringbone is simply sealed with clear oils, giving the floor its subtle natural sheen, adding a soft and natural backdrop into the bedroom design.
American Black Walnut herringbone in lavish bedroom design
The theatre of this lavishly designed bedroom is elevated with the elegant tones introduced by our walnut herringbone. The American Black Walnut surface is naturally filled with rich tonal variety, and when you add in the herringbone pattern, its warm textures, and tactile sheen, fill the space with an inviting luxury.
Deco Natural Oak in Cotswolds barn conversion bedroom
This Cotswold barn conversion features our Alpine Upland Oak planks throughout the ground floor, on the stairs and into the landings. The owners chose to continue the same rustic oak floor finish into the barns bedrooms, introducing the more characterful pattern of herringbone in our Natural Oak finish.
Other great spaces for herringbone flooring
Beyond small rooms, kitchens, and bedrooms, herringbone wood flooring suits almost every part of the home:
In living rooms, herringbone creates a centrepiece with this classic pattern underfoot.
In hallways it makes a stylish first impression that is elegant, but also durable for the busy footfall.
On stairs and landings you can continue the flow of herringbone for a truly cohesive home design.
Ready to choose your V4 Herringbone Floor?
If you’re feeling inspired to bring herringbone into your home, take the next step.
Explore all of our herringbone floors
Order free samples of your favourites
Find a V4-approved retailer near you where you can view our floors in larger formats
Try our Room Visualiser and see how different herringbone styles will look in your space
