Where did it come from?
Historically, herringbone made its initial debut in the 16th century. A form of parquet flooring, this pattern is made of up wood blocks arranged in a zig-zag design named for its resemblance to the bone structure of the herring fish. But don’t get this confused with a chevron style. A chevron pattern focuses on a series of “V” shapes, with ends cut on a 45-degree angle to meet in a point. Herringbone on the other hand; weaves together in a staggered pattern with 90-degree end pieces. Designers today are using is in every aspect of the home, from kitchen to bath and beyond.
Skew Neutral
One of the hottest trends today is a neutral gray or buff colored floor. Change things up by adding in a subtle texture to combine with a herringbone pattern. Laminate, hardwood or even wood look tiles can be used to successfully achieve this effect. Play up contrast with bold furniture or go for a classic monochrome look with beiges and other soft neutrals.
Go Lux
First found in the palace of Versailles, parquet floors were originally a mark of wealth and class. Give a nod to herringbone’s royal history by pairing it with luxurious accessories. Choose richly toned woods and pair with metallic accents and sumptuous furniture. Think overstuffed velvet chairs, buttery leather and mounds of fluffy throw pillows.
Think Outside the Living Room
Herringbone doesn’t have to be contained to the living or bedrooms. Incorporate it into your kitchen, bath or outdoor living spaces. From waterproof vinyl panels, engineered planks or wood-look tile, there are many moisture resistant options on the market today. The unique style is a nice contrast to simple counters and cabinets and adds an eye-catching traditional feature to an otherwise clean and modern kitchen.
Go Bold with Color
The great thing about this pattern is its ability to adapt to different styles. Depending on the feel of your home, it can be adapted to almost any taste. Choose a light wood with low contrast for a seaside vibe, or dark and moody for something a bit more traditional. For a modern twist, alternate light and dark planks to bring out the herringbone contrast or spring for a rainbow of color in similar tones. Let your floors speak for themselves.
Need Help Installing Floors in Your Home? Ask the Experts at Factory Flooring
What type of underlayment should you use? How many inches thick? How do you install it? And how do you avoid damaging your floors in the process?
When you work with Factory Flooring, you don’t have to worry about these questions. Our team of professional flooring installers will handle all the heavy lifting for you — literally. All you have to do is relax and enjoy the savings on your energy bill.
Need to get more flooring ideas first? Our design blog has dozens of articles to help you get started. Whenever you’re ready to tackle your insulation project, we’ll be here to help. Contact us online to get started, or call Factory Flooring at 469-583-7053 .