Herringbone vs Chevron Flooring: Which Parquet Style Is Right for Your Home?
Parquet flooring has become one of the most popular ways to introduce character and pattern into a home. Rather than laying every plank in the same direction, parquet uses individual blocks to create a decorative design that can turn the floor itself into a major feature of the room.
Two of the most recognisable styles are herringbone and chevron flooring. At first glance they can look quite similar, but the way the blocks are cut and installed creates two noticeably different finished appearances.
If you are considering parquet flooring for your home, understanding the difference between herringbone and chevron can make choosing the right design much easier. In this guide, we compare their appearance, installation, suitability for different rooms and the overall effect each pattern can create.
What Is Herringbone Flooring?
Herringbone flooring is created using rectangular wooden blocks laid at right angles to one another. The end of one block meets the side of the next, producing the distinctive staggered zig-zag pattern associated with traditional parquet flooring.
It is a style that has been used in homes and buildings for generations, but its versatility means it works just as well in contemporary interiors.
Depending on the size, colour and finish of the blocks, herringbone flooring can look traditional, understated or highly modern.
Why Is Herringbone Flooring So Popular?
One of the biggest advantages of herringbone is its ability to add visual interest without overpowering a room.
Natural oak tones can create a warm and classic appearance, while smoked, pale or darker finishes can make the same pattern feel much more contemporary.
The repeated layout can also help draw the eye through a space, making herringbone particularly effective in hallways, open-plan kitchens and larger living areas.
What Is Chevron Flooring?
Chevron flooring also creates a zig-zag effect, but the individual pieces are cut at an angle at each end.
When installed, the angled ends meet directly to create a continuous V-shaped pattern. This gives chevron flooring a sharper and more symmetrical appearance than herringbone.
The result tends to feel more structured and geometric, making chevron a popular option for homeowners looking for a strong design feature.
Herringbone vs Chevron Flooring: What Is the Difference?
The main difference between herringbone vs chevron flooring is the shape of the individual blocks and how they meet.
Herringbone uses rectangular blocks that overlap at 90-degree angles. Chevron blocks have angled ends that meet point-to-point.
Although the difference may sound small, it has a significant impact on how the finished floor looks.
Herringbone
Herringbone has a staggered appearance, giving the pattern a slightly softer and more traditional character.
The eye naturally follows the blocks in alternating directions, which can create a sense of movement across the floor.
Chevron
Chevron creates continuous straight lines running through the points of the pattern.
This makes the design feel cleaner, sharper and more symmetrical. It can work particularly well in minimalist or contemporary interiors where strong architectural lines are already part of the design.
Which Style Works Best in a Traditional Home?
Herringbone is often associated with period properties because parquet floors have been used extensively in older homes.
For Victorian, Edwardian and other character properties, a traditional oak herringbone floor can complement original architectural features such as fireplaces, decorative mouldings and timber joinery.
That does not mean chevron cannot work in a period home. Choosing the right timber colour and finish can allow a more geometric chevron pattern to create an interesting contrast between traditional architecture and contemporary interior design.
Which Is Better for a Modern Interior?
Both options can work extremely well in modern homes.
Chevron tends to create a cleaner and more architectural appearance, which makes it particularly suited to contemporary spaces.
However, herringbone has also become a major feature of modern interiors. Larger parquet blocks, pale oak finishes and wider proportions can give traditional herringbone a completely different appearance.
Rather than choosing based purely on whether your property is old or new, consider the overall style you want to achieve.
Does Parquet Flooring Make a Room Look Bigger?
The direction and scale of a parquet pattern can influence how a room feels.
In a hallway or narrow space, positioning the pattern so that it draws the eye along the length of the room can create a stronger sense of movement.
In larger rooms, herringbone and chevron designs help break up wide areas of flooring, giving the space more detail and character than a straightforward plank layout.
The size of the blocks is also important. Larger-format parquet can work particularly well in spacious open-plan interiors, while smaller blocks can create a more intricate traditional look.
Herringbone and Chevron Flooring in Open-Plan Spaces
Open-plan kitchens, dining rooms and living spaces are particularly well suited to parquet flooring.
Using one continuous floor throughout multiple areas can help connect the different parts of the room while the pattern prevents a large floor area from appearing too plain.
Herringbone introduces plenty of movement, while chevron can emphasise longer sightlines across the space.
This makes both styles worth considering when flooring needs to provide visual interest while also tying an open-plan interior together.
What Wood Is Best for Parquet Flooring?
Oak remains one of the most popular materials for parquet flooring because of its natural grain, durability and versatility.
However, the final appearance depends on much more than the timber species alone.
Different treatments and finishes can dramatically change the look of the floor. Options can include:
- Natural oak
- Pale or whitewashed finishes
- Smoked wood
- Dark stains
- Brushed textures
- Oiled finishes
- Lacquered finishes
The right combination will depend on the furniture, kitchen units, wall colours and other finishes within your interior.
Engineered vs Solid Wood Parquet Flooring
Parquet patterns can be created using both solid and engineered wood blocks.
Engineered Parquet Flooring
Engineered wood uses a real timber wear layer over a stable multi-layered construction.
This stability makes engineered parquet a popular choice for modern homes and renovation projects, particularly where changes in temperature or humidity need to be considered.
Many engineered parquet products are supplied pre-finished, providing a wide choice of colours and surface treatments.
Solid Wood Parquet
Solid parquet blocks are made from timber throughout.
They can create a beautiful traditional floor and may be particularly appropriate when matching existing flooring within older properties.
The right choice will depend on the property, subfloor, room conditions and the particular finish you are trying to achieve.
Can Parquet Flooring Be Used With Underfloor Heating?
Many engineered wood parquet products can be suitable for use with underfloor heating, but it is important to check the specification of the particular floor before installation.
The flooring, heating system, subfloor and installation method all need to work together correctly.
If underfloor heating is part of your project, this should be discussed when choosing the flooring rather than after the product has already been selected.
Is Herringbone Easier to Install Than Chevron?
Both parquet styles require more planning and precision than a conventional straight plank installation.
The centre line and starting position need to be carefully established so that the pattern remains balanced throughout the room.
Chevron requires particularly accurate alignment because the angled blocks need to meet consistently to maintain the continuous V pattern.
Herringbone also requires careful setting out, especially around walls, doorways and transitions between rooms.
Professional installation can make a significant difference to the finished appearance of either style.
How Do You Choose Between Herringbone and Chevron?
If you are struggling to decide, consider the overall effect you want the flooring to create.
Choose Herringbone If You Want:
- A classic parquet appearance
- A pattern that suits both period and modern interiors
- A slightly softer and more traditional zig-zag
- Plenty of movement and character across the floor
- A wide choice of block sizes and finishes
Choose Chevron If You Want:
- A sharper geometric pattern
- Strong, continuous lines through the room
- A contemporary or architectural appearance
- A statement floor with a symmetrical design
- A distinctive alternative to traditional herringbone
Neither pattern is automatically better. The right choice comes down to the property, room proportions and your personal interior style.
Choosing Parquet Flooring in Birmingham
Homes across Birmingham range from Victorian and Edwardian properties to contemporary apartments and large modern renovations, which means there is no single parquet style that works for every project.
Traditional herringbone can complement the original character of period homes, while oversized blocks and modern finishes can completely transform newer interiors.
If you are researching parquet flooring Birmingham, seeing the different patterns, block sizes and finishes in person can make choosing between them much easier.
Samples can look very different once installed across a larger area, so it is worth considering how the colour, grain and pattern will interact with natural light, furniture and the proportions of the room.
Visit Mazon Flooring
At Mazon Flooring, we offer a wide selection of parquet and herringbone wood flooring for homes and commercial interiors.
Our team can help you compare engineered and solid wood options, different block sizes, colours and finishes, as well as advise on the most suitable installation method for your property.
You can visit our Birmingham or Leamington Spa showroom to see parquet flooring in person and discuss your project with our team.
Herringbone vs Chevron Flooring: Final Thoughts
When comparing herringbone vs chevron flooring, the biggest decision is usually the style you want to create.
Herringbone offers a timeless, versatile pattern that works across traditional and modern interiors. Chevron provides a more precise geometric appearance with strong lines that can make the flooring a major design feature.
Whichever pattern you choose, parquet flooring offers an opportunity to add texture, movement and natural character to your interior.
Taking time to compare different layouts, timber finishes and block sizes will help you choose a floor that complements your property and continues to look impressive for years to come.