Chevron and Herringbone Flooring Trend
All zigzags are not created equal. Learn more about chevron and herringbone floor designs.
Chevron and Herringbone Flooring Trend
All zigzags are not created equal. Learn more about chevron and herringbone floor designs.
There has never been a better time to go big and bold with your floors! Finding inspiration for beautiful floors and spaces has never been easier. Pair that with today’s flooring innovations and you’ve got the workings for personalized flair that’s easy and affordable.
With the different flooring trends out there, one that really increases the wow factor is parquet flooring. Parquet flooring has been around for centuries and was originally only available to the super-rich. Parquet flooring creates geometric shapes and patterns that can range between an elegant upgrade to a dramatic statement. Of the different varieties of parquet patterns, the two most popular are chevron and herringbone. Both patterns are known for their zigs and zags, but it can be easy to mistake one for the other.
Chevron
Chevron design elements are seen everywhere. Its pattern evokes a sense of the modern, yet it’s been around since ancient times. The chevron pattern is described as a zigzag, but is also seen as an upward “V” pattern. In wood flooring, chevron can be easily distinguished because wood planks are traditionally cut at 45 ° angles. Because of this, planks on a chevron design form an exact point.
Herringbone
Herringbone also has its roots in ancient times but really made a name for itself in opulent castles and cathedrals. Again, herringbone looks like a zigzag, but the wood reveals all: while planks in chevron make 45° angles, herringbone planks make 90° angles. This difference gives herringbone a “broken” zigzag vs. chevron’s continuous lines.
Chevron and Herringbone floors
Before committing to a bold layout, it helps to brush up on floor design fundamentals before choosing a pattern so the final result works with your room's proportions and style.
Despite their strong similarities, chevron and herringbone are used for different effects.
- Use chevron when you want a modern, luxurious look.
- Chevron can be used to make a room appear bigger.
- Use herringbone when going for a classic/traditional look.
- Herringbone can make a room appear smaller.
- The herringbone is more subtle than chevron.
When it comes to choosing one style over the other, consider your preferred installation method. If a professional flooring contractor is installing these floors with individual planks, prices will go up. Also, because of the cuts used in chevron floors, more waste is created. However, parquet tiles or other flooring options like luxury vinyl can be used to make the floor more affordable and easier to install.
To learn more about your hardwood flooring options, check out the Colors and Style section from our Wood Floors 101 guide. There you’ll find helpful videos and articles about everything related to hardwood floors. Check out our Inspiration page for more looks wood floor stain options to give you the floor you’ve always wanted