Herringbone flooring brings a distinctive zigzag pattern to any room, adding depth and character that standard plank flooring can't match. This guide explains what herringbone flooring is, the different types of herringbone flooring available, how to install it, and how much it costs, so you can decide if it’s the right choice for your home.

What is herringbone flooring?

Herringbone is a type of laying pattern. It is not a flooring type. Rectangular planks are arranged at right angles to each other, creating a repeating V-shaped zigzag across the floor. Named after the bones of a herring fish, it's one of the oldest flooring patterns and works across laminate, luxury vinyl and engineered wood.

Types of herringbone flooring

Herringbone isn't a material; it's a way of laying planks. That means you can find herringbone across laminate, luxury vinyl and engineered wood, each with its own balance of look, cost and practicality. Here's what each option offers:

  • Herringbone laminate uses a 12mm click-lock board with a printed wood-effect finish. It's an affordable option, well-suited to living rooms, bedrooms and dining areas.

  • SPC herringbone has a rigid, 100% waterproof core, making it the practical choice for kitchens, bathrooms and hallways where moisture and heavy footfall are a factor.

  • Luxury dryback LVT herringbone is a flexible vinyl tile bonded to the subfloor with adhesive, giving a slimline finish that suits kitchens, hallways and open-plan spaces.

  • Engineered wood herringbone pairs a real oak veneer with a stable core, giving an authentic timber look for living rooms, hallways and bedrooms. This type of herringbone is not recommended for rooms that see regular moisture.

Herringbone flooring colours

Herringbone flooring ranges from pale natural oak tones to warm mid-browns and contemporary greys, with white and black options at either end. Light shades like pale oak or driftwood suit bright, Scandi-style rooms and help smaller spaces feel open. Warmer honey and walnut tones suit traditional interiors, while grey and white finishes work well in modern schemes. 

At Floor Giants, you can order free samples to try different herringbone shades in your own lighting.

Herringbone plank sizes

Herringbone planks come in a range of widths and lengths, which significantly affect the finished look. Engineered wood herringbone is available in widths from 80mm to 120mm and lengths from 300mm to 600mm. Narrower, shorter planks create a tighter, more intricate zigzag with more joints per square metre, giving a traditional, detailed look often seen in period properties. Wider, longer planks create a bolder, more open pattern with fewer joints, giving a more contemporary feel and making the pattern easier to read from across a room. Laminate and vinyl herringbone use smaller, more uniform block sizes, giving a neater, consistent repeat across the floor.

Which rooms is herringbone suitable for?

Where herringbone works best depends entirely on which flooring type you choose. SPC herringbone is fully waterproof, making it suitable for bathrooms, kitchens and utility rooms where splashes are common. Laminate and engineered wood herringbone aren't waterproof, so they're better suited to living rooms, bedrooms and hallways, away from standing water. If you want the wood look in a wet room, herringbone LVT or SPC is the safer choice.

Which interior styles suit herringbone flooring?

Herringbone suits more interior styles than most patterns. Its period origins make it a natural fit for Georgian and Victorian homes, while pale oak and grey shades work equally well in Scandinavian and minimalist schemes. Darker, smoked tones suit contemporary and industrial interiors, and the geometric repeated pattern adds interest to open-plan, mid-century modern spaces, too.

How much is herringbone flooring?

Prices vary by flooring type. Herringbone laminate starts from around £30/m². SPC herringbone typically costs £35 to £45/m², depending on thickness and wear layer. Engineered wood herringbone ranges from around £40/m² up to £70+/m² for thicker boards with premium finishes. Plank width, board thickness, wear layer depth and finish all affect price. Herringbone generally costs more than straight-lay flooring due to the extra cutting involved, but it adds value to your property in the long run.

How to lay herringbone flooring

Herringbone takes more planning than straight-lay flooring, but the process follows a consistent method across laminate, LVT, SPC and engineered wood. Here’s how to install herringbone flooring:

  1. Prepare the subfloor: make sure it's clean, flat and dry, using appropriate underlay for cushioning and moisture protection.

  2. Find your centre point: measure between opposite walls to find the room's centre, then mark a chalk guideline along this axis.

  3. Lay the first plank: position it at 45 degrees along the centre line to establish your starting point.

  4. Add the second plank: place it at 90 degrees to the first, forming the first V-shape of the pattern.

  5. Continue outwards: keep laying planks row by row in the same 90-degree formation, working from the centre towards the walls.

  6. Cut the border pieces: measure and cut planks at 45 degrees to fit neatly against skirting boards and door frames.

  7. Leave expansion gaps: maintain a 10 to 12mm gap around the room's perimeter to allow for natural movement.

  8. Fit skirting or beading: cover the expansion gaps for a finished look.

If you're not confident tackling the angles and cuts yourself, it's worth hiring a professional. At Floor Giants, we offer a nationwide fitting service for a precise, long-lasting finish, ensuring your herringbone flooring looks and stays its best.

Which direction should you lay herringbone flooring?

Herringbone is usually laid so the V-point of the pattern faces the room's main light source, such as a window or doorway, drawing the eye into the space. In hallways and narrow rooms, laying the pattern lengthwise helps the space feel longer and more open.

How much does it cost to install herringbone flooring?

Installation costs more for herringbone than for straight-lay flooring, since the angled cuts and careful alignment take longer to complete. Cost depends on room size, subfloor condition and flooring type, with wood and engineered wood taking longer to fit than laminate or SPC.

How to clean herringbone flooring

Cleaning routines vary slightly by flooring type, but the basics are the same. Sweep or vacuum regularly to remove grit before it can scratch the surface, then damp mop with a well-wrung cloth and a cleaner suited to your flooring type. Avoid saturating the floor with water, particularly with laminate and engineered wood, as excess moisture can cause swelling. SPC and LVT herringbone can handle a damp mop without concern, thanks to their waterproof cores. 

To maintain your herringbone flooring, fit protective pads under furniture legs and use doormats at entrances to reduce grit indoors. Oiled engineered wood finishes benefit from re-oiling every 12 to 18 months to maintain their protection, while lacquered finishes need no additional treatment. For more details, read our guide to floor care and maintenance.

Herringbone flooring is a striking way to add extra character to a room, no matter your budget. Browse our full herringbone flooring range or order free samples to see the pattern and shades in your own home.