Herringbone flooring inspiration
Herringbone is timber laid on the angle: short oak blocks set in a repeating zig-zag that adds depth and movement to a room. This gallery shows the pattern across light, natural, dark and rustic oak, so you can picture it in your own home before you order samples.
One pattern, a lot of range
Herringbone reads as classic or contemporary depending on the oak you pick and the room around it. A pale, matt floor feels light and Scandinavian. A deep, oiled brown feels warm and grand. The block itself does the work, so the same pattern can sit under a heritage villa or a hard-edged new build.
Every Vienna Woods herringbone block is engineered European oak: a real oak wear layer over a stable multi-ply core, which helps a small parquet block stay flat on a concrete slab. The species is European oak, engineered overseas to Vienna Woods’ specification.
Two parquet patterns, one easy tell
Staggered rectangles
Rectangular blocks meet at a right angle in a stepped, staggered weave. It is the busier, more traditional of the two, and the one most people picture when they say parquet.
A continuous V
The ends of each block are cut on an angle so they meet point to point in an unbroken zig-zag. Cleaner, more directional, and a little more formal.
Both are cut from the same boards. Our herringbone and chevron blocks are 120mm by 600mm, from a 15mm engineered board with a 4mm European oak wear layer, in the Petit Chateau collection and selected colours across the range.
Four herringbone looks to borrow
Pale and matt
A whitened or natural oak in a matt finish keeps a herringbone floor calm and light. It bounces daylight around, sits well under white walls and soft linen, and stops the pattern feeling heavy. This is the Scandinavian end of the range: think our lighter oak tones like Sazerac. Browse the full range of oak tones.
Natural and warm
A mid oak with a touch of honey is the safe, timeless choice. It works with almost any joinery, hides day-to-day life, and gives you the herringbone effect without committing to a strong colour.
Dark and grounded
A deep, oiled brown makes a room feel richer and more considered. Herringbone at this tone reads formal and grown-up, and looks its best in a living space with plenty of light to lift it.
Rustic and textured
Where a smooth floor feels too clean, a brushed, knotty oak brings age and grip. Filled knots, saw marks and colour movement give a herringbone floor real character, the kind that suits a barn conversion or a relaxed family home. Our Flamingo Raftwood parquet sits here.
Borders, inlays and a brass line
Herringbone gives you room to add a detail most floors cannot. A plain oak border around the field frames the pattern and makes the whole floor feel deliberate. Take it further with a fine brass or metal inlay, as shown here, for a bespoke edge that catches the light.
These details are decided at design stage and laid by hand, so they belong in the spec early. If you are working to a drawing, our timber flooring installation guide covers what herringbone asks of the subfloor and the installer.
Common questions
What is the difference between herringbone and chevron?
Herringbone uses rectangular blocks that meet at a right angle in a staggered weave. Chevron cuts the ends of each block on an angle so they meet in a continuous V. Same oak, different geometry.
What size are your herringbone blocks?
Our herringbone and chevron blocks are 120mm by 600mm, cut from a 15mm engineered board with a 4mm European oak wear layer. Selected colours are held in stock; the rest are made to order, please allow roughly 3 to 4 months, an estimate that can vary.
Does herringbone cost more than straight planks?
A parquet floor uses more blocks and takes longer to lay than a straight plank floor, so a herringbone install usually costs more overall. Our timber flooring cost guide walks through what goes into the price.
Can I see herringbone in my own light first?
Yes. Order free samples and lay them in the room at different times of day before you commit, because oak shifts a lot between morning and evening light. Order your samples here.
Free samples
See the oak and the herringbone block in your own light before you decide.
The herringbone range
Browse every oak we lay as herringbone and chevron parquet.
Petit Chateau
Our core European oak collection, with herringbone in selected colours.
Bring the pattern home
Order free herringbone samples, or send us your plans and we will help you spec the floor, the border and the finish.
